Flamenco and Mandala Art
I’ve been off work since the last week of March. For the first couple of weeks, I was just happy to do household chores, like cleaning, cooking, etc. Then one day, I realized that I have plenty of time and nothing on my to-do list.
That was when I really had to ask myself, “What do you really really want to do?”
My answer was “create mandalas and dance flamenco!”
For me, creating mandalas is like digging into my deep core and finding something precious within me. Once that thing is found, I raise it up and spread it out!
Every journey is different. Sometimes it’s easy to find, sometimes it’s so difficult. But there is one thing I always face and that is fear.
To be specific, fear of failure. When I was a child, my grade 5 teacher told me that I have no artistic talent. Maybe I still believe that?
When I draw mandalas, I often stop when one circle is done, or one color is done. I just have to walk away from it.
..And where do I go? To practice flamenco. This is my new routine of COVID19 life!!
Even if I only practice a new llamada for 10 minutes or try to remember some choreographies, it is so refreshing! From the stillness of mandalas to the movement, silence to passionate music of flamenco. They seem totally opposite, yet they both have healing power. Both help me to become grounded. (Although, my flamenco needs more grounding…right? Kasandra!?!)
I had my biggest fear a few years ago when I stepped into the Bulerias Por Fiesta class, especially during the circle time. What is great about the Mozaico Flamenco community is that people are so kind and encouraging.
I’ve learned (or should say I am learning) a lot. I’ve learned that it is ok to make mistakes. In fact, classes are the place to make mistakes and that’s how we learn.
I still have fear. But it is a little smaller than before.
My mandalas and Flamenco journey will continue.
This is not a journey to find myself but a journey to accept who I truly am.
by Mitsuyo Argotow
