I'm asked so often whether I believe in life after death. I do believe in the sanctity of life, the continuity of life and of energy. I know the anonymity of death has no appeal for me. It is the now that I must face and want to face.

The reason dance has held such an ageless magic for the world is that it has been the symbol of the performance of living.

Wherever a dancer stands is holy ground.

Dancers today can do anything; the technique is phenomenal. The passion and the meaning to their movement can be another thing.

The body is your instrument in dance, but your art is outside that creature, the body.

I love words very much. I've always loved to talk, and I've always love words — the words that rest in your mouth, what words mean and how you taste them and so on. And for me the spoken word can be used almost as a gesture.

Our arms start from the back because they were once wings.