I want to be free... free to develop my art.

Being spontaneous, it's what saved me.

Dancers, many dancers today can do so much technically. You can give them steps that are complicated, then more complicated, pyrotechnical - and they can execute these steps to perfection. But to do simple steps with a pure classical line, that is truly difficult.

Usually, English personalities are difficult they dont take criticism easily.

You cannot dance an arabesque in 'Swan Lake' and 'Nutcracker' the same way.

A real ballerina must fill her space with her own personality.

All of the very important events in my life happen by chance.

To look back all the time is boring. Excitement lies in tomorrow.

It’s hard to find backbone.I never had crisis of identity. But I think many Americans have it.

Because my profession is the body, it is a relaxation for me to get out of physicality and concentrate on more mental things.

Technical things are getting more mechanical. Take 'Swan Lake,' the Black Swan pas de deux. Now, my goodness, they're turning not just 32 fouettes - but double or triple pirouettes.

I think often that God is guiding me.

I travel like a gypsy, and I didn't know how I could perform and be a mother.