Page 39 - Provoke Magazine Vol2

tense and admitted that her head was not where it need- ed to be, and she knew it. Performing in front of students and fans and for a well-known production, she admitted to taking the wrong steps a few times and then she ultimately asked to do it over, even though it was frowned at. This was a live recorded performance and her partner was a perfec- tionist. The second go-around she did it perfectly! Don’t for- get to fight for your second chance people! “One thing about me is that I am very expressive. If I am messing up or I am not feeling it, you can tell by my face straight away. I do not smile and I lose energy in my movements.”
With all the pressure of being an awesome performer and celebrated coach, I asked Miss Opuwari, how she enjoys her downtime, what she does to keep sane? “I spend that time watching Anime. Everyone asks me why I watch cartoons. I go for the ones with strong storylines that talk about friend- ship, they talk about life, and they talk about love, being who you should be and never being ashamed of it. It puts me in a creative space. I enjoy to watch and laugh and cry and be better in life. I love to talk and interact with people and spread positivity. You can’t give what you don’t have, so I try to watch and read things that instigate that feeling within me. I can give someone some of that positivity because in these times there is too much negativity, too much stress, and suffering. People seem to come out angry every morn- ing.” We exchanged how it is even stressful to see people so worked up and angry early in the day. It is a change in society that is happening across the world, the effects of stress and how we interact. As another woman, I was curious about the beauty’s love life. She said that she is in a serious relationship and they do have plans to marry. He has a winner!
She has a daily ritual she sticks to, “when I awake I like to pray, read motivational words and drink a lot of water. If I miss any of these things I feel horrible throughout the day. I feel especially bad if I don’t dance unless I am on bed rest or my body is telling me it needs a break; other than that, I absolutely have to dance every day.”
Other than SPAN she is affiliated with Naija Urban Dance Nation (N.U.D.A.N) and Boogie B Entertainment which is only 2 years old. “I will work with anything I feel I can add value to but these 3 are my main focus.”
She does not do any competitive dancing and as of late she has only been a judge and choreographer. She has put in her work and now only has the responsibility of guiding others. “When judging I am always very kind and informative so that the dancers can truly get better. I tell them this is what you need to work on and this is what you need to do. I have a responsibility to make sure that the dancer knows exactly how to become better.”
Finishing up our chat I wanted to get a quote that meant something to her, something someone said to encourage her that has stuck throughout the years. I also asked what she would say to others who have hopes and ambitions, to dance or anything else; “My coach, she said this to me and every time I lose my mind I think, ‘make sure the main thing, remains the main thing.’ Find the problem and fix that problem, don’t chase down any other complications. If I am angry I ask myself, ‘why exactly am I angry?’ I answer that question, I fix that issue and then I move on.”
Ukalina says to you all, “Just be yourself. It is so important for you to be you. Don’t try to be anyone else, don’t try to be less of yourself for others and don’t compare yourself to anyone. You have a purpose in your life; face what God has given to you and be that original.
It was a refreshing interview and although we are in two different countries there were several instances where I felt a oneness with this talented dancer and choreographer. Dance like no one is watching, be true to you.
Andrea Pernell Provokeusmag.com 39
DANCE