Ballet on Break

NYCB dancers—along with their fellow New Yorkers—have officially entered the heart of summer, with long, humid days and nights spent away from the theater. These weeks without regular rehearsals, classes, or performances allow additional time for leisure activities, quality time with friends and family, and more.

We caught up with Corps de Ballet Member Eli Raphael Gruska following his return from our recent Los Angeles tour stop to ask how he enjoys the off season.

I really enjoy practicing yoga during my breaks from the season. It’s nice to move my body in a gentler way than ballet that also encompasses mindfulness and spiritual growth. For classes, I typically go to a lovely studio downtown. A handful of other NYCB dancers are regulars there, too, and it’s fun when we end up in the same class together. During the warmer months, I sometimes take class from a yogi who teaches pop-ups in Central Park. Practicing yoga outdoors feels very healing and invigorating to me. During the meditative savasana portion at the end of class, I lay down on the grass and always think that I can feel the heartbeat of the city underneath me. It’s (quite literally) very grounding. 

I always look forward to catching up with my family in California. I love them all so much, but I make it a special priority to spend as much time as possible with my almost 3-year-old niece, Maya. Since I’m not around to babysit and see her regularly, I try my best to stay connected and involved in her life however I can. I like to FaceTime call her from New York and give her little gifts (usually toys or clothes) so she'll think of me when she’s playing with them or wearing them. That way, when I finally do get to spend time with her, I’m not a total stranger. We have a really sweet relationship and I just melt every time she calls me “Uncle Eli.” In some exciting news, during our LA tour, she was in the audience at what was her first live ballet performance! I heard that she sat through the whole performance wide-eyed. I hope she continues to develop a love for dance and enjoys many more NYCB performances in the future.

One of my favorite aspects of living in New York is the seemingly endless supply of arts and culture to enjoy. I love that my work gives the experience of enjoying ballet to thousands of people every night. But when I’m off, it’s a treat to be on the other side and take in different types of art. I’m craving a visit to the Metropolitan Museum soon. I want to check out the Costume Art exhibition. Beyond seeing such beautiful art, the museum is so humongous that you kind of get absorbed by it, which turns the outing into a full experience. In addition to the Met, I hope to check out some of the newer Broadway productions this summer: Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Schmigadoon! are at the top of my list.

_{Continuum photo of Eli Raphael Gruska and Soloist India Bradley © Erin Baiano. Ballet on Break and additional photos courtesy of Eli Raphael Gruska.}