I was not happy with myself as a human being when I was very young – I was afraid of people; I was afraid of talking, I didn’t know how to express myself other than by being on stage. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don’t have the opportunity to live. You don’t want to die for love every day, but on stage, you can. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
Dancers, you know, they have pain everywhere: ankles in the morning, or back or neck or ribs or knees or the muscles. You are never free of pain, you know. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
The first time I took a plane to dance in front of an audience outside France was when I was in the Paris Opera Ballet School, and we flew to Japan. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
Everything I do, I try to make it the best I can. So I go my own way and give it all I have. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
Dancers are not like movie actresses. People look at our bodies, not our faces. They only recognise me when I sign my name on something and they say, ‘Ah yes, Sylvie.’ Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
My mother really pushed me when I was young. I didn’t want to go to dance classes, but for some reason, when I was there, I didn’t want to come back. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
Walking in the mountains helps me unwind, but it also reminds me in a painful way that the real beauty in life is nature and animals, and that the human race, in all its arrogance, is intent on destroying it. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
As much as I love my work, I do appreciate my rare days off. Even then, I can’t afford to let the dancing go. I need at least an hour just to keep in shape, so wherever I am in the world, I’ll grab the door or the furniture and do some serious exercise. Sylvie Guillem Read Quote
