Talent discovers us!

Students and teachers at the Swedish Institute have many talents, which they have put to use in previous occupations that range from artist to zookeeper (see Our Creative Community in the archive.)

Talent magazine recently discovered our pool of interesting New Yorkers when reporter Mike Evans visited the school. For the interview in Talent, which focuses on the arts, there were many potential candidates among students, including sculptors, artists, dancers and musicians. By chance of scheduling, Mike wound up interviewing Vlada Yaneva, a concert pianist in her last semester of our Massage Therapy Program.

Mike:
I’m writing an article for Talent magazine, which focuses on emerging artists in all media; art, writing, dance and music. The article is for artists who may be looking for work that is flexible and provides some extra income. How did you first find out about the Swedish Institute and what motivated you to study massage?

Vlada:
About five years ago, I did my first MS Walk in NYC and at the finish line there were massage tables offering post-event massage - which happened to be performed by Swedish Institute students. So that’s how I know about the school. But massage was part of my life in Bulgaria, where I grew up. When we were children, whenever we got sick my father would do what he called “picking up your skin from your bones.” If I had a cold, and was aching all over, he would pull up the skin on my back. It felt really good. Now I realize it was a great way to increase the circulation through the fascia, to release the sinew channels and stimulate Shiatsu points on the back. How our parents and grandparents knew to do this, I don’t know, but I think it’s a common folk tradition, it’s the wisdom of the ages that uses natural ways of taking care of each other. I thought about studying medicine, but realized I don’t want to change my profession, I want to simply augment it. I felt with massage this would be possible.

Mike:
A lot of people in different arts have a dominant sense. For instance, musicians have a dominant sense of hearing, graphic artists have a dominant sense of vision. Have you found any shift in your senses since studying massage?

Vlada:
When I play piano, I am using my ears a lot, the sensitivity of my fingers, and somewhat my sight. Physically I’m using my fingers, forearms and arms. The energy of movement, however, comes from the core of the body, which was interesting to hear as instructions for correct posture in the first class of Swedish massage. So, correct posture is important for both musicians and massage therapists.

I think studying massage has helped me as a pianist. Playing on the instrument for many years has made my hands and fingers quite dexterous, strong and sensitive. Studying massage has developed these qualities even further. It also made me excited about approaching the piano in a new way, with a new dimension. It’s helped me renew myself, which I feel is important. And by thinking about the meaning of touch and the energy that is transferred with it, it helps me to go back to the original idea of music, which is about communication with people.

Mike:
So the commonality for you is about communicating with people?

Vlada:
Yes, and trying to make life better in some way, whether it is emotional, physical, intellectual or spiritual. We are all striving to make something beautiful. I don’t like to think of art as an absolute, I perceive it as a language of higher form, which transcends ideas and creates the opportunity to share beauty.

People who create art are trying to express an idea in a complete form. This asks for continual renewal and personal growth. I believe to be an interesting artist you have to have an interaction with people and continue expanding yourself. It’s not about practicing in a room for eight hours a day. When I give a performance it’s not about how well I play the piano or a piece of music. My art is about connection to people, sharing an idea. When I give a massage, it is also about communication and an exchange of energy on different levels. It can be an intense and life-changing experience, like the best kind of art.

Photo: Mike Evans visits the school to interview Vlada Yaneva.

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Talent discovers us!