Martha Graham Quotes

A collection of quotes by Martha Graham.

Martha Graham was an American dancer and choreographer, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern dance. Born in 1894, she founded the Martha Graham Dance Company and is known for her innovative movement techniques and expressive choreography. Throughout her career, Graham created numerous iconic works that revolutionized the art form, exploring themes of the human experience. Her contributions to modern dance continue to influence and inspire generations of dancers and choreographers worldwide.

Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.

Dance is the hidden language of the soul of the body.

'Age' is the acceptance of a term of years. But maturity is

'Age' is the acceptance of a term of years. But maturity is the glory of years.

Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they

Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.

The body is a sacred garment: it is what you enter life in a

The body is a sacred garment: it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honour, and with joy and with fear as well. But always, though, with blessing.

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face o

Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.

The body is a sacred garment.

The body is a sacred garment.

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening,

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.

Every social organisation which is rooted in life still last

Every social organisation which is rooted in life still lasts a long time, even after the conditions from which it drew its strength have changed in a manner unfavourable to it.

Nothing is more revealing than movement.

Nothing is more revealing than movement.

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is tran

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.

We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an

We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is the function of the American dance.

America does not concern itself now with Impressionism. We o

America does not concern itself now with Impressionism. We own no involved philosophy. The psyche of the land is to be found in its movement. It is to be felt as a dramatic force of energy and vitality. We move; we do not stand still. We have not yet arrived at the stock-taking stage.

Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they

Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.

We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by

We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God.

To me, a building - if it's beautiful - is the love of one m

To me, a building - if it's beautiful - is the love of one man, he's made it out of his love for space, materials, things like that.

The body is your instrument in dance, but your art is outsid

The body is your instrument in dance, but your art is outside that creature, the body.