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Sonia Rodriguez
The National Ballet of Canada's principal ballerina talks about rest, relaxation and ‘dancing around' the idea of ever taking a proper holiday
| Source: |
Toronto Star |
| Date: |
May 24, 2008 |
RELAXING 101
After a long day rehearsing, Sonia Rodriguez's only quiet time—like many other working mothers—is after she puts the kids to bed. Rodriguez and her husband, skater Kurt Browning, have two sons, Gabriel and Dillon. "I love taking a long bath, reading a book and lighting lots of candles, even if it's only for 20 minutes. Candlelight helps me relax. Before the kids [were born], ‘me time' was on the subway going to work—nobody would bother me and I could read in peace."
THE GREAT ESCAPE
"I'd love to go to Greece. We were supposed to go on our honeymoon 12 years ago, but got too busy and never made the time. My family lives in Spain, Kurt's lives in Alberta; when we have free time, we accommodate everyone else."
MUSIC TO HER EARS
"I used to suffer from insomnia, and music was the only thing that could put me to sleep. [Gaelic/pop singer] Enya was perfect. I couldn't recognize the words that she was singing, so the songs didn't stick in my head. I have to be careful about the songs I select—if I'm not able to forget them, they can affect my performance."
NO SLAVE TO BEAUTY
"I go through periods where I never wear makeup. Or I spot a wrinkle and I'm suddenly very aware of my skin. I don't like a beauty routine that requires a lot of energy. If I need a bit of brightening up, I'll pull out mascara and eyeliner, maybe some blush." Rodriguez only wears foundation when performing and avoids anything oil-based. She's not into name brands and can't even remember the name of the moisturizer she's currently using. Other than diligently smoothing on moisturizer (the same one for day and night), she always makes time to clean her skin. She sheepishly admits to not using sunscreen except, of course, if she's spending hours outdoors. "It's a bad mentality from people like myself, who have olive skin, that we don't need to wear sunscreen since we don't burn as quickly. I know I should wear it."
MAKEUP SOFT SPOT
"Lip balm. Vaseline—only for nighttime. During the day, I use any brand as long as it's unscented and not sticky. I don't like to feel like I'm carrying a piece of watermelon in my mouth all day. It works for my five-year-old, though he just licks it off."
BEST BEAUTY TIP
"Water, water, water. Drink lots of it. My mother drinks so much water that her skin just glows—she's always nagging me to have more."
CHILLING OUT
Since vacations are limited to the summer—Rodriguez will perform in the National Ballet's Cinderella (which opens Wednesday), the fall season, and the Nutcracker later this year, and Browning's schedule is equally jam-packed—the principal ballerina admits that when R&R does become available, it's weeks of being active with the kids. "I really need a break—my family has my complete attention." During the last week of any holiday, Rodriguez tries to strengthen her body in preparation for dancing, with light stretching, a bit of bar, cardio workouts, biking and yoga.
HER PERFECT DAY
"A great sleep the night before—not being woken up at 5:30 a.m. by the kids. A calm and quiet breakfast outdoors with my family, eating my favourite: eggs Benedict. We'd fly off to somewhere exotic that has a beach and play with the kids. Then I'd love to get in a little shopping. If I had time, I'd squeak in a mini performance where I didn't have to prep (no warming up or stretching), all condensed into a half-hour. The night would be dinner and dancing with my husband, although he can get out of control and I have to literally back away. He thinks I don't like dancing with him, but it's not that. His moves are way too much for me!"
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