#MotivationMonday: Watch this Powerful Piece by Alvin Ailey Dancers

While Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancers were on tour in Saratoga a few weeks ago, company member Sean Aaron Carmon noticed his fellow dancers were hurting. Spurred by the recent violence plaguing our nation (and our world), Carmon and other Ailey dancers (like Jacqueline Green, Yannick Lebrun, Daniel Harder, Samantha Figgins and Jacquelin Harris) decided to hit the studio to work through their emotions in the best way they know how: dance.

The result is a powerful performance to Beyoncé‘s “Freedom” featuring Kendrick Lamar. Originally created for his students, Carmon choreographed the piece and told The New York Times that “As the dance progressed, it allowed me to release a lot of my emotions, so I proposed it to the company: If anyone wants to come and dance whatever you’re feeling out, we have 30 minutes—let’s have that moment so we can leave it in the studio and take our fresh selves to the stage.”

As for the ending improv section, Carmon simply told the dancers “I’m going to put the music on. Give me everything you have.” And that’s exactly what they did.

It’s a great example of how dance, and its healing power, can bring people together in strength and unity. Watch the full video below, it’s seriously #flawless.

Have a fabulously motivated Monday—and keep dancing for what you believe in!

FREEDOM, FREEDOM, I CAN’T MOVE. FREEDOM, CUT ME LOOSE! FREEDOM, FREEDOM, WHERE ARE YOU?! CAUSE [WE] NEED FREEDOM, TOO! ・・・ Choreography by #ALVINAILEY dancer Sean Aaron Carmon @hookedonsean; featuring Ailey dancers @collintheshots2 @courtesy_ofhtwn @jagreen711 @yannicklebrun @constancestamatiou @thedanielharder @sfigg_udigg @jacquelinh @danfreaka @chlvrmntro @jerms83 @cherrysunblush Elisa Clark, Belen Pererya, Kanji Segawa and Fana Tesfagiorgis ・・・ Music by @beyonce feat. @kendricklamar

A video posted by Alvin Ailey (@alvinailey) on

Jul 11, 2016 at 9:37pm PDT

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