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WELCOME TO GRACE NEWS
Where dance takes care of your body.


GRACE NEWS is devoted to the ongoing development of GRACE, a new dance form: one which is good for your body and, in particular, good for your joints. This style of dance technique was created by Vanessa Kettler especially for active older dancers and anyone compromised by injury. The results so far have been stunning, in the improvement and health of the joints of the spine in particular. This is a work in progress and enhancements are expected to be added frequently.


Sign up for GRACE NEWS by sending an e-mail to Vanessa.
​The link is at the bottom of this page.

GRACE NEWS Table of Contents:


The Basics of GRACE:
GRACE, a new dance form:
GRACE Briefly:
​GRACE Road Map:
 Thorough description of technique.
 A summary.
 Navigating through GRACE.
The Body of GRACE:
Joint Release:
​Suspension:
Forming:
​GRACE and the Nervous System:
A Question of Energy:
 Essential joint process.
 Essential GRACE process.
 Important finishing step.
​ The foundation of GRACE.
​ The effects of life force energy.

GRACE Release Exercises:
Breathing Technique For Dancers:
 Basic instructions for joint release.
​​ Particularly useful with GRACE.


Origins of GRACE:


As a devoted dancer in my early 80s, I had arrived seemingly at a brick wall when the joints of my spine started to give me trouble early in 2025. Dancing had begun to be a burden instead of a solution. Along came the challenge of developing a project proposal to submit with the application for a week long residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York. I had decided on a whim to try for this jewel of a dance award by highlighting my success as an older dancer and teacher.

My project idea was to advance a style of dance training which was in particular healthy for the joints, unlike much of traditional instruction. After submitting the application in the fall of 2025 and after several more months of exciting progress, my spine health started to improve. New and exciting ideas continue to flow and mature with additional development described in new ongoing articles for GRACE NEWS.

I wasn't granted a residency after all but frankly, that didn't matter one bit because the process of applying for this difficult to win prize was far more valuable than actually winning it. The process of developing GRACE was in and of itself an incredible prize.
Published June 1, 2026.
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