Sabra Johnson is an American dancer from Roy, Utah and the Season 3 Champion of the Fox reality television show So You Think You Can Dance.
In addition Johnson has taught Jazz dance internationally, and as of 2017 was working closely with the Dancenter in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Through the Dancenter she formed a working partnership with the Urban Dance Group (UDG) where she is choreographing and directing her first full length interactive dance show, ‘Between Us’.
Women Fitness chats with the talented dancer about her spectacular shows.
Namita Nayyar:
At the young age of 16, you started your dance journey leading upto here. What attracted you towards dance? When did you decide of taking it up professionally?
Sabra Johnson:
I was always dancing or trying do dance when I was younger before I started studying it so I would say it is second nature. When I started studying it I actually loved the structure of it, I was able to focus. Unlike school where I had a hard time focusing I was able to put all my attention into learning dance. I liked the challenge and and the feeling it rewarded me with. To be free. At 18 I had plans to go to college but I was dancing and fell even more in love with it and decided I needed to pursue it.
Full interview is continued on next page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You are the Season 3 Champion of the Fox reality television show So You Think You Can Dance. How would you describe your experience on the show?
Sabra Johnson:
My experience on the show was challenging, exciting, and stressful. Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind I wouldn’t make it to the show, I didn’t have time to think about the impossible, but when I made it to the top 20 it was incredible for me. It was the biggest thing I had ever done. It gave me the challenge I was hungry for to see if I was a capable dancer and to see how far I could go. Even though I was in competition with people I wasn’t thinking of them I was only focused on how I could grow myself, overcome myself week by week. I was so thankful to be there and the opportunity to learn from so many awesome choreographers as well as dancers was so exciting for me. With everything good, it was still TV. The demanding hours and just being so young it was a stressful place to be. It was just as a relief as it was amazing to win. All that hard work and build up to that day I proved to myself that I was capable, that I could give something to people. The compensation of course made my life as a “starving artist” much more feasible!
Namita Nayyar:
Apart from practicing dance everyday, what other forms of exercise or cross-training do you do?
Sabra Johnson:
I like to practice dance everyday in many different forms. I don’t like to “exercise” funnily enough. Thank goodness dance is stamina, strength, flexibility, balance, and willpower outside of the infinite artistry and pleasure that it renders. Otherwise I would be happy to lounge about all day!
Namita Nayyar:
Do you need to follow a strict diet or eat everything in moderation? What are your favourite dinner meals?
Sabra Johnson:
I’m built very small so have to eat a lot so I don’t wither away. My diet is to eat delicious things and many times a day. My favourite meal is breakfast, and more specifically it is an omelette, bacon, and pancakes… Very American!
Namita Nayyar:
5 exercises that are a must for toning your leg muscles and to enhance flexibility.
Sabra Johnson:
Best exercises all to tone and stretch leg muscles.
1. Plies! (Ballet) for strength and fluid movement.
2. Lunges to balance and stretch.
3. Hamstring stretch. Just touch your toes!
4. Lunge and let your back knee stay on the floor, stretch your psoaz. Very important!
5. Passes and Develops. Balancing on one leg and lifting the other into the air, it takes a certain strength and flexibility to be able to achieve this. Two birds with one stone!
Namita Nayyar:
How would you define Women Fitness?
Sabra Johnson:
Women Fitness is strong mind strong body and vise versa. It feels good to feel good about yourself.
Namita Nayyar:
After a spectacular journey up till now, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Sabra Johnson:
In the next five years I will have completed the movie I’m currently working on and reach millions and millions of people. I will build my house. I will start a family. I will still be dancing and continuing to create.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you relax and rejuvenate after a long dance session?
Sabra Johnson:
After a long day of dancing sometimes I will drop dead and sleep like a baby through the night and other days I go out and play more. I’m still figuring out how to balance myself to get 100% everyday and though I’m pretty good about it, maybe that idea is just that, an idea.
Namita Nayyar:
For all the aspiring dancers who look upto you, what would be your 5 tips to be a professional dancer?
Sabra Johnson:
To be a professional dancer
1. You must work
2. You must work hard
3. You must be open
4. You must work harder
5. You must be passionate
Namita Nayyar:
Your passion has carried you across the world, finally settling you down in Vietnam where you do dancing, choreographing, and directing. How did you finally decide upon settling down in this beautiful country?
Sabra Johnson:
Wow, my career has taken me all over the world and for that I am very grateful. I love Vietnam and it happens to be the place I am in now that provides me with a place to work and more importantly continue to learn. Vietnam is a huge part of me now and who I am as a dancer. It has evolved me.
This interview is exclusively taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness