Alejandra Izquierdo Pons: On Creativity
Marianna
When do your best ideas hit you?
Ale
When I’m actually skating and performing. It’s almost as if I’m in a “meditational” state of mind. Literally when I’m on my element is when new ideas arise! ... also while I’m in the shower. Like I said music and movement always bring newer ideas!
Marianna
What does creativity mean to you?
Ale
As an athlete and performer, creativity to me is just simply the way to exist. Without it I couldn’t be able to be who I am or express myself, therefore nothing of what I do would make any sense.
Marianna
What creative projects are you most proud of?
Ale
Taking part in the TV series Dancing On Ice. As a professional figure skater who partners with a celebrity that never skated before. I have done the series in the UK and in the Netherlands and I couldn’t feel more proud of that part of my career!
Marianna
Do you have a routine for entering into a creative headspace?
Ale
As an athlete, there’s always a routine to enter the creative headspace. However, I think now more than a routine, it has become regular habits that are part of me… that allow me to naturally access my creative side.
Marianna
Do you have habits you've built for yourself to foster creativity?
Ale
Yes, music and movement usually come hand in hand with creativity for me... therefore I do most of my activities with music and allowing my body to move... then my brain automatically starts creating new ideas and projects!
Marianna
Where do you think ideas come from?
Ale
Ideas come simply from the brain... in conjunction with my desires and passions. I never have an idea, a new creation, or a new project that is not something I like or I’m passionate about.
Marianna
How would you describe your creative process?
Ale
It’s kind of natural for me... so I don’t have a specific protocol to follow. I just simply allow myself to be fully me while doing what I love the most... then the creative process happens by itself. So new ideas arise, new ways of creating also show up, and it’s just a matter of keep reinventing myself in the shapes and forms I already am, to then naturally evolve into new ideas and creations.
Marianna
So many artists are pivoting and finding ways to adjust their creative process during the quarantine. How have you been channeling your creativity during this time? Discover anything new or surprising about yourself?
Ale
I have had time to take space from what I love the most in a way that I fully removed myself from the big picture. To then come to a reaffirmation that the career I chose and the way I constantly choose to be within that space is definitely what my heart calls and loves the most.
Therefore I have discovered myself on the right path. I’m grateful that the quarantine has helped me to fully question if I am where I wanted to be at this time of my life. And to reaffirm that the path chosen is still my most accurate way to be, express, transmit and enjoy life for me!
Marianna
What unexpected turns did your life take to lead you to become who you are today?
Ale
An infinity of challenges... people who are truly succeeding at something, only know the many attempts that didn’t work or all the challenges faced while becoming. I’m grateful for all the rocks that have made my journey a bit bumpy. Without them, I wouldn’t be as hungry, dedicated, and passionate and compassionate as I am today.
Marianna
What sources of inspiration do you use to foster creativity in your work?
Ale
Again, performing for me attracts and creates more creativity. So I continue to be part of different world-class skating companies around the year that allow me to re-create myself within their work or the productions made. Being part of a new production or performance always leads me to a new project.
People and music are always the fun part of the process... because even when I ride “solo” in my journey, being part of productions that bring people together from all over the world to share their craft and talent it’s always the most beautiful part of the process. A big part of my inspiration and creativity comes from working with people from all over the world by embracing them, their work, their music, their journeys.
Marianna
What do you think is something that most creative people in the world have in common?
Ale
A deeper level of connection with who they truly are. I find that creativity can only come from allowing ourselves to be exactly as we are, with our likes, dislikes, passions, history, habits, and history... and allow all that to be delivered through whatever form of expression that we choose as an outlet.
Marianna
How do you make sense of chaos in your life?
Ale
Well, chaos is everywhere and within everything. Accepting that has been a lifetime challenging process for me is the only way I have been able to find to don’t end up quitting figure skating.
Through the years I had to come to the conclusion that I needed to drop all the perfectionism in me in every performance or in every time I was out there... I think it’s a constant work in progress and a constant decision I make with myself every time I step on the ice: To allow myself to be imperfect and still try to deliver the best performance I can. Now I have learned to enjoy myself while doing what I love the most no matter the outcome. For many years it wasn’t that way.
Marianna
Why do you think people get stuck on problems?
Ale
Resistance... we all have problems, don’t we?
The way how we handle them and the way how we perceive ourselves in the given situation is what determines the quality of life we have and continue to create for ourselves.
Marianna
What advice would you offer those struggling with creative blocks?
Ale
To embrace themselves for who they are and who they are not.... the same way to embrace life with what there is and what there is not for them. Once we fully understand where we are at and decide to create our journey from there... new shapes and forms will flow not only in creativity but in general life!
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About Alejandra Izquierdo Pons:
Alejandra Izquierdo Pons is a Mexican Figure Skating Champion who skated a principal role in the TV series “Dancing On Ice” 2018 in London, United Kingdom as one of the professionals skating with her celebrity partner, Max Evans (Rugby player for Scotland). She was a finalist of Dancing On Ice 2018 with a total of 10 air episodes. Alejandra is a 5 times Mexican national competitor and 3 times National Champion. She has been a member of the United States Figure Skating Association since the 2009-2010 season.
Alejandra trained under the tutelage of Olympic Champion Victor Petrenko, Galina Zmievskaya, and Nina Petrenko in Ice House, Hackensak New Jersey from 2009 - 2014. She has been a member of the skating company “Ice Theatre Of New York” since 2011.
Alejandra has been featured in various ad campaigns, magazines, performances, and tours. She has performed in many roles, including the 2015 US Pro Skaters Open Champion as a pair adagio team, the principal skater at the Figure Skating “ITNY Gala” in 2015, and the Principal role at the “Sochi Experience” at the Lincoln Center NY, among Olympic Champion Evan Lysacek and World Champion Timothy Goebel. She has also performed in the principal pair role at a Baz Luhrmann production "Baz Dazzled" for Barneys New York. She was the principal image of the new soda, Pepsi 7Up Lemonade TV Commercial as a figure skater, and the image of the product as part of the image campaign.
If you’re interested in seeing Alejandra figure skating, visit her video links: Nutcracker MGM 2015, Try Out with Aaron Van Cleave (first time skating together, Tricks Video, Pepsi Commercial, Pro Skaters Open.