تسيطر ياسمين نخدي على المسرح كقائدة في الباليه الملكي. تعكس رحلتها أكثر من عقد من التفاني. تقدم الدقة الفنية والعمق العاطفي لكل دور تلعبه.
تمتد مسيرتها المهنية على مدى قرون من تقاليد الباليه. تؤدي أدوارًا رئيسية في قصص الباليه الكلاسيكية وأعمال معاصرة جديدة. كل أداء يمثل تحديًا للجسد والتفسير.
يعرف جمهور دار الأوبرا الملكية لحظاتها التي تظل عالقة. تندمج الشخصية والحركة في شيء خالد. يشعر المرء بهذا الشعور على الفور وبصدى عميق.
يقضي الوقت في استوديوهات البروفات ليتحول إلى لحظات تبدو بلا جهد على المسرح. العمل يتطلب طبقات من الاستعداد البدني والذهني. هذه هي الحقيقة وراء الجمال.
يصور هذا الملف الشخصي حياة راقصة الباليه وراء الكواليس. يتضمن الروتين اليومي الذي يحافظ على الجسم في حاجة مستمرة. خيارات النجم الرئيسي مثل نخدي تحدد مسيرة مهنية مبنية على الحرفة.
رحلة عبر الإصابة والتعافي
جاءت أول إصابة كبيرة في مسيرتها ليس من أداء مرهق، ولكن من سقوط أثناء التنزه. كانت هذه الحادثة اختبارًا لصمودها بطريقة جديدة.
السقوط غير المتوقع والأثر الفوري
في سبتمبر 2019، عادت من إجازة صيفية مع إصابة في الكاحل الأيسر. تسبب سقوط سيء على صخرة جبلية في تورم كبير.
تورم كاحلها ليصبح بحجم حبة الجريب فروت. الحادثة أرسلتها إلى المستشفى وتركتها تستعين بالعكازات لبقية فترة إجازتها.
اضطرت لإلغاء دعوة مهمة للأداء في قصر الكرملين في موسكو. كان فقدان فرصة رقصة أوديت/أوديل لحظة صعبة.
التأهيل والطريق للعودة إلى المسرح
أصبح التعافي عملها بدوام كامل. من سبتمبر وحتى أوائل نوفمبر، كان العلاج الطبيعي اليومي ضروريًا.
ركزت العملية على تحريك الكاحل وبناء القوة في العضلات المحيطة. عملت أيضًا على تعزيز القوة في مشط القدم.
العودة إلى أحذية البوانت شعرت بالغرابة. التغلب على خوف إعادة الإصابة تطلب قوة عقلية بقدر الجهد البدني.
كان دورها الأول للعودة هو الدور الغنائي “كونشيرتو – الحركة الثانية.” سمح لها هذا القطع بتخطيط كل حركة واختبار حدود جسدها بعناية.
استخدمت أدوية مضادة للالتهابات ودلاء الثلج في غرفة الملابس لإدارة التورم بعد العرض. الإصابة لم تكن مزمنة وقد تعافت تمامًا بنهاية تلك الفترة.
خلف الكواليس: بروفة مكثفة وحياة الشركة
جدول العمل لراقص الباليه الرئيسي يعمل على دورة ستة أيام توازن بين الصيانة الفنية والتطوير الإبداعي. كل يوم يبني نحو الكمال في الأداء من خلال التكرار المنظم.
موازنة البروفات والأداءات
تجمع الشركة في الساعة 10:30 كل صباح لدرس. هذه الجلسة التي تزيد عن الساعة تعمل كتمهيد بدني وتحضير نفسي لليوم القادم.
يتقدم الراقصون من تمارين الحذاء حتى العمل في الوسط. تسلسلات القفز ترفع معدلات ضربات القلب وتشغل نظام القلب والأوعية الدموية بالكامل.
تشغل البروفات ساعات بعد الظهر من الظهر حتى 6:30. يحصل الراقصون على ساعة واحدة فقط للغداء في الأيام غير الأداءات. يصبح الاستوديو منزلاً ثانيًا خلال هذا الوقت.
أيام الأداء تتبع نمطًا مختلفًا. تنتهي البروفات بحلول الساعة 5:30 للسماح بالتحضير المناسب قبل الستار المسائي.
عند رقص دور قيادي، عادة ما يحافظ القادة على اليوم خاليًا. يحفظ ذلك الطاقة للعمل البدني والعاطفي الشاق على المسرح.
يمكن أن يصل الأسبوع المكثف إلى إجمالي حوالي 31 ساعة من الوقت الفعلي للرقص. يجمع جدول الباليه الملكي الفريد بين فترات البروفات والأداء في وقت واحد.
يتطلب هذا التوازن المستمر قدرة تحمل كبيرة واستراتيجيات استرداد ذكية. أصبح الراحة حاسمة بقدر البروفات للحفاظ على مسيرة طويلة الأمد.
Experiencing the Magic of ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘Sleeping Beauty’
Aurora in Sleeping Beauty presents one of ballet’s most technically demanding challenges, requiring both precision and stamina. These classic roles represent career pinnacles that test a dancer’s complete artistry.
Cultivating Lyrical Movement on Stage
One memorable night during the Sleeping Beauty run required an emergency substitution. The dancer received a call while home having dinner and rushed to the Royal Opera House.
She had just five minutes to rehearse the fish dive with a new partner before continuing the performance. This unexpected show demonstrated remarkable professionalism under pressure.
The Rose Adagio demands absolute mental focus and physical control. Dancers must enter a meditative state, making body and mind work as one unit.
| Role | Technical Demands | Performance Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Odette/Odile (Swan Lake) | Dual character transformation | Shifting from vulnerability to power |
| Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) | Rose Adagio balances | Sustaining energy through three acts |
| Both Roles | Partnering precision | Connecting with different dancers |
These performances reveal how technical mastery combines with artistic interpretation. Each ballet offers unique challenges that define a dancer’s career progression.
In-Depth with Yasmine Naghdi: Insights into a Dancer’s Life
For a dramatic ballerina, connecting with a character’s inner life is as crucial as perfecting the choreography. Yasmine Naghdi found this truth fully realized in the title role of John Cranko’s “Onegin.” Her debut as Tatiana in January 2020 was a pinnacle moment.
She had grown up with this ballet over the years. First in the Corps, then dancing Olga. Watching other artists tackle the lead role shaped her own approach.
Tatiana became her favorite part. It demands living the story’s emotions on stage. The experience is emotionally draining in a beautiful way, similar to the demands of Juliet.
The glorious score guides her interpretation. She is deeply sensitive to music, letting it amplify every feeling. If the music grieves, she grieves inside too.
Her partner, Federico Bonelli, was a skilled and generous Onegin. He created a safe space for her to explore the role’s depth. This trust is vital for such demanding work.
Director Reid Anderson gave her artistic freedom. He encouraged her to put a personal stamp on Tatiana while honoring the choreography. This balance is key for artistic growth.
The Mirror pas de deux is particularly revealing. It uses mime to express the character’s mental journey. This is where the dancer’s mind and body must merge completely.
She initially struggled with simple actions like walking in character. Advice from Alessandra Ferri one day in the studio unlocked a new level of truth. It taught her how to move with authentic purpose.
Each performance of a dramatic role like this brings new layers of understanding. It is a process of continuous artistic maturity. The dancer discovers more about herself and the character every time.
International Stages: Guest Appearances and Cultural Exchange
Performing with ballet companies around the world reveals how different traditions shape the same classical works. Each company brings its own approach to familiar roles.
Guest artists must adapt quickly to new environments. They work with unfamiliar partners and learn different production details.
Adapting to Global Ballet Practices
Studying a DVD of San Francisco Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty helped the dancer prepare for guest performances. She practiced partnering sections using her refrigerator as a stand-in prince during evening rehearsals.
The basic structure of ballets remains consistent across companies. However, production elements often vary in unexpected ways that require mental flexibility.
| Performance Location | Adaptation Required | Cultural Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Ballet | Different rehearsal schedule | Studying local production style |
| Bahrain | Modified choreography | Substituting kiss with embrace |
| Tokyo Gala | Learning new ballet quickly | Working with international partners |
Unique Challenges of International Tours
Learning Ballet Imperial alone in a Tokyo hotel room tested professional limits. Yasmine mastered the piece in two days while battling illness.
Standing ovations in foreign cities create overwhelming feelings. They validate the hard work behind each performance.
These experiences make dancers appreciate their home company’s support system. The Royal Ballet provides familiar partners and established healthcare.
The Power of Live Performances: Emotion and Stage Presence
The connection between dancer and audience creates a unique energy each evening. This live exchange transforms months of preparation into something immediate and raw.
Yasmine describes entering a trance-like state on stage. All technical work dissolves as her soul takes over the performance. The music guides every emotional shift.
If the score grieves, she grieves inside. This internal feeling translates through movement in ways words cannot capture. Partner chemistry remains elusive and subjective.
Each audience member perceives the connection differently. In narrative ballet like Romeo and Juliet, the role becomes a poem. The deeper meaning lives behind the movement.
Curtain calls after tragic endings present their own challenge. Naghdi needs time to emerge from the character’s world. Absorbing applause feels disconnected from the story’s end.
She appreciates fans at the Stage Door. Some evenings, she doesn’t fully return to herself until reaching home. Riding the underground among commuters feels surreal.
Emotionally intense roles drain her mentally. Lighter ballets provide energy and access to her comical side. Each performance offers audiences escape from daily life.
The power lies in each show’s uniqueness. Energy in the room, the conductor’s tempo, and emotional states shape every moment. This impermanence makes live ballet so compelling.
Wellness and Daily Routines for a Ballet Star
A dancer’s performance begins long before the curtain rises, rooted in the daily rituals that sustain the instrument of the body. For a principal, this foundation is non-negotiable. It turns grueling six-day weeks into sustained artistry.
The routine is built on consistency and listening to physical needs. Every choice supports the immense physical work of a ballet career.
Morning and Physical Routine Essentials
Yasmine starts each day with a large glass of water mixed with Klarskin Radiance Powder. This initial ritual cleanses her system. It prepares her gut for the demands ahead.
Breakfast is never skipped. Her standard fuel is a white bagel with butter, jam, blueberries, and an oat milk cappuccino. On a performance day, she switches to a more substantial porridge loaded with seeds, honey, and peanut butter for lasting energy.
Nourishing a Dancer’s Body with Balanced Diet
Naghdi’s approach to food is intuitive and practical. Her body requires a lot of carbohydrates to function through long rehearsals and performances. Pasta or rice feature heavily at lunch for this reason.
She maintains a balanced intake of protein for muscle repair and plenty of fruits and vegetables. With a fast metabolism, she often needs to eat more to avoid weight loss. Her philosophy is moderation, not restriction, even satisfying a sweet tooth with dark chocolate or biscuits.
| Meal Time | Primary Focus | Example Foods |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Fast & Sustained Energy | Bagel, Porridge, Berries, Coffee |
| Lunch | Carbohydrate Fueling | Pasta, Rice, Protein |
| Dinner | Recovery & Balance | Protein, Vegetables, Carbs |
| Snacks (3-4 daily) | Blood Sugar Maintenance | Yogurt, Fruit, Oaty Biscuits |
Eating regularly is critical. Without frequent meals and snacks, her energy drops quickly. This structured yet flexible diet is key to her success.
Beauty and Self-Care Rituals On and Off the Stage
The final curtain call doesn’t mark the end of a dancer’s workday. For a principal, the hours after a performance are dedicated to recovery. This is when beauty rituals become essential tools for physical and mental renewal.
Evening Beauty Rituals for Recovery
Yasmine’s nighttime routine is a non-negotiable part of her life. She added a Retingold serum and is obsessed with the results. It gives her smoother, more even skin that feels deeply hydrated.
Since turning 30, a Bobbi Brown hydrating eye cream became a staple. This small step makes her feel more refreshed each morning. It’s a simple act of care after a long day.
Her favorite treat is a facial at Santi Spa in South Kensington. She has had light chemical peels to even skin tone and fade scarring. Before her wedding, a course of hydrating facials prepared her skin like a major role.
For at-home care, a bath with Epsom salts helps with achy muscles. She lights a Diptyque candle to create a cozy atmosphere. Finding time for this is a challenge, but the benefits for sleep are significant.
Hair care is also vital. She uses a Kerastase mask and Celui hair oil after washing. A Dyson dryer helps maintain hydration despite the demands of dance. A 111 Skin sheet mask offers a quick spa feel at home.
Pre-holiday, she books a gel manicure and standard pedicure. Her feet are in good shape, aside from a bruised toenail and thicker skin from pointe shoes. These rituals are about maintaining the body that enables her art.
| Focus Area | Primary Goal | Key Products & Treatments |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Hydration & Evening Tone | Retingold Serum, Bobbi Brown Eye Cream, 111 Skin Masks, Santi Spa Facials |
| Body | Muscle Recovery & Relaxation | Epsom Salt Baths, Diptyque Candles |
| Hands & Feet | Maintenance & Pampering | Gel Manicure, Standard Pedicure |
For Naghdi, these routines are a functional part of a dancer’s life. They support recovery and create small moments of calm. It’s a disciplined approach to self-care that fuels performance.
Navigating Career Milestones and Artistic Growth
A dancer’s career is a map of roles, each one a milestone marking artistic growth. For a principal, this path is built on readiness and resilience.
Yasmine Naghdi sees her core responsibility as demonstrating strength and mental preparation. She trusts the artistic director’s vision for her career, rarely asking for specific parts.
Years ago, she proved her capabilities by stepping in at the last moment. These opportunities often arose from the misfortune of other dancers.
Embracing New Roles and Opportunities
Her self-criticism has matured over the years. As a soloist, every small mistake felt huge. Now, as a principal, the weight of responsibility remains, but her perspective is more measured.
She deeply values the mutual support among company dancers. This environment fosters collective growth.
Key roles have defined her journey. In 2019, she debuted as Swanilda in “Coppelia,” a witty, soubrette part. She also tackled her first Jerome Robbins ballet, “Dances at a Gathering,” cast as “Apricot.”
| Role & Ballet | Artistic Challenge | Personal Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Swanilda (Coppelia) | Light-hearted comedy, non-stop energy in Act II | Exploring a playful, soubrette character |
| Apricot (Dances at a Gathering) | Speed, abstract style, different from narrative work | Bonding with a role outside initial comfort zone |
Each new part adds a layer to her artistic life. They reveal different facets of her capabilities on the Royal Opera House stage.
These performances, born from intense rehearsals, are pivotal moments. They show an artist constantly evolving, one role at a time.
Final Reflections: Embracing the Dance Journey Beyond the Stage
The sudden halt of live performance in March 2020 forced a profound shift in perspective for dancers worldwide. For Yasmine Naghdi, the initial hope for a short break faded as weeks became months.
This unexpected time away from the studio felt like a stolen year. The rigid structure of a dancer’s life vanished, leaving an emptiness where daily ballet class once thrived.
She built a new routine, finding purpose in coaching young students online. A generous gift of professional dance flooring allowed for proper barre work at home, maintaining a vital connection to her craft.
An extended stay in Italy became a soul-healing gap year. It was a chance to finally see Juliet’s balcony and leave career pressures behind.
Feeling a deep need for artistic expression, Naghdi channeled her energy into a new project. She created a dance film by the sea, a piece projecting hope and positive thinking.
This period redefined her relationship with her work. It highlighted resilience and the enduring need to create, even when the stage lights are dark.
