LAUSR

ABSTRACT This study focusses on how peak performance lived experiences (identified as spiritual) during a dance career continued into and influenced the later teaching lives of former ballet dancers. The study is located in academic discussion of Western mystical and spiritual experiences. Five professional ballet teachers, who were formerly professional ballet dancers, were interviewed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis qualitative research approach. The three major themes identified indicated that the dance career peak performance spiritual lived experiences: continued into later professional teaching life; influenced teaching techniques; and changed world life points of view. These findings confirm previous research and provide significant in-depth insights of the focus area under review. A table with a summary of the findings is included.