This article originally appeared in the Spring 2024 Life Without Limits issue of Showstopper Magazine.
One of the universal truths of dance is that it is adaptable. The dancers that reach icon status are not just the ones with the best technique. They are the ones who turn technique into a foundation for unique styles and combinations that match their artistry and ability. Luca “Lazylegs” Patuelli was introduced to dance at age 15. Adapting breaking to his Arthrogryposis (a neuromuscular disorder that affected the development of his legs), Luca found dance for himself and has gone on to become a professional dancer, motivational speaker, educator, and founder of the dance crew ILL-Abilities.
We caught up with Luca for an inside look at a day in the life of a dancer who doesn’t believe in limits or giving up before you’ve tried something.
No Average Days
Like many b-boys, Luca’s day is all about going with the flow. Every morning, he stretches to get out of bed, makes breakfast and lunch for his daughters, and gets some work in, messaging members of his dance crew across the world. But that’s about as far as his “routine” goes. “I don’t think I have an average day,” Luca said. “Each day is completely different which is both exciting and terrifying because I have difficulty maintaining consistent routines.”
Mini Workout
When he has time in the morning, Luca does a quick workout of pushups, sit-ups, hip raises, and general stretches.
Even with an unpredictable schedule, Luca prioritizes good days. “For me to have a good day, it is important to start the morning off right with good energy and vibes. If I feel the energy in the morning is off, I will put on some good music and move around to change my mood,” he told us. It’s all about balancing work and personal time each day, making sure not to overlook himself (something he struggles with).
Doing the same thing every day is difficult when you have as many projects as Luca. Booking, managing, and producing tours and events for himself, ILL-Abilities, and working with his students and local dancers has him traveling multiple times a month. He also squeezes in acting classes and auditions for projects.
When he’s on tour, Luca said his schedule is even more unpredictable. “When I am on tour, I have to be honest, my routine is completely broken, and I go with the flow of what my body is telling me and what the schedule of the day ahead of me is.”
Finding Challenges
Did you know that Luca’s hobby was skating? Two seniors at his high school introduced him to breaking when he was 15, but before that, he adapted a different hobby to his abilities. “I had created a unique way of skateboarding on my knees, but after having a surgery to help correct the angle of my legs, I could no longer skateboard anymore. Around that time, he was introduced to breaking which his friends thought would be a perfect match for his upper body strength. “I fell in love with it immediately.” And he loved the challenge it posed. “I loved the challenge of creating movements that are unique to each individual person.”
The beginning of Luca’s b-booy career was all about arms. “When I first started, I didn’t use my crutches, I stayed on the floor and based most of my movements by lifting my legs up and spinning around in various ways with the strength of my arms,” he shared. “It was only after a year or so that I started incorporating my crutches, and I told myself whatever movements I do on the floor with my hands, I will try to replicate with my crutches in my dance.” Luca still tossses his crutches for some incredible moves but he has expanded his repertoire from his early days.
NO EXCUSES. NO LIMITS.
Dance is limitless, and Luca sees that same limitless potential in everyone. Read on to learn about his motto and how he embodies it!
“My motto is ‘No excuses. No limits.’ To me, life without limits is very similar [to] the idea about learning to do things your own way. Just because something is different, it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. The reality is every single one of us faces different challenges and ‘limitations’ in some form or another, but if we can take those challenges and limitations and learn to adapt, embrace, and confront them in our own way, then that’s when we will recognize there are no limits to what we can accomplish.”
Infinite Possibilities
Dance is a challenge, but it also has “infinite possibilities.” Luca recognizes that there are things he can do in dance that no one else can and vice versa. “Don’t ever let your equipment or perceived limitation stop you from dancing because everyone can have the ability to create movement that is unique to you. Sometimes it’s the slightest movement that makes the greatest impact in a performance.”
Luca is a competitive dancer and performer who has made his way to stages around the world, but when he brings dance to others, it’s not always about doing the most impressive thing—even though he has plenty of b-boy tricks up his sleeves. When he is performing at a school, showing kids the value of nodding along to a song, doing a small turn, or striking a pose is as valuable as finding dancers that can match his moves.
Community and Family
Luca likes to give himself new challenges, and he counts Bart Simpson as one of his role models because his “values are based on community and family.” Sometimes those challenges are about furthering access to visibility in dance!
His latest projects include judging Olympic qualifiers, planning events, and developing ILL-Abilities next performances. In September 2023, he judged the world championships in Belgium where a dancer qualified to compete in breaking in the 2024 Olympics which will bring competitive dance to a new audience. He is also producing No Limits 2024, an integrated dance event that challenges dancers without disabilities to change the way they dance with wheelchairs, crutches, blindfolds, and other props to raise awareness and “empower dancers to learn to move differently and remind them if they ever get injured, their career doesn’t need to end.” Oh, and ILL-Abilities has some exciting tour performances to keep an eye out for this year.
