Malta 2018- week twentynine

With two weeks off, a holiday and well needed rest time I am back in the sunny country to complete my final two months. WOW TIME HAS GONE SO FAST (sidetrack- to think in a month I would graduate if i hadn't taken this year is terryfing, what I have learnt here so far is priceless).

Anyway...

Monday

OMG, so you know how I say three days and I am out of a routine. Yeah. I kept up my daily fitness plans (which I have a blog post coming soon about how to stay motivated) but to the later end of my Easter Holiday I actually relaxed. I stayed in the house for about three days and couldn't go through such a long day of sitting around without an afternoon nap. My body was exhausted and I knew to rest up with what was coming.

We began class with ballet. Again a change of routine but just what I wanted. I had missed it so much and found my daily plies really helped me retain information during the break.

My developes were higher and stronger than last semester

(proof that rest really does help- read my previous blog post: the importance of rest zzz)

and I just loved every minuite- though I could not remember how to coordinate a attitude with a body twist without being on a fondu?!?

Release, was a nice relaxed session- not going full into it but is still a class I am learning to love. All our teacher wants is for us to give everything to each movement, but is something I find hard when feeling very judged- i know i need to let go and not care what people think but it is causing me to do more of the first half of that statement than the rest.

We were introduced to another performance happening this weekend and proposed to learn choreography to perform in. Of course I said yes. On Sunday I will be dancing with the University for Animal Shelter Malta Charity, and so this week we will spend our body conditioning time on rehearsals.

To finish off the busy first day back, I had my first official class with Opening Doors where I took photography for the page and assisted. I have also discovered the importance of meditation (months after being advised), but after a lot of stress, worrying and change I think it can be a good calmer.

I will be keeping a meditation blog every week which you can read to see my journey and information regarding its practice.

Tuesday

So I knew I would be sore tonight, but it seemed to be getting progressively worse throughout today. I even tried massaging my legs in my theory lesson, which only seemed to relieve the pain temporarily.

We began with Release, an exact copy of yesterdays exercises which will become part of our exam rep. I did enjoy the class today more though, feeling more calm knowing the phrase to just dance it. We won't have our teacher for the rest of the week, so we will see what tomorrows contemporary class holds and be having extra independent rehearsal to remember the routines.

Ballet proved very difficult, I know I have worked the right muscles but think I over did it yesterday with the inclusion of my full fitness plan too. I LOVE our pop ballet sessions though, as singing along really helps keep your mind off the pain.

We finished ballet to finish early for rehearsals for Sundays Performance, and will dedicate Improvisation class tomorrow for the same.

I have been approached to be in three other choreographies, one in 10 days and the other two at the end of the semester.

Our theory class was around themes and studies into Giselle (a ballet I knew little about). I have found a new favourite British dance theatre company , and a new ballet company and dancer I want to keep tracks on (STAY UPDATED FOR A BALLERINA/BALLERINO LIST).

Wednesday

I am a lot less sore today, though still feeling it in my calves (especially the left- i found out how much weaker it is).

My old Cunningham teacher took the contemporary class- and I LOVED her style. I learnt a few new tricks to use, but more importantly my flow as i went from movement to movement. I know I need to find this love when I dance what I want and put into every class I may struggle with. Fake it until you make it- or in this case deal with it until you love it.

We managed to finish our piece ready for Sundays performance, including task work to create a range of duets. I am excited to see a new part of Malta and dance so early on in this semester.

I had my first rehearsal with one of the choreographers for her piece in 9 DAYS, and found my ability to pick up a script has not diminished since being in Malta. I learnt my monologue within 10 minutes and was able to say 80% correct and flowing whilst doing movement to another beat. I enjoyed the additional challenge I was entrusted with to simulate DV8's style.

I headed into Valetta for my first ensemble rehearsal with Opening Doors. I managed to take some more great shots that will be edited and sent over to the director, as well as being asked back to assist in next weeks full rehearsals.

When I say Malta is small and everyone is connected i mean it. At this rehearsal I was met by my director of the Collective Performance I performed in last month, and then my morning lecturer coming to meet one of her future students. Everyone knows everyone and I am feeling more in the circle. Going back to the UK will feel like leaving a pond to swim at sea.

I am beyond amazed and the hard work that goes into the show, especially by the performers. I can see their passion. I left feeling uplifted about my day and potential career path.

Thursday

Ballet to start. Today was not my most graceful, as i felt heavier and only balancing for 1/2 the time i normally do. As class progressed I improved more and my pirouettes and fouettes ended up being my star of the day. At least I know when I am having an off day, one aspect will pull through for me (touch wood).

Contemporary ended up being such a relaxed session. We began with a gentle stretch-based warm up, improvisation around what we love in dance and what we don't and then revising some material for Sunday. We ended class with a 30 minute stretch. THANK YOU WORLD.

In the healthier performer, this good day trend continued as we delved into the fascia (i will do a post on it as i found it so interesting- explaining what it is and how it is useful to dance) and then an introduction to traditional Chinese massage. I have not been so relaxed yet productive in so long. We also learnt key pressure points for anxiety attacks and stress.

Friday

ITS FRIDAY, FRIDAY.

Ballet was a better class for me, but I am still finding myself so weak. I cannot lift my leg above 90 degrees or kick as high as I used to yet I'm not sore. I can only put it down to tiredness.

ALSO i need to start stretching my hamstrings again. With my hip opening exercises, my plie is getting better and my splits are there FINALLY, but it has resulted in bad kicks.

Improvisation, is a word i normally hate. I struggle dancing how I want to unless I pick my music. Today's session, however, I really enjoyed. We looked at manipulating space, imagining its different textures and then pausing throughout our solo and the results were beautiful. I found and observed some amazing moves that I NEED to use in a choreography. They were so weird and magical.

As I got through class my attention began to slip more and more and my energy fade. As soon as I got home i treated myself to just lying doing nothing for 2-3 hours before getting on with my tasks for the day.

Saturday

I spent my day, writing my blog post for Opening Doors. Even though I am used to writing posts, something about writing for someone else makes me spend double the time on it and overthinking every word. It is my first work for someone else, to be fair.

Today has been more about relaxing and catching up on rest after a busy first week back at dancing.

Sunday

Wake up, hair, makeup, Charity Event. After seeing a variety of dance schools perform in Malta I can see the love of classic ballet or commercial and no in between. Malta isn't quite on the contemporary scene.

The event brought in a fair amount of people and I got to see the beautiful wooded area of Bakett.

Home by 5, I do nothing much more than prepare for my busy week ahead of classes, opening door rehearsals and finally my friends coming, not to mention another performance on Friday.