EHU- Final Year Eighteenth Week

Monday

After having the weekend to work out my schedule for this semester I was SO EXCITED for this morning. We start with 1.5 hours of yoga, a quick break, and then 1.5 hours of contemporary.

I heard mixed reviews about the class from last year, but walking in and hearing some background from our teacher herself I was excited. She has a background in PSYCHOTHERAPY (yes it's like the world has confirmed that's my future) and we were going to begin with yoga and then bharatnatyam.

We began the session by getting into our bodies, and then writing up 5 things we want to get out of these classes this semester. We then spoke a little of what yoga is, the funamentals behind it, and went through some prayers. It was so nice to hear then and do the traditional indian dance ritual of stamping on the ground before dancing. I know I definitely want to study in Inida at some point, which could happen after my masters. Plenty of time to save.

We then had a cover teacher for contempoary, and I felt SO GOOD to dance again. I am still confident in my skin yet modest enough to continue development. I am able to start thinking of smaller and more specific feedback and getting back into imagery technique after some were broken down in class. We spent the day working without the mirrors, so I am trusting my body is and has gotten into better alignment an that will carry me forward without replying on the mirrors.

Once class finished I was back at home doing my MASTERS RESEARCH (yes I got an interview and so much prior reading for it, but after a mini panic I am on it). Gym and a good stretch. I have got into good routines so far this year and haven't missed a language or stretching day and I am beyond proud of that.

Tuesday

Even though we start at 11 and I am not technically in on a Wednesday I wanted to get into good routines- and that means getting up at the same time. So off my early morning alarm went, and yes I wasted the first hour scrolling through my phone in bed. Then I got up I did my daily stretches, and I got ready for University- I even had time to read my book. I used to think it was still an early-ish start and I couldn't get much done- but you definitely can and I feel good for it.

We had another cover for class today Sandro the Italian. Though I have the perfect opportunity to speak in Italian when sharing facts about us, I chickened out. We had a follow along class and I was impressed I caught on as quick as I did as most of the class had done it before. We went through a nice stretch, with some nice new variations to add to my rep, and then a plie exercise. I can see the classic training that I am assuming he grew up with in Italy. I am and will forever say I AM SO GLAD FOR MY CLASSICAL TRAINING IN MALTA AS I FEEL READY, if I did this class (even though it can be seen as easier) I would not have done it and would have been in bad alignment and freaked out when terminology was added. Instead as we moved through the class, and worked on phrases I was able to play with musicality knowing that my body was in the right placing.

The corner work phrase we did ended up taking up the most of the class, after stretches and ab training, and was a beautiful blend of ballet and contemporary. I wish we could have these classes all semester.

After class, I headed to the on-campus gym/pool. All the snow that fell during the session was now slodge underneath my feet which was not fun, but I was going for a swim so didn't mind as much. MY STAMINA HAS GONE OMG. What I used to find easy was now death on my back. Time to get back into that good old second year habit. I even bumped into one of my lecturers in the pool and got a quick catch up about the year, teachers and the new yoga classes. Just having a lecturer around motivated me to push through some pain and swim better.

Wednesday

Today's idea was to get up at the same time- the alarm set yet the phone restarts of course. Anyway I got a nice little lie in before waking up and beginning my day. I finished my interview reading- now I just need to practice the interview- and had a relaxed morning.

Into University for our company class. It was shorter than normal with auditions on campus but ended with key dates. All i keep thinking is if this was me last year i would have panicked and reminding myself to be so proud of how far I have come that I can teach some terminology to the lower years.

After class was rehearsals, and working on this intensive piece. I need to keep ploughing forward with a positive atmosphere and continue to make third piece as great as it possible can be. We finished a little earlier so I had time to get other chores done before pole tonight. I thought lets skip leg day for today as its capoeira tommorow.

After pole I switched up my normal routine and had a nice wine night out. I haven't drunk casually on a week night in a while and it made me feel refreshed- though I think I will be tired tomorrow.

Thursday

So. Our first lecture went well where we began with a talk on student surveys and getting free Edge Hill Mugs handed out before the real lecture began. We started with a breakdown of the module with CV preps and then ended on our dissertation module. I need to get back into the right head space again (as i had planned most of it previously). I am just excited to get a new work out now.

A quick break I was able to go back home to eat, and have a quick rest and then back in for capoeria. BUT our teacher didn't turn up. After a 30 minute wait i was back home earlier meaning I have more time to get my tasks done for the day.

I am planning on doing a yoga instructor course which I am in the process of finding the right one for me. I think it will work hand in hand with my psychotherapy and work towards my own self development and others too.

Friday

Nice and early start again, and a new module I have no idea what to expect.

Immersive performance and installation, and after finding one I was really interested in I got thinking throughout the session of what I want to do. I cannot wait to post the final thing in May for all of you.

ANYWAY MORE BIG NEW TODAY.

Went for a swim, endurance has improved bla bla bla.

I am now starting on my Yoga instructor course, and after paying a small fortune I am even more motivated. It is the perfect bridge between dance and therapy for me and is something I cannot wait to teach as part of my school and hopefully before too.

Saturday

So a real lie in this morning and a strong to-do list which took a lot less time than I imagined. If i am honest I am eagerly awaiting my yoga course to come so I can do the bulk now whilst my Uni work is still quite light.

I have secured studio space for my dissertation and have an idea of my first weeks plan- I am just apprehensive about using the cyr wheel and it looking effective; we can do it.

My morning was nice and chill and after a bit of reading and planning prep I actually had time to watch a film with no pressure before doing my physical jobs for the day (stretches, abs...) and then my Sophie is coming up to see me and we get to enjoy the bars of Ormskirk tonight.

Sunday

After a fair lay in we headed out for breakfast in the cutest place. This is always a lovely little treat for me as I do not do it as often as I would like. We then headed to the Uni to watch some rehearsals in a society we were a part of -- where another Sophie who was a part and graduated in my year was there. 3/4 of us were in one place at the same time-- it was super cute.

The rest of the day was my usual research and planning. Get me in yoga tomorrow morning.

AFTER NOT