EHU- Final Year Twentieth Week

Monday

9am Yoga. I am loving classes and I am thinking the more independent information I get from the course the more I can appreciate the class. We focused today a lot on back mobility, and a new set of standing postures and then ending the session with a guided relaxation and OM mantra.

Our contemporary class was based on somantic practice and opened with bringing a self awareness of the body. We then began moving with the spine and letting this medial action expand to our limbs (where as I naturally move the other way around). This was challenging for me but helped devlopment. My favourite bit was when improvising then being told to dance like us- i felt liberation and a sudden voice and message I had to share with my body.

Tuesday

Not being into 11 can be hard, as I maintain my usual wake up time. Its mainly about getting up and doing an early morning yoga- just asana (stretch) and pranayama (breathing) routine. This just wakes up my body and makes me feel more confident before a movement class knowing that my body can and has already got to certain positions in the day.

Class was good, we had a slower start to the day doing a relaxed warm up. We learnt a Cunningham based corner practice which I LOVED. I still need to develop my spine connection and when to engage the upper and lower.

We finished last weeks choreography, and I know i am still not performing full out commercial style Tam BUT I am focused on lines and more detail.

After class I went back home for a quick lunch stop before getting into uni to do some Audition prep. I added a little but more to my solo but am looking at having 1-1 time at the weekend and really zoning in on this,

My diss rehearsals threw me a tad as one dancer had his tooth out an hour before. Luckily, having an idea of what I wanted in the piece, I made up 2 spontaneous and separate tasks and got half way through the process. It was a slower rehearsal but we have so much time and I am not stressed yet.

The evening was spent watching NAME's company and his two solo works in an evening production. I loved seeing the difference between the pieces of classical Kathak and then a contemporary piece using masks and character with text. There were true ingenuity moments and I MISSED being in a theatre. I need to watch a show at least once a month I think or i go insane.

Wednesday

First workshop of the week. As i get my mornings off i was determined to go to the gym, and though i went 30 minutes late i went. I wasn't feeling my strongest BUT i have started properly tracking so I can see my progress over the last few months of my degree.

I met up with Maddie after and went for our coffee date and then we headed into Uni. In a quick nap I added another part of choreography and am impressed I can remember it. This weekend will be about seeing whether it is physically possible.

Workshop today was led by Laura Vanhulle and it was INCREDIBLE. The three hour workshop was intense, spending 2 hours on learning phrase material and then 40 minutes on improvisational skills and then a quick stretch to finish.

She is the best mover I have ever seen and it was so refreshing and inspiring. She spoke through Chakras- LIKE A SIGN FORM THE UNIVERSE- and the importance of breath and connecting all aspects of the spine. It reminded me how quick I can pick up material, to use my upper spine and neck more and to think of it adding quality to the lower body and not just the upper, and of focusing on tasks like we did in Malta in the improvisational situations.

I was dripping after the session, and once home was straight into my yoga reading. I even began meditation again today after getting SO happy about getting COLOUR THERAPY candles. I got PURPLE. I am going to try and get back into meditating every day again, and with my reading supporting me this time I can have a range of ways to get into it to support me and the me on that day.

Pole was cancelled, so I had a little more time for reading and then actually just relaxing like a normal human.

Thursday

Today we were greeted with another two possible workshops, one of which I couldn't attend due to a clashing class.

Our day started as normal with our theory class, with the topic of our career plan. Even though I am all planned out there are still twists and turns that can occur (which gives the life its excitement) such as where I will live and what I really want. The business is ready but we need to decide if the travels are up or if we up and move to another country.

After a mind boggle of career plans, CVs and all else, we had a short break before our workshop with Nicki Wollaston working through some CATS rep. We started the session with a quick introduction, and following on from our morning lecture, talking through our career goals. She loved my business venture and being from 30 minutes around the corner I know I have a good contact to to approach when it is up and running. We then moved to the movement. I haven't danced Jazz like this in so long and was nice to remember how this sit and how it has left my body in some bits. This spine connection came back and I found out its about engaging my shoulders and pulling them down which is what can throw my contractions off. It was inspiring and amazing to dance not in a contemporary field- whilst also getting so much CONFIDENCE in my path and artistic vision. I know I will always be dancing and creating work and I am so hopeful for more workshops to come along in the next few years- maybe even abroad.

Quick lunch and then straight to capoeria. I am missing wanting to do the 4 hour jazz and audition workshop BUT this class was a killer. We began with what I can only describe as like a boot camp- with our kick training, skipping and push up equipment out. I have missed doing a martial art and feel better and stronger, safer when doing something once a week. I NEED to force myself to keep this up when I am studying next year.

I planned to go for a swim, SOMEHOW, but it was closed and the walk back home made me DIE. I was straight on bed relaxing for god knows how long. But its me so back up and at it- my 2 hour daily yoga reading- check. Installation work, check. And development of ideas, check.

Friday

It's been a busy dance filled week. After my 9-1 lecture I had a quick lunch break before heading back to Uni to get the coach to Blackpool. Tonight we watch our third edge company curtain raise for James Wilton and then his company performing the rest of the show. Its such a wonderful opportunity to get so see a professional company AND getting to visit another part of England to do so in an iconic theatre. We got a stop for an early dinner before the show

The dancers moved amazingly tonight, and were definitely showing the sheer strength and skill with the tricks they displayed. It was motivating to know the human body can do all of this, but remarkable to see the difference between them and me. The choreography ended and there was a short Q+A where the bets advise was what to do after graduation. They all spoke about staying true to yourself, persevering and fighting for what you want, and learning a variety of styles and ultimately finding what is you and the companies (if that's what you want) that suit you.

A late return back home I am looking forward to a lie in tomorrow.

Saturday

Today is about catching up with a lot of work so I can have my last all flat meal tonight. With most of them heading back to Northern Ireland for further teacher training the flat will be a lot quieter. We're having a girls' weekend.

Performance creation prep, both in theory and movement are needed to be done this morning, as well as my yoga readings, the gym, a yoga flow, mediation and Portfolio development.

Sunday

Its a late post I know but I got carried away with my day. Up and language done- we headed into Liverpool. With the sun shining (though it wasn't that warm) Liverpool was stunning and I was getting excited to live there. A coffee a MAJOR shop, one art gallery and food later we were back home. I just missed the gym's closing time meaning I only went once this week- I will make it up.

Once home I struggled through my yoga reading, feeling my mind distracted today. Quick phone home ALSO I BOOKED THE BEST EXPERIENCE FOR MY BIRTHDAY and the mediation was even worse today.