EHU Final Year- Twenty Sixth Week

Monday

So I was a little tired after last night, yet still in my class. Our yoga class has turned more into Bhartnatyam technique- which is nice to do- but today I needed yoga. We went over the footwork and hand positioning from last week, and then went over the 'prayer dance to Ganesh'. The more I do it, the more it sat in my body and I enjoyed it. Understanding the meanings was key to me. Then we moved onto our second routine which started as a development of each body part starting from the top and then incorporating the whole body. This was definitely a lot more difficult and we needed a lot more time of it and ideally a whole semester of getting used to the movement slowly and building up the speed once its more innate.

I left the two classes a little more awake- and went home to make food. But shortly I was napping. Once up though I finished all my online work for my yoga course. It wasn't the most productive day but I still did a lot (my 5 daily needs) and for that I'm proud. I am enjoying where I am right now and happy in myself.

Tuesday

I recall back at the start of this semester when I would get up at the same time and do my daily stretch before class. I am definitely out of this habit and need to try and invent a new way of finding that last burst of motivation. That being said I am still doing it all every day, and in the sense keeping my promise to myself, and adapting to change and listening to what my mind and body need.

My 11-1 class went really quickly and I find moments I really enjoy and inspire me in my creations. After class I attempted the gym again- got thorough my session though I struggled. My body is just feeling so tired and 'dead' at the moment.

I headed back into town and home, tried on more graduation dresses, made food and did a quick shop- before heading back in to see VINCENT DANCE THEATRE.

Their show tonight was questioning what it means to be a modern-day man. Though I loved the premise and some moments in the performance, it wasn't my favourite gendered piece.

Wednesday

My morning routine was blog writing. I fell in love with how I woke up, rolling out of bed still a bit sleepy eyed, knowing I am not long away from my late morning coffee-date routine. I had enough work to get my teeth into in the time- blogging and doing my daily language.

The coffee catch up was cute and we were able to research the company we have a workshop with later.

I had a short break where I finished off my blog, made some food and got prepped for the workshop. Four hours with Van Huynh Company.

We were greeted to the dance studio by two male artists- one the director and creator and the other a cast member. We began by getting into our bodies- in a half meditation type thing. Feeling how and where we were, and allowing to sense through our limbs as we outstretched our limbs. We then slowly moved into some improvisation movement as a warm up and then onto some 'games' which let us work in partners and how we place our body weight. The element of surprise. We finished that first part of the session by moving through the space with only 3 contact points on the floor, and then allowing us to form clusters assisting others in movement until we became one sweaty formation. After a short water break, we then began to learn phrase work. IT WAS INSANE. Beautiful. We learnt it slow and performed a few times at a slower pace and got bits of individual feedback. Working at developing its speed quicker before doing it super slow as a cool down. The time just doing this went so quickly and brought new movements and strength based demands than I have seen before. We closed our session by getting back into our body again. Part meditation part exploration through the space. We had an informal Q+A and found out a little bit more about the company. THEY ARE SO MODEST AND AMAZING HUMANS, I THINK THEY WOULD BE GREAT TO WORK WITH.

The end of my day was back to the theoretical side. Thinking through music and reshaping my dissertation pieces after a random burst of creativity just before i slept, yoga revision and a stretch and strengthen.

I was in bed early enough and exhausted to sleep then all of a sudden my mind is running and 50 miles an hour with diss ideas and how to chop and change things, that I am on my laptop til 2am playing with music and rewriting schedules. Tamsin is back in her creative place.

Thursday

My day started with a guest lecturer speaking about how she began her career. She began by getting us to explain what we wished to get from the class- which reminded me of my personal focus- staying calm and trusting the world and how my energy will allow it to unfold. We did a series of tasks around future planning and isolating our hopes and our fears. The best moment for me was writing a letter to our future self that will get sent in a years time. Who knows what would have changed in my life by then- but the idea is I will be half way through my psychotherapy training.

Dissertation meetings, got me a little stressed thinking I needed to learn all about lighting to do my own piece, and then it alleviated again as I trusted in myself.

Capoeria shows me how much my body can do that I do not even believe I can. 1. we were doing all sorts of variations on balances, cartwheels and spins and I could actually half do some. 2. I felt so much stronger than even last week. I don't know where this sudden strength has come from but I like it. Maybe it is my body coming out of my tired period and back into creative.

Friday

Still a bit tired from yesterday, none the less I was up and ready. We went over our journal/blog entries for immersive and filled out risk assessments before we got our own time to work on what we needed. I needed to add the research into my journal. BUT first I trotted off to the rock garden and to the woods to make a final decision about where I would hold my performance. Woods it was. Though I found THE PRETTIEST fairy-tale chair in the rock garden that fitted the theme.

It felt good getting into a work flow in the library- something I don't really do. l tend to do all my research at home. I think the fact we can showcase our work in our own way (mine is a pop out scrapbook) is helping speed up the process as I am more engaged.

The afternoon was one of research and development at home before i was back at the uni to watch another show.

Saturday

Today is the self-care day. I woke up and decided to not go for an audition but stay on my path without diverting as much. I sat with my laptop in bed (my favourite thing right now) and ploughed through more research.

I visualised how the dissertation comes together.

Added to the CV.

Did my daily work outs and challenges.

Though I wasn't dancing, today I began making the plans for my new project. As part of the branch of my future company, I realised I could bring it alive while studying my masters and helping the university environment. I wont say what yet- but if not this year next year it should be in place.

Sunday

This weekend has been about choices, to some extent. Choosing what events I am wanting to go to and how to scrimp and save as a student or enjoy life as a human.

Today either way is a pamper day, takeout, film and wine. BUT I could have also gone to Crosby Beach to take part in a yoga event. I decided I could replicate it here as next month I will be heading over there a lot to help clear up the beach as part of a litter project. Life is about creating priorities, not missing out on moments but also striking a balance.

Before my pamper day I have been getting as much 'paperwork' as I can done- though I feel so on top of all my uni work and yoga right now.