EHU Final Year- Twenty Seventh Week

Monday

This week has come along really quickly to be fair. I was up and ready for my firs class- still unaware if it is yoga or bhartnatyam by now.

It was the latter. The revision of footwork and eye placements was to ensure students who weren't there knew some of it, but I enjoyed it more when we started the first routine. This is like a copying exercise in a sense as there is so many stimuli to gather. Feet, mudras, arms, head... We revised two of the dances and closed with a quick gentle stretch.

I felt I moved more extended yet free in contemporary. I don't know. We began the session by moving from our skin and then our skeleton but the sense of calm I had allowed that to transpire into my work. Often I will rush off, but this time no. I felt the most connected to the phrase I had done before. MY AIM IS TO DISCOVER WHAT AND HOW I GOT TO THIS CALM THAT ALLOWED ME TO EXTENDED EVERY POSSIBLE LIMB I COULD. The second phrase however, though I still performed ok I rushed ahead. I lost this reaching sensation (not lost but it wasn't there fully). A sensation was dying in me, though I still enjoyed myself.

I got some more research printed off and headed home. It was already mid afternoon, and after watching 'social animals' on netflix it weirdly inspired me to set up my 'professional instagram account'

@dance_therapy_tammienawathe

I have gone through 1/2 of my yoga reading now so I am very chuffed with myself. Today has been such a good and creative day I just cannot explain.

I finished the day off by watching a theatre performance 'the shape of the pain', believe it or not all about pain. The piece was simplistic. One woman standing talking in front of a semi-circle of screens behind her. They would show words or sounds and overlay to express deeper than words. The visual effects were STUNNING and I was totally immersed in how immersed this one woman was.

Tuesday

I was tired getting up and was a lot less productive than I intended to be. I was more engaged in class but could feel my low energy. I never ended up at the gym today but I am excited to go in tomorrow. Twice a week is the most realistic aim i have had.

Class went quickly. The best bits of my day were rehearsal and outside time. There were two new events on at the uni today- one being a vintage clothing fair and the other a tie-dye tee-shirt station. We went to both but the tie-dye was MY FAVORITE and literally made me so happy for hours, not being able to wait until tomorrow to see the final design.

My dissertation rehearsal was split into two groups. The first hour working on a duet, and the second a cyr wheel solo. I believed we could get everything we wanted done, yet as always I still had a slither of doubt. What I wanted came out amazing-ly and I was literally jumping off the walls after. I see so much potential.

My evening was watching the second show this week- knot. It was a acro-balance circus performance of a duet talking and moving through the theme of relationships. The sheer strength and control was phenomonal. I NEED to start working on my handstands.

Wednesday

Good morning everyone.

I began my reading curled up in bed FREEZING cold with my anatomical textbook revising the next part of my yoga course. I crawled out of bed after three chapters and headed towards the uni for a meetings- only I was greeted by a fire alarm and everyone from the library evacuated to find out there was no meeting slots today.

Its ok I relaxed a bit in the uni (As all the studios were busy) and then had my late breakfast date. I didn't have tea today as I am working on 1. reducing caffeine 2. trying to whiten my teeth.

The third Edge class today was only an hour, and as a result was jammed packed. I loved moving as soon as I was started and left feeling so proud of how far I have come.

Straight from class I was at the gym, and feeling a little weaker this week I maintained my average and ended with a nice stretch. Today, especially after yesterdays performance, I began working on my handstands and balances again. My wrists are WEAK yet I could do things I didn't think I could. Holding something new for 10 seconds- mini accomplishment.

My gym has also introduced yoga classes so i will go tonight and see what it is like.

Yoga was so nice to do again after a month of doing it unlead. I always find that doing it in a group setting pushes me to do more. I stretch deeper. The session in the gym was more asana based, and was a mixed ability. It was nice to be able to support those on the mats next to me and them asking for my advice on how to get more flexibility. I said everything I did. Gently stretch every day and teach your body that it is safe. Do not rush and listen to yourself. I am excited to start on Sunday too.

Thursday

The first hour of our lecture today was to allow us to ask questions on our assessment and to get any mini tutorials if needed.

We were then joined by two wonderful ladies from Blackpool Grand to talk through anything we wanted to know on getting out there into the big wide world. I was amazed that these accomplished women were so 'open-armed' and loving, giving us any help and connections and most importantly self-belief and faith in achieving our dreams. It was such an informal chat around how they got to where they are and how unexpected life is with all its twists and turns. Somehow they managed to be relevant to everyone in the room with a range of careers to go into. They took the time to hear and ask about what we were going to do next.

After an early lunch I was in a meeting at the University which overran into my capoeria class. I needed it though. I spent the last 45 minutes of class sat on the side watching. It was a strange thing at first to view it and not participate but it allowed me to see how people react to a move and also think of other possible solutions. I was amazed at how fast we were 'battling' each other and how far we have come in the semester.

The night was spent in spoons celebrating my friend getting into her performance based masters course. She did so well and a little chilled night out was definitely a good thing.

Friday

Today was a day of tutorials, one after the other.

First Immersive performance. Most of my feedback was about creating a risk assessment to send to the council and about how I was going to send out the 'invitation to my performance'.

With a short break where i made the risk assessment, I then had a dissertation tutorial. Speaking through my step-step plan of the running order and then showing some material and music it was a very different approach. Instead my tutor will come to a rehearsal to see the movement and posed questions about what I wanted. I am glad at least she could see and sense coherency in my research and creation.

Saturday

Every time I look back the week I am amazed of everything I have done. These weeks are really flying by now, its the graduation period.

I spent my day having an actual human lazy day. I woke up at 10 and got out of bed at 12. I didn't want to over exert myself as I had a trial shift tonight and didn't know how long I would be working or doing what.

My laziness still saw me adding 2 more things to my 'daily practice' bringing it up to 7 mini things I do daily. Self-improve in little steps.

I ALSO GOT THE JOB. To celebrate and less stressed about money I was going out to dance.

but first WORLD EARTH HOUR. I made my flat mate join me in turning off everything electrically plugged in to help global warming and light pollution. I had been waiting for this hour for a good few days and am so happy I was aware of it in time to actually participate. In fact right now I am sat in the dark with a candle, with my pre-charged laptop writing this.

Sunday

Up early, I am excited my gym is doing the yoga classes twice a week. 45 minutes of this before heading into the uni for a 2 hour rehearsal working with the cyr wheel and our skills on it.

That was the plan but I could not for the life of me get up this morning, even though I wasn't drinking.

In my defense I was extra productive in this rehearsal and learnt some 'tricks' and ran away from doing a back flip. One day before the end of term I will do one- maybe first with spotting and not running from that. I also learnt how to do the worm so I am very happy.

Back to the gym for my leg workout of the week.

I want to get into running, I say this but I am not as hopeful as it is something I really don't enjoy.

The rest of the day is staionary with research and planning. I have learnt over the weekend that if I space my '7 daily things' across my research I become less fidgety and more productive.