EHU Final Year- Thirty-Second Week

Monday

Last Yoga uni class, this was what gave me the idea of the yoga instructor course. Having these classes AND enjoying them I took a leap of faith and it is now such a huge part of my life. This is what I love- when you end up doing things you didn't plan or expect. Most of my professional life *touch wood* is going as planned. I knew when I began my BA that I wanted to continue the MA at Edge Hill which is exactly what I am doing. ERASMUS and yoga were never planned but have been some of the most shaping and teaching parts of my life.

There were only three of us for class, which meant we had time for a few more asanas. When moving onto the Bhartnatyam section I realised both how much and how little i had remembered before Easter. The first slow dance, i knew more before Easter. It is a dance dedicated to Ganesh and follows a prayer which is sung in Hindi. Without cues from the language it proved even harder to remember what associated movement was next. The second more energetic piece, I remembered better somehow.

After class it was time for some more yoga at home and then work in the evening. I now meditate when stretching and have a few poses I try and incorporate daily to advance my personal practice.

Tuesday

This was my last technique class at University, and yet it didn't hit me when I was dancing. We went through a somatic dance practice allowing our bodies to get used to moving after a three week Easter break. We were told that sometimes our bodies want to do more than they should, and less is more in getting back into ourselves. This weirdly stuck with me and I found a way of taking my minimal effort and moving a lot more efficiently. We recapped our exam material as a last class and had to trust our bodies to remember it. I was so proud! I remembered better than I did during the exam period. Must be something to do with being relaxed in the mind and body. I really need to trust myself more as I feel i undermine myself the most but also have the most belief- I am a walking contradiction and jump from one extreme to the other.

My days now feel so short at Uni, I remember (even at the beginning of this semester) always being in and pushing myself to be busy. I headed to Costa for our catch up/study date before binging on Netflix at mine. Back in Uni I had my dissertation rehearsal.

First day of putting it all together. I did a full run through with music and was so happy that it almost perfectly fit. With a few minor tweaks, and one more task to do I HAVE A COMPLETED DISSERTATION. We rehearsed in the new studio which was converted from the old swimming pool- still with all cubicles in tact and the dance floor where the pool used to be. It is a very strange yet imaginative place and I am excited for next year to create some work in the space and film for my portfolio.

Wednesday

Today was a full day off. Nothing needed to be done.

It was a day of moving with two yoga sessions. I have begun a new course working on posture and impriving aligbnment for 25 minutes each day. The thing i love most about it is that you use the most simplest poses- asanas I would often over look thinking they wouldn't help me. By going back to basic basics and the way it was taught has evolved my view and teaching. Mountain pose for instance is basically standing in alignment. BUT by working out systematically from the ankles to the head, I was engaging different muscles and seeing where my body would 'get stuck' in moving from one position to the next. Movements I would do in everyday life, but slow enough to notice and pay that area more attention. I FELT EMPOWERED AS I LEFT THE MAT

Yoga in the evening followed the classes usual structure, with a bit more time to practice variations of a strength based asana and developing balance and proprioception. I am now so motivated in yoga, and to think a year ago it wasn't even a part of my life. I think this will be the compromise between being a full time performer and in admin. A psychotherapist with the arts who does yoga.

Thursday

Wake up and head into work, it always seems the days I am in is when it is the quietest (hoping this isn't a sign).

I got to finish a little earlier, but had enough time to practice the gins, so I was able to get my daily tasks done and head to the University for the jazz show.

The jazz show comes from the third year module, where in groups they create a 15-20 performance around a specified jazz practitioner.

I found inspiration and new ideas whilst watching the performance, and motivation for a new e-book to read (which i will do tomorrow on my 7 hour coach down to London). It is scary to sit and realise you have been at Edge Hill for 4 years and this is a chapter closing. Even to think that it was less than a year ago that I began in this academic year in a whole new environment and readjusting to the British University system.

Friday

What can I say it was a long day of traveling. I arrived at my final location around 5pm after leaving my house at 7:45am. Tired was a bit of an understatement, yet I felt better than before. This coach wasn't actually bad. It wasn't over-crowded. I had foot room, an e-book, a laptop and my music. I was happy enough and glad to have a little walk between the tube stations.

The evening was spent catching up with some old faces and all going out for a meal.

Saturday and Sunday

Training days

I haven't been able to upload this blog until a lot later due to training all day BUT I am so proud to say that even when my most busy I have been able to keep up my language and yoga practice daily. I am even more confident in my abilities and proud to be seen in such a way too.