Re-acquiring Flexibility and Stamina

Having lost 10 lbs through cutting out fat from my diet, (until the gallbladder is removed some time in December), moving feels a lot easier and I find I want to dance and swim, maybe even cycle.  I've a few joint pains, tricky knees, clicky back, a foot that I did a mischief to when I went on a 5 hour walk to Carn Brea and back in inappropriate footwear.  Last year, when I was over enthusiastic in an improvisation class, I ended up flying through the air like a goaly reaching for a ball heading to the far right of the net.  The flying was fun but I ended up colliding head first with a metal chair and gave my whole body quite a shock.  I had light concussion the symptoms of which lasted a few weeks.  I also looked a sight for a while, so I'm hoping to control my enthusiasm a little and improve my agility, suppleness and grace.    I'm not sure I have any grace.  Being a musician I have a good sense of rhythm, dyanamics, tempo etc.

Self-Awareness, Self Deception

I was over 13stone in weight for around 2 years.  Some of my clothes are fitting better now and I want to hurry towards a slimmer, fitter me, not purely out of vanity, but to improve my health prospects and mostly so I can move as I really would like to.  Having watched some of the video I made of the last workshop, I see that I look a lot larger than I think I do.  When I move, inside I feel as I did when I was a lithe girl and I think that's how I look.  But now I see that I look different to that!

Shallal Dance Theatre


Shallal have started dance improvisation sessions in Studio J at the Performance Centre.  This is Shallal's Mission Statement:-

To create a dynamic, celebratory, socially inclusive company which engages, explores and integrates improvised dance theatre, providing a performance space for anyone in the community, regardless of sexuality, gender, race, age, physical, mental, and emotional status. We seek to enable artistic expression, improve physical health and self–confidence and provide a socially inclusive experience that will enhance the quality of life for all members through professionalism, dedication, skill acquisition and sheer good fun. 

Yesterday evening (22nd September) I joined in the first session to be held at UCF Performance Centre (Studio J).  It's another beautiful studio.  I think I was the oldest participant.  The youngest was 5 years old.  Quite a few participants had physical differences, challenges, learning disabilities.   It was extraordinary to have the chance to see what we could make together and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I tried all kinds of stretchy movements and other techniques I am familiar with in theatre impro, like chosing a part of my body to lead me through the space, noticing others and falling into duet sometimes mirroring or contrasting what someone else was doing.  I found myself in a small group making shapes and passing through the shapes.  At one point I did a fair bit of turning.  My Bloch dance shoes and the slippy floor surface made turning alarmingly easy.  I ended up very dizzy and realised I must ask for some help in how to do these things.  I'd like to experience and learn much more about dancing.  Here's a link to Shallal Dance Theatre.http://www.shallal.org.uk/website.asp?page=About%20Us

Listening to Music - Being a Musician

The music Jo played was different to anything I would usually listen to, as was the music Adele had played during our theatre impro workshop the previous day.  I'm looking forward to composing some music for my final performance.  I'm beginning to think of strategies for creating improvised vocal music for POWOW's performance in December.  Note to self - invite instrumental musicians to join in a few POWOW workshops in October.

There's a lot more to say about being a musician/singer/composer - daring to own those labels.  Another day.