TWILIGHT SKYPE
8:15am 23rd September
To begin the group Skype session Adesola started with speaking about the structure of a discussion. She spoke about how there are techniques on how to have a discussion. A discussion isn't someone stating an opinion and someone agreeing or disagreeing with it. You have to question that person and add on layers to the conversation. You must give an open answer and not block the flow of the discussion. Adesola gave a great visual example about building a tetris and everyone putting all the different layers together. During the Skypes we need to be present and engaged and remember they are learning experiences and no one is there to be judgemental.
The discussion then moved on to what "starting" means in reference to the course...
1. Starting in an outside perspective
My conclusion to this was physically starting the course. How we enrolled and have written down key dates and attended some Skypes, maybe written some blogs. What we can physically see / do or attend.
2.Starting from an inner perspective
My thoughts on this was how do I feel mentally about this. Am I overwhelmed? Am I excited? Do I mentally understand what is going on? (which in some ways I am still coming to terms with starting from an inner perspective)
3. Starting in a shifted perspective
I think this refers to how everything is coming together and parts of the puzzle are starting to form. I need to remember we are always constantly learning and that not everything will go in a chronological order. We all need to trust the process!
The last part of the Skype we discussed "questioning". We need to keep questioning what our practice means to us and ask why, to have a better overall understanding. We need to constantly question everything and not look for straight forward answers as this will block our learning.
I resonated with one of the third module students. Her experience during this pandemic I felt was similar to mine. I started to panic a few days back, that maybe this wasn't the best time for me to start this course... The reason being is because I am not currently practising. I had my job and life put on pause from the pandemic. I felt uninspired and confused because I felt like I didn't have anything current to write about. She said that your practise can be 'anything that sparks the light within you.' For example if you watch a video or read something that inspires you that can be linked to your practise. If you do a workout or take a class, watch live theatre etc. , it's all basically relevant to your practise. It was also brought up that a lot of people define their practise as their job and that its far bigger and more complex than that. I need to make sure I don't pigeonhole myself as a cruise ship dancer and start to think about my practise on a far bigger scale!
Love this post.
ReplyDeleteFor years I lived off the ride I got when I told people I worked on cruise ships... And possibly still do... That career was 7 years ago now so I need to be looking forward not back.
I think this is a perfect time for you to start. You will always have your talent...but this is opening new doors for you and given you the time you perhaps would never have had if you were out at sea at the moment.
Think forward and see what other practices you can add onto what your skill set is already.
This covid situation has given everyone time to grown in multiple ways x
Thanks Clare! I am so glad you understand how I'm feeling! It's certainly been an interesting year for us all!!! I think you are so right by saying that this period will be a time for us all to grow in multiple ways and adapt our practise to go with all the new covid guidelines! We all need to keep looking to the future and see how many ways we can develop and learn! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Emily, love this post! I relate very strongly to you on lots of levels. I am also a dancer with no current work because of the pandemic, and as I have just graduated I don't have any previous work to draw upon. I attended the other Skype with Helen but expressed these concerns and was met with the same result - our practice is grater than our 'job' and makes up who we are and our everyday life. Since hearing this I have been questioning my skills, my habits and how I have chosen to spend this 'pandemic time' and why.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right that this can be confusing and there is no chronological order, only exploring and questioning. I hope that by the end we will actually be glad we DID do this in a pandemic, rather than feel it hindered us, as so far for me it has been a massive learning experience! x
Its so comforting to know that other people are feeling the same! I really feel for all 2020 graduates, as graduating is scary enough let alone In the pandemic! However we will never get this time back so its amazing we can use it wisely and get started! Thank for you that inspiration I might start to draw ideas and do a blog on 'my habits and how I have chosen to spend this 'pandemic time' and why.' such a great idea and a place to start!! Thanks Roanne
DeleteHi Emily, I loved reading your post, and it was my first time hearing the Tetris analogy - what a perfect way to describe it! I loved the way you reflected on 'starting'. For sure I am feeling overwhelmed, but also excited to learn! And I can relate to your thoughts about how you felt this wasn't the right time to start this course. I have also had to take a step away from the industry due to Covid-19. However, this might be the perfect time for us to start this course. It is going to be such a great opportunity for us to discover things about ourselves and the industry that we never knew about before, as well as holding onto the passion. With your learning and growth, you may be opened to even more opportunities when this is over. Im sure you will be back on stage before you know it! x
ReplyDeleteThanks Alice! I know I found the 'tetris' model so awesome and visual to imagine and it makes so much sense!
DeleteIts such a hard time for everyone during this pandemic, let alone performers as our industry has become so quiet! We will be back doing what we love soon and you're right we are using our time so wisely!
I love that you said 'With your learning and growth, you may be opened to even more opportunities when this is over.' Thats so true! This course is going to test us and open our eyes to so many new things and areas in our industry!