My Current Practice

 Having attended yesterday's first Module 1 Focus zoom call, I am feeling really encouraged about the BA PP course, but not in the way I thought I wanted. Instead of starting to pick up knowledge just in the sense of learning facts, I think I am starting to understand the value of questioning what we don't know, as well as what we think we do (a concept which seemed pretty daunting to me even just last week).

 The first main thing I am trying to understand further through questioning is how my practice actually manifests in my current life. Not how I think it should manifest, or how it did when I was at college, but what it really means for me at this very moment. I mentioned on the call how my current focus has been on my fitness- keeping my cardiovascular fitness high and trying to build up my strength. Although this is not a mode of performance in itself, I think it is impossible to ignore for a professional dancer. Whether dancing keeps you fit, or you keep fit so you can dance, there's no denying it's an incredibly important aspect of this career. Without a studio, suitable flooring, masses of space or the funds to join online classes on a daily basis I have found that fitness is a reliable and manageable way I can feel like I'm keeping up. So right now, could it be that my workouts are the main direction of my practice? 

Another point we discussed was how Interpersonal skills can link into our professions, questioning whether our outgoing and friendly natures drew us to performance or if performance shaped our personalities to become friendly and outgoing. This lead to the topic of Customer Service and how skills we learn in one profession can transfer easily to another. I found this extremely interesting, as lockdown has meant I've been working from home doing telephone surveys for the past few months, which was certainly a lesson in Interpersonal skills! Albeit not the ones I am used to needing to use. I had grown to resent this job, especially after calls with some very inappropriate and cruel members of the general public, however now I can see it in a new light. I have learnt so much about how to calm anger (both in myself and customers), ways to make people feel comfortable enough to talk confidently, and most importantly ways to stop myself taking things personally. In this sense, I think this job has been an aspect of my current practice, as I developed further on skills which can and hopefully will benefit me in the dance world.

I'm surprised to have found these unusual aspects of my current practice, and I look forward to when I can focus more on dance again, but for now I am grateful to have these unconventional outlets. Perhaps some of you are experiencing something similar, where an unexpected part of your life has become your main focus for the time being. I'd love to hear about it if so. :)