Unpicking my practice

I enjoyed the Module One Skype session tonight, 'Seeing your Practise and Self'.
I felt I was able to engage much more in this discussion compared with the last one. Perhaps as it was designed for module one and we were all at similar stages? Maybe I'm starting to progress and relax into the course... although do hope I can explain my thoughts a little clearer when it comes to the essay writing though!! I sometimes find myself lost for words and then I'm panicking about what others think!! Silly I know , as this is my journey.



We had a varied discussion looking at how we describe our practice. A particular area of interest to me, was if our practice was separate to us, or a part of us.
I feel that my practice is an extension of me, but a more confident version of me!

My interests, passion and hobby is singing, theatre and dance (in no particular order!). The lines are blurred as if my practice was something totally different , for example a midwife, my interests would still be the same. I am lucky that I have managed to turn what I love doing into a career. When you start training aged 3 years old it becomes such a huge part of your life for such a long time. It would always be difficult to separate the two when they have been as one for so long.

Growing up, I was very shy. I remember being at a holiday centre one Summer, and the entertainers coming around looking for children to come up onto the stage to take part in a competition. I was terrified ! I hid under the table and begged my parents to not force me to do it!!
Part of the reason that I went to dance classes was to help with my confidence, and it definitely worked.
For me, being onstage was a real adrenalin rush. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, yet at the same time felt like the best place in the world. My confidence grew thanks to all of the dance shows and youth theatre shows and experiences I was exposed to through that.

As I succeeded as a working professional I began to feel like the stage was my home. I was always so focused during any performance and ultimately so happy. Being onstage was always such a great way to express myself.

Nowadays I find myself expressing emotions through my choreography work. I went through a bad experience at work and was looking to choreograph a new routine. I heard a piece of music that just resonated with me. Choreographing it was easy. The ideas flowed seamlessly. That doesn't always happen! But when you find real meaning to something and you let yourself go, it just clicks. Looking back it was so healing. If my practice wasn't a part of me surely that would not be possible?
To emotionally connect with your practice is when you often do your best creative work. Especially in the creative industries.

On the flip side emotions need to be harnessed, especially when teaching. A different professional approach is required. I have developed the ability to go and teach a class in a very uplifting, bubbly way even if I am feeling unwell, bereaved etc. With teaching work I feel that I 'put on my teaching head' !!!!  A bit like a character I have created, but its just myself, with the best parts of my personality selected to do the job!

I feel I adapt to different situations well, and I like to describe myself as a chameleon (Wikipedia):

chameleon

[kəˈmiːlɪən]

NOUN

1. a small slow-moving Old World lizard with a prehensile tail, long extensible tongue, protruding eyes that rotate independently, and a highly developed ability to change colour.

   • NORTH AMERICAN
     an anole (tree-dwelling lizard).
   • a person who changes their opinions or behaviour according to the situation.
     "voters have misgivings about his performance as a political chameleon"

(Image taken from:  https://allhdwallpapers.com )