People often ask me how I have accomplished so many different things in my life. There are of course many different aspects, disciplines, and qualities that I believe help me do this but one of them is jumping on inspiration when it comes. Sometimes a particular project or idea comes percolating to the surface of your consciousness and it demands Read More …
I wrote recently about striking while the iron is hot. Today I want to consider a related idea for turning inspiration into fruit: Setting things into motion. Another key to getting many creative projects underway for me is that when I feel a creative inspiration I try to set it into motion as quickly as possible. I want to move Read More …
Being a long-term instructor of anything means that you see a lot of students come and go and in many cases come again. It’s these returners who often have the biggest challenge in being in the learning environment. These are the students who come back with a great passion and then become quickly despondent and depart again, often forever, after Read More …
I was reminded today at my dance class and last night when teaching swordplay about the constant cycle of learning, achievement, plateau, and renewal. I’ve been practicing swordplay for essentially 20 years now and some topics I’ve taught for nearly 15. The potential for boredom as a learner and as a teacher is high. I have to use a lot Read More …
If I do something awesome, what if the people around me aren’t ready for it? What if they don’t expect awesome from me in that moment or ever? What if they won’t accept me? Buck up buttercup. Sometimes the practice of awesome is about creation without collaboration. Take it or leave it. Here I am.
Yes is a powerful word. It moves us forward. It opens doors. It invites people and opportunity in. Yes is about the positive side of choice. Yes is how successful people say no. This last one may seem a bit backwards. I’m not suggesting that successful people say yes to things that a sensible person might say no to (though Read More …
I enjoyed something Andrew Harwood expressed in the Contact Improvisation workshop I’m taking this week: Good dance is like life. It’s not a clean affair. It’s not always pretty. It can be awkward, chaotic, profound, and terrible. The best improvisers are willing to get down into the mud. To wallow in it. To incorporate the most awkward moment and improvise Read More …
Stringing together stock dance moves is secure — I know which moves can go together and I know which moves might ‘impress’ my partner or look good to the outside but that is a tenth of the thrill of truly creating something unique and in the moment. One of my favourite parts of dance, in particular fusion dancing and contact Read More …
At the end of every evening class that I teach, I offer 10 minute private coaching sessions. These spots allow me an opportunity to work with people one on one and help them with struggles from class, tweaks to their form, and guidance for their overall development. Recently I had an interesting experience with one of my newer and enthusiastic Read More …