I really like the coach, she's very insightful and has a nice way of asking questions to help me vocalize things I otherwise might try and think my way around.
The homework this week was to help open up and be receptive to intuition. I've been feeling like I haven't been all that successful with it, some very small things at the beginning of the week but nothing really stood out.
Then I thought of my weekend. I had a scheduled volunteer session at the cat shelter. I was not looking forward to it, feeling in a funk, didn't particularly want to drag myself into the shelter, etc
Once I got there it was nice to realize there were quite a few volunteers working (it's not as fun when you're on your own). I first went through and fed all the cats in the Gen Pop room. Lots of new kitties since I was here last. Another volunteer was doing litter box cleaning so I started going around and hanging with the cats. There was a kitty who was very hissy, I stayed outside the cage but near him to see if he'd get more comfy with me there. Another cat kept meowing as I walked by so I visited her. I was only going to do a few quick pets so I stood bent over but she reached up and I realized I needed to sit down. She immediately crawled into my lap and stayed there while I pet her for a good 30/45 min.
Today, in class a bunch of us hung out at the coffee shop after and a few people mentioned that I flowed really well and seemed really on my legs. I agreed that I did feel pretty solid-pirouettes landing, mostly staying on balance, everything feeling pulled up and turned out (to the extent my body does that).
Afterwards, I thought about the two things-cat and ballet. I realized the connection is in being in the moment and quieting my active voice. Cats are the epitome of being in the moment. They know what they want and the either go for it, ask for it, or figure out how to get it. If they can't get it, they do something else (often sleeping 😸).
In ballet, analyzing is one thing, but overthinking doesn't help you. You need the active left brain to stay quiet and let the right brain do its thing.
By taking the example I inadvertently picked up from the cats, I achieved better results in ballet class than if I'd tried to analyze it to death.
It's not something I'm particularly good at but perhaps there's something in there about practicing the unused skill of learning to be in the moment that I need right now.
I'll see what my coach has to say about it but I'm already looking forward to the discussion.
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