Relaxing during the evening with a cup of tea – either alone or together – has long been a tradition in House Bech. This year I wanted to take it a step deeper, and delve into the world of tea ceremony. The picture below shows a very simple matcha tea (ie finely ground green tea, often… Read More Taking a Moment
This Saturday it was rainy, grey, and chilly outside. Perfect weather for a woodland walk. I love the forest when it rains. Hearing the raindrops on the branches, on the leaves, and on your head. Stepping in puddles on the paths. The forest floor feels more alive. Everything looks cleaner, clearer (at least when it… Read More Walking in the Rain
Today‘s ballet class was amazing. Tuesdays are traditionally dedicated to basics (for pointes as well as ‘regular’ ballet and floorbarre) so it was the perfect way for us students to kick (or grand battement?) the new year into gear, dance-wise. I do my best to take several classes a week when I am not traveling,… Read More Back to Basics
Today, in Haidong Gumdo training, we covered several ways to practise and refine a single (diagonal) sword cut. After that, in Taekwondo class, we got to spend most of our time on practising a single kick. I loved it. Time flew by. Focus. Depth. Concentration. Action. Observation. Feedback. Adaptation. Re-focus. The power of Repetition. Of… Read More Focused Training
It’s the strong hand, not the weak one, that must learn to be gentle. Today was a day for gentleness. In all things practise, instead of an ‘all or nothing’ approach, sometimes the best way forward is to take a small (or considerable!) step back. To go deeper instead. In strength training for instance, ‘off… Read More A Gentle Approach
Our feet – incredibly important, ingenious, complex and beautiful movement makers. They contain 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons and ligaments each. Naturally, taking care of them well benefits us in many ways, including increased strength and flexibility throughout the body. I love using a foot roller – my favourite is… Read More Happy Feet
Believe it or not, I have reduced my number of journals for 2019.. to 5. 🙂 Less(ish) is more. Right? I do like having different places for recording/finding different kinds of ideas, so I still use a few. These are the ones currently in rotation: Dancers Day Planner – By Cera Byer. I use the quarter-year… Read More All the Journals
For life and love. In 2019 I‘d like to keep the momentum going of: Enjoying the moment, completely, consciously, at least once a day Breathing deeply Spending time in the forest – at least 1-2 times a week Reading books and articles about trees, and nature in general Contemplating the Clouds Enjoying sunsets (and sunrises!)… Read More Goals for Life
So many possibilities, and some lovely projects already in the works to look forward to. The New Year is wide open. These are my dance goals for 2019: For Ballet Dare to finally try a pirouette on pointes, on both sides 🙂 Dance (and survive) a full choreo en pointe at this year’s(!) recital. Work… Read More Dance Goals for 2019
Happy New Year! To continue the theme 🙂 Here are my Martial Arts goals for 2019: Continue enjoying classes twice a week for Haidong Gumdo and Taekwondo whenever I can. Practise hosinsul/self defense skills – the most challenging part of TKD training for me! Work on my flexibility. Stay loose! 🙂 Brush up on my… Read More Martial Arts Goals – Happy New Year!