In The Zone..., TRIBE, Wed, January 16, 2008 - 6:24 PM

I have thought over why I screw up every time & have figured out that I start thinking about what is going on instead of just dancing. I need to get into The Zone, where I am just feeling the dance & the music, not analyzing my performance, the crowd, or wondering whether the cats have water.

I am practicing getting into The Zone now and noticing it in others - I see it in Lori, Xavier, others that dance well. Xavier has even commented on it before, how he doesn't even know what else is going on sometimes. Of course I was not ready to hear & apply to my own practice when he said it.

So, how to get into The Zone? I have read about it now, or re-read & finally understood stuff that went over my head before ;-) I am pondering on developing a small pre-performance ritual (like closing my eyes, taking a few breaths & getting centered), or possibly blessing an amulet or a particular piece of jewelry & always wearing it when I perform. This would be a way to help me focus & remember. Hmmm. There is a performance coming up in a few days, so I'll try it out.

I am sitting in a hotel room in SC, where I traveled for work again this week. I have practiced dancing tonight, esp the choreo for the performance. I notice when my mind wanders, I screw up. Sometimes I get too focused on what I am doing, like a pestle or something & can't recall what comes next. That is weird - I am analyzing what I am doing so hard I lose everything else. It is another way for the mind to wander off.

Diane (Daliana) knew I was a "Numbers Girl" almost right away. I was surprised, but I guess it is obvious to a learned observer when someone is over analyzing stuff. I have good technique - requires analysis - but not so good dancing - requires release. Can't.... let.... go!!!

One thing I am trying which seems to help is to try to be aware of every part of my body in space. Sounds like a weird thing, but it does help. If I am aware of my hands, for instance, I know when they are floppy & when they have energy. The trick is to be aware!

Best go to bed now, since I have to do some analysis for real tomorrow. I didn't do anything tonight except sleep, read, & practice the dance. And check on tribe & blog a bit, of course. I should have been analyzing the sniffer traces we took today & testing out the new commands I learned. I also really need to write a troubleshooting procedure. Argh.