From Blog Director Jill Randall:

One year ago, I started a small project and experiment. Maybe you too have explored this idea/practice in your own life? My goal was to commit for one year and write down a key word or phrase each day related to my dance practice. 

Going into it, I assumed I would mainly write down action words: fall, dart, jump, fly. But, what unfolded was really a tribute to my teachers. At age 39, I still deeply need and value the two or three technique classes I get to participate in each week. Those teachers – truly incredible, inspiring teachers – are Mo Miner, Randee Paufve, Elizebeth Randall, and Nina Haft. Being in their classes is a gift, privilege, and inspiration. Thank you Mo, Randee, Elizebeth, and Nina!

The weekly technique class is a mainstay in my life. It is for my body, for my spirit, for staying connected in the community. It supports my performing life and my teaching life. 

Each day, I captured a word or phrase from a class, from my job, or from grad school. To my surprise, less than 10 words or phrases were repeated! The words and ideas kept coming. The daily practice of writing down an idea, in a monthly desk planner, was something I looked forward to. Once I reached the springtime, I was fully committed and wanted to see this small project to the end.

The first word on August 10, 2014 was spoke (inspiration from Mo Miner's class). The last words on August 9, 2015 were "practicing our alignment" (something Rachelle Feldman said in class).

Some other examples:

December 6: "in the space together" (Elizebeth Randall's class)

December 26: suspend vs balance (Gregg Bielemeier's class)

February 7: allow the shape to happen (Randee Paufve's class)

June 13: attention and intention (Randee Paufve's class)

July 29: reciprocity

August 1: fixed mindset/growth mindset

I encourage you to try out this idea as well — for a month or a whole year. I think that high school students and college students would enjoy this task as well.

The original monthly planner

I sloppily wrote in the monthly planner, and now I have spent the summer re-writing the words into a sketchbook. Now, I wonder if I can reproduce the whole sketchbook so that I can share it with a few friends and colleagues? That is the next task.

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