I'm a Yogi!

Well, perhaps I am exaggerating, seeing as today was only my second Bikram Yoga class.  For those of you who may not know, this is a 90 minute yoga class conducted in 40 degree temperatures.  I had been mentally preparing myself for how tough it was going to be to get through it, and well, it certainly was pretty gruelling.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my voice practice actually helped me with the work in class.

Because of my voice work, I was able to bring to class my ability to be still and clear my thoughts and focus on just exactly how I am feeling in that moment, and then to let it go.  I brought the ability to take deeper breaths supported by my whole being and therefore in some stretches, take deeper stretches.  After making these links between my voice work and my yoga class, I was not surprised when today, in class, certain deep stretches invoked some emotional release.  The cool thing about Bikram is that any tears that may have come up were camouflaged by all the sweat, so it was all good!  And, better yet, momentary and fleeting. I acknowledged the emotion and then let it go!

I think that these two components of my life will compliment each other quite nicely and I'm looking forward to the eventual benefits that regular practice in both disciplines will bring.  Do you practice yoga? Any tips? Any discoveries? I would love to hear about it!

Anticipation

I started this year off with much anticipation of what was in store for me. I felt inspired to harness that rekindling anew and forge ahead with my new(ish) career as a working (aka auditioning) actor!  It's amazing how one full week back at work at my full time job, however, has the power to dim my spirits some. 

I've been booking more regular auditions which is great, however, it means leaving work in the middle of the day and then making up the hours I've missed. This is on top of the hours I'm making up for having my one day off a week to attend class, and to use as a general business day towards my acting career (something that this full time job has allowed, which I am soo greatful for!).  This can sometimes mean, as will be case tomorrow, that I will have to be at work by 7am and stay till 7pm, because I had to leave work early for an audition yesterday and will have to dash away from the office tomorrow for 2 hours or more to go to another one.  The amount of auditions is great but I'm finding that I have to be really careful not to feel burdened by how an audition effects my schedule, causing me to have to stay at the office later or come in earlier...or both. 

And, yes, of course, I will deal.  Trying to fit auditions in to my schedule is a good "burden" to have. I'm noticing, however, how I can sometimes turn this positive "problem" into something negative, like feeling burdened by going to an audition because it means I have to work later, etc. It's this type of negative thinking that I know I have let take hold of me in the past; and is probably not so attractive on me once I get to the audition ..." Yes, hi, please hire me...just do it quickly please!"

So, I just have to be extra careful this time around to be thankful that I have this so called "problem." and rejoice in the fact that I am capable of sorting it out.  When I first started the rekindling, there was a huge awareness of how this had to happen now...while I had a window in my life where I have a schedule that allows for flexibility.  Now, I myself have to practice being as flexible as my schedule allows. 

Oh, and speaking of auditions, yesterday's was pretty funny!  Nothing like being surrounded by model types to get your confidence up in time for an audition.  It was an audition for a print ad and well, it was just humorous...let's just leave it at that!  Well, with that said, I'm off to the gym!  Lol...

A Call Back

Happy New Year everyone!  This year, I hope to blog more regularly in order to get closer to the original intention of why I started it in the first place. To share my journey and by doing so, stay accountable and focused! 

Last year was an important one for me. I was determined to take my acting career more seriously and really give it an honest go.  I arranged my life in a way that would make this more feasible; I got back into regular classes; I found an agent that I am very happy about and; I got new head shots, which have actually helped me to book a lot of auditions almost immediately, so that's great!

I feel like all of this renewed focus has been paying off, so it was great to end the year with my first ever professional commercial call back!  I went for an audition mid December for a breakfast cereal and it was one of a few auditions where I came out of it feeling like it went well. Most of the time, I come out of auditions not having a feeling about it one way or the other. This time, however, there was a script, which always helps.  It's something to explore and get into. And, to be honest, in the case of commercials, just have fun with and not take it too seriously (the script not the audition, of course).  I left feeling excited, which was good, because this was my first audition with the casting director that connected me to my agent and I really just wanted to make a good impression. 

Sooo, when I got a call back, I felt like that's exactly what I had done and it felt like all of my work this past year has paid off.  It was like an affirmation of sorts telling me that I'm on the right track and it has all been worth it.  As the commercial is shooting today, I don't believe I've booked it...but I'm choosing to look at this experience as a victory all the same!

Here's hoping that this year continues to bring positive affirmations to encourage us along our path of rekindling and realizing our dreams!

I would love to hear about any of your experiences of : 1) rekindling your dream; 2) positive affirmations you've received along the way; 3) inspiration that has kept you going. 

Here's wishing you all a year of rekindling and inspiration!