Today was my first day of Russian Movement. Now, I am a very active woman. I workout every day. But if my movement teacher Vladamir Sazhin saw my workout he would laugh at me, because today I got the workout of my life. He taught me a lot about my body today. That I am so much stronger than I thought...and tomorrow I will be even stronger (though barely walking, I'm sure). He told us, our minds tell us we are tired or that we can't do so something....but we can make our minds tell the body to push. Our will is stinger. Our bodies are capable of amazing things. though, I was hurting, I still wanted to push beyond my limits...and Vladamir was not going to take any less so...really I had no choice. Vladamir looks just like his name sounds. A giant, powerful, super fit, Russian man, with the warmest smile and demeanor. We stretched our bodies beyond what we thought was our "safe" level, like grabbing our ankles and putting the both behind our heads ( that is called the Russian Dumpling) ....no way, can't do it. I can do one, and almost the other...but Vladamir did not accept that. He came behind me and took my foot and stuck in behind my head (I DID IT!) and he said so sweetly....smile! That's what his catch phrase is. He'd tell us to jump and linger in the air....calling out commands for an hour and a half...jumping, super stretching, running, just about everything and he would say, smile! And with each minute that went by his "smile" hook became less and less sweet and more and more demanding...so by the end of class "SMILE" would be so gruff and strong, you couldn't help but do it, because he was gonna kick your butt even more if you didn't. :) All the endorphins came rushing threw me, I felt like Iron Man by the end of class! Acting class is equally amazing. More on that tomorrow and I'll tell ya all about how my lightbulb. Yep. I have to be an object and I'm going to be a refrigerator lightbulb. Wish me luck. I was to impress my stupendously charming teacher, Sergei. And no I'm not kissing up. None of my teachers speak English. All of our classes our translated by Tatyana. Hard to get used to listing two voices at first, but today (day 2) much easier, getting used to it very quickly. And it's fun to watch the translation interaction. Russians are hilarious. My history teacher, Anatoly Smeliansky The Great (the great is not his title, I just call him that ) speaks English. And his lectures are unlike any other lectures I've sat in. He doesn't talk about history, he talks about people- like they are his good friends ....like he was there. It's like watching a performance when he teaches us. So personal. So down to Earth. I just want to hug all of them and never let them go. But. Can't. Can't even talk to teachers outside of class. When they enter the class, we stand. Wen they exit, we stand and clap. Not cuz we are told, but because we are in aw. I don't know how I got so lucky to be here. But I'm not asking may questions. I'm just going to shut up and live it up. Cuz it's only for one month.
Last but not least...I saw My first Russian play. And of all things, it was, Much Ado About Nothing. After laying Beatrice in the show last season at The Hilberry, it was a rare treat. And treat is so not the word for it. It was perfection. Beatrice was stunning. She had curly hair too! Her body ( and everyone's body) was I tip top shape. Everyone was so physical. And I bet I know how they got it! Yep. Russian movement will now be my workout of choice. And I will do whatever it takes to be In that kind of shape to be able to do anything and everything. :) The experience at The Pushkin Theatre this evening will inspire me for life. And that was only my first show! So many more to come. I love you, Russian Theatre!
No comments:
Post a Comment