Wholly Eva

Wholly Eva

Monday, February 3, 2014

A Dancer's Day Off

We usually don't get more than one, so not only do we need to get our lives outside of the studio in order, we need to enjoy ourselves and make the most of those 24 hours!

Cleaning the apartment, paying the bills, laundry, grocery shopping, sewing pointe shoes, food prep for the week, etc... it takes up a lot of time and then I usually plop down on the couch, somehow finding myself glued to the TV watching The E True Hollywood Story of Paula Deen...

I think it is extremely important to take the time to enjoy our days off, whether you're a dancer or not, errands certainly need to be taken care of, but so do we! I have taken a meditative approach towards my day off, finding subtle joys in the little things I do.

These are my ideas for beginning your fabulous day off:

-Wake up slowly; there is no alarm clock beckoning you, only the prospect of a lovely, free day! Just lay there, maybe do a few yoga poses, put the coffee on, and indulge in the fact that you have no where to be, no one to answer to, and guess what... no Plies and Tendus!!!

-Drink your coffee, no need to gulp it down, let the smooth, complex taste warm your whole body and brighten your mood.

-Prepare a healthy breakfast, perhaps something you don't normally have the time to make for yourself. My personal favorite is whipping up some coconut flour pancakes:

Coconut Flour Pancakes--- Serves 1
1/4 cup coconut flour
2 eggs
2 tsp chia seeds (optional)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4-1/3 cup milk (regular,almond,coconut,etc.)
Coconut oil for cooking the pancakes

Possible Add ins/Toppings:
-Bananas
-Cacao powder
-Chocolate chips
-Nuts
-Granola
-Nut butter
-Real Maple Syrup
-Raw honey
-Whatever you're heart desires!

-Make a list of the things you HAVE to accomplish today, I usually like to get the grocery shopping out of the way first, and I throw the laundry in before I leave. No need to get frazzled about what you need to do today, break it up throughout the day.

These are my favorite ways to relax:

-Take a detox bath (2 cupfuls of Epsom salts, 5-6 drops of lavender essential oil)
-Read a book, the newspaper, your horoscope. Fill your mind with unfamiliar thoughts
-Listen to a guided meditation from my favorite, Kristen Hedges
http://www.youtube.com/user/kristenhedges
-Write in your journal
-Call someone you miss
-Grab coffee or brunch with a friend, talk out your frustrations and enjoy each other's company
-Go to your favorite shops and look at pretty things, maybe even buy a little something for yourself or a loved one
-TLC, take an extra long shower or bath, give yourself a facial, paint your fingernails, etc.
-Go to bed early, if you are preparing for a difficult week ahead, a good sleep is the best preparation.


Most of all take pleasure in the little things you finally have the time to do on your day off. Take care of yourself, love yourself!



Here are some photos from my Instagram (@EvaAlt) I have taken on some of my day's off


Eating one of my favorite breakfasts in bed and browsing Pinterest
Fell in love with this little guy at the pet store!


Looking for treasures at an industrial thrift shop

Enjoying a latte and the company of a friend outside "Pistacia Vera" in Columbus, OH

Taking solace in a walk in my neighborhood, enjoying the colors of the leaves


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