A Blythe Coach

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Category: Reflective Practice

The Shrew Unleashed – MFA Thesis – Dance Choreography & Performance

“The Shrew Unleashed” is a creative feminist response, in poetry and dance, to the misogynistic messages in Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew.” It is a green show performed by five dancers and a poet in three parts: selected Shakespearean sonnets, an Audience-Participation “Spontaneous Dance Poem,” and “Wonder Woman,” a spoken-word poem. Performances for school and public audiences took place March 11-15, 2015 inside and outside the Kennedy Theatre at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Themes in the work include the power of words, empowerment, and social justice.

Packing List for Teaching Artist’s International Travel – 4 Layers System to Move Lightly and Creatively

I love to travel, even when it is “just” a long weekend getaway or back and forth between my homes of Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i and Cologne, Germany. Having become a bit of a gearhead while ultralight long-distance backpacking on the Appalachian Trail in the early aughts, I then navigated international travel and a move clear across the globe since.

I’ve become fascinated with essential items in demanding conditions and what minimal and creative living look like on the move for me. Over time I’ve also discovered that anticipation can add to enjoyment of my adventures, so I start packing well in advance, devise lists of experiences I’d like to do (and at the end of the trip, next time), items to confirm in advance, and the like. Here you will find my current packing list in video, checklist, and sketchbook form to inspire your adventures.

The Dancer’s Daily Log – Building a Regular Habit of Growth & Creativity with Writing

Reflective writing has become an integral part of my personal creative practice and I encourage students and clients to create their own simple process of capturing ideas, insights, and information so they can live extraordinary lives.

There’s no right way to archive your creative process, just what works for you. If you’re just getting started, keep it simple and try establishing the habit of capturing your intentions and thoughts in short bursts at the start and end of class, sessions, or days.

Consider using my prompts as impulses or others that resonate with you.

The Practice of Ballet, an Art if Living – BA in Philosophy Thesis

In this piece I will explore the uniqueness of ballet technique as a practice that extends the virtue of dancers to their audience, using the philosophical framework of Aristotle, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Elaine Scarry as well as my own experience in dance.

January was Jammed Like a Filled Donut – 2026 Month 1 Reflection

The first month of 2026 was absolutely packed, with a bit of restful reflection at the start and then a full-tilt boogie back into teaching and creating, plus more snowy wintery weather than I have yet to see in Cologne!

Floating Through 2025 – Reflecting on a Year’s Soaring Times & Storms

Twenty Twenty-Five
so glad to be alive,
finding me floating,
spreading wings to fly.

That’s an excerpt from the poem I shared when I declared my Word of the Year and practices to make it so.

Here I reflect on the soaring times and storms of 2025.

Twenty 26s in 2026: Analog Project Planning & Action Tracking, Creative Bullet Journal Style

This is a flip-through of my Annual Collections Book for 2026 so far, including my Twenty 26s in 2026 projects, creative challenges planned, notes and memories along the way.

Loosely arranged according to my 8 major focus areas; Read, Write, Create, Practice, Serve, Connect, Sustain, and Adventure; in this way I get a somewhat holistic picture of my intentions and goals for the year. I focus on actions I can take, then see what results occur. Then I reflect, recommit or change direction, and carry on creating!

December was a Bender of Creation, Celebration & Rest – 2025 Month 12 & Quarter 4 Reflection

The last quarter of 2025 and holiday season were particularly full for me even compared to past hectic years, and I worked (danced, taught, published…) hard, then partied hard with my beloved, friends and family. I then collapsed into a short period of lovely rest to reset before returning to my joyful commitments in the New Year.

Notebook & Supply Lineup – Analog Journaling System for Reflection, Memory, Planning & Creativity

The trending term the kids use online is a “Journal Ecosystem” this cute name peeves me just a bit since every system is does not work together symbiotically as a true ecosystem does.
Still, the concept of relying on analog tools, paper first, for planning, writing, organizing thoughts and projects is absolutely down my alley.
For years creators have used the term “Techo Kaigi” or planner meeting in Japanese, to describe this reflection on current notebooks in use.
Though my main squeeze is dance, if you’ve been around you know that writing, poetry, collage, photography, music and other creative media are very much at play and all current projects find a home in my system.

A November to Remember – 2025 Month 11 Reflection

The month of November in my life was about gratitude, harvest, bittersweet endings/transitions, dancing & prolific creativity! With the Beaver Moon, Transgender Day of Remembrance, American Thanksgiving and other memorable events, in this article I wrap up November 2025 in dancing & making, teaching & publishing.

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