I'm taking a class called Body Language & Communication Techniques, which is listed as a communications course, but is more directed toward performance & theater, if anything. It's way different than anything I have studied before, and putting me way out of my comfort zone (which is turning out to be a common theme in this study abroad experience). Gotta love new challenges though.

The overall goal of the class is to strip our bodies of its bad habits, in regard to posture, ticks, etc., and form good habits in order to improve our ability to communicate. This "stripping" involves ridiculous and embarrassing performances, and I am constantly making a fool out of myself. Today's class revolved around the "neutral mask." (see below)

First, we warmed up with some yoga exercises and stretching (my favorite part of class), practiced walking "like there is a string pulling us from the top of our head," worked on posture, then eventually moved on to neutral mask. Our first exercise was to walk in front of the class in "neutral" character, which is a lot harder than you would think. It is so strange to see how much personality can be communicated simply by the way someone walks and carries themself. Before this class began, I didn't think I had much swagger, but today I learned otherwise. According to my professor, I have a "cat-like" walk, in that I sway my hips, pop my knees forward, have good coordination/reflexes, and dainty little footsteps. I'm glad to know that my feline ways have been confirmed by a professional. I guess I should look into a modeling career....catwalk....get it? (I have lame jokes.)

Also in neutral character, we had to act out the "Waking Up" exercise. This involved putting on the mask, lying on the floor, and "waking up" with absolutely no knowledge of our bodies or the world around us. Basically, we had to pretend we were little newborn baby deer seeing the world and walking for the first time. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me, but fun at the same time of course.

Every week in this class brings exciting and challenging activities, and, despite the embarrassment, it is usually one of the highlights of my week. I can already tell a difference in my posture, feel more confident in my "voice", and have grown to be very good at laughing at myself. I LOVE classes in Italy.