"Like the Swan on the Shannon River"

"Can you guess which movie this is from?" :)The University of Limerick is even more beautiful than I could have imagined with the exquisite evergreen trees around campus, the glass architectural buildings, the monuments and the unforgettable Shannon River Bridge. It connected the main point of campus to the Irish World Academy of Music and the Health Sciences building. Walking into the Academy of Music building was simply...... breathtaking! Doves playing in the water and other creatures with humans frolicking around the river was seen in a colorful mural. I think this was my favorite highlight of the building.

Staff from the school came to greet us warmly and led us into the main dance room were we'd meet Aoife. Aoife, a dancer of Irish and systemic step, led the movement workshop for the day. I was a bit nervous as I caught the dance majors from my program moving effortlessly to the sound of the music. Noticing some of us were not giving ourselves freely up to the music, she encouraged us once more to move however we felt and that we would not be judged.

The Irish classical music would play and we'd begin to move together, yet doing our own individual expression of movement. My body would sway from left to right as I walked around the circle area. I allowed the soft Irish music to flow effortlessly through me as water droplets from a waterfall. Like a swan on the Shannon river outside, I moved to the rhythm of how I felt; not paying attention to anything or anyone in that moment. “Chew the Donkey” and the “Waltz of Limerick" were two Irish songs we’d dance to in groups as well as with partners. Serdjine and I could barely keep a straight face as partners. Like a tickle from a fuzzy feather on your nose, we’d burst out with laughter dancing to the music. Everyone was smiling and laughing as their foot shuffled in odd positions.

Sometime during the dance movement session, I'd have the opportunity to have my professor, Jenny, as my partner. I must admit that it was nerve racking because dance music therapy was her profession for so many years I could not even tell you the right answer. Sensing my nervousness, she'd improvise some movements so my body could react to hers. Soaked with sweat, I was hesitant to place to much of my body against hers. As always, I'd be met with encouraging blue wyes and a warm smile. What I enjoyed the most about this experimental dance workshop is that during some movements we'd perform together, I'd have no clue where to move next. This made it more spontaneous and almost organic in this game of cat and mouse following each other. Once I go really into it, Jenny would compliment, "You have good form", which made my experience with this form of dance even brighter.

The rest of the afternoon at Limerick University would be followed with presentations from both staff at the Irish World Academy of Music and Arts in Medicine. Hearing the breakthrough in innovative projects to better improve patient's quality of stay in clinical settings as well as under treatment was amazing! Sometimes I can't believe how fast time fly since arriving in Ireland. Just think about it.... in another week we'll be developing our final art project and the following week saying our final goodbyes to our Ireland Arts Care in Medicine family.