I didn’t tell you this, but I decided to do something I have not done in the past with the choreography I learned from Mercedes in Jerez last fall, I decided to keep it.

You may think I keep all of the dances I learn from her, or perhaps you know me better than that.

My pattern is to let them go.

In fact, this intention I set last fall during the FlamencoTour to Jerez, to retain and polish the choreography Mercedes taught us, is part of the reason I set up the holiday challenge.

I gave myself many excuses as to why I could not do this over the holidays:

'You have other flamenco things to work on Laura.'

'It is December. It is holiday time. It is not time for flamenco discipline.'

'It won’t be the same as being in class with Mercedes. It won't be anything like it...'

I almost didn't do it.

But I'm so glad I did.

I'll tell you why after the challenge is over.

And about the challenge,

I've probably been spending an average of fifteen minutes on it each day.

I'm not really sure.

As you know, there has been a lot of hearing Mercedes in my head while going about my other activities,

A few exercises each day,

And some choreography.

I've dedicated the smallest amount of time to choreography from Mercedes, even though it was meant to be a main focus.

But having set that intention has kept it in the front of my mind all week. Late at night when I've not yet gotten to the choreography portion and I've just wanted to go to sleep, it's had me at least running it in my head or watching the video every single day of this challenge. (As it turns out I've found myself doing other choreography I hadn't planned on doing, the various dances that my nieces and I are working on for tomorrow's show and (mostly) bulerías in spare moments around the house or out and about.)

We have one day left.

And, remember, if you don't have a lot of time and think you can't do it, you can. All you need are a few minutes. And, honestly even a few minutes are worth it. Again, I'll tell you why later this week.

A tip for hearing your teacher while you practice

Teach something to someone else.

As you know my niece has been doing part of the challenge with me. We've been so busy that she hasn't done any exercises with me the past two days, but we resumed doing some together today. Teaching them to her I can hear Mercedes so clearly. And just as I can imagine what Mercedes would say to me, I can imagine what she would say to Margot. So I say it. To Margot. And to myself.

So if you're forgetting to listen to your teacher in your mind while practicing, teach someone something!

...

See you tomorrow for the final day of the challenge and the final day of the year.

How are you feeling about things?

Have you had a focus for this challenge? Have you found inventive ways to squeeze in some moments to dance? Have you taught anything to the people around you? Let me know in the comments below.