This morning I really felt awkward. Fingers/arms were not moving well, meaning that all hell was breaking loose playing the violin, and 2 Nutcracker performances to play! I needed to whip myself into shape pronto. Fortunately I didn't panic and did 5 minutes of my "magic" exercises I give to some of my violin students. Worked like a charm. The afternoon performance went fine, with me constantly adjusting my body to be in perfect alignment.
Today was a grand test, because K. had suggested going out to dinner between shows. Last year I had to go home in between and nap so I could play the evening show, but I decided to experiment and see how my energy level was affected. I was a little low after dinner (food coma) but again used my exercises to get myself "in the zone". (Actually, I think I hyperoxygenated a bit too much, because I got kind of wired). I played even better in the evening.
It was sometime during the end of the Waltz of the Flowers tonight that I had my epiphany. Little did the audience know that they were witnessing a revelation (not a revolution, though it sometimes seems that way...) in the first violin section: I realized that I play best when I'm in this super-calm, aligned, relaxed yet totally focused state. I already knew that, so that wasn't the revelation, but I suddenly connected it to the same exact state I'm in when I'm dancing Tango really beautifully or kissing really...intently. Weird.
This whole thought took only 4 measures or so to complete itself and then we were on to the Pas de Deux. But on the drive home I thought, when I'm having a bad day I'll have to tell myself "play violin the way you dance Tango" or "dance the way you play violin" or "kiss the way you Tango" or... ooooooh, my life is soooooooooo cosmic. ;-P