I’m writing this on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Secretly, I’m almost glad for not such good weather. I need that extra time for what I call, indoor adventures. The only thing these adventures require, is the internet connection and let’s say, the will.

Photos you see here, were shot during the past weekends. And if it was not for the apocalypse outside, I wouldn’t probably be sitting here at the desktop now, finally writing this post. Despite being home all day, I still could collect some experience.

In the morning, I was sweating during the intense yoga session I had with my Youtube yoga teacher Adrienne, from Austin. One shower, long nap and three coffees later, I spoke French, together with a charming lecturer in a podcast, while preparing our lunch.

The best was yet to come. I’m changing into the silver evening dress and sit down at the piano, in our living room. My mind is fresh enough today, to learn how to play ten more seconds of the aria of Tosca. I’m grateful to my patient “instructor” who doesn’t mind repeating the same over and over, again. Only the piano app can do that without cursing. Martin doesn’t complain either. Actually, he should not, because he was the one who gave me this beautiful instrument.

I’m not sure when exactly it happened, but one day I realized I am spending hours with all kinds of virtual teachers, every week. And not only that, I love it, and I’ve learnt more than I ever have at the conventional courses, for less than I spend while one evening out.

Yoga Sessions

I tried to make workouts according to the video exercises before, and didn’t like it, until I discovered Yoga with Adrienne. It feels like she was physically there, with me. She is kind, amusing and generally fabulous guide. I started lightly, years ago, with shorter videos to relieve my back pain.

But lately I became harsher towards myself. In order not be an always sleepy potato, with no stamina, I started to practice the intense yoga workout several times per week, for 40 to 60 minutes. The fact I don’t have to go anywhere and be fixed to any specific time schedule, is the necessary condition for me, to keep practice sustainable.

I WORE: Orange dress/ from here  with mules from ZARA and bag from MANGO

Oui, Je Parle Français

With Cote d’Azure being my promised land, it’s obvious I always wanted to speak the most graceful language – French. To remember what I’ve learnt at the high school and develop a bit, I’m studying with the well-known Duolingo for at least few minutes (almost) per day. Duolingo’s reminders in my e-mail inbox try to beat my temporary laziness, even though sometimes I shamelessly ignore them.

To improve my comprehension of the spoken French, I like to listen the Coffee Break French podcast, too. It takes 20 minutes, which is typically the amount of time I need to cook a meal, so I like to combine those two activities. Podcast, same-like Duolingo, is available in many different languages. Not that I dare to have an ambition to learn them, too.

And how do I motivate myself to learn French? For the beginning, I imagine a month lasting holiday in Antibes by the Mediterranean Sea. There I would attend the French course with a real lecturer, instead of virtual. I hope, for the school, placed at the beach though.

I WORE: White outfit with trousers and top from ZARA

Piano Class

For nearly whole last year, I was daydreaming about playing piano. I had always found it so beautiful and therapeutical! However, I had a little fear, whether my piano wouldn’t end up lonely and under the dust.

At the end, I got the piano as a surprise Christmas gift and since then, you can find me at the piano, gently torturing neighbours, for at least half an hour, every day. I decided that for now, I don’t want to learn in a traditional way. It would take years of studying sheet music and learning firstly simple (boring) songs.

That would not keep me excited. I already knew which songs I wish to play, so I made a research and found another way. Firstly, I followed Youtube piano tutorial by Synthesia (the app) and I could see some progress every day.

When the video was removed, I was searching for another option. As the most known app, Synthesia, is not available for iphone, I decided for the Piano 3D  which is similar and works well, for me. Moreover, it has quite useless, yet very cool feature, that allows to place a beautiful white grand piano into your living room, in the augmented reality.  It’s the most beautiful way I’ve been recently wasting my time.

If I’m too tired to learn something new, I practice what I already know. It miraculously calms me down and brings me into the happy mood.

I hope you found a little inspiration in my words. If there is something you’ve always wanted to learn, it’s just a few clicks away. Try it today! And if you already have some favourites, tell me about them!

I WORE: Green dress/ from here

 Creative direction and editing: DANIELA RIFAI  Photos: DANIELA RIFAI, MARTIN JESNY