Happy New Year and we are back in the roaring 20’s! Imagine that! So you have just started belly dancing and you are loving it and you go to as many classes as you possible can, which is great! I am asking you today how is your dance practice outside of class? Do you practice at all? If no, why not? Is it due to motivation, lack of space or not sure about the movements or what to even work on? These are all very common! I will start by addressing these to help you out! If you do not have a dance routine outside of class; you need to! Why? Belly Dance is an art that requires muscle memory! The only way we can get that muscle memory is by drilling the same movement over and over again! Yes, there is no magic wand or key here! Even myself after dancing 20 years I still practice and drill the basics!
No motivation? Get inspired! This is easy! What inspires you to dance? Music, a new hip scarf, putting flowers in your hair? If it is music search for new music and make a playlist for you to dance too! If it is a new hip scarf buy one and keep it just for at home practices to make it special! Put flowers in your hair even for your dance practice at home! These are just little easy things that will motivate you!
Lack of space? Everyone has space in their house! This space can be a corner of a room or even a room to yourself! What space are you most comfortable in? When I first started I used my kitchen a lot! I would stand in front of the microwave because I could see my movements! I did not dance past the microwave so the space I used was relativity small! Don’t think your space has to be huge! Eventually, I moved my dance space and acquired a small corner of our dining room! I even put up some of those square sticky mirrors and took pieces of fabric and draped it around the mirrors and it was perfect and still not very big! Maybe you have a guest room that you can use? Use your imagination! Do not think you need a huge space! Decorate that space with something that makes you feel good! Just even flowers and lighting a candle will help!
Not sure about movement or what to work on? This is so very common and your not alone in this! Starting out; write down all the movements you do know and your comfortable with! These are called your safe moves! Everyone has them. Once you get them written down divide them by fast moves & slow moves. Divide them out once more; upper body & lower body! This gives you 5 days of practice!
Day 1: Safety moves Put music on and drill all the moves out! Do not worry about technique here. Focus on staying with the music and the beat! This helps with transitioning from one move to the next and eventually you will become fluid and seamless!
Day 2: Fast moves; put on a fun & upbeat song and dance! Keep yourself grounded! To much bounce? Bend your knees! It is all about control here!
Day 3: Slow moves; this is were we can get gooey and juicy! Put on a slow piece of music that you absolutely love! The slower the better! Dance all those slow moves focusing again on staying with the beat! Do not move fast! Relax and enjoy the music! Let the music flow in your body and out through the movement! If you need to grab a glass of wine to help you relax!
Day 4: Upper Body: Here is where we work on proper execution and technique! Focus on your posture and executing the movement properly and all the way through! Do not cut the movement or take shortcuts! If the movements have hand and arm positions work on that first without the movement, then the movement and then both together.
Day 5: lower body: here is where we work on proper execution and technique! Focus on your posture and executing the movement properly and all the way through! Do not cut the movement or take shortcuts! If the movements have hand and arm positions and steps or turns work on that first without the movement, then the movement and then both together.
There is your 5 day plan! See how easy it is! I would love to know what your doing and I would love to see pictures of your dance space, practice or both! The most important thing is to have fun and explore!
Remember we all have bad days! Do not beat yourself up but celebrate your journey! Last year, my dance practiced suffered tremendously for the first time in years! Its okay as there is always tomorrow!
Dance breathes love and beauty to your soul as we move and speak in a non verbal way
At a young age I always wanted to dance. I wanted to be a ballerina and my mom finally put me in a class but pulled me out after the first one. To this day, I do not know why. I just remember being devastated and heartbroken.
Growing up with Syrian Culture on my dads side, I learned the Dabke at a very young age and would listen to my grandmothers Arabic records. Through the years, I danced in my bedroom doors closed with blaring music. In high school I tried out for various dance troupes, but was always told I just did not have it or that I was too shy and would not make it. I was crushed. I dreamed of dancing that is all I wanted to do.
In my early 20’s I became part of a dance and singing troupe! I was finally dancing, singing and performing and truly loving it! The troupe dissolved and again I was alone with no dance in my life. I got married, had kids, but danced in the kitchen and living room, sometimes embarrassing my kids totally being a true mom! I became a cheer leading coach and I would choreograph little dance routines and loving it! These girls always made me proud and teaching them was amazing! I had ages anywhere from 3 on up to 12. I was not only teaching them how to dance but also taught them that they could be anything they wanted. I saw these little girls gain confidence and faces lighting up! I was doing something I love and giving back!
The other coach, who was also a friend told me she had been taking belly dance classes and asked if I wanted to go to class? Yes! I went to my first class and I remember thinking what if I am not good enough? What if I can not do this? I immediately fell in love! It was mostly Cab with a little bit of ATS. I was performing, making costumes, choreographed our first duet and my very first solo I was loving it and loving life! Years passed and I was the only student left and eventually my teacher stopped teaching. Crushed, I knew I needed to continue so I practiced at home, danced old choreography’s and searched the internet for anything I could get my hands on.
My world came crashing down on me the D word after 23 years of marriage. I was crushed and broken and not fully understanding how and what happened. I turned to my dance and it truly was the only thing that held me together!Every single breath, move and emotion came out as I danced and it soothed my soul! I started dancing for my friends and I would teach them a few movements. They would tell me how good I was and that I should think about teaching. I thought they were just being supportive like friends should be, but I asked myself, why not? I worked on my technique and skills for 2 years 2006-2008. I came across Leyla Najma and became her online student and she took me under her wing. I was like a little sponge and soaked everything in that I could! I listened to every word of hers and did everything she told me to do! I was growing, learning and expanding and it felt good! In April of 2008, I opened up my own studio where my 2nd husband and I where living and I had 8 students! I honestly do not know how this happened because there was very little advertising but I was teaching and happy! Recitals and dancing in parades! I was teaching Egyptian Cabaret and having the time of my life! I was happy again!
In 2010. I met Paulette Rees-Denis at a workshop in Columbus, Ohio and fell in love with Tribal! This was the complete opposite of the glitzy style! The movements felt natural, organic and good in my body. There was also something about Paulette an energy and light that flowed to me and I wanted more! I went to a few more workshops of hers and I will never forget the time she asked me to be her Ohio girl! I nearly fell and felt like I was dreaming and in the back of my mind I was thinking; can I fill these enormous shoes and am I good enough? At the same time, I was very honored and I did not want to disappoint and let her down. Despite my fears, I jumped in with both feet and said yes! In the back of my mind I thought Oh goodness! What have you done?! This was the start of my journey in Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance.
My personal life came to another halt. My husband had a mental illness and he was having an episode and shaved my head with a wahl trimmer and razor and beat me. I was crushed, hurt and wonder how can someone who loves me do this to me? This lead to a dissolution and I left. I packed all my things and moved my daughter and cat to mom and dads. I was hurt and broken inside and I felt my soul was gone and my world shatter in little tiny pieces of sharp glass. I again immersed myself in the dance. This dance saved my life! Without the dance, I would not have been able to heal. Dance has and was the only constant thing in my life. It brought me out of the darkness.
In 2012 I started on my intensive training with Paulette because I wanted to teach this dance form and share my newfound love and passion for it. At this time, I was in a dance studio and my classes where going very well. I was also now taking ballroom which was something I always wanted to do. I was dancing, loving life! I met someone new and everything was amazing! I was living a dream and life was good! I was dancing and traveling to places I had never been and dreamed of! Getting certifications under my belt from Collective soul to teacher training, Tribal Grooves, Tribal Grooves Master and more! See I believe investing in yourself but it was also an investment in who I was and my self worth. I became part of Gyspsy Caravan International and I remember that day just like it was yesterday! At the time I was in Portland training with Paulette along with 2 others. This was totally something I never saw in my path and it felt like a dream! I attended my first Tribal Summitt that year too and it was an amazing and mind blown experience! I was in awe of my path and this dance! During this time my dream have having my own dance studio was burning in my soul.
Out of the blue, the studio I was teaching at closed in September 2016. I was determined to find a place for my classes. I reached out to this lady who owned a gym. It was not a perfect or ideal but it was a space and I made the best of it. I had to have a studio! I was teaching and working a retail job and my hope was to quit my job and teach full time. So I Continued to work with Paulette through coaching setting out to pursue my dreams!
Again, my life came to a crashing halt again! My mom unexpectedly passed away from a heeart attack of February 2017. How was I going to live without her. Broken but holding strong for my dad. Dance again was the only thing that pulled me through this huge loss. My last gift to my mom was to do her hair and makeup for the funeral at first it was an uneasy feeling as I walked in and saw her. My heart was in pieces and I stood there crying; tears streaming down my face. I grabbed my phone and turned on Can’t stop this feeling! I played it over and over! This was a Tribal Grooves Choreography and in the darkness it gave me light and happiness and hope! Strangely it made me feel secure. Sometimes my mom and I did not see eye to eye with my dancing but she always supported me.
In July 2018, the retail store I worked at closed its doors. Funny, how the universe does things for you when your too fearful to do it alone to take that step.
I started looking for the perfect space. Everything was either too old or too expensive. During this time a lady called me and as we were talking she actually wanted to open up a studio too. So we worked together to find a place, but I was still searching on my own and to this day I am still keeping my eyes open. During this time my personal life came crashing to a halt again. Alcoholism and verbal abuse from my boyfriend. I kept thinking things would get better but only got worse. I kept pushing through and focused on my dancing and finding a studio. Thinking things would get better and everything would work out.
In August of 2018 we found a perfect spot for the studio and by Oct 2018 it was fully functioning and open! My dream came true!
At this same time my dad broke his shoulder and my boyfriends drinking and abuse continued my life on that side was spiraling out of control and I felt like I was drowning and could not find my way to the surface. I reached out to Paulette. I felt she was the only person I could talk to since my mom passed away. What I never expected from this dance is the bond of friendships! I had been living with my boyfriend and decide to leave to take care of my dad. I needed to do this for myself but dad too. Things with my boyfriend and I did not get any better. I was fighting with depression, anxiety and felt hopeless inside. The only thing I had was this dance and all my Gypsy Caravan Sisters and the studio. The studio was my safe space. It was the only place I could go and forget about all the things in my life and just dance and be me. It was truly the only thing that was holding me together as I felt like I was shattered glass so many broken pieces that could never be put back together. I had to force myself out of bed, force myself to go to class and teach. It was the only thing that made me feel better once I was there. It gave me strength and life and courage. See it is not just about the dance but it is about life! It taught me so much more how to care for myself and love me for who I am and where I am at!
Today, I am living my dreams and living for dad and I. That is my priority as I help my dad through his transition of life living with Alzheimers. This dance has blessed my life in so many ways and taken me on paths I never would have dreamed of and to this day my path is still expanding and forever changing! I continue my training and taking on new things and new leadership! I am excited about life again and following my own path! Dance has taught me to stand up and be my own, glorious, warrior women self. I am transforming and opening up and it’s such a glorious thing! It has been an amazing ride and I have to thank dance for it all!
I am honestly not sure how to start this…Freedom….what is it? The basic definition: the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
What happens when dancing brings freedom? Moving without thinking, being uninhibited and moving with confidence, strength, grace and the ability to just let go and feel our body move! In dance it becomes very liberating and produces those feel good hormones! Dancing is fun and very empowering! Dance opens up new possibilities and is very healing and it welcomes everyone! It is for any age all sizes it does not discriminate!
Dancing together builds a community, a tribe, a pack! It creates a space of the utmost peace where we can come together and transform into the beautiful beings that we already are! You can feel the energy between the dancers and being able to let go is pure freedom!
Dancing can be very spiritual and the love of dance and freedom creates a peace within, a force, a fire! When we dance we engage every aspect of our bodies that are already inside each and every one of us. It flows through our body and our mind and brings out are emotions at that given point and time. Dancing is very therapeutic and is part of self care that gives us freedom and the ability to dance in our own space and creativity. Dancing awakens the body and feeds the soul! Ohhh so good! Right??
The best part about what I do is watching my students truly transform, open up and dance with pure joy and freedom and completely let go and totally unaware that they are even doing it! It just warms my heart and makes me feel good to watch them transform and allow themselves to just be!
Last night, I was able to experience this with one of my students as we were dancing and connecting and sharing in our rotating circle. Each one took turns dancing in the circle and this was their first experience as we just finished up the first of a 6 week session. One of my students came forward and just completely let go and moved and danced without any thought and even being totally unaware of what she was doing! It was such a beautiful and magical experience!
You could feel the energy and connection of the whole room between the dancers and the drummers. Letting go whether you drumming or dancing is pure freedom! Feeling it in your body and soul! Creating, magical, uplifting and empowering!
Wowza! We are halfway through the year already! Crazy huh? How has your year been so far? What has been happening in your world and what have you been up to? This year has been all about moving and inspiration for me and digging deep in myself!
My year has been filled with more journaling, writing and listening to my body! Quiet walks in the woods or around the neighborhood, reading which is something new to me! I have read 3 books so far and about to finish up the fourth. These are not novels but, how to become a better, fuller person living life! Listening to podcast, meditations, music it is all so good! The beauty of this glorious world, the smells, the touch and the sight! It is all so truly wonderful! The feeding of my body, that gives me nourishment and strength and we can not forgot moving our body! Allowing my body to move and flow while listening to music or even just the music in my head! All of these things move me!
It can also be the simplest things and we have to keep our eyes wide and open. It can be a gentle touch or a word or a sound. The feel of clean sheets on the bed or the cuddle of your furry pet! The laugh of a child or the tears of a friend!
It is connecting with our emotion, with our desire and our dreams allowing it to evolve, shift and unfold! Even when I am driving sometimes a thought will pop up of the past that moves me and will either bring a smile across my face or a tear drop down my cheek.
It is connecting with my students and other dancers they all move me and fills me with love and excitement and genuine pure joy! Sharing the love and the passion and having that connection! It is all so good and wonderful!
What moves you and how do you move each and everyday? I would love to hear from you!
Dance. The Dance of Life. Do you live life? Do you show up each and every day? Do you live full on? As I just came up on the 1 year mark of my moms death and just a few days before learning about the death of my good friend passing and my web guy Daniel Latrimurti just a few days before. I have learned to live life. How do I live life? I celebrate and move with intention. I show up for myself each and every day. As I was at the studio I grabbed my journal and just started writing; letting the words and thoughts from my mind flow out from the pen to paper. I wanted to share this with you. I would also love your comments!
The Dance of Life
The ebb and flow of movement through life experiences intertwining with one another.
In life we start out with the beat of our own heart; this is the rhythm of life. This rhythm is a part of us with each and every beat.
In our dance we hear the sound of the drum that gives us that definite beat we can feel as we move our bodies coming together with the beat of our heart.
Through life we twirl, sway, step with our feet, move our hips in the wondrous circling pattern; no beginning and no ending.
Celebrating life with music and dance; laughing, weeping and crying. Life and dance carries us through every emotion.
We dance to share, connect and love; not only with ourselves but others. The dance is ours; no one else can take it away from us as we move through the shadows, valleys and hopes and dreams of our life.
Through disappointment, heartache and grief we dance connecting to that unknown.
