Tag Archives: dance

Allies Blog, Najlas Blog

Introducing Hip Love Studio

Introducing Hip Love Studio. New name. New look. I am so excited to announce my dance studio space now has a new name. Hip Love Studio. H. I. P healing in physical Love. Empowering women to feel good. Welcome to Najlas Dance & Healing.

Change is inevitable and good as it changes the energy and flow so things can become less stagnate and it shakes things up a bit. Why this change? I wanted something simple, to the point, easy to remember but different. I wanted and needed something that truly encompasses all that I can offer as I am more:

Allie Joseph who is sole owner of Najlas Dance and Hip Love serves Chillicothe, Ohio and surrounding areas. To empower women, giving them confidence and find what has been lost deep within though, fitness, dance, movement classes for women of all ages! In addition, Allie is a Master Kundalini Reiki Teacher, Crystal Healer and a Card reader these are additional services that are held at Hip Love: by appointment.

Why the name Hip Love?

In bellydance we use our hips, it is the foundation that connects our lower body to our upper body. It relates to our pelvic and core region. When we dance our hip flexors are highly active which changes the flow and helps us release feeling better. Over the years in research and tons of learning! I love to learn! Our hips hold most of our emotion! Did you know that?

Think of your hips as a junk drawer. Everyone has one. A junk drawer is where you put things away that you do not know what to do with. It keeps filling up and before you know it your are holding onto so much junk in your hips that you do not even realize it. This is the most simplest terms. Our hips hold stress, anger, anxiety, trauma and more and these signals get sent to our whole body. From movement, meditation, dance, energy healing we can break this cycle and start feeling better, lighter, free!

Hear is what a few students have to say: Keep Reading!

A couple of my dearest friends and students helped me with this new look and we talked about what Hip Love meant to them. Here is a few things they had to say:

Dee Carpenter says: Hip Love: “No judgement. Physical movement which helps the soul emotionally….so you feel love to help the healing process by letting go through motion.”

I just love this what Dee says! This is why when we do move we feel better!

Here is what Angela Dawn says and what Hip Love means to her: “For me it’s and expression of freedom and femininity. Even when we dance the shapes we make sometimes with our hips are hearts! Using dance and movement to heal emotionally and physically.”

Awe! I do just love this and it is sending love to your hips!

Big huge thanks to Dee for coming up with the tag line: Healing in Physical Love...My dream was to open a place for women where they can come and be and what I have created is honestly more then I could ever imagine! I will be talking more on this too!

Join us in Celebration for the new look!

Najlas Dance & Hip Love Studio: Dance & Healing with Allie’s first official Open House! I want to send you a personal invitation. Join us on October 29th, 2022 for free mini classes and more!

We start at 9:00 am with a lovely gathering & refreshments. Then at 9:30 we start with the first FREE MINI class: Women’s Circle meditation/journaling and healing! For this class you will need a journal and yoga mat! Stay for the morning! Bring a friend! Spread & Share! Want to no more…look below

Allies Blog, Najlas Blog

Spring Awakening & coming out of Covid

Spring Awakening and coming out of Covid! After year and a half and over 2 years since my last live performance I had the opportunity to connect, teach and perform for the first time! I was excited, anxious and nervous all at one time! I reminded myself; if you do everything from the place of love you can not go wrong. Costume was picked out and ready, music set done. Workshop material check and a ton of self care for me check!

The morning was early; 6 am. I started my prep; thoughts where dancing and whirling around my head. The car was packed and ready to go! Getting ready for performances and events can be a very magical thing.

Everything is carefully and well thought out hair, flowers, makeup and adoring myself with jewels. It is the most sacred and special thing for me. It’s very calming, allows me to quiet my chaotic mind. It brings me back into myself connecting to my own power and feminine body.

What a wonderful glorious day. It was already hot that morning the sun was shining bright. I made it to my destination! There were so many people there! Wow! I was a bit overwhelmed at it all but, talking and connecting to people is something I truly missed!

Time for my performance! As I made my way to the stage I was so glad I did not wear all the layers! One skirt and shorty pants! Goodness is was hot! I have done this many times in hot weather so I told myself; you’ve GOT THIS!

The music started. I was stage right waiting for the opportunity to emerge and to dance. My cue came and out I flowed circling the stage allowing the music to feel my heart and soul and connecting to all of those who came to watch and support me. I could feel the coolness of the concrete stage under my feet. The hot breeze kissing my face. My bright yellow skirt swirling around me with my purple and black fan veils flowing above. This is what I have missed! I did not miss a beat my heart was full! I could feel the energy as I danced between me and the audience. Joy filled my body and soul!

Every time I dance I heal a part of me that I did not know needed healing! I feel empowered, confident and just down right amazing! My friend Cathy told me “just watching you dance for that moment healed me”

The one thing I gathered about this day is that people are looking for connection. So let me ask you a question!

You know how we can have a loss of connection with our bodies as women? Well I offer weekly classes in a very safe, positive and open environment that allows you to be yourself where I teach you how to move and connect to your body through dance and movement! Does that not sound wonderful to you?

Want to keep connected to me and my offerings? Sign up for my newsletter now! Get a free meditation and yoga workout just for you! Go here now! https://najlasdance.com/ enter your email address and a bit of information and your done!

Here is a short piece of my Performance from the Spring Awakening check it out! https://www.facebook.com/allie.flynn.50/posts/10220942714343250

Much love & gratitude to each of you!

Allie

Allies Blog, Beginner Classes

Facial Expressions

2 Comments

This past week one of my students asked a very important question when it comes to facial expressions.  Facial expressions helps bring the emotion that you are trying to conceive with the movements more alive and it is the finishing touch to your dancing.  When performing or even practicing you should always be aware of the expressions you are making with your face.  What is most important is to try and relax and realize it is not necessary to always smile.   When dancing and performing it must be full bodied;meaning emotion comes from every aspect and adding emotion with the face is the key to communicating to the audience the story that you are telling because when we dance we are telling a story.

“Face expression draws attention to the dancer
One of the best tools of the trade is learning to facially adapt to the dance. Audience eyes are drawn to those dance performers who learn how to master the emotion and expression within the set choreography. The mood of the dance is what audiences interact with through interpretation, reciprocal emotion and psychological illusion. It is the actual connecting factor between the dancer and the audience, and one of most importance. ” from Dancehelp.com; article, “Just Face it”.
Tips on Facial Expressions:

  • Always be aware of the expression on your face when practicing
  • keep relaxed and really letting yourself go (this takes time)
  • let the music guide you
  • always keep your head and chin up
  • try not to have the deer in the headlight look ( yes, I have had this happen to me)
  • practice in the mirror

With all this in mind, I am working on hopefully some very cool exercises that we can have some fun with during class on expression of the face!  Just remember with all of this it takes time, patience and alot of practice!

The picture above I think really represents the emotion that a dancer portray’s when dancing.  This picture was taken by WG Images.  Copy Right June, 2011