Weekly Focus Update...Taking Time

Practice has been fast and furious these past two weeks, and it is finally catching up with me!

After almost two weeks of bliss, my body finally needed a day off. Which I spent in the sun giving my herb garden some much needed attention. (There was a mini boulder I had wanted to move for a long while, now...and I did. Well, I rolled it out of my herb garden. About a foot away. Where it is patiently awaiting its new home!)

Then, back on the horse!

I've come to realize over time that practice has many shapes and forms. And incorporating this idea in my daily practice has given me the flexibility to take away the guilt I would feel if I simply could not fit in an hour of bellydance every day. In fact, one of the easiest ways to get my practice in is in little doses.

Yoga flow in the morning, for about ten to fifteen minutes. Then, maybe an hour or two later, I fit in something else (squats/shimmy drill, jumping jacks with isolations, or even arm cycles paired with ooey gooey movement) for eight to fifteen minutes. Then, if the Universe cooperates, choreography focus! Working on new choreo makes the creative side of me blissful, and incorporates the little movements I play around with in the kitchen.

And keeping a notebook around so I can remember what works and what doesn't is a new practice I'm trying out.

So far, so great. This scenario allows me to keep those serious hour long practices focused, and fresh.

Mix it up!

Tuesday Musings...I've Been Busy ;-)

Just about says it all...

Secrets Of A Tribal Bellydancer

I'm going to let you in on a secret.

Not that I'm ashamed of this...quite the contrary, I proudly share this little gem quite often.

As a bellydancer, any performance, workshop, or practice usually involves a high amount of shimmies and/or spinning. Which means anything we wear has a high possibility of leaving bellydance bread crumbs behind.

Even more terrifying? Wardrobe malfunctions.

My secret? Well, beyond the stitching and hand sewing...I use this little gem:





Not only do I love it as double insurance that my various costume and headpieces stay exactly as they are meant to be, I have it in my dance kit as a just in case back up.

You never know when a shimmy is going to leave something behind. Me? I prefer to be mysterious, and leave very little beyond memories behind.

And every girl has her secrets...

Weekly Challenge One...Posture

The hardest thing to accept, and not let yourself get down, is that though you may feel strong and beautiful, sometimes, your dance doesn't look as fabulous as it feels.

 

A strong performance hinges on so many things, and like all things practice makes perfect.  Feeling strong, in the moment, and nailing each movement...and then, you see the replay.

Ugh.  Did I really leave my hand flopping around like that?  And that hip drop combo?  Am I slouching?

You have a choice.  Feel sorry for yourself, or PRACTICE.  The basics have to be a fundamental part of your practice, but sometimes we focus on the other bells and whistles that they get forgotten.

Each week, I am focusing on an area of my practice that I feel needs tweaking.  (After seeing a few replays, more than one!)

The first focus?  Posture.  This is the most fundamental and important part of any bellydance practice. 

Feet, knees, hips, pelvis, spine, shoulders, neck, chin.  These are the words I teach my students as a check in while they are drilling and learning, both in class and at home.

I have also "learned" a new technique from a great teacher and friend of mine that "corsets" your core area.  The muscle that wraps around from the lower back to from supports your entire upper body, When it is weak (either from concentrating on your abs though crunches that work only the front muscles or general misuse), we feel that ache in our lower backs.  But, by pulling in this muscle and like a corset to support your upper body, you can strengthen your core not only for your dance, but everyday life.  The muscle engages when you are in plank, though not everyone is aware of it and uses it as such.  There are also Pilate's/yoga exercises such as boat with your abs "corseted" (think of an actual corset cinching in your waist all around, but only tight enough to feel supported and not out of breath).  You can increase the difficulty by "flointing" your toes.  point your fee/toes, but flex and spread your toes with a lot of energy.  WOWSA.

This technique is now added to my posture mantra, because this support actually made me feel taller, stronger, and aware of my movement.  So, feet, knees, hips, pelvis, spin, corset the core, shoulders, neck, chin.

Be back with an update!

Tuesday Musings...

"Art if the lie that enables us to realize the truth."

Pablo Picasso

 

 

 

 

Note: Reclaimed Bindi Box, available here.



Blog Revamp and All That Jazz!

I've decided this neglected blog needs a revamp.  Quite honestly, with my little guy, I barely (and regrettably) have little time to read as many books as I used to.  In fact, my poor Kindle has literally been dead (battery wise) for over two weeks.
I still get one or two in, but not enough in my eyes to be able to make this a book only blog.
What will I do?  Why, incorporate (officially) my adventures in tribal fusion bellydance, teaching, and my Reclaimed Dark Muse creations.
Review requests are still welcome, of course.
I hope you will join me on my journey!
Now, I'm off to continue my Blogger rearrange/revamp/make pretty time...