Mermaids In Winter

Mermaids...



Treasures...



And something that sparkles...

This winter that seems determined to remind us all what winter is really about made me create my own sanctuary of new pieces to chase away the cabin fever.

It Isn't Just A Job...And I Love It

When you find something you become passionate about, you immerse yourself in it completely. Maybe you read about your new obsession, take a few classes...for me, I've submerged myself in every aspect I can get my hands on.

When I began bellydancing (not exactly counting the young me, only because she also had hot wheels and Stars Wars collection to occupy her...I mean, who didn't want to be Princess Leia?), I searched for music to practice to outside of class, dvd's to further my at home study, and relentlessly searched YouTube for new inspiration. My teacher was full of life, possessing a spark that I could somehow feel igniting in myself, deep down inside. But, after a while, the classes started to feel stale, and I was stuck.
Then I discovered workshops. Instead of learning the same thing over and over in a class setting, workshops offer a guest teacher who covers either a specific subject or choreography over a few hours in an intense format.

As I learned more and more, I began to share my love of bellydance with those around me. Which eventually evolved into teaching.



But lately, I've noticed a trend suddenly surrounding me. A few people I know are teachers...not your typical school teachers, but people who have taken their passion and turned to teaching others. And these people, as it turns out, are suddenly doubting teaching what they once loved. Because now, it feels more like a job or a chore. A few have stepped away to take a break then come back feeling re-energized and begun teaching again.

I haven't had these feelings of my passion turning into a chore, something I no longer enjoy. I hope I never do, but there are things I've noticed that maybe I've done differently.

Never stop learning. I try to take classes, workshops, or even incorporate a new dvd program. Knowledge is power, and there is so much to seek out that you really will never run out of things to new know.

Diversify. Find other subjects that relate to your main passion. For me, that includes yoga, costuming techniques, music, and even teaching and meditation methods. I've found that yoga really connects directly not only with Tribal Style Bellydance, but enhances other aspects of my life (bad knee, ankle, migraines, even morning sickness).

Don't forget why YOU loved something in the first place. Incorporating my practice in a way that makes sense for me, and I always make a place for keeping my creative moments alive. That either means choreographing a new number, or after drilling myself silly letting it all out with a five minute improve session, all for myself.

Finally, accepting that making my passion seem like a job may allow odd and ends that aren't creative attach themselves to it. Like planning, scheduling, and even business aspects that aren't necessarily my forte. But, knowing that these things don't have to become the bigger part and take over.

For me, teaching is sharing my passion with others. It isn't a job. The joy in sharing is just another part of that...

The Journey Of Tribal Bellydance

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. But when that journey is filled with many different ways to take that step, is the destination the same?

The style of bellydance that I embrace, love, and am obsessed with has its roots in what most people know as bellydance (or what is known as Egyptian Cabaret), but really was born out of a need to make something that empowered women in such a way that had never been done before. Where women accepted one another, and became their own tribe, dancing with and for each other with their own language of movement.

My own roots began in cabaret at a young age, and still to this day, my heart has a special place for the style.

But, I'm starting to realize a few things as I travel along on my tribal bellydance journey. The true beginnings of tribal bellydance stems from American Tribal Style, created by Carolena Nericcio and Fat Chance Bellydance, drawing from tribal ideology with a strong flamenco influence. Tribal fusion is based in this style...but, lately, I've noticed that there's a sudden influx of "my style of bellydance/belly danse/tribal bellydance" being taught.



Which leads to me wonder what is the true tribal fusion style?

As a dancer of this art form, I feel that I should be true to the authentic style of the dance, and even as I use the word "fusion", I hesitate to teach "my style" to beginning students. Because, honestly, I feel as if everyone is suddenly teaching things differently, and there may no longer be that common ground that really created the whole tribal movement. The language of the dance seems to not have different dialects, but entirely different languages being created. From using the words "gypsy", "Bohemian", and even changing the spelling around to stand out, the true meaning of tribal bellydance seems to get foggier every day.

Personally, I have only taken a scant few ATS classes (and stalked YouTube), but I strive to keep the roots true to my dance and teaching. To keep myself current and constantly learning, I take workshops and intensives from the most well known dancers who define tribal style hoping to keep the authenticity intact. Hopefully, this will include finishing Rachel Brice's Eight Elements intensive series...because, truly, in my eyes, she is the tree trunk that sprouted tribal style as we know it.

I can't speak for other dancers, but knowing and respecting the history of what I love is incredibly important to me. And I truly hope it shows.

Book Review...Icons By Margaret Stohl

When an author who has written a book I loved comes out with a new novel, I find myself like a kid on Christmas morning. Excitedly staring at the cover, wondering what I will find inside.



When I finally received Icons in my hands, I excitedly made it my current read...especially as I've been on a dystopia kick lately.

At first, Doloria and her best friend Ro seemed like the typical beginning of a complicated teen angst triangle that seems typical (and not always in a bad way) but the back story seemed more interesting...The Day, as it is known, began as any other, until literally everything and everyone stopped. Except Dol, or so it seems. The Lords came to Earth and placed Icons in prominent cities across the globe, creating a net of Silent Cities that enslaved the human race under constant fear of The Day happening again. Out in the Grasses, the Mission seems to be exempt but still living under the shadow of fear. Until all that she has known is shattered and destroyed as the two are captured and taken to the Embassy. At which we find out there maybe more to things than it seems.

And that's about all we really get. I can't say I necessarily disliked Icons. To be honest, I felt a odd mixture of indifference, disappointment, and a struggling sense of hope. I wanted to connect, but every moment that started to hook me sadly became vague and lacking. Who were the Lords, and what are the projects going to become? What information is so dangerous that Dol's book is worth killing for? Did Dol's parents (and the others) knowingly participate in the mysterious program? What information did we have that precluded the Lords arriving? And the "documents" in between chapters stopped the flow for me.

I wanted to like Dol, and at times I did. But, other times I felt as if the whole story line gave just enough to spark interest then let it go that it was difficult to. Tima, however, I would have loved knowing more about. The other part of the triangle? Of course we see it coming, but sadly, I could care less if they had any love/angst conflict.

I'm not sure if this is a beginning of a series (it certainly felt as if it could be), but I would pick up the next book if it were, hoping to get a little more than we were teased with. There was just enough that I'd like to know more...

Making It Work

Where a movement is generated from changes everything, whether a chest circle that's muscular or originates from your ribcage, or a spiritual movement of taking control of your happiness.



Recently, I took part in an intensive that included bellydance, yoga and biomechanics, practice, and the history of tribal bellydance. But, beyond all of the hours spent dancing, drilling, conditioning, zilling for six plus hours a day, I found the parts of myself that had remained buried under the layers of what I thought I had to be, others thought who I should be, and some strange sense of how I thought I wanted to be.

The simple fact that we all seem to forget is that while we are essentially the same, the paths we take are drastically different. What makes me feel free and happy may be totally different from anyone else. And this is a beautiful thing.

It takes a long time to realize this, mostly because we are beaten over the head since birth to conform, yet be special, yet THIS is what is beautiful, be normal...but, when you finally find your own path, it is liberating. Not to say staying on the path is easy, or even necessary. Sometimes, the path is unmarked at times. This may bring out self doubt or a panic session, but I keep reminding myself to do what makes ME happy.

Needless to say, I don't drill/dance/practice for six hours a day at home. Life has many ways of complicating things, and sometimes I'm lucky to get forty-five minutes in four times a week. And that is okay. Could I be a better dancer with more? Of course, but I would be a broke dancer with a lonely puppy, tons of laundry and dirty dishes, miscellaneous unused vintage jewelry just wishing to be loved again by a bellydancer, a very unhappy lil man and supportive yet frazzled husband.

So, I choose happy, and make my life work for me. I just wish it hadn't taken me so long to figure that out.

Short And Filled With Panic

In which I attempt to calm the panic of not being yoga/Sanskrit perfectly proficient, and somehow practice to become more endurable (my new word...for not quite having endurance mastered).



In less than two weeks, my flight leaves for Portland. Holy three-quarter shimmies, Batman. For real. The flashcards are started (kinda). Here's the deal. I still am not sure I'll even understand the Sanskrit word/phrases unless the lovely Rachel Brice WRITES THEM DOWN.

This leads me to believe that perhaps some time spent on YouTube (you know, the place you go to stalk other bellydancers, cute kitten videos, and other unmentionables) might help with pronunciation.

BUT WHERE WILL I FIND THE TIME?!?

Sigh.

And them there's the whole fitting in a few hours here and there of ACTUAL BELLYDANCE PRACTICE!!! AARRGGGHHHH. (Cry of panic, or is that the pirate in me sneaking to the surface? Hmmm...)

Preparation, Anticipation, And Not Being Perfect

In a little over two weeks, this mama bellydancer will be flying across the country to study with an amazing, and dare I say icon, of tribal bellydance, Rachel Brice. I've been in preparation mode for a few months, focusing on different areas to bring myself up another level, as well as just have the endurance to dance for five to six hours a day.



Have I succeeded? Yes and no.

The honest truth is a double edged sword. I have brought my technique to a new level, though not quite where I really desire to be, and have focused more on practice. Creatively, I've worked on a few pieces choreographed for my troupe which I've loved immensely.

But, in reality, I can't put as much time in as I'd truly like. I have a family, and the past few years have changed my love affair with bellydance. Gratefully, I believe that relationship has grown with me. Accepting that I can't be perfect and practice for two hours every single day has been hard. But once I did, a beautiful thing happened.

I became a better dancer, teacher, and felt joy in my practice. The planning of my time has allowed me to become focused and even spontaneous. Sounds strange, but true. Spreading out the components that put together my "practice" throughout my day lessens the pressure on myself. Bellydance happens now in my kitchen, while cooking or even *gasp*cleaning. Yoga flows don't have to be half an hour long. A morning practice of ten to fifteen minutes starts my day (as long as a certain cutie pie isn't up before me), and then at least one more session either at nap time, evening practice, or before bed. Yoga, for me is just as important as drilling.

For Eight Elements (the intensive I'll be flying across the country soon for!!), there's pre-work. Reading material and a bit of Serpentine review. The Yoga For Wellness by Gary Kraftsow has actually enhanced my yoga practice, and that "aha" moment carried over to my Serpentine (a very wonderful tribal bellydance practice companion that is on the top of my pile) time, as well. (In fact, I was so giddy over this, I had to tell the first person I saw right after. My husband is such a pumpkin for listening. Even if I bribed him with ice cream!)

And now, I look at every aspect a little closer to make sure it will enhance my practice, especially planning. Which, for me, includes scheduling, learning, teaching, and even creating costume pieces.

Hopefully, as the trip draws closer, this feeling will stay with me.

Or I can just have a breakdown once we land. (After the plane ride. No need to unnecessarily burden others with my tribal bellydance problems!)

The biggest learning so far? It is okay to be not perfect. No need to beat yourself up over what you can't do when you can focus on what you can do. Which may just be more than you think.

Celebrating...A Bellydance Journey

My most cherished part of the journey that the road (or mountain!) of bellydance has given me is the appreciation of myself as a woman, and the joy of embracing the differences of the beautiful women (and a few men!) I've had the pleasure of knowing and sharing the art of bellydance with.

Whenever I've had the pleasure of taking a workshop or class with a dancer I admire, this concept is passionately expressed, and a safe place is experienced by everyone. There is a simple and utter respect and trust that is shared. No one feels ashamed, body issues are checked at the door, learning is filled with wonder (and for me, the ability to laugh when my body has a mind of its own), and a sense of sisterhood appears.

Of course, there's always an exception. But, as sad as it seems when this happens, I always try to brush it off. The ability to not let others actions effect our happiness seems to be an easy choice on paper, but seldom as easily executed in action. But, the more you do make this choice, the more you begin to see others in a different light. No one is perfect, no one has everything figured out. The joy is in the journey, especially because this one, for me, has no end. It is the journey itself that brings joy.

Hopefully, everytime I dance, teach, learn, even blog, about bellydance, I bring that feeling to others. There isn't one reason we can't celebrate differences and enjoy the journey together.

Recently, I've seen many sides of people I surround myself with, good and bad. Sadly, I sometimes let the bad effect me more than I should've. And, even more sad is the fact that I didn't allow the good to really envelope me. But, everyday, I try. And that is what is important.

With this in mind, the reaction I've come to know may sound naive, but I don't feed into the negative. Believe in the good. Celebrate. And try not to live in the ugliness that tries to get to you.

The dance is as much for your soul as your body. Learning to feed it and feel the beauty is

Tuesday Musings...Believe

Weekly Focus Update...Variation

Ah, the sweet feeling of success after a wonderfully challenging bellydance practice, which only becomes an explosive awesome feeling after a week.

Pushing myself out of my comfort zone (and technically into a long forgotten comfort zone that is now not as comfortable) was more rewarding than I hoped.

As a tribal bellydancer, my biggest weakness (at least in my eyes) has been my hands. Flopping around like gasping fish, or just plain ol' bleh, I always cringe with embarrassment when seeing videos or photos of performances. When I danced cabaret style, I always felt those long ago learned habits from dance class sneak its way into my adult brain. But, for some unknown reason, my tribal brain blocked those impulses.

But, allowing myself to dip back into those practices made my arms and hands unite in tribal hand movement bliss!! In fact, in an all levels drill class (a good teacher is ALWAYS learning), a beginner level student who stood behind me contacted me. She knew I also taught, and wanted to tell me how much she loved my tribal arms! She thought it had to either be natural talent (if only!) or hard work and wanted tips or lessons. (The teacher, BTW, is a troupe mate, so no tie stepping and she was cool with it. No bellydance drama, please.) This made my week, for real.

I thanked her, and said it maybe a small amount of talent, but mostly, HARD WORK. And I'd be more than happy to share my thoughts.

Weekly focus accomplished.

Pop, Lock, and Loaded With Kami Liddle Review

(Full disclosure: I have a bellydance crush on Kami Liddle. This may taint this review slightly, however I shall resolve to stay neutral.)

The hardest thing about learning from a dvd is often the actual breakdown, often given quickly and with the barest amount of information before you are attempting to repeat what you've seen. Which can translate to reversing, rewatching, and general confusion turning into a half-hearted execution (not to mention fiddling with a remote). Kami Liddle not only breaks down the movement, she does it in such a way that allows the visual of the movement to relate to her explanation that allows any type of learning style to understand it easily. Personally, I need too see the movement with a detailed explanation (muscles involved, and what the "linked" parts should be doing/not doing), which was perfect. Then, she drills the movement enough to actually feel like a practice (I hardly pick up my remote). You can choose to watch the breakdown or just the actual practice segment as well, or just press play.

Kami's lock explanation lends to her unique and elegant style, as well as extra tips to take the hits (and especially the shoulder movement) to the next level, even for an experienced dancer. She even takes the time to remind you what the rest of your body should be doing, whether relaxed in posture or in reaction/in conjunction with the movement. She also encourages you make the movement work for your body.




A choreography is included, which is challenging, but incorporates much of what you've practiced. I particularly liked the format for practicing the choreography. No need to keep grabbing your remote and break posture or momentum. Each part of the choreo is broken down into segments/combos that are broken down and practiced. Kami also has beautiful hand "posture", so for me, the morsels of hand content just added another delicious layer. The entire choreography is much longer than you would normally find in a dvd...it feels as if you've taken a workshop with Kami.

The bonus content taken from a workshop available to rent online has the same feel (very genuine with a bit more complexity) but the warm-up was the same from the beginning (not a bad thing, but...). The performance of this bonus online available content was taken from Tribal Fest, so it goes without saying (but I have to) that it was gorgeous in all ways.

To say I would recommend this dvd would be an understatement. If your are brand new to this style, I would recommend watching it through a few times as it may he too challenging. For intermediate/advance tribal bellydancers...this is what you've waited for. I've taken a workshop from Kami, and this felt as if I was back there once again. The studio atmosphere with real dancers feels both relaxed and structured because there isn't an overstated set to distract from the content, and Kami's style of pops and lock entwined with her fluidity make this unique and a must have.

Weekly Focus...Variations On A Theme

Every moment we spend doing the same over and over often leads to one of two things, getting better (practice makes perfect) or stagnation (or the definition of insanity). Plateaus and the feeling of being stuck can lead to frustration, which can make your practice suffer.

The answer? Change it up. It's that simple, but we can get so focused we forget the simple things.

For me, that means back to my bellydance roots. American cabaret...the style that most people think of when they hear the word bellydance. The lighter, more ballet-esque movements peppered with playful shimmies that began my bellydance journey...and made me accept who I am.

This week, I'm peppering my practice with a bit of cabaret, and maybe a little modern dance thrown in...

Should be interesting ;-)

Tuesday Musings...Seuss-Style

"If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good." ~ Dr. Seuss

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...

Do what you love...

Weekly Focus...Time

There's good news and bad news this week.

The bad? I haven't had the chance to post my bellydance weekly focus in the past two weeks.

The good? The reason behind the insanity.

Bellydance. A massive amount of practice, rehearsal, choreography, and learning/teaching.



As you may or may not be aware, a little over two years ago, my ankle had a very serious injury that was so serious that walking became crawling. This, if not taken care of, could become a permanent part of my life.

Which also meant no bellydance.

Fast forward to now. I am incredibly grateful, and am finally returning to my regular practice schedule.

Which is my focus. Getting a regular (and somewhat irregular) practice in, either of yoga and bellydance, teaching or learning, dance and bellydance, or yoga and dance.

Practice can mean so many things. For me, it is a consistent dedication to myself. The act of practice includes the drills, warm-ups, cool down, choreographing, movement, and even planning for me. And making that time fit in daily is an important component of that practice.

So far, so good.

Tuesday Musings...Dance!!!

I definitely do!

New Review...The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

My first encounter with The Night Circus came over a year ago, when it was featured in Entertainment Weekly's book review section. Oddly enough, my other half was full on for me reading it. At the time, I was fully engrossed in another series, and shelved it to my to be bought pile.

Silly me.

The moment I peeled open The Night Circus, I was entangled in mystery. There's a silent and precious dichotomy to the story telling that feels like a single budding rose opening stunning moment by moment to reveal petal by petal a soft fragrance and inner beauty that grows with each page turned. We learn the story of the Night Circus through the eyes not only of it's performers and admirers, but its creators and inventors.

And all of this, a rich backdrop to a not so simple game. Where the competition is only known to a few, the competitors, their mentors, and a scant couple of not so outsiders. The part that makes this all so beautiful? The love story, not just of a boy and girl, but of a creator and its creation...between magic and the believers unfolds over years, building layer upon layer until every part is utterly intertwined.

First off, let me say I adored the way Erin Morgenstern chose to tell her story. At first, I had to remind myself of the timeline, but it soon became as much of the story as the colors of the circus itself. It slowed the story while equally giving every moment a sense of gravity.

I found myself surprisingly feeling sympathy to the gray, forgetful mentor...and loving the strength the competitors felt towards each other and the circus. Sometimes, those around them would crumble, but Cela and Marco found strength where others couldn't.

The Night Circus itself becomes a living, breathing character in the tale, from the mysterious contortionist, a fantastical path of clouds, to the opening bonfires and ice garden full of glistening living spectacle.

Inspiration, courage, and beauty. All under one spectacular big top. A love story with many characters, but held together by two people who seem to make impossible seem possible.

If I could make a wish and light my very own candle, my wish would be to visit this world once again...and don't be surprised if I do.

Tuesday Musings...Dare To Be You

"We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be." - May Sarton

Tuesday Musings...Dreaming

See you on the journey ;-)