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...

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

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 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!

Dream...Love...Believe! What A Weekend!

If you've followed me the last six months or so, you know that my world has changed in immeasurable ways. From working full time, squeezing in my love of tribal bellydance, teaching, and recovering from a nightmare of an injury to taking a leap of faith to follow a dream...with an adorable, inspiring, and amazing lil dude.

Wow.

This past weekend, Reclaimed Dark Muse had it's first public outing (outside of etsy, eBay *eh*, and the comfort of my troupe).

Terrifying.

When you create something, a small part of you is on display. This is terrifying. Did I mention terrifying?

But...



And...



That smile? It says more than words. She loved it, and had to wear it for the show that evening.

My favorite piece?



My gorgeous dragonfly is now with a bellydancer I've known since I was an American Cabaret bellydancer, whom I adore.

Success can be defined in so many different ways. Money, maybe (sure, it helps. And bellydance is a very expensive love!!), but happiness and passion reflected back to you from others? Priceless...

And, I've still got more work to do.

Weekly Focus Update...On Being Sore

Funny things happen when you take for granted that you know something. Or so you think.

Take a long look at yourself, and you realize that knowing vs. knowing and doing on a consistent basis may just be two different things.

Muscle memory can only bring you so far along. Then practice makes perfect takes over.

The basics encompass so much more than just a few movements. Posture (last weeks focus) changes everything...hopefully for the better.

As I drilled (only eight minutes twice a day) the basic lower body movements (glute, oblique lifts, oblique hip slides), I tuned into what my body needed from my core to make the movement controlled and precise.

And the next day, I was sore! What?!? These are movements I'd mastered years ago, right?

But I took them for granted.

Lesson learned...take nothing for granted. Even the things you think you know.

Posture...Weekly Focus Update

Nothing feels better than a strong performance, and one of the key factors to that is posture.



Posture effects each component of your dance, starting with practice.

And practice makes perfect.

The "corsetting" technique I learned a few weeks ago made my practice feel like it never did before. My posture feels more grounded and rooted, and every movement felt brand new.

The area between my shoulder blades also became an area that I focused my on, to make my posture feel more regal and confident. Yoga poses such as plank (double bonus!), chatarunga, and even tree became early morning staples.

And, wow, did I become sore! But, as I incorporated these new details into my practice, I noticed how much better I felt about my dance. Especially the next day, I could feel a new strength in my body.

Focus accomplished...

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...