dancing

Yin/Yang Yoga Sequence for Hips and Backbends

Submitted by flissy on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 18:13

It's been a while since I've posted a sequence! I've been using variations of this sequence as conditioning to prepare for performing floorwork for bellydance. It's also a great sequence to help prepare for big yoga poses like Eka Pada Rajakapotasana or Urdvha Danurasana,

It might seem odd to start with the Yin, because standard fitness advice warns against "stretching cold." However, it is a good way to check in with what your natural range of motion is like at the beginning of a practice, and it is perfectly safe and healthy to gently stress your joints without any "warm-up." That being said, it is only safe and healthy provided that you do not strain yourself. Be sure to use props and support as needed so that you can relax as much as possible as you're approaching these deep stretches. It's normal to feel a little stiff and vulnerable coming out of yin poses, so please take your time and move slowly as you proceed to the Yang portion. The Yang portion will help tone your quads and core, create flexibility in the spine, and warm up your whole body for whatever movement you want to follow it with!

Svadyaya (Self-Study) and Practice

Submitted by flissy on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 12:06

In April, I’ll be heading to Portland to study and test in the first course of Rachel Brice’s 8 Elements training for bellydancers. This is one part of upping my game in bellydance. In fact, I already blogged about how I planned to intensify my home practice to prepare. Still, I felt the need to go to Belladonna’s Practical Magic Workshop, which was all about creating a home practice. It was a great workshop, and she provided a huge amount of resources and worksheets that are effective tools for building a practice system. Many of the techniques she suggested are things that I have already implemented in my own yoga, dance, and meditation practice at some point. As I sat and wrote down how much time I invested in practice, I started to feel a little sheepish. I actually do not need to learn how to practice more. I practice up to two hours per day Monday through Friday. That does not include the classes I teach and attend, troupe rehearsals, or the time I spend in meditation, reading about yoga/dance, going to performances, or other kinds of enrichment activities. That is way more time than many people who are struggling to squeeze in five or ten minutes after work between classes. I am already at an advantage because the work I do is the area of my passion. I’m incredibly fortunate because I have the time, resources and energy to continue working towards my dreams. Wow, what a realization.

Verve Tribal Bellydance Photoshoot with Stereovision

Submitted by flissy on Thu, 11/10/2011 - 16:23
Verve Stereovision 3

A few weeks ago, my dance partner, Christina and I had a photoshoot with Carlo & Elise at StereoVision Photography. We did three different "looks" and the other two are very different, so stay tuned for more! I'll add everything to this Flickr set.

It was a super awesome experience. Carlo & Elise were fantastic to work with. I'd never done a pro photoshoot before (that is, except for the "glamor shots" I had done when I got my braces off at 14), so I was a little nervous. So, before the shoot, I consulted with a makeup artist, my dance colleagues, and the BHUZ forums for some photo tips. Here are a few things that were really helpful to us:

  • Brainstorm poses and moves ahead of time. We had a list of poses that we wanted to use and could refer to that when we were stumped. Verve Tribal, in addition to being smoking-hot bellydancers, are masterminds at organization, so we had all our costumes neatly organized in bundles which streamlined our changes.
  • Bring music. This might be obvious, if you're a dancer. We did dance as the photographers worked, and we also held poses, sometimes at our photographers' request, and sometimes by our own choosing. Music also helped me relax and get into the dancing spirit.
  • Airspun Translucent Powder. Wait isn't that grandma makeup? Yes. And it is the bomb. I had been using the MUFE HD powder, but the mica makes my face overly glowy in photos. The Airspun looks creamy, sets the rest of my makeup, and can also be piled on under eyes to "catch" eye shadow dropout when we changed looks. Also, most importantly, it's only about $5. Get yourself some!!!
  • Pack a snack. This goes without saying if you're me. Turns out swanning around looking fabulous for six hours is hard work! Have some snacks and plenty of water to keep your energy up and refuel when you're done.

But mostly, I have to credit Carlo & Elise for making us look fantastic. They gave helpful feedback the whole time and they made a long day really fun and easy with their sweet, relaxed, and professional attitude. Also they have an adorable pug named Lucille, who totally helped. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to share the rest of our photos!

A bit of odd dancing for you

Submitted by flissy on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 13:01

Last weekend I had the opportunity to participate in a dance event where the the assignment was to perform a dance outside the scope of our comfort zone by presenting a different character, style or attitude.

I’ve been studying American Tribal Style bellydance for five years, and one of the reasons I have stuck with it is that I love collaborating with other dancers. Performing is fun, but the reason it is fun for me is that I’m creating something in the moment with my dance sisters. It’s nice to share that, but I’m just as happy showing up to practice every week and enjoying everyone. I’m not interested in being a solo performer, and as the last of my circle of dance sisters to perform solo, they gently encouraged me to put myself out there.

So, for my solo debut (which was already out of character for me!), I added the extra excitement of dancing to an odd rhythm. ATS always uses music in 4/4 time so that the vocabulary of movement easily fits the music. However, the “slow” vocabulary for ATS is arhythmic, so odd rhythms are sometimes used as dramatic slow pieces. I danced to the song “Fernando’s Giampiari” by Hawk and a Hacksaw because I loved the texture of of it. It’s a 7/8 and while it keeps the same tempo throughout, it has lots of interesting changes in instrumentation and melody. My goal was to use the foundations of ATS and then bend it around and sometimes break out of it in response to the music.

Anyway, here is the final result!

I’m satisfied with my performance but I see a lot of weak spots. I’m still sharing it because I'm proud that I attempted a challenging (for me!) piece. Just by dancing it out, I identified what comes easily to me and what is difficult, or even impossible-seeming in my dance right now. It was a fun challenge but I'm really happy to focus my attention back to dancing with my girls!

Let me know what you think!

Teaching goings-on

Submitted by flissy on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 13:35

Holy smokes, people! I have been unbelievably busy and have neglected the upkeep on my blog.

First, ATS Classes in Columbia, MD! I'll be teaching a 6-week session beginning Wednesday, September 14th at One For All Dance in Columbia, MD. Fundamentals and Drills (Level 1) on Wednesdays at 7pm, and Combinations and Formations (Level 2) on Wednesdays at 8:15pm. The studio is beautiful, and is conveniently located nearby 29, 32, and 95, so it is easily accessible if you're coming from DC or Baltimore.

Also, I'm super excited to be a part of the Alter Ego Workshops and Hafla! I'm teaching a workshop on yoga for bellydancers. We'll be exploring meditation and simple exercises to get you moving from a more inspired place.

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