Home from final class

I had a great final class. We put the entire routine together including the two side steps we learned in the 5th and 6th class. I must say, we all looked good. We all had smiles on our faces. We were proud of ourselves. At the end, our instructor even showed us an 'extra' step - I can't remember the name, but she and her daughter said it is a common way to move across the floor. Two shuffles left, two shuffles right. Must go now, but was so excited about tonight I had to share, although briefly.

8th Week Graduation! Final Beginners' Class!

Tonight is my 8th and final lesson in the first bellydance class I ever took. I feel quite proud of myself now! However, I know I am still a 'beginner,' or, a 'beginning intermediate' at best, if there is such a term.

I have not been posting since my 7th lesson. I wish could say that I was practicing every night, but I wasn't. I have practiced only about two hours (two days) since last week. I know I can't fall into the habit of putting my dance aside. I'm doing this as one of the few things I am doing for myself. Like paying myself first by depositing a certain amount of my income into savings before I even pay my bills, I must set aside a certain time for practice at least every other day. I must do the paying myself thing a bit more, too ;)

The Concept Some Call Real-Life

I have kept a journal on and off through my life. I have never been consistent with day-to-day entries. No reason to expect anything different now.

Thankfully, my life gets in the way of my online time. I do try to check my email at least once a day. But sometimes, due to my job, that's the only thing I have time to do online.

Will be updating my dancing progress soon.

Sign my New Guest Map and Guest Book

I've added a guest map and guest book. You are welcome to post a greeting and any links you may have. Happy dancing!

Profound Philosophy

Belly dancer Panta Rei has provided more than just dance instruction though her site and her yahoo group, Belly-dancing. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Belly-dancing/
. She lives and gives the philosophy of Heraclitus.

This is my post to her from the group.

http://optionality.net/heraclitus/

I was reading through your web page and came across the link above. I remember first hearing about Heraclitus and the river from a friend in '93. I have never forgotten it, nor have I come across many that have heard of him. I like to acknowledge the few times I've discovered someone else who knows. Plus, thank you for the additional quotes and information as well.

I will be posting this on my blog as well.

Also, thank you for everything else!!!

Peace ...

Practice after the weekend

I just practiced/danced for the first time since Thursday. I went about an hour, including stretching. My zill work is definitely becoming better!!!!!! I'm not having to think so much about them - 2 right, 1 left, 2 right, 1 left ... Plus, because the zills are becoming more of a part of me, I am finding that I am not counting. Even though the zill rhythm is the same, somehow my mind is categorizing them in four groups; therefore, I'm not counting 1,2,3,4, but relying on the 'knowing' of the zill count. I even did the zills and the part of the routine I know to different speeds of music. After I did the routine for about 30 minutes, I listened to the music and, from the advice of several experienced dancers - I just let myself move to the music. I loved that - although I'm not sure if I did any proper moves with my hips. And, my arms - they were just going all over - flowing and trying to be serpentine. This is helping a great deal - except I've noticed that I have had my palms exposed. More practice on that. Shira and several other fine dancers also gave me some good advice and exercise about balance.

I couldn't/didn't practice this weekend because my boyfriend stayed over my apartment. He knows I'm taking the lessons, and he admits he is anxious to see what I've learned. But I'm not going to show him anything yet. I still need more practice becoming more fluid. Men in general don't like reality getting in the way of their fantasies. I have a feeling if he sees me practicing in pieces, stops and start overs I will not achieve a mutual desired effect.

The 5th Lesson: Zills, a New Step, and thank you new friends!

I had my 5th lesson two nights ago. It was the first time we put the zills rhythm with what we know of the routine. And I thought the first few lessons were hard the first time. However we did do it slowly, and I was able to do it by the end of the hour - but slowly - there is still no way I can do it faster at this point, which is fine by me. I am getting better at the steps and the routine over all - especially because of all the great advice and information I've been receiving from dancers I've been meeting through Tribe, Yahoo Groups and Orientaldancer.net.

I've met so many in such a short time, I will be creating a links list. I just haven't had much time since my last post. Instead of blogging on here, I've been in forums learning everything from improving my balance to finding dancer names and their meanings. Plus, I've met some great dancers from all over the world!

http://www.qamarstreasures.com/

Qamar asked me on the Bellydance Drills and Choreography Tribe what I liked best about belly dance so far. Since my reply incorporates some of what I was going to blog about anyway, I'm re-posting it here. Also, Qamar has a website named http://www.qamarstreasures.com/

My reply:

As far as steps go, I like the very first one I learned, because of course that's my best and now easiest move - left foot up on ball and forward, body leaning back slightly, and twisting my left hip out. I also like doing that in a circle with my arms up in an 8 count. This is the only step I know so far that has me moving in a circle - therefore it feels like I'm actually 'dancing.' I can't remember the proper names of these moves. I keep telling myself I should bring a recorder to class.

The most difficult move so far is the side step while 'naturally' moving my shoulder blades. Plus, we used the zils (or zills?) in a three count with this move last night. I swear, patting your head and rubbing your belly while walking backwards is easier at this point ;)

As far as accessories or props (I would love to know the proper terminology), we are only learning zils in this one hour, one time, 8 week class. I'm very interested in learning the veil and sword.

I would love to learn more terminology. If there is a 'directory' or something with the manes of the moves and so forth please let me know ;)

Asim and his article

I went to the forum on orientaldancer.net and introduced myself. A member named Asim gave me a link to his article regarding internet marketing for dancers. Also suggested looking at Tribe for other dancer groups. Thank you!!!

(Needed to edit because Asim is indeed male)

Thanks, Zahira!

Special thanks to Zahira, a beautiful and talented dancer who has given me wonderful advice. I am much too harsh in my movements right now, and trying too hard to remember counts. Zahira reminds me to listen to music and my body.

I took her advice as I was practicing last night. Instead of starting off with the routine and concentrating on the choreography, I simply played my mix CD I got from class, and JUST MOVED. I did this for 20 minutes. I did not let myself worry whether I was doing an actual "move" or "step," I simply did what Zahira suggested and moved like a serpent. I do admit, though, I am concerned with learning the PROPER moves for belly-dance. If I don't respect the art, then what separates me from someone who just buys a hip scarf and shimmies around?

I really enjoyed myself!! And, when I did go back to the routine, I found myself more relaxed, my moves for fluid. I 'heard' the music more!!! Plus, I think Zahira's advice improved my very new zil work as well.

See Zahira's dance videos on You Tube!!!!

Thanks, Jeanine, and good links

Special thanks to Jeanine, one of my very first online belly dance friends! I met her in the Yahoo Group Belly-dancing founded and managed by Panta Rei.

Panta Rei has MANY sites and groups, some I have not had time to explore all of them yet myself. I linked to http://www.pantarei.org/ which seems to be the best starting point for all of her work.

Anyhow, Jeanine suggested a great forum at OrientalDancer.net that I'm just starting to sink my teeth into. Thanks, Jeanine!!!

5th class tomorrow night. Can't wait. Been practicing the routine as well as the finger cymbals, which we were introduced in last week's lesson. I am still having difficulty coordinating the cymbals and these steps, which are still relatively new.

We are learning a 'gallop' rhythm - 2 with right hand, one with left. Two with right hand, one with left. Or, if you are left handed, the other way around - two with left, one with right. I am left-handed, actually; however, since I have learned most tasks besides writing and eating with my right, I decided it was easiest to train my body the standard way from the beginning.

It is still really difficult to coordinate the cymbal's 'silent' 4th beat with an actual movement with the 4 and 8 count of the routine. I am isolating the separate sections and doing half-time. That is helping.

I'm not sure if I'm getting the technical terms right. As I said in a previous post, my instructor said no need to concentrate on terminology now. We will review that later. That's fine with me, since it already seems like I'm trying to remember at least 20 things to do at once. Oh, and you also have to ... uhhh ...BREATHE while doing it! Surprisingly, that's something I must remind myself to do, at least in a regular rhythm. Tonight during my practice, I vow to sit, breathe, and relax before my warm-ups. I must 'yoga' myself before I dance (personal note - seek beginners yoga classes and dvds - how can that hurt????)

The first four lessons

I'm halfway through my eight week class. We've learned warm-ups and some basic moves for a full dance routine. The instructor showed us at the end of the first class what the entire dance was. There's no way I can do that, I thought. Now, I'm halfway there!

I'm getting better at the beginning of the routine which we have learned. I can't remember the exact name of the moves she showed us, the instructor said that remembering the names of the moves are not important right now.

I start out with my left foot out and up on the ball of the foot. I lean back and move my left hip up four times.

I then stand straight and move my shoulder blades back and forth. The instructor said to concentrate on your shoulder blades, so you are not using your breasts or front muscles. "The girls just go along from the ride," she said. Then she gave us a comical display of the right and wrong way to move the shoulders. "This is a dancer," she said as she gracefully moved the proper way. "And this is a stripper," she said as jiggled her breasts back and forth. It was amusing to see how correct she was.

I've got my shoulders moving nicely when I'm standing still. But the next step is to side step to the left, then right. It's hard for this beginner to do both, although it is getting easier with practice.

After the side steps we move our left hip while turning right for 8 counts. You wind up a quarter turn forward from your starting position. The hardest part of this step for me is to remember to keep my hips tucked. The instructor then told us that we start the steps from the beginning and this works 'the four corners.' I guess we just learned the first part of the routine!

I'm excited that I'm at the point where I'm actually 'dancing.' However, we've only been working the left hip. Is this the way all dances are? Or, will I also be learning the tight side soon. Since I am doing this for both education and exercise, I've been secretly working my right side at home. With all the official work we've done with our left, it is definitely easier.

You Have to Start Somewhere

I had my 4th belly dance class. I'm hooked.

I'm creating this blog to record my progress as well as share my thoughts with other women who are (or were) like me: always wondering, never doing.

I was pretty nervous before my first class, and pretty sore after. I wasn't even sure if I had the physical strength or personal desire to continue. However, after some practice, a look at my paid receipt and staring at the pewter paperweight on my desk (a gift from Mom) that says "Never, never, never, NEVER give up," I pursued my long-term curiosity and continued with three more classes.

And, if that wasn't enough to motivate me -

I lost a 1/2 inch from my waist already ....

Now, I'm ready to continue, and ready to write about it.