Bellydance DVD (under $10) Review: BellydanceShow Basics by TannaValentine.com

I LOVE this DVD! It's a MUST BUY for EVERY BEGINNER!

watch my review here:

New accessories, bellychain and tummy flutter

Thhis is my other new hipskirt from Seedcovers.com

This will be my last dance practice video for a little while. I've purchased a new dvd since I have been unable to sign up for lessons this semester. For now, I will continue to work on more fluidity to my moves. After I have some of the new moves down in the dvd, I will start posting more vids.

New Bellyjewel Bellydance Video

still needs more arm work, but feel more comfortable than before.

This is the first video with a new belly jewel, new bellychains, and my new orange bellydance hipskirt from SeedCovers.com. The bellydance hipscarf was only $8.50 and I love the way it feels. Thanks so much!

After another lull in practice, I see I need more arm work practice. Was not planning on the battery to quit, so there will be an extended verison soon.

My two new Bellydance Hip Scarves from Seedcovers

I'm so grateful to Seedcovers for these lovely hip scarves. These scarves are beautiful, well-made and UNDER $10! Shipping is quick and very reasonable. Check out her stuff today! I can't wait to start practicing with these. Practice vids will be coming soon!

My First BLOG AWARD!

I am VERY honored to receive this award, especially since the recipient is so special to me.

Intrepid Ideas / Courageous Ideas passed this award onto me last month. However, with a semi-new job with a new business plan, a minor new obsession conversing with new-found You Tube girlfriends, and a minor glitch in my google/blogger account, I am FINALLY able to give credit where credit is due. Thank you so much, my dear friend Intrepid - I love that I know who you are - at least what you let us know about you ;) And, I love that you are in my life. Thank you so much for inspiring, profound and silly conversations throughout this year. You are a GEM - rare, beautiful and distinctive. I am so fortunate we are blogging friends.

I will be posting a vlog of this award very soon, along with my own award recipients.

As with any award/nomination comes a responsibility. Since I have now been graced with this award it is now my charge to extend the honor where honor is due. According to this award's guidelines, I must extend this to others who exceed in communicating a disctinctive message within the blogosphere. This is not as easy of a task as some may guess. I will continue reading and posting my own recipiants of this award soon - I just still need a bit more time for my thoughts to verbalize. Until then, I will be selfish and wallow in this fame and prestige all on my own - lol! ;)

Until then, here are the guidelines to this award (a scopied from Intrepid's page)

Upon winning this award you are tasked with the following:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4. Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award. http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

Of course, this award would not be possible if Arteypico did not extend it at all. so, my most sincere wishes of blessings, love and peace go towards http://arteypico.blogspot.com. Thank you so much!

Urban Decay Primer Potion - a miracle on the dance floor

I almost believed it until I tried it, now I'm a total believer. Almost all of my 'makeup girlfriends' on my You Tube Channel and http://makeupmasters.ning.com swear by this stuff. If any of my bellydancing friends are looking for a way to prevent your eye makeup from fading needs to try the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
Here's PART ONE



and PART TWO

The Sweetness of Sweden

I will be doing a post or video soon regarding a recent award I've received from http://courageousideas.blogspot.com

I've been quite busy lately.

My First Contest - Free CD and $5 gift card

PART ONE



PART TWO

If you are a You Tube friend of mine, especially in the makeup genre, then you are familiar with contests. Contests are a fun way to connect with like-minded bloggers and vloggers.

Any female 18 years of age or older may enter my contest. The rest of the rules are mentioned, and the prizes are mentioned in one of the two videos.
Details are in the next few vids.

If you decide to enter and subscribe to my You Tube Channel you will see several examples of 'real' women bellydancing. Plus - I am here to help and guide you. I will be happy to direct you to free how-to vids, .99 cent music downloads, free video & music previews, anything you may need assistance with.

My two blog/vlogs are:

http://bellydancerlessons.blogspot.com
and / or
http://abrideonabudget.blogspot.com

Check out these other vids: Student testimonials for 'JadeTheBellydancer'

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3lQXcgcP6Hw

and Jade's fantastic dance to TINA TURNER

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=64bBsRJpnRc

Joby's Gorillapod - My favorite tri-pod

I posted this video for my You Tube friends - especially the ones whom have shown their make-shift camera set-ups for their vids; and, did not see it necessary to invest money in a professional tri-pod. Like most fledgling vloggers, I had my camera propped up on a pile of books, until I was "liberated" with the Gorillapod by Joby

A 17 year old "Real" bellydancer tells me to get a new hobby

I receive at least 2 of these per week:

a comment posted by a child younger than 18 telling me I can't dance. Usually from Europe. Mostly from Croatia for some reason. However, this one is from Greece.

If the teenager has videos of her own, they show a little girl imitating Shakira videos (who only incorporates about 50% of "REAL" bellydance moves, the rest is "hiphop" or her own interpretation).

As I said, I wasn't planning on commenting on this comment - but it's so typical, and to this day no one over 19 has left a message like this - yet these type of comments make up about 50% of my teen viewers.

If you are interested to see her comment, click on this post's title. Find the nastiest comment on my page, then click on her to see a "real" bellydancer.

I'm Late and I Lied

I was supposed to post this a few days ago. Been quite busy lately.

Just a Vlog - Bellydance, Makeup and Wedding

I recorded this yesterday but ran out of time to post it. I'm posting it today.

Practice video after another break

New arm and body movements. Lots of fun to do - need more practice to polish it up - but happy trying them out just the same.

My New Blog/Vlog

This is a SPECIAL video thanking my viewers and announcing my new blog/vlog - http://abrideonabudget.blogspot.com

Visit My New Blog! Vote in my Poll!

I've created a new vlog and blog to chronicle my adventures in planning my wedding and my future. This is the blog where I actually may write about more personal matters. I've tried to keep this one primarily focused on the progress of this new hobby of mine.

Please stop by and say hi! Also - please participate in my new poll on the site if you wish - just for fun.

http://abrideonabudget.blogspot.com

I Got Engaged!

Time again to work on dancing and having the ability to blog about it for a couple of weeks or so. In addition to this blog, however, I am also planning to do work on my second blog I've created.

I am most happy to say that I am engaged!



My life has been quite a whirlwind lately, and I haven't even had time to make that many plans. I'm stressing a bit. Plus, I'm excited, too, so I will be blog/vlogging about this wedding experience at http://abrideonabudget.blogspot.com/

This is What Happens when you Don't Practice

I did this video two weeks ago after practicing on a regular basis:


This is a practice video I did today - the first time in two weeks:


In my opinion, it looks like those two should be switched - lol. But it goes to show me and my readers how quickly you can get 'rusty' after a few weeks without practice. In this recent one I was way too stiff. Unfortunately, I may even have to get rustier for a while, as I have been busy with my deadline for my job.

Until I can take another break ..... peace

My video for challenging areas - more arm work

Honestly - the more I do it the more I realize how much more practice I need.

Again, another SPECIAL THANK YOU to Wontletlifedefineme. she has been my best andmost helpful critic and coach! I have gained much insight because of her. Check out her blog and wish her well on her travels!

Request for Bellydance Music Downloads

I've had a few requests for the music I have been playing in my new practice vids. I posted it a while ago, but will post it again so it is on top of my blog list.

Serpent's Garden: Hypnotic Sounds From Mosavo

You can listen to free samples below.

Arm work - concentration on left

I'm happy to say that this video and the video below in my last post has been inspired by wontletlifedefineme.
She has recently given me some great direction for my arms - or I should say shoulders ;)
She is so right about how much better my arms and entire body move when I concentrate on the shoulders and a lower force of energy - my lower body. I really wish I recorded this at the beginning of my practice, as I sometimes do. It was so hot and humid after 30 minutes for the video below, and I was really tired. Plus, when I wasn't recording I was better at keeping my head still, and really saw how much the shoulders affect the artistic impression, visualization and isolations. It's amazing how much you can work a set of muscles by moving them slowly in a fun and graceful way. I have to admit, I still feel 'the burn' in my shoulders - just like I used to when I lifted small weights for toning. This is definitely a lot more fun, though I'm sure a little of that added into my workout wouldn't hurt my health or my arm work :)

Tummy Flutter with Belly Jewel

This is the 1st time I tried a belly jewel. I recently found it loose in a box of my aunt's old costume jewelery. I do need to get a bigger one, and inquire if there is something that can help keep it in place - temporarily, of course. I'm not breaking any skin anywhere near my bellybutton. I know too many women who got them done when it was hip in the 90's - too many of them have problems with infections to this day - even without wearing them for years.

Also - though I don't consider myself a 'true' bellydancer - I truly believe in its origin - a testament, a celebration, a preparation for creation. I am SO intrigued by this form of dance for its age, its purpose, it's pure, natural worship of the female. It is goddess philosophy. My bellybutton is the connection to my mother. Sacred enough without question, but it is also the constant connection of life and creation that connects us all, especially us goddess sisters, since we are the ones with the power to create this portal. It is proof of life and a line to creation. I understand adoring it with jewels, even with ink (although I wouldn't personally for vain, stretch-marked reasons that age promises to deliver), but I would never pierce the sacred place where life first entered me.

My Boyfriend Sees my Practice Video

I've been afraid to dance for him after the 'Dancing Disaster' I posted here last fall. Although we talked extensively about both of our insecurities, I have still been hesitant to dance for him again. This is still in spite of his consistent enthusiasm- asking how my practice is going, etc. He is the one that bought me the purple costume. He hasn't even seen me in it - until two days ago.

I showed him the last practice video I did and he honestly loved it! If he wasn't saying WOW or 'oh my god' his jaw was close to the floor. I only knew three steps the first time I danced for him - so he immediately noticed that my video was more extensive in my movements. His reaction this time was what I'd hoped for. He was much more relaxed telling me his thoughts, and those thoughts were very nice to hear ;) We keep having to remind ourselves that this is the first time we have both been in a mature, healthy, communicative relationship. We both need practice. ;)

Tummy Flutter and Practice to Track #3 - Serpent's Rapture

an Improv today to TRACK #3 - Serpent's Rapture by Mosavo from the album I mentioned two posts before. Oh goodness, I need more apractice on arms, especially my left - looks too stiff. I'm happy with the tummy flutter.

new practice with new music

Using some of the music I just downloaded from my last post.
Track #2 "Goddess Chant" by Mosavo.

My New BellyDance Music - (cheap downloads and free bellydance mp3 samples!)

Last night I searched for and found some great bellydance music online I can burn for myself. If you are new to bellydancing like I am, it is impossible to ask for what you are looking for in a music store, since I really don't know myself. I don't know artists or genres yet, so I can't ask for specifics. And, how specific is "I like traditional sounding stuff and drums." Would the average music store associate even know what I was talking talking about?

The mixed cd I got with my class has run its course. I practiced and recorded practice videos to most of the tradional-sounding tracks. Even though the routine we learned was to one specific song, I improvised what I've learned so I could dance to the other tracks. A few of the songs on that cd just make me cringe. I understand that the instructor and her daughter intended only to give us a wide variety, with some novelty songs to make us smile. Tracks like the "I Dream of Genie" theme song, the dance version of "Walk like an Egyptian," and Steve Martin's "King Tut" do make me smile, but I have no desire to dance to them.

Downlaoding is the best option for me it seems, as I can hear a free preview of the song before I decide to get just that track or the entire album. I downloaded a few tracks for free and .99 cents, plus I downloaded a full album - Serpent's Garden: Hypnotic Sounds From Mosavo - 12 songs for $8.99 for mp3 download, $11.99 to $16.89 for used and new cds.

Here's a preview of my new music, I will be recording a video practice with one of the new songs later.

Coming Back to Life

I have not practiced in about a month and it shows. Gained 6 pounds. Not only that, but since I have not practiced, I've lost muscle tone and definition. So, that means I've actually gained more weight. I can feel it in my clothes.

I'm still on deadline, but I need a break - so I am blogging.

Things are going well with the job. It's possible we will have lower income than the last issue, but evey magazine that I have worked for has its worst months in January and July. Because income isn't as good as it was the last issue we have extended the deadline until the 24. I'm more than happy to have a bit more time to contact potential clients, but I'm getting pretty frazzled and could use a break. For the past few weeks I have been telling friends and family "maybe next week, I'm on deadline ..." I wonder if they still believe me - but that's the way it goes ;)

I am in Hell - deadline week

I'm on deadline for my job until next week. Practice and blogs will come after I close this issue and pay my bills ..... unfortunatley this issue has not been as lucrative as the previous one. However, most wait until the very last minute, so I'm praying for a barrage of orders in the next few days. Wish me luck!

The Shimmy

Again, I need more fluid arm movement - left arm too stiff - especially when it is supposed to move fluidly with right. Turn step TOO wide - it should look as if my legs are hardly moving. Very happy with my shimmy at the end.

Personal Update

Ok, I'm done playing "Port Royale 2." I made it up to the level beyond Real Admiral. I did not get all the way to Admiral - I just don't remember what the other Admiral rank was. Once I got businesses going in all regions of the Carribean I got bored - thankfully, since I was spending TOO much time on it trying to increase my wealth and reputation in the 17th century. As the publication I work for heads into high gear for the upcoming deadline, it is best that I focus on wealth and reputation in the 21st century. If only I could make 14 million in 3 hours like I did in the game .....

Ok, since I have to prepare for deadline, there have been a few things I have done and enjoyed lately that I will not have time to do in the next few weeks. Cooking is one of them. Well, I should say healthy or balanced cooking - not cereal and Seinfeld for dinner. Once I get tight into my deadline I may once again (and again) surrender to the siren's call of a $5 one topping pizza, 4-7 pm, (pick-up only) from the pizza parlor just a few corners down. I get mushrooms, onions or hot peppers on it and convince myself I'm eating healthy.

I made chocolate pecan pie yesterday!. It's a favorite shared my my boyfriend and myself. I made it for his birthday last year since he does not like cake. Since then, I have made it quite often; not just for him, but also for his co-workers, our families and our friends. It's soooooo SUPER-DUPER easy!!! Especially if you use a graham cracker or other pre-made crust. Even if you don't have a pre-made crust, my mom gave me the EASIEST recipe for a VERY flaky crust. I made a couple last week for a friend's party and two last night. We almost devoured one between ourselves. He took the other one to work. I have a request to make at least three more, so everyone at his job will get an ample slice.

Dance practice - not as much as I'd like to say. If I was due for my first public recital I'd feel pretty guilty about not practicing at least every other day. But I'm just doing this for fun. Yes, I have a conviction to practice and improve for my own sense of fulfilment - but I can not let an activity I took up to releive stress become an additional stressor in my life because I am too harsh judging my progress. Even if I never get good enough to perform, I am still thrilled to enter into the world of this beautiful ancient art form.

Arm work and travel steps

Another Distraction

Yes, I have been practicing, though not as much as last week. No, I have not recorded any additional videos. With another week with a bit of time to spare before another production schedule for my job, I indulged the child in my and started plaing a very addictive video game.

Yes, I have a confession, I am a part-time gaming geek! No, I did not just buy the new "Grand Theft Auto." I'm not into the fighting/action games. I go nuts for city-building and economic simulation games (even more 'geekier', right?).

The game I am playing now is "Port Royale 2." It's an economic simulation game set in the Carribean in the 17th century. The goal is to trade goods with other islands/countries and build your wealth and reputation. In a few days I have gone from 'cabin boy' to 'commander.' I'm a Spainard who is now successfully trading with the Netherlands and France. I've got businesses all over the North Coast of South America - growing food and producing items like clothing and rum. It's silly, I know, but I'm having a blast. I used to play Tropico and Pharoah - city buildig games. I still love them both but this Port Royale 2 is even more challenging, as you need to manage your businesses in multiple settlements, whereas in the other two - where you only have to manage one city.

I will be practicing later, and perhaps I will record it for a video. It depends on my arm work and flutter. If I really need more work on those goals, or if I feel I'm really dong well I will record and post later.

New Dance Practice Video with Gothic skirt

I felt that my arms were WAYYY too out of control in the last practice. I'm happier with this, but I still see more work to do. However, very happy and proud of my current progress.

New Video with Black Costume

Bellydancing is Like Baseball

I must give credit to the inspiration of this post, one of my fave bloggers in the sphere, IntrepidIdeas. He has been a very encouraging blogging friend through this journey. In my last post is the video of my most 'improvisational' attempt at dancing. As I was responding to his comment on my recent performance I realized that it was helping me do some observations. So, instead of commenting back, I've decdided to make this an individual post to assist me in my next practice, which I will be starting soon after this post. This was not the entire comment - I wrote the first few sentences and decided to continue on in a post.

I attempted to stop counting and remembering steps and just let myself feel and move to the music. It was a bit of a challenge, though. As I tried to be more relaxed, I forgot proper arm posture in the beginning. "Chicken wings" are not good, and that was what I was doing in the beginning. At that time I couldn't help but try to remember a travel step to go backwards (that I learned forward) so I could be in frame of the camera. You can see where I remember my arms as I rotated the elbows for a more elegant and professional look.

This challenge of dancing; this challenge of having to signal seprate parts of the body to move to move different ways at the same time reminds me of when I learned to play baseball. Since I never took a dance class in my life until now, this is the only thing I can compare it to.

Thankfully, my introduction to the game was in 1st grade; I was on a t-ball league, so the moving ball factor did not have to be addressed, as I had enough to learn and remember. I remember thinking there were a dozen or so things to remember even before you hit the ball, and quite a few things to do while you were doing it. It was the first time I had to move my body in different ways all at the same time, while focusing on one single thing - the ball - the hit - the connection. You can only do that when all of the previous steps are learned to where it becomes one fluid motion; one fluid intention.

You can only do something well when you can focus on it completely as a single thing. You can't separate your mind by thinking of separate things; therefore, you must practice until all of the many steps add into eachother to equal one.

With more practice - doing steps and arms at the same time, doing zills and steps at the same time, doing zills, arms and steps at the same time, and doing turns, zills, arms at the same time, I will be able to make all of these equations equal one.

Belly Dance Practice Video with Black Costume

This is perhaps the most improvisational video I have recorded. Notes - work more on arms and fluidity.

First Dance Practice Video with Veil and Full New Costume (Black Gothic/Tribal Skirt)

This is the first video, and part of my first 15 minutes of practice with a 'veil.' This is not an 'official' veil I purchased in a bellydance store or bellydance website, this was a veil I bought that was virtually free at another thrift store a few months ago. As I said in the last post, I will be doing a post soon on how to make an affordable costume on your own.

This is the very first day, and my very first time doing work with a veil. I know it is not professional. I don't care! I LOVED working with it! And, I'm excited that I found the skirt on my recent thrift store hunt.

First Video Wearing New Costume - Black Gothic Skirt

I saw this beautiful black gothic skirt at a thrift store a few days ago. Though I'm not planning on dancing outside of my bedroom for sometime to come, a girl is allowed to buy pretty things to dress up in, especially when they are affordable. I plan on using this skirt more when I begin my tribal bellydance work. I am going to be putting accents on the top soon to match the hip scarf.

Costumes are easy to find and/or make at home for a lot less than investing in a professional costume, especially if you are a beginner. I will have a post on making your own costume soon.

For now, I posted this video to show the first time dancing in it. It feels different than the violet gypsy skirt - lighter. Plus, at the very end before I run out of time, I attempt my first paddle turns and pivots on camera. More of those will be recorded as I work on them more.

Zill Dance Practice Video (#5) Full View

This is my 5th zill practice video, doing around 30 minutes per day for five days in a row.

More Bellydance Practice Video with Zills

Simple movements in beginning of routine so I can become more familiar with moving and doing zills at the same time. The more I try doing this, the more I admire and respect the 'real' dancers out there who have been doing this for years, and make it look so effortless.

New Bellydance Practice Video with Zills

I finally got the courage to vid myself moving while doing the zills. You can see and hear I need MUCH more practice, especially since I have not practiced in weeks. First time I practiced 30 minutes in a LONG time. I can feel the burn in my shoulders, abs, and legs. If this sabbatical from practice helped with anything, it helped me realize the pure impact that this dancing has on my body. EEEE GADS!!! It Works!!!!!

Not Dancing, Gaining Weight, but Gaining Money at new job

Since I have not been practicing in the last couple of weeks I have gained 5 pounds. I can feel it in my clothes, though I don't think I see it much visually. Some of my eating habits have changed while I've been sitting longer at this desk as well. I have cooked less, snacked on lots of tiny 2-for-$1.00 peanut packs, gotten more take-out and danced less. I am not surprised at this morning's revelation.

I've been finishing my second issue with the magazine, so I've had almost no time to do anything besides becoming familiar with the current clients and closing this issue. The deadline is Monday. After that I will be able to practice and blog more.

I know I must practice soon, because I am forgetting the order of the new steps I learned in the rest of the routine from the second semester.

My 2nd video for bellydance zills

Yes, I need a bit more practice, especially when I start moving my arms. It's fun though! It's like having permission to play with the pots and pans in the kitchen when I was a kid.

My first bellydance practice video with zills

Ok, I have finally posted a zill video. We learned the 'gallop' rythm: one, two, three, one two three. There's also a 5 and 7 counts, but I have not learned them yet. The first set I start with my right hand, the second set with my left. I'm used to my right hand leading most of the time; however, my hands get a little confused and alternate sometimes when I start moving my arms opposite ways. That is something I'm working on.

Graduation from Second Class!

More than happy about it, too! Third course starts up in a few weeks - the 'advanced' course. I'd hardly consider myself 'advanced'. I'm very comfortable considering myself a beginner, still at this point. The next class will in fact be just more rehearsal of the entire routine we learned through the first two classes. I'll be practicing the routine later, if I am confident enough, or have a move that I need to see more of to practice on, I may record another practice clip. One of the last things we learned was the first two steps at the BEGINNING of the routine!

My new sales job with the hollistic/green magazine is great! This is taking up much more time than I thought; unfortunately, this blog and some social activities are the only things suffering from this now. Before I came on board, the co-founder/editor was also handling sales; now, I am. I am my new clients' marketing consultant, so I've been trying to study up on accounts while developing new campaigns at the same time. Rome wasn't built in a day, nor in one issue. Once I get acclamated with the database, as well as the faces, history and goals behind that information will I be able to enjoy time dancing and journaling.

Since we last met ...

It's hard to just be a bellydancer these days.

You can quote me on that.

Yes, it has been a while since I have written anything. It's hard to beleive how quickly time does pass, as tomorrow evening is my last class in the second course.

We learned the entire routine. It's beautiful, and, I don't do it justice as of yet. I did miss a couple of classes. Once I missed because I was at deadline with my new job. Two weeks later I missed due to an Arctic blast that buried my car in my open parking lot. Our final class should have been last week but we were able to extend it, as one class had to be omitted this semester due to the cafeteria we learn in was a voting center for the US primary elections. Go Obama!*

* this is a personal blog that focuses on my progression with my new hobby. Even more so, this is MY PERSONAL space where I can say what I want, when I want, about whatever I want at that time; therefore, do not view my political statements to be an invitation to enlighten, inform, insult or disagree with my decision. So, please do not post anything that expresses disagreement to promote a debate, for I do not wish this to be a place for it. (but if you really want to tell me something about it or want to know why I feel this way, email me at bellydancergirl07@yahoo.com. Intelligent debates and questions will be answered - blanketed, stereotypical and/or foul statements/jokes, etc... will most probably be ignored and blocked.

Also, I have been working like mad with the new job. Really enjoying most parts! Not enjoying some fires that I've been having to put out from before I jumped on. But, looking forward to smoother sailing ahead.

Also spending as much time as I can with my boyfriend, as he is going out of town for his job. He leaves a week from now. We really don't know how long he's going to be gone and this is the first time we've been apart even since we've been friends, so we aren't looking forward to the goodbye. So, I've been prioritizing, I guess you can say.

Plus, visiting a friend who is about to give birth and a friend who gave birth a few months ago. And, consoled a friend who had a fantastic three weeks with a guy she met, only to have it blow up in her face on his birthday, just a few days before hers. Actually - it was best she learned quickly (though not without pain), he was an asshole.

I've practiced a bit, though not as much as I have needed to to get the transitions right and the moves in the right order. I can do the moves, it's just hard to remember all of them in a row, and also a few of the transitions, since soe of the moves do not land on the starting foot for the next step.

And to think I was complaining at the end of the last course I only know 5-6 moves. I've "been shown" at least twice that now, and can't remember all fo them in order - lol.

Anyway, it is still just as fun and just as much of a stress reliever when I find the time to do it - (haven't done a 60 or 40 minute session in forever - 15-20 minutes at most).

New Video - waist, belly, hip work

This is a video of some of the hip moves and belly work I've been practicing in my second series of classes. I love these moves - good waist sculpting and tummy-tightening. Plus, it's a great feeling when you know that you are improving.

Progress

Dancing and work has taken up much time. I'm glad that I have been able to find time to practice bit by bit throughout the past days. It's a good stress reliever as I trudge through the first deadline of the publication I work for.

I have been doing a lot of waist work and the new hip moves. Getting better at the stand-up hip-shake. Balance issues.

Hip Shake and Flutter

My third class was tonight. I arrived early to work on my paddle turns and double-hip walk. The beginner's class was still going. Like my beginner's class, the floor was packed with women - 14. We started with 16 and ended with 6. Our instructor said that usually happens, especially after the 4th week of beginner's when she starts teaching the zills. It was very cool to see the group learning what I did back in the fall season. For their third class, I think they all did a great job. No one was short of enthusiasm, only experience.

Tonight, we added to our experience by adding several more steps to the routine. We learned two hip shakes. One is called a standing hip shake. I can not remember the name of the other one, but I remember it is named after an Egyptian dance group who is famous for this move, which is an intense twisting of the waist. Both of these moves were fun to learn. I'm having a challenge with the standing hip shake. You have to move your hips up and down - quickly - while standing on the balls of your feet. it's not easy for me. My teacher said to work on it more this week, and to come in early next weel so her daughter can work with me on it a bit more. The second hip move - the quick and sharp waist twisting - I got, she says. "Oh, yes, you got it."
Glad I got something down! Glad I wore my hip scarf in class tonight - it was really jingling!

New shoulder move, too.

We were making some more noise tonight as well. We did the entire routine with the zills - and I was much better with them tonight than I thought I'd be.

We ended class with an introduction to the 'flutter.' The flutter is when you move your diaphram very quickly, causing your belly to flutter. The other two students and I did it, all to our own surprises, but none of us can do it quickly yet. More homework.

Before and after weight loss photos - #2

I was able to find a 'before' photo that is almost the same angle as my 'after' photo. I was a 12, size 6 in the 'after.' I actually have some size 4 clothes from eight years ago that I can fit back into, but I'd say in general I'm a size 6. Thank goodness I didn't throw all of those clothes away - quite an ego boost, and, proof that I didn't give up hope. It took me 8 years to gain @ 25 pounds. I knew I wasn't going to loose all of it in a month, no matter how many actors in doctor's lab coats on TV tell me so. I had realistic goals, and patience.

Again, bellydancing wasn't the only thing I did to loose the weight. I changed my eating habits and portions. However, bellydancing did help me burn calories and tone my muscles, and, it's now my favorite form of exercising.

Honestly, I don't think I was fat in the 'before' photos at all. However, once I stopped the excuses for eating healthier and I started walking around my neighborhood, the pounds started to melt. "I'll go with it," I thought. Then, I started bellydancing and began to notice slight indentations under my skin around my arms, waist and legs. "Oh my, those are my muscles," I thought, "I haven't seen those in a long time!"

Nothing but Zills (Zils)

I still don't know what the proper spelling is of this word for finger cymbals. However, I do that I need to have a zill 'cram session' tonight, as we are required to bring them tomorrow for the next lesson. We are to review what we learned last semester and learn how to use them with the new steps we will also learn tomorrow. I haven't practiced my zills in months! Oh, well, this is all for fun. I'll let you know how it goes.

Second class, first lesson

Had my first lesson in the level 2 class. I was surprised to see that there are only three of us (there were 12 in my last class, down to 7 at the end)- one who took the beginner's class last year, and one who took the first class with me. It was nice to see a familiar face.

After the first lesson I am most pleased that there are only three of us. As we learned more challenging steps, I was thankful for the extra attention. We learned two types of 'paddle turns'. After the first lesson it is still difficult for me to do them much less explain them properly. Perhaps I'll do some video of just my feet to examine the step.

Reason for my absence

Forgot to mention the reason for my absence - I accepted a very good freelance project for a holistic magazine that has called for much of my attention. It has been takng me a while to contact current clients and get my ducks in a row - software downloading being totally another issue I wish to forget. Thank goodness for Geek Squad.

Good Times Ahead

My next bellydance class begins tomorrow, Jan. 22. I've been waiting for this for months, since I knew that the holiday quarter would have been impossible for me. I am now in the 'intermediate' class. This is a course that is offered though my city, and the women that teach it are professionals involved in a dance troupe, but I would hardly classify myself as an 'intermediate.' Perhaps I might if I took the continuing classes offered by my instructors at their dance studio during Nov-Dec, but I still feel a 'rookie' should consider himself (or herself) as such within their first year.

Before and after weight loss photos

I finally got photos downloaded on my new computer that shows my bellydance / weight loss success story. The first photo is me at a size 12, the second is me at a size 6. This was not an overnight miracle by far, and it did not happen by bellydancing only. It was my new year's resolution last year to get in shape. I walked and hiked more as well. However, it was bellydancing that toned my muscles.

Back to Normal

Well, I guess everything is back to normal now. No more excuses. No more chocolate pecan pie, chocolate almonds, homemade toffee. No more worldly tours on cheese platters and in glasses. No more dip at 2pm. Cookies and chocolate are banned at least until February. The holidays are officially over.

The extra calories and lack of dance practice has surprisingly made me five pounds heavier since the last time I hit the scale on December 21st. My last practice was the 28th; and, I was rusty in the first place, due to my birthday and Christmas getting in the way of a daily routine. I worked the tribal additions for a while after stretching. I can't say whether I did well or not, because I have only worked tribal arms a handful of times, and most of those sessions were only for ten minutes or so, not total drills, which I only did two.

I also worked a bit of waist and chest isolations. I really need to concentrate more on this. As I am writing this post, I am thinking of designing my own practice schedule. MORE TO COME ON THIS. I recorded some videos on the 28th, but just looking them over now. Will be posting the practice video on YouTube later and will post my critique here of my recent work.

Oh, about my weight gain - I'm not even going to bring out the measuring tape. I've been so proud of myself that I have lost weight and inches - I don't want to spoil anything. I'm not even going to weigh myself for 2 weeks, when I usually do it weekly; I have been so successful at this - as in the weight-loss, getting into shape and feeling good about myself.

I'm not trying to be a professional dancer. I'm not trying to look like a pro in just a few lessons. I'm just trying to learn and enjoy something I've always been intrigued by, and doing so on my own measurements of time and accomplishments. I blog and I record because I do enjoy taking advantage of the web's ability to provide me with a critique source that includes bellydancers from the professional as well as the novice. It gives me hints on what to look for in my video as well as other videos from dancers. Until my next class starts, this is what I have to work with.