The Intermediate Hump

The Intermediate Hump: This is what I call the phase that all dance students go through. They have mastered all the basics and many of the more advanced ideas and concepts, but there is still something missing. They are "stuck" and their dance doesn't seem to be improving.

It's a very frustrating phase and one that every student hits, myself including. I remember it well - even though it's been over 15 years ago! I've seen all of my advanced students go through it (and personally I don't consider you an advanced student until you have successfully made it over this hump - no matter how much technique you know!). I've watched other dancers in the community go through it. Each one deals with it differently.

Some quit. That's it, they can't wait for this nebulous phase to pass. Others keep doing what they have been doing and just hang out at the hump and never make it over because they eventually give up and quit. Those who hang in there and don't quit eventually make it over the hump.

What is so frustrating is that this is an individual process. I, as your teacher, can make many suggestions, but there is no one thing that works for everyone. This hump is as individual as you are! There isn't a "do this" check box that will get you over the hump and there is no short fix. This is where you decide who you are as a dancer, what you value, what you want and what drives you. It's where YOU take charge of your dance and you become a partner in your dance education. It's not that you will never again need to take class or learn new technique (as a matter of fact you may still need to learn lots of technique). But it is where you start evaluating your path as a dancer and begin to think outside the student box and make decisions based on your individual path as an artist.

I read a most wonderful blog today on finding yourself as a dance artist. She said it really well and while all dancers need to do this, the dancer stuck on the intermediate hump needs it most of all!

Think outside your box! Go to the library and check out Orientalist painting books - not because they are accurate, but because they can inspire you! Take a Flamenco class or a folk dance class. Sit in on a Persian music concert. Spend time reading on the history of the region and culture. Start collecting beautiful textiles from the region. STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOX!!!! Don't think that taking another technique class will do it all by itself. This is about you finding yourself as a dancer - not about learning someones technique or a new choreography.

As your teacher, I want you to grow. If you are growing with me, then I'm thrilled. If you need to be elsewhere to grow - GO THERE! I'm so thrilled when you return and I'm just as thrilled if you discover that your dance path is Flamenco and you never return! As your teacher, I want you to grow into the beautiful amazing dancer that I know you can be - whether you ever dance professionally or not. This isn't about how much money you make - it's about soul and art!

Fly Baby Dancers! Fly!

Wise Woman Retreat

I spent the weekend of August 3-7th in Albuquerque, NM at Amaya's Wise Woman Retreat. I'd first heard of the retreat some years ago and it just seemed that I could never get the time and the money in the same year in order to attend. This year it worked out magically and I found myself half a continent away from home with a room full of strangers having one of the best weekends of my dance life!

The weekend is designed to bring together dancers who are ready to venture into the professional arena or professionals looking to bump up their game. It's also designed to give dancers an opportunity to form relationships with other women who are dancers in a peer group. All too often we are all busy teaching and performing - but how often do we get to spend a weekend talking about our dance love in a stress free environment with others who love dance as much as we do?

There were women from all over the world there. The guest instructor was from Canada, several ladies from the local area and several from Texas. One from New Orleans and one from the Washington, DC area, one from Sweden, one from Kansas, one from Germany, and then myself. A total of 15 women - the max Amaya allows to attend. Her husband was kind enough to help in shuttling folks around, but otherwise it was just us ladies. The weather was great and we were off and running......

Wednesday evening was the orientation dinner, Thursday was a trip to the Pueblo to see the annual Corn Dance ceremony. It's a religious ritual and so while spectators are allowed, no image reproduction of any kind - including sketch books is allowed. We watched one visitor ignore the rule and the Reservation Police took her camera and deleted her pictures and escorted her off the reservation. This isn't a performance and it's a shame that not everyone could respect that. I've a history of attending Native American Pow Wow's on the east coast, but this was the first Southwestern event of any kind that I'd been too. It was not a Pow Wow and that changed everything. A truly special event and I'm glad I was able to attend.

Friday began the first day of dance classes and they were taught at a higher level - no beginner stuff here and it was nice to take class at my level of experience. It was also nice to take a dance class and not a drill you till you drop class. Don't get me wrong - drill are very important to dancers to achieve and maintain a certain level of technique. But drills aren't dancing! So I just love it when I get to take dance classes that allow me to dance. For two days we took dance class. We worked hard in class, but had nice built in breaks so that it wasn't stressful or too much. I was able to learn so much in this environment. Luscious!

Friday night we had the treat of attending a local dance show where Mardi Love and Amaya were performing. I've never seen a dance show in another region of the country and it's really nice to see how the dance community dynamics are different in different areas. I enjoyed the performances that night.

Saturday night was our own private Wise Woman Hafla and we all danced for each other. It was great fun to see everyone perform after getting to know them over the weekend. Afterwards we ended our weekend with a talking circle where lots of important sharing went on.

I flew out at the crack of dawn and in the process lost my cell phone at the airport. Low and behold someone found it in the middle of the road and mailed it back to me! I'd recommend a visit to Albuquerque any time!

I spend my days busy - running too and fro taking care of things that have to get done and doing things I love, but it is really nice to step away from it all, recharge and relax. We always tell ourselves we dont' have the money or the time to do this, but don't believe it! Find a way to be present in the moment and rejuvenate. Find a way small or large and come back refreshed and ready to take on your life and accomplish more! You can not feed people with an empty pot. You may be standing there and scooping out air, but it's not nourishing nor is it good for them!

Until Next Time,

Halleyah :)

Persian and Live Music!

Wow - so here is my annual report on things! I've got to find time to pop in here more often! :)

Another busy year and this time Student Recitals are done and went off beautifully! Both schools did amazing jobs and I'm so proud of my hardworking students!

This past weekend I had the blessed opportunity to dance at TribalCarnivale (http://www.awalim.com/awalim-brings-live-music-atlanta/) with live music! I started my dance with live music and when I began teaching and performing in the Atlanta area, I did not have access to much live music and so over the past 10 years I've come to rely on recordings. I've very grateful to all the artists who provide those recordings, but nothing tops dancing to live music! I had forgotten how much that changes things and how much it touches my soul to dance that way! All of my nervousness disappears and I float on the notes and drum beats in my own personal heaven! So I was thrilled when Majda of Awalim contacted me to be a part of this very special show. My undying thanks to Ziah and Majda for bringing this awesomeness to Atlanta!

Several of my students (Arra, Heather, Luaxanna and Marie) danced with me in our first full improv ATS piece which was just loads of fun! They did wonderfully and I had a blast. Then it was off to change for Persian.

I spent 20 years in the SCA (www.sca.org) learning, researching, publishing and performing Classical Persian dance from the 16th Century Safavid Court. It is a long time passion of mine and it's been almost 5 years since I've performed a Persian piece. It was like coming home! While I added some Qajar styling to what I performed on Saturday night, it was just beautiful to float on the awesome ney and frame drum and DANCE! I probably stopped too soon, but I got lost and couldn't tell how long I'd been dancing - not nice to hog the stage ya know! ;)

This experience has reaffirmed an old love and brought it back into my life. Persian is a beautifully flowing and graceful dance - even the modern pop dance flows! Classical always makes me feel like a fairy princess! I'm a bit past the princess stage of life - so let's go with Fairy Queen!

I'm grateful to Ziah, Majda, all the musicians, and my many Persian teachers and inspirations for Saturday! Thank you all! I'm also grateful to my students and friends who showed up in force (we filled up 4 tables of people!) to support my work and their fellow dance sisters. You should all look for Persian to show up more often!

~Halleyah, still blissed out

Spring 2010

Good Grief but time is flying! This spring has been filled with preparations for the Student Recitals in June (yes we start this far in advance!), with my first solo performance in years, and two amazing workshops! I'm tired just thinking about it all!

I started the year behind on recital prep. I usually walk into the new year with the music chosen, the costuming decided, and the choreography mostly finished. Unfortunately or fortunately that didn't happen this year due to starting a new job at the end of the old year (love the new job, but it wrecked havoc with my dance schedule!). So I started the year behind. In addition I added the solo performance - well it didn't start out as just a solo, but once we had some unavoidable personnel issues (one of a trio got ill) it was just a solo. The trio piece rocks and will appear again in the future - somewhere! Then there were the workshops. (sigh) I love being busy, but sometimes my enthusiasm overtakes my brain and I end up over scheduled!

So at the end of February I attended TribalCon .... so I could rest! Ziah, of Awalim, laughed at me when I told her that, but believe it or not I did rest that weekend and still managed to learn lots and attend class - plus spent a ridiculous amount of money! A great weekend that happens every year at the end of February in Decatur, GA. If you live on the east coast and don't attend - you are missing out! Amazing teachers, wonderful hafla with live music, great musicians to teach the music track and play for us, awesome show, teacher discussion groups, vendors galore and Niccola's Food! Heaven for a those of the tribal vein! This year one of my favorite classes was Ashara's History Class. A wonderful breakdown of how the tribal vocabulary developed and which teachers contributed which moves! Turns out I'm more Salimpour than ATS - who knew? Actually, I knew I did not do classic ATS, but over the years of taking dance from many wonderful teachers the lines of where I got certain things had blurred and ATS had solidified. Absolutely essential information for me to have! Thanks to Ashara! Of course Donna Mejia was wonderful - she always is and her lecture this year could have spanned the entire weekend! I was bummed to have missed Ariellah's emoting class - I heard raves about it the rest of the weekend! I always enjoy Megha's ATS classes as they allow me to refresh on my general skills in that style. I spent waaaaay too much money at the vendors - ate wonderful food - visited with belly dance friends and was absolutely thrilled that so many of my students attended this year! I was so proud of them! Ahhhh, TribalCon (http://www.tribalcon.com/)

After that came the Zafira Workshop and my performance at the show. A great workshop by the Zafira ladies - I loved the workshop and the perspective they gave on moving through space. Their moving drills were amazing, though not for the faint of heart! I can see why they are in such amazing shape after that class! That evening was the show at Red Light and it was an honor to take the stage with the other performers there. I enjoyed the ones I was able to watch and got wonderful reviews from my friends and students in the audience who attended on the ones I had to miss due to being backstage. I was thrilled with all the students who turned out to support me! Thanks! Most especially to Heather who got some great photos of me dancing! Another awesome weekend although I did not rest this time!

Now it's back to student recitals, finishing choreography, getting the last costume pieces ordered and delivered, etc, etc. The students are working hard and I think the performances will be beautiful! Unfortunately, the two schools set their recitals on the same day - so I get to play musical performances running back and forth between two sets of students! Luckily, I have folks to help out when I can't be somewhere and I do get to be there for both sets of students to assist them in getting ready and see their first show of the day! It's going to be awesome!

Some days I'm tired (actually exhausted - but let's not quibble), I'm cranky, I've got time crunches and my body hurts. This is still the best job ever! I love my students - I love the people I work with at each studio - and I love the work I do!

Happy Dancing!

Halleyah :)

Divine Feminine

This is a term that's bandied about in the belly dance world. It sort of hit mainstream terminology after Dan Brown's book "The Davinci Code", but it's been around since the women's movement began. How does this term apply to belly dance - or does it?

In a patriarchal society (cause that's what we are here in the US) many women began wanting to find a personal connection to the divine (call that what you will - this is not a religious blog) and found that most - in fact the vast majority - of our divine images in this country were male. Now with the rising women's movement - they decided to start looking for female images of the divine. They found them and some have made their way into mainstream society. So, how does that apply to belly dance?

For some dancers, it doesn't. Not at all not one whit. Period. Discussion over. So, we'll move on to the dancers that it does apply to.

Art is creative and certainly the art of the Renaissance had many divine images in it as does the art of many other cultures, but since I'm writing to a mostly Western audience, I'm going to stick with Western images - no disrespect meant to other cultures. In Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way", she postulates that all art is divinely inspired - the creator created beings that then create themselves. This does not mean that all art is religious (another topic - see above statement on religion). It means that she believes that art is transcendent of our world and I agree with that. All art isn't good - all art doesn't speak to me - but all art is transcendent of this world. It all reaches out to emotions, images and concepts that are beyond our day to day life - even if the theme of the art is our day to day life.

Now, if we apply that concept - that all art is divine - then is it any wonder that belly dance seems to inspire the concept of divine feminine? The art form is mostly performed by women (the reason for this is for another time and no disrespect is meant to the many talented men who perform this art). Belly dance has an interesting affect on the women who study it - increasing self-esteem and opening up their world in a way that other dance doesn't seem to do. Tribal Belly Dance is particularly accepting of women "as they are". Talent is just as important - if not more so than looks. This attitude can be found in the cabaret world as well - but not so much in the Restaurant scene which is where most cabaret dance is performed publicly (though, I think that may be changing slowly).

So women, who bring their own personal spirituality to this art, come to class and discover that they too can create art. The ability to create art doesn't mean that your art is publicly profitable, creating art is creating art for the sake of creating art. So they come to class and go "wow" - I can create art! I can make something beautiful and moving beyond what I do to make a living and beyond what I do to care for my family. And this "divine" experience often makes them look around and see the divine feminine in the other women in class who are also creating art and living beyond their work and family.

So many of my students refer to class as "my time". It's their space to explore the art in their soul and to do it in the presence of other women. Now, don't get me wrong Men Rock! They have some very wonderful qualities - not the least of which is to look at us when we're sweaty and have baby puke all over us and see the glorious goddess within and desire that! Believe me on a bad day - loving eyes are pretty awesome. But time spent with other women who are experiencing life in a similar way is priceless. It allows us to develop female images of strength and beauty that haven't been airbrushed and don't exist just to look "sexy".

So is it any wonder that the phrase "divine feminine" gets bandied about more in belly dance than it does in say Ballet or Hip Hop? And the women who are drawn to belly dance are often looking for that connection - whether they know it or not. And the ones who aren't usually progress on to their own needs - whatever those might be. Belly Dance is beautiful and feminine and Ballet is beautiful and feminine in a totally different way - both valid and both serving different needs for the women who dance then and the audience who watches the art. Both technically difficult in different ways and both entrancing to watch.

This past week I had the great pleasure of watching a video of a performance that demonstrates this term the way I see it. The artist is one of my favorites and the performance brought me to tears and I hope that all of you can see the divine feminine in this video:


Donna Mejia's "The Private Rapture of Mary Magdalene"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAUyx2wm5Wk

Be sure to read the notes on this found in the upper right corner under the poster's information.


Enjoy and Be Inspired to Create!
Halleyah

DragonCon2009

Well, WOW! 30,000 (I haven't heard final numbers, but that's the usual turnout these days) people in downtown Atlanta split between one mall food court and 4 hotels is just wild! Made it through registration to pick-up my prepaid badge in only 1 and a half hours! It's a record! 3 hours is about average. So that started things off in a good way.

I spent lots of time in the art show with a friend who was in the show and selling her art at a table - great glass bead stuff! Visited with folks that I don't see that often - and attended a few panels. Usually I do a lot of night time costume/people watching, but as I was driving in each day instead of staying at a hotel - I missed all that this year. I did end up getting invited to sit on my first panel at the last minute (ME Costume) and that was a hoot! Watching Ziah and Magda put up their hair with no mirrors from memory was a blast!

Unfortunately I missed my Writer's Meeting (we all took AC Crispin's workshop in 2002 and still meet regularly) due to some stomach issues! Truly bummed about that, but saw some of them at other places in the Con. Bought a few things - never did get back to Krishna's booth for another look-see! And then we managed to extricate ourselves from the art show - no thanks to an overzealous Atlanta Police Officer who just looked lost! Home for me and much needed rest!

Usually I do quiet a bit of belly dance related activities at DragonCon. There is a huge drum circle most nights, I usually dress in full costume and wonder around getting my photo taken and I usually end up at the Silk Road Dance Show. Missed all that this year due to driving in and not being at the hotel. Must save pennies so I can stay on site next year!

Now Back to the Real World of Belly Dance!
Halleyah :)

Judgement and Art

This week, I hit my nose smack on that irritating wall called judgement. Now, we all should exercise assessment. Assessment is good. It allows us to look over a situation and weigh the pros and cons and decide that texting while driving 75 mph down a crowded rush hour freeway MIGHT be a bad, bad idea! Judgement, however is another thing all together. Judgement weighs two things, people, situations, etc and decides that one is BETTER than the other. So this week I got JUDGED. Yuck!

This week it was judged that only one belly dance performance could be included in a local festival. Now this is a festival that I've danced in for many years, but evidently there was this unwritten rule that there could be only one - that I was unaware of. There can be unending numbers of cloggers and country line dancers (which I totally enjoy doing and watching - mind you) and multiple jazz numbers, hip hop, and tap. Multiple rock bands are evidently a plus - but horrors of horrors let there only be one belly dance number! Why if we allow more than one - I don't know maybe the world would come to an end or HORRORS we might multiply and there would be more of us! Gasp! (I truly hope the fact that my tongue is firmly in cheek is coming through here)

<SIGH> So, we will be unable to dance in a festival that my performance class looks forward to all year. We make a day of it. Getting dressed together and helping each other do make-up. Then we drive over together and saunter through the crowds until we get to the performance area. We are always stopped for photos and occasionally we end up in the local paper. We enjoy cheering on and applauding the other performers in our school and then we use the gardens to take some really nice photos while we've got all our gee-gaws on! We pass out flyers for class and sometimes we all stop in and have lunch or dinner (depending on our performance time) and rehash our day. It's a bonding experience for the students and a great deal of fun.

My question is "Why can there only be one?" This is where the wall of judgement comes in - belly dance is judged as being too "iffy" to allow more than one. Some folks don't see us as family entertainment. Never mind that for thousands of years belly dance was done in families. Never mind that even today having a belly dancer at your wedding is a must in many Middle Eastern countries. Never mind that we wear more clothes than most of the other dancers - and truly do not compare to the hip hop dancers where risque dance moves are concerned. At least we're adults and not 12! Some unnamed "people" get upset that we're there so the festival organizers feel like they have "bent over backwards" (yes that is a direct quote) to include belly dance. Perhaps they have. I don't know. My point is that it is a shame that they might have to do such a thing in the first place. Truly this is an example of how my area is sooooooo not an artistic community. Way too much judgement!

Art doesn't really flourish in a judgemental atmosphere. Now, we all assess which arts we like or don't like. But if you judge art as it is being created - you sort of kill the creative spirit. This festival is local and not that big. It's an opportunity for the local folks to shine. Because if you want super talented professional performers at your festival - you pay them. Mostly local clubs and students perform and those people who are trying to move from amateur to professional. I enjoy supporting the arts in my community so I have performed in the past, but these days it's just as likely that I won't and let my students do the performing. So, a little less judgement please and a little more support for the arts would be nice!

Next year, I will make sure (now that I know there can only be one) to have my application for the festival in on the very first day - since acceptance is done on a first come first served basis! But this year - I'm feeling judged!

Halleyah