Dance Like Nobody's Watching....

A woman without a belly is like a night without stars

2011-08-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

I happened upon a blog today by a woman named Ev'Yan. It is so beautifully written and so inspirational, I thought I would share a part of it here. The following quote is her response to watching a full figured belly dancer perform. This is what I wish for each and every one of my students, as well as all of the women that witnesses our performance.

I heard my mind whisper, Her belly is round like mine, & she is beautiful.

Which translated into: My belly is round like hers, & I am beautiful.

Within seconds of this euphoric realization, I began to fall passionately in love with my own body. Deeply. Fully. Unconditionally.

By happenstance, through the brazen sensual expressions of bellies moving like serpents, I came to worship my glorious folds of skin, the pudge, the delicious pockets of fat that make up my feminine physique.

My belly is now the most celebrated feature on my body. I hold it, rub it, cradle it. Its roundness is a symbol of my inherent abundance; its fullness is confirmation that I am healthy, strong, nourished, & contented.

I carry a fire inside of my belly. Within in it is the essence of my newfound womanhood.

To read the rest of this beautiful blog post, click here.

What It Takes.....

2011-07-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

The following is a blog that Wendy Allen posted on What it takes to perform with an ATS group. Truer words have never been spoken, so I thought they deserved to be shared here too. Enjoy!

When people start taking classes in American Tribal Style dance, often one of the first questions is, 'When do I get to join the troupe/perform?'

The answer is, not for awhile. While you may have a desire to get up on stage and express yourself, you have a responsibility to your fellow dancers and your audience. The first thing to learn about performing ATS is that it is not all about you. It's about the group.

American Tribal Style Belly Dance is an group improvisational dance form. That means there are groups of 2-4 dancers, with 1 person leading, and that leader is stringing the steps together on the spot. This involves skill, intimate knowledge of the steps, transitions, and formations, a lot of trust, and high level of comfort with your dance partners. You have to be open enough to read their body language, know their quirks, go-to moves, and how they hear the music.

So. That said, what does it take to perform? It takes a LOT of classes, and a LOT of practice. Our level 1 class is a 6 week format, and level 2 is a 12 week format. You must take at least one full cycle of each before entering into Level 3, which is the level at which you start performing. But before you think ,"18 weeks, that's not so bad", most people will need to repeat Level 1 at LEAST twice before graduating to Level 2. Same with level 2, although many will need to repeat that level more, as the steps are more complex, plus it takes time to get used to leading, and changing formations. Count on at LEAST a year of taking classes consistently, if not 2, before you first perform.

You may think you are well versed enough in the format to jump in after a long absence. Think again. If you haven't been around class for awhile, we need to get used to dancing with you again.

You may think that because you have other belly dance training you don't need basics. Think again.

You may think that because you are Arab/Egyptian/Turkish, etc, you won't need basics. Think again.

This is a specific format with its own vocabulary. You must learn the basics before you can advance. It's not fair to the people who have put in the time and effort to allow inexperienced dancers into the advanced levels. Again, it's not about you, its about the group. Keep reminding yourself of that. Make that your mantra.

FCBD does not audition, nor do our student troupes. Well, I take that back. We do audition, but that audition starts in Level 1 and continues throughout your education in our classes. The teachers do pay attention, and we do observe. And it's not all about skill, it's also about attitude. We are likely to choose a less skilled dancer with a good and humble attitude over a diva who can dance like a dream. Technique can be improved. It's a lot harder to change personality. It's no fun to deal with a diva. And while we do take what we do seriously, we also want to have fun.

Ironically, *most* of the people who have been in FatChance have not asked to join. We've been invited. Most of us never aspired to be in the troupe. That humility is a desirable quality to us. In a group format there is no place for a diva.

So. If you want to perform with an ATS group, here's what you do. Show up consistently to class. Have a good attitude, don't be a diva. Focus, do your best to fit in with the culture of the classes. And no matter how experienced you become, always go back to Level 1 and Level 2, because in spite of what you may think, you have never learned everything there is to learn about any one move. If you think you know everything, you're sorely mistaken.

A word on "Tribal"

2010-10-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

This morning I somehow stumbled across an interview with Carolena that was done back in 1995. The interviewer asked a lot of great questions that I was wanting to know the answers to. And Carolena delivered really great answers. The article covers many topics from the origins of belly dance to Carolena's personal struggle with MS. But the parts I found most interesting were related to ATS, of course. Here is one quote from Carolena that I found particularly powerful:

"The dancers form a force field around themselves, and at that moment I want people not to see it as dance at all, but rather to see that a unified group of intelligent women is a force to be reckoned with. The message is that camaraderie between women is not about commiserating about men or attracting a man. It's not sexual or erotic or even domestic. It's about putting your individuality on hold long enough to trust the group and to be uplifted by it.

The tribal philosophy is something American culture has overlooked. To us, "tribal" indicates a society that is not evolved and is somehow backwards. But tribal unity means solidarity, mutual support, collective survival. It means yielding your personal desires or big ego and discovering that you gain more as a group than you ever could but there on your own. And that's something women have always been good at."

Reading this quote made me yell "YES!" out loud, which in turn scared the dog and made her run through the house barking her head off. This is EXACTLY what "tribal" is for me. This is what I love about ATS. It is one of the few times in our culture where we can see a physical example of "a unified group of intelligent women is a force to be reckoned with". And to that I say, "Hell ya we are!"

It is funny that I should find this today. This is exactly what I was trying to express to my Level 2 class last night. I was telling them that it is not enough to just do the moves, to go through the motions. Correct technique is only half of the picture you are trying to create. The body mechanics is one very important part dancing, but embodying the feeling of the dance is equally important. For this dance there are two very distinct feelings. During slow songs, the feeling is elegant, regal, and FIERCE (thanks, Leslie). And fast is fun and playful. And we as an audience need to be able to SEE that. And FEEL it.

Thank you, Carolena, for putting into words that which I could not express so elequently.

To read the rest of the article, go to: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1510/is_n85/ai_16816228/?tag=content;col1

Real Woman Creed

2010-06-22T08:19:00.001-07:00

I believe that within me lies an extraordinary radiance, and I commit to letting my light loose in the world.

I believe that the source of my power and wisdom is in the center of my being, and I commit to acting from this place of strength.

I believe that I possess an abundance of passion and creative potential and I commit to the expression of these gifts.

I believe that the time has come to let go of old notions and unhealthy attitudes, and I commit to re-examine what I have been told about beauty and dismiss what insults my soul.

I believe that negative thoughts and words compromise my well-being, and I commit to thinking and speaking positively about myself and others.

I believe that young women are in need of positive role models, and I commit to being an example of authencity and self love.

I believe in the relationship between my well-being and the well-being of the planet, and I commit to a life of mindfulness that regards all living things as holy and worthy of my love.

I believe it is my spiritual responsibility to care for my body with respect, kindness, and compassion. I commit to balancing my life in such a way that my physical being is fully expressed and nurtured.

I believe that joy is an essential part of wellness, and I commit to removing obstacles to joy and creating a life that is full of exuberance.

I belive that a woman who loves herself is a powerful, passionate, attractive force, and I commit, from this day forward, to loving myself deeply and extravagantly.

Devotion

2010-06-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my husband took me to San Francisco to see FatChanceBellyDance's Devotion! I am sore and tired, but it was totally worth the whirlwind trip! It was such an amazing and inspiring show. I loved every single dance. Not only did I get to see FatChance, but I also got to see Devyani, Rakadu Gypsy, Rachel Brice, and Coleena Shakti. I loved all of the creative things that FatChance and Devyani did with the ATS vocabulary! It gave a whole new dimension to this beauiful dance. Rakadu Gypsy did a really cool dance illustrating the harvest, and both Rachel and Coleena's solos were amazing. It was so inspiring! I hope I get to go again next year!

You don't love the dance.....

2010-06-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

Recently, Aziza Sa'id contacted me and told me that she is moving from sunny California to my not so sunny state of Missouri. REALLY?!? Really. So in an effort to learn more about her, I decided to read her blog. It was there that I came across this jem of an insight that blew my mind. This is exactly what I have been trying to put in to words for many years....

Today my students were teachers, Belly Dancing and Yoga. The first of today’s Big Questions is one of my favorites… Why Do You Do What You Do? Dance? Yoga?

And people gave some real truths in answer: Because it’s fun; Because in it I find acceptance, of myself and others; Because I feel beautiful; Because I feel at peace; Because it is a way to create and express myself; Because I feel healthier; Because I feel better in and about my body when I do.

Because I love it.

And here’s where I need to say… No. You don’t. You do not love yoga, or dance.

You think you do, but you don’t. The “it” is not the object of your love… you do NOT love yoga or dance.

What you really love is Who You Are when you do it.

The dance, the yoga, it is a vehicle. It is the way, the path, the mechanism. It is Your way, it is what is working best for you right now, and may always be what works best for you, but it is still just a tool.

Consider this… when I taught ballroom dance for a living, nobody ever came in because they needed to learn to waltz. They THOUGHT they needed to learn to waltz… but… did they really? Was it that they needed a box step and a hesitation and an underarm turn to make their life complete?

"Really, I just desperately NEEEEED a box step! Pleeease! I am not whole until I have one!"

Or did they need what those moves were going to give them? The ability to go and do something fun with their spouse? The confidence to talk to a beautiful woman and know they were going to be able to entertain her? The knowledge and relief they would not look like fools on their wedding day?

What you really love is Who You Are and How You Feel when you do it.

It’s like strawberries. I say I love strawberries. But really, is it that I love them? Or is it that I love the sensation of their taste? The feeling of delight that comes from looking at their shiny redness? The stimulation of feeling their smooth and stubbly brail exterior? The sweet and sour satisfaction of eating them? What I love is the sensation of strawberries. I am grateful for their existence, but what I love is how I experience them.

What you love about yoga, about dance, is how you experience yourself and the world and others when you do it.

So… to my teachers I say… what is it, really, that you love?

Because once you know that, you will know what and why you teach. And then you can really teach it.

What are your thoughts? Why do you dance, or do yoga, or do anything for that matter? Thank you Aziza, for putting in to words what I have felt for many years. You can read more from Aziza at http://azizasaid.wordpress.com/

Lao Tzu

2010-05-19T08:19:00.001-07:00

"In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. When you are content to be simply yourself, and don't compare or compete, everybody will respect you." -Lao Tzu

Knowing Our Roots

2010-02-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

During class on Monday, a few of my students got into a discussion about where Tribal Fusion Belly Dance came from. At the time, I could not answer the question fully, so I decided to post a blog about it. But first let's start at the begining with a bit about where American Tribal Style came from.

American Tribal Style
Adapted from Wikipedia:

Tribal Style Belly Dance or American Tribal Style Belly Dance (also known as ATS or Tribal) is a modern style of bellydance created by FatChanceBellyDance director, Carolena Nericcio.

The general category Tribal Style is accredited to Jamila Salimpour who fostered a fusion of costumes and folkloric dances styles from the Banjara gypsies of Rajasthan and began teaching what she knew and performing all over California and the West Coast. Utilizing traditional folkloric dance elements and costumes inspired by traditional and ethnographic traditions, she presented on stage through Bal Anat a colorful dance company which included musicians, singers and dancers to create a "souk" or almost circus feel. Taking what she herself had learned from native dancers from Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon who were dancing in the United States, she began to catalogue "belly dance movement" and began creating a basic repertoire terminology which is still the basis for Tribal Style and American Tribal Style repertoire.

Another key person in the ATS lineage is Masha Archer. Masha was a student of Jamila Salimpour's for two and a half years. She went on to found the Classic San Fransisco Dance Troupe. She took what she learned from Jamila, and mixed it with her own ideas and influences to create a new style. Masha’s style was an eclectic blend of classic Egyptian Cabaret, Folkloric and any other influence that she found enticing. Being a trained painter and sculptor, Masha taught her dancers to create art through dance.

In 1974, Carolena Nericcio began belly dancing with Masha Archer and the San Francisco Dance Troupe. Carolena studied with Masha for over seven years. In 1987, after the SF Classic Dance Troupe had disbanded, Carolena began teaching in a small studio in the Noe Valley Ministry.

Tribal Fusion
Also adapted from Wikipedia:

The roots of tribal fusion lie in American Tribal Style, also referred to as ATS, created in San Francisco by Carolena Nericcio and her dance company FatChance Bellydance. The ATS dance is based on improvisation as a group through the use of hand cues and movements. One of the founding members of FCBD in 1989, Jill Parker, can be regarded as starting tribal fusion. After leaving FCBD, she formed Ultra Gypsy Dance Theatre in 1996. Under Jill Parker’s direction, UG expanded on the ATS movement repertoire, using choreography and incorporating elements of burlesque, cabaret, and 1920’s. The group also progressively deconstructed the classic ATS costume (choli, coin bra, turban, tassel belt, skirt, harem pants).

Another early pioneer in tribal fusion is Heather Stants, who formed Urban Tribal Dance in San Diego in 1999. Initially, Urban Tribal was heavily influenced by hip hop and street dance styles, though their current style borrows many elements from modern dance. They are also known for their minimalist costuming, in contrast with many other tribal fusion performers. Their costuming effectively complements their sleek lines and smooth style. Mardi Love was an early member of UT, who later joined the Indigo and became one of their major choreographic and costuming influences.

Tribal Fusion was largely popularized by Rachel Brice and the Indigo (formed in 2003), who became internationally renowned as they toured with the Bellydance Superstars. Rachel Brice describes her dancing as a combination of Suhaila Salimpour technique and FCBD style, along with a heavy dose of Mardi Love. She also popularized the use of movements similar to “popping,” though she credits Ariellah as the source. Initial members of The Indigo were Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Michelle Campbell, Sharon Kihara, Janice Solimeno, and Ariellah Aflalo. Both Rachel and Sharon were members of Ultra Gypsy and credit Jill Parker as a major inspiration. Currently, the Indigo is composed of Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, and Zoe Jakes, who have been touring their own show “Le Serpent Rouge” since 2007.

Just Exercise? Or Art In Motion?

2009-11-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

I posted on my FB account that Dr Oz was belly dancing on his show today. And boy did it stir some ladies up! One of the ladies was irritated that belly dance is being tooted as a great workout instead of just being an awesome dance form. And I agree with her. But... I have struggled with this concept with both yoga and belly dance. In yoga, there are many people that just want a "yoga booty" and could care less about the philosophy. But it's really so much more than exercise. But, just as in yoga there are so many people that come to belly dance for the fitness benefits and then before you know it they are walking taller, baring their belly, and really inspired to embrace their inner goddess. I really feel that the core of it, yoga or belly dance, will speak to people and what was once a "great workout" will become a life altering experience. I have seen it with my own eyes.

Belly dance as a spiritual practice

2009-10-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to begin this blog for a LONG time. But as with most things, begining it is the hardest part. Once it's begun, and commit to it, it will flow. So here it goes....

Last week I went to Milwaukee, WI and took FatChanceBellyDance's General Skills and Teacher Training Workshop. It was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned a lot in the five days I was there. And not just about anatomy, music theory, the vocabulary of moves that make up American Tribal Style Belly Dance (ATS), and how to present them to a class. I also leared about myself, and about life. I realized that I am drawn to ATS because of the same reason I am drawn to yoga: it parts the veil between my spirit and my personality and allows my spirit to shine.

When I am dancing I am embodying my spirit and my personality falls away. I am a leader, I am a follower, I am strong, I am beautiful, I am perfect. I love being in the lead, not because I am the "leader", but because I am responsible for the ladies behind me. I am calm, clear, and responsible for my decisions. I love following because I can focus on sending my love to the woman that is leading and the other ladies in my group and allowing us ALL to shine. And I am forced to focus and stay in the moment becuase I don't have any idea what is coming next. All thoughts fall away, and the only thing I can see is the beautiful spirit before me. And in those brief moments in between when there is no lead, there is nothing but happiness, love, and support between the women in the group.

American Tribal Style Belly Dance is not just a bunch of women in beautiful costumes having a great time. Well, it is that. But it is so much more. It not only parts the veil between the spirit and the personality, it lifts up the spirit and places it front and center for everyone to see. And who am I not to shine?

Thank you Carolena. You have given me so much more than a dance.