Life is a Stage

Lights, camera, and oh yeah.......for a minute I forgot where I was. Isn't it amazing what a stage can do to you? I mean for most of us who have been dancing for years, we have had the pleasure and displeasure of dancing on a variety of dance floors in odd spaces. I've danced on grass, tables (don't recommend them) chairs (definitely don't recommend them) gooey floors (don't ask)and brick patios with little pebbles (my toes wouldn't speak to me for weeks). Carpet is great for carpet burn and sloping hills can really challenge your sense of equilibrium!!
Once we find ourselves on a "real" stage we have a sense of making it.
So imagine with me a black stage shaped like a diamond with white tape to show the diamond design with seats positioned at an angle on either side. Sounds pretty amazing and to tell you the truth it was..................
Veils floating in the air in a sunset orange and yellow filled the stage as my friend Rozana al Jinan and her students danced with rhythmic grace and elegance. As the rush of bodies came back into the dressing room a laughing Rozana said "Watch your point of reference because you might get lost."
"Oh no, another stage to contend with," I thought to myself. So off I went walking to my place on the stage where I was to start. The Music started and so good so far that was until I started to do a head spin....uh oh....where's the front from the back? Once I stopped I was facing the back wall and not the audience. Thank God for spontaneous choreography and the fact that I am an old veteran of the occasional blooper. This is what makes dance so enticing for us because it has to do with the moment and life doesn't always tell us what's around the corner or how we'll end up after we spin. As in life a stage can become something you never expected.

What is it that we want people to see and remember when we are on stage versus how we are in everyday life? Do we become a wonderwoman by performing and the average woman by day? As a dancer of many years I often wonder what happens to us when we believe too much in our wonderwoman persona. I have seen dancers forget that they are just "people". It's almost as if the stage seduces the senses and after a while of embracing the intoxicating allure of the lights, sound and applause dancers become the Hyde version of their Jekyll personas. Is the stage our friend I ask you? Sometimes I wonder because I have witnessed men and women lose their humility at the first sight of a stage. It's almost as if the only way they can prove their worth is by the stage. So is the stage a "fix" for some dancers?
What our dance means to us is expressed through our performances which just happens to be on stages. But how we express our dance when we aren't on stage is just as important, probably more so than ever. The stage is not my escape from reality but a way that I can express the reality in which I live.
So the diamond stage didn't really work out like I thought it would but sometimes life doesn't either. The difference is that my life isn't defined by the stage but defined by what I do on and off the stage. Maybe life is really one, gigantic stage and everywhere we go we perform our lives. I like this because than life becomes my "fix" and it's allure is having those around me that I love. So life for me is one big stage and whether I'm on a black stage shaped like a diamond or sitting in my living room, I know who I am.......sometimes but than each day is a new script and turning the page is the best part.

Cures, disorders and syndromes!!

Just yesterday I was talking to a friend of mine regarding the solo student dancer syndrome of "who are you, I don't know you". This is a very old disorder that I have been dealing with for many years. Only thing is I didn't realize how contagious it was until just recently. I'm no Einstein but it finally sunk in that there is something going on here. I had always looked at students as women of great possibilities and potential. And for a while I had a naive idea that my students would carry on my grand illusions of what I thought belly dance was. OK......so I'm a few quarts low in that regard but I am finally cured!
My point is that I have had students come to class who come right in with problems and issues never stopping to think to leave anything at the door. Do I do this..........yes of course but than it's my class and I can do whatever I want......not really. I learned through the years that what students want is a teacher and that is all! How simple and yet how complicated all at the same time. If I become more of a friend than my teacher status starts to suffer. If I am just the teacher and that is all than I am not very compassionate. So where does this fine line exist of friend and teacher? Just so you know it's in another dimension parallel to ours. No...really.
How do students get the "who are you, I don't know you" syndrome? This has perplexed me for years but I have come up with a hypothesis.
It has to do with what their real motives are when they decide to become a belly dancer. These motives are nurtured by society, parents, relationships, and learned behavior from all three. If any of the three are negative (which hello is very likely) than the beginning stages of this syndrome start to form. This disorder can take on a variety of symptoms. One of the most familiar of these symptoms is what I call the "outside of their world" non communication variety. Maybe it's because friends are a dime a dozen or that their upbringing taught them to drop you like a hot potato. We often as a society of women will have more patience and compassion for a loved one that beats us or a relationship that is unhealthy than we will for a dance teacher. God forbid that the teacher was not only there for her student but was a sounding board for everyday problems. Realistically as a teacher you have to be a sounding board no matter how professional you want to keep your relationship with your students. But this backfires more frequently than you realize.
The other symptom is the "invisible" kind. Now I know I do this too. As a matter of fact I have had a few students that if I would of known back than what I know now, they never would have been allowed to take class from me. But for this to take place a lot of disrespect and drama has to happen. Than yes these people are not only invisible but non existent in my world. Somehow I seem to have had this same effect on a particular group of students. It's OK but the difference here is that I gave knowledge along with whatever drama they felt they went through. I only got drama.........and a few pains in the you know where. But this is from my side of the fence and from where I see life. But I want you all to know that as a teacher I always look at my students as dancers. They all deserved this respect because anyone that takes from me is giving me a gift which is their time and efforts. But what do the students think of this? Is the efforts of my class worth it? Do they speak well of me or not at all? When they go out and perform do they appreciate our class time together? Oh, yes I wonder all these things because I remember what it was like my very first belly dance class. I haven't forgotten that feeling of pure amazement and I haven't forgotten my first teacher. And yes if she was still alive today I would let her know I haven't forgotten her.
Appreciate who you can and let the others alone. If you can't speak well of your teacher than take a look at why. Is it so much what she didn't do or was it what she should of done but didn't do it to your liking? How hard we are on our teachers is only setting us up to be regarded in the same way down the line. Because always remember that to be disappointed in people is easy, not setting people up to disappoint us is the hard part. The dancers who are under the symptom of "Who are you, I don't know you" have choices. Maybe if you are under this symptom you might stop and think about what you are setting yourself up for. There will always be people we don't get along with but why create a dance world where this syndrome exists? It's easier to get along than not but than water seeks it's own level so maybe the cure is seeing yourself equal with everybody else. It's a lot easier to learn from someone who not only sees you as a talented dancer but treats you like one. This means we have to take responsibility for our own drama and not throw issues onto other peoples shoulders to carry.
My shoulders are only full of my problems and even if they feel like they are carrying a load, it's my load. This is my cure and my way of taking care of my responsibilities. I can than say I see you and you are beautiful...........even the pains in the you know where!!

I have style..........I think?!!

Today I talked to a wonderful dancer in Texas and we discussed a topic that comes up quite often amongst belly dancers. It kind of sneaks up and shows itself in conversation because for most dancers it is a very important part of their persona; style.
What does it mean to have style anyways? Most women have style before they learn how to belly dance. So where does it go after we start taking classes? I'm thinking it stays in the car or decides to stay at home.
I will hear so many dancers say they just don't know what their style is and they don't know how to get it. This is interesting to say the least because maybe we are talking about two kinds of style. So do we now have to have another style besides the one we leave at home? I'm thinking we like to make dance more complicated than it needs to be. It's almost like our style doesn't fit us when we dance so we have to create a new one. But I question this because "what's wrong with the old style"?

If we define style than we have to look at how we are as women and men in everyday life. Most women have a specific way they dress and certain mannerisms that make them stand out and unique. This doesn't go away just because we dance. As a matter of fact I believe our style is more enhanced with belly dancing because we have a new way to express ourselves. The difference here is that when we see dancers who are accomplished we see how comfortable they are performing. This enhances their style and it becomes more noticeable. So maybe as dancers we aren't giving our style it's due. It's almost like an old dress that becomes old only because we want a new dress. Hahhh.......I do this all the time so I know what I'm talking about.

Style is a confidence that we have when it comes to being women and men. If we compare our style to other peoples' style than this is when style gets left home or forgotten in the car. A long time ago I decided that no matter how far I would go in belly dancing that I would keep my sense of self, that part of me that made me look different. I kept my style all the way through 24 years of dance and I made sure that I was happy with my choices. But I know what a lot of you are thinking, that I am missing the boat and you are talking about how a person dances. No.........I didn't miss the boat, I just realized that style starts with how we feel about ourselves and usually this comes out in how we dress. When a dancer is up on stage performing and she is confident about herself and her dance than the end result is a comfortable glow that showcases her style. Style is really what you think about yourself,period.

Let's be realistic here because we aren't going to go and get another one of us. It would be very spooky if we could do this and I personally don't think the world is ready for another me. So maybe style evolves as our dancing evolves. This is a good thing because we are in a world that is constantly changing. And besides that I like the fact that I can get a new dress now and than. But the difference is that no matter what I wear I know who I am and I don't leave my style at home or in the car, I take my style with me everywhere I go.

DVD Review

Rozana al Jinan Presents:
Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon”
Cane Choreography like you’ve never seen it!


Sun, sand and swirling images in blue greet you as you start your journey watching Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon”. Rozana al Jinan takes what you thought you knew about cane and completely revolutionizes cane technique with modern choreography. As you watch Rozana move with the cane, it is almost as if the cane is an extension of her movements. And this is why this is a must have DVD.
A pleasant “warm up” starts you off and is so enjoyable because Rozana has such a soft and relaxing voice. This really gets you into a good mood and prepares you for the challenging class awaiting you. But I have to warn beginner dancers; this choreography is intended for the experienced dancer. So make sure you have your foundation movements down and you are able to work in your traveling steps before you try out Rozana’s choreography.

How many dancers really know how to hold a cane? Rozana gives tips on how to hold and control your cane. This is a must know part of cane and even if you have danced with cane previously this information is a really good reminder on how to feel the energy with your cane as it moves with you. Rozana does something that I wish a lot of dancers would do when they produce an instructional; she shows the feet work first than the combination with the cane and than the cane drill. Wow, this took a lot of the guess work out and I was able to follow Rozana with greater ease.

For the professional dancer out there who is bored with her cane this DVD not only saves the day but adds a new spice to cane choreography. Since Rozana is a black belt in Tae Kwando she combined new and exciting elements to her choreography which include martial arts. This is why Rozana’s choreography is different and challenging. She brought in rudiments of Contemporary Wushu which translates to “Flowering Hand”. This is a form of Chinese martial arts that is performed as a sport today. The form itself is known to mean “As soft as a flower while in motion but strong upon impact” which defines Rozana’s choreography perfectly. My favorite combination is the Plum Blossom which is a move derived from Wushu. Trust me this particular move with the cane will test your ability to do two things at once which I found out to my chagrin. The bottom line is this DVD is educational, challenging and different. And an added bonus is a “Tips and Inside Information” booklet that Rozana provides with her DVD.
With so many instructional DVDs out today Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon” is
a wonderful surprise and once you buy it; you’ll find it is money well spent.

Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon” is available from Rozana al Jinan. For more information contact Rozana al Jinan at: www.jinanbellydancing.com or
Rozana @jinanbellydancing.com


By Leyla Najma

The New Renaissance in Belly Dance

Our dance is changing and there's nothing we can do about it. Whether it changes the way you like it or not we have to go with the flow and change with it. Sometimes when I see the changes I want to scream and yell, "What was wrong with the old ways"? But there are new dancers who bring with them a new sense of style and a new modern vision of how they want belly dance to be. I like this but because I am an old fart in this dance, well I would of liked them to ask me first! Yeah, right but there's a part of me that wishes the changes in our dance were more subtle. I think when you put in so many years training to be your best it is disconcerting when a dancer who has been dancing only a fraction of your years makes it big and brings with her "change". Sometimes I feel like where the Hell have I been all these years and was my head in the sand for too long? I remember I asked a belly dance magazine editor about what it takes to be on the cover of her magazine. She told me you have to make a difference in your community and have enough years of experience under your belt. So I've been dancing for over 24 years now and have done charity events, benefits, put on benefits etc. I was wondering is this not enough? The next cover of her magazine that I saw kind of blew me away because she had a dancer on the cover who had been dancing fraction of the years than most of my contemporaries. Oh alright........maybe I was a little jealous but I was also a bit perturbed. Maybe there are many dancers.........let me rephrase this there are many dancers like me out there who have worked in their communities for years and aren't recognized for their contributions. Don't feel too sorry for me because "The Chronicles" belly dance magazine has put my photo on their cover twice. And Jareeda even put me on their back page.
Down the line when you been dancing as long as I have there comes a point in time when you say, "Have I made it"? I don't know and to tell you the truth I may never know because my dance is a work in progress. But it finally donned on me that I have to make the changes I want to see. So does getting on the cover of a belly dance magazine make a difference........you bet it does! It doesn't mean you have arrived, it means that you are appreciated. There's no belly dance law that says if you have been dancing less years and are the end all in belly dance that you can't be on a cover of a magazine. It's just there are so many dancers who are hidden for one reason or another but who are their communities power houses. But I am wondering with this new renaissance of today if the new dancers want older dancers like myself out of the way? Sometimes I don't see the same appreciation that I gave my former teachers in some of my new students of today. I would never of thought of being late or not showing up at all with no phone call. As a matter of fact I had one student who had family issues that she would talk to me about. A few months later she was at a show that I was dancing at and she was talking during my performance. I put my finger to my mouth and insinuated for her to be quiet but I did it with a smile on my face. Also after the show I was teasing her about not returning my phone calls (which she didn't) but I did it in a humorous fashion. The next day I got a phone call with her yelling at me. I thought it was funny myself and told her it was her issue and that I was putting it back on her lap. She's gone now but I wonder if this is the new renaissance happening today? I just recently had another student not show up for class or return phone calls. Is this also the new Renaissance? The issues with the students in the past 5 years has been the same just different faces. What is our future in belly dance if some of the dancers and students of today have no etiquette? From where I stand it doesn't look good but than this is why I am still here. And this is why I don't just linger in my dance anymore, I am making a way into a new Renaissance of my choosing. I stand for what I feel is important in dance. And my job is to make sure that each student that I am coaching understands her dance. It's obvious that sometimes I hit home runs and other times I strike out with my students. But in the end because I am apart of this new renaissance than I'm going to make sure that dancers remember the old ways as they create their own unique path. And instead of my (you know what) up in the air I've got my head out of the sand. New Renaissance here I come!

The Certification Question

Many years ago when I was just starting out in belly dance, I can remember certain dancers telling me to get out of belly dance because I wasn't any good. You have to wonder why dancers who themselves have goals and aspirations would want to diminish mine. But the reality of our dance world can be shocking to a novice and a cautious endeavor to a veteran. Unfortunately this is our world but only a small part of it. As time went on I kept on practicing and training with dancers who I felt were exceptional. And 24 years later I'm still belly dancing and creating a path along the way that other dancers can join along if they so choose. I remember one time a reporter asked me how I would define myself as a dancer and the only thing that came to my mind was the word "lone wolf". Ok, yes I am romantically infatuated with wolves but in my heart this felt like the best description. Since than I tell people that I am a lone wolf in this field because I am unconventional in my way of dancing. Dancing for me is a creative expression that cannot be contained in a box. How would you define the Universe if so asked? This would be hard to do because there is so much of the Universe we haven't seen. And I believe that there is so much of dance to be discovered. So than I ask you a question, why would you want to be certified in an artform that has to do with the creative mind which is vast and full of new and boundless discoveries? Oh I'm sure there are those dancers who would say that if you are learning a cultural dance than you should learn to dance it correctly. I'm one of them and I totally agree. Ok so I'm going to play devils advocate here; with so many dance teachers out there how do you know you are learning the correct way?
Here's my thought on this, a certification usually comes to people as a completion of something. Our dance is a life time study and there is so much to learn and discover. What does a certification do for you? Does it make you feel more accomplished? I know there are dance teachers in our field that are amazing who give certification classes but does this mean that you are certified in their type of belly dance style? Everybody has their favorite teachers so say if you have three teachers that you really like than would you need certification from all three? Does this really make you feel better about yourself?
Well, if you are my student you won't get a certification from me instead you will get a dance coach who will make sure that you find your style of belly dance. I will make sure that you understand where your dance comes from which is inside of you. We will go over what makes you tick and what makes you passionate about your dance.
I don't want to teach you my way of dance, I want to help you find your way in dance. And this is why I don't agree with the certifications. But there are students out there who want and need to know that they succeeded in class and I totally understand this. I would just rather my students feel the success within themselves and for them to know that their creativity isn't certifiable. Because there is no end to self discovery and there is no end to the opportunities that come our way once we understand that our dance represents how we live life. So for me I would rather see life performed on stage that is artwork in progress. Is any artist truly satisfied or are we always looking for the perfect dance. I haven't found my perfect dance yet but to tell you the truth I'm having so much fun looking and creating that I don't really care if she ever appears. The day she does appear will mean my journey is over and I've come to realize that the journey is what makes the goal that much more sweeter. In some ways when we are on stage we dance the journey which is life.
So I'm an out of the box kind of dancer who teaches creative expression that is limitless. And as this lone wolf carries on she knows; to each her own and live and let live.