SCORKES is Belly Dancing!
Monday, May 15, 2006
Tribal StyleI just got off the phone with my instructor with regards to what we would be dancing for the upcoming hafla. After some initial talk and chitchat, she proposed that we danced a duet ... TRIBAL STYLE!
WOOT! I can't wait!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Bellydance MusicOne of the problems of dancing at home that I faced was getting the right kind of music to dance to. Most of the time, the kind of music that I prefer is Arabic ... or at least, arabic sounding .. cause I really don't know the difference.
That's my biggest problem actually. Ignorance. Luckily, I am dancing solo at home, behind closed doors so no one can actually laugh at me.
Finding bellydance music at the store is tough. Especially when you don't know what you are doing.
But lately, after looking through some forums, I've discovered a liking to Natacha Atlas and Nancy Ajram.
My latest additions to my small but growing collection is:
By Natacha Atlas
- Feres
- Amulet
- Leysh Nat'arak
- Mon Amie La Rose
- Yalla Chant
- Kidda (I LOVE this song!)
- I Put A Spell On You
- Dub Yalil (A nice song, but unsuitable for dancing)
By Nancy Ajram
- Boussi Boussi Bouss
- Enta Eih
- Inta We Bas
- Mo'gaba Moghrama
- Oul Tani Eyh
- Sana Wara Sana
- Sehr Ooyouno
- Shik Shak Shok
- Ya Habibi Yalla
- Ma Fiye Aish
- Atabtab
YAY! I am a happy camper. Shimmy away everyone!
Back!
I have been ignoring this blog for more then a month. Just like my bellydancing. There just doesn't seem to be enough time. Sigh.
The passion for bellydancing is still very much alive in me. I still do dance at home by myself. The feeling I get when I get when I am dancing is so unlike any other.
And it's cardio. God knows I need cardio. I have been eating too much and exercising too little.
I would also like to welcome a new addition to the bellydance world: Skay
Also, I've been asked by instructor, Naziehah, to dance for the upcoming hafla. I am a little nervous. I have never danced before in public ... and in front of other more experienced bellydancers too. How daunting!
Hope we would be able to find the time to get enough practice though. We are all busy, busy women these days.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Slowing DownI actually feel great regret that new job requirements have caused me to have to put bellydancing on the back burner for the time being. As my instructor has decided to not teach on Monday evenings, this would result in me only being able to attend class on Saturday mornings.
BLAH!
Once a week where got enough la woi!!!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Back After A HiatusI am finally back at this blog after a long, long hiatus since my laptop got fried in a thunderstorm. It was very frustrating because I use my laptop for almost everything ... music, videos, games ... and to surf the Internet.
It was very frustrating not being able to watch bellydancing videos on the Internet because watching them gives me the motivation and drive to improve.
I guess that I am slowly improving though it's very frustrating as progress seems to be quite slow. I still can't master shimmies properly and I still look like a chicken walking during my fast Egyptian walk. BAH!
However, I've come to a point where sometimes I don't even realise that my hips are moving anymore ... I just look in the mirror and I'm like, hey, I'm moving and I hardly even realise it...
... but camel while doing small shimmies is still not happening for me. Sigh.
My instructor and friend, Naziehah, went to her new studio today to iron out the final details before she starts her new packages ... I am considering taking the lessons because the schedule at the gym are SO UNFRIENDLY (*hint* *hint* ... hehe!) for people that are gainfully employed!
I met someone today who told me that in his opinion, bellydancing is very easy because all you need to do is shake your behind. I guess he just doesn't know how much technique and skill is involved in the actual act of shaking one's behind!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Bellydance SuperstarsThis is a video clip of the Bellydance Superstars with Regis and Kelly. Rachel Brice is one of the three dancers featured here. I absolutely adore Rachel and I really, really, really want to do the belly roll like she does. She actually teaches how you do it in the clip and I even got my instructor to show it to me today after class.
So I contracted my upper abs (like I was supposed to) and I contracted my lower abs (like I was supposed to) ... and ....
Nothing moved. Nothing rolled. Absolutely N.O.T.H.I.N.G.
Bah.
And I still can't shimmy right to save my life. Sigh.
I guess that it all boils down to practice, practice, practice and I am also doing more crunches, squats and lunges to strengthen some weak muscles I've indentified in my legs.
I also like the third dancer in the clip, y'know, the one with the finger cymbols. I like the way she manages to merge her hip drops (percussive movements) with her camel (fluid movement) into one continuous move.
By the way, if you or anyone you know who lives in the Klang Valley is interested in belly dancing and would like to learn, my instructor also gives private lessons. To learn about her rates and contact information, please click here.
Little me is happy cause I finally have my first hip scarf to call my very own and it's pink and it tinkles everytime I move. Hehehe!
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Fun Fun Fun
Belly dancing can really be incredibly enjoyable. This was perfectly illustrated in yesterday's class. All of us formed a circle and one by one, we all come forward into the middle to dance. As expected, many of us were shy and unwilling at first, but at the end of it all, it's not about how well you can or cannot dance. It's about letting go of your fears and inhibitions and just having fun.There's undeniably something mesmerising about a sense of confidence, the enthralling aura of enjoyment and uninhibited body movements of a belly dancer locked in the magic of the dance ... and this can be acheived regardless of technique. I think this was how belly dance originated ... a dance by women for women. It gives you an unimitable awareness of your body and makes you feel good about yourself. In today's world, where there is a lot of pressure to be thin and fit in order to be beautiful, belly dancing can help boost a healthy body image as virtually anyone can look and feel beautiful belly dancing with it's smooth, graceful and fluid movements.
It was just fun. fun. fun.
I am so looking forward to our first hafla.
