The Tribal Way

Belly Dance Costumes Gone Wrong

2012-02-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

Belly dancers can be very creative, crafty people. The possibilities for self-expression through colour, texture and accessories are infinite. There are many extremely talented people in our midst, including Gwen Heckeroth of Flying Skirts, Molly Kuhl of Kuhl Jewels, Christina of Sihaya Designs and my friend Tiffany of Sareen Dream.

However, sometimes imagination can take people a little farther than it should. Either the costume becomes completely immodest, aesthetically chaotic, or it's just poor quality - not words we want to be associated with our beloved dance! These costume disasters may not support Belly Dance in the way you or I might like it to be portrayed, but they can give us a good laugh! ;) Thanks to the Ugly Costume Goddess Blog for the pics! Most were from ebay or etsy, tagged 'Belly Dance' (if you can believe it).

Whats your favourite? I have to say mine is the Yetti Dancer. Just imagine all that fake fur swaying... ;)

* Of course, please take this with an open mind - there are places in this world for many types of clothing, and the people who made and wear these items are just human - we've all had our fashion faux pas moments, and I don't mean to offend. :)

We Make Our Habits; Our Habits Make Us

2012-02-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

We choose our habits - consciously or subconsciously - and over time, they make us. Look at your life, your routine. What are the things you do every day? Your daily rituals, good or bad, automatic or forced, tell a lot about you and your future. Imagine someone who comes home from work and grabs fast food for dinner, ice cream and chips for snacks and turns on the TV for hours everyday. They may have never consciously decided that would be the best use of their time and resources each day, but it has become a habit nonetheless. I'm sure we can all name many possible problems and diseases they may have to look forward to. Likewise, someone who starts their day with an organic fruit smoothie and a run will in turn be rewarded with more energy, health, stamina, a stronger heart - the list goes on. Have you heard the saying 'We reap what we sow?' It's very simple, and very true.

We make our habits; our habits make us.

When we are learning to dance in class, practicing at home or drilling with a video, we have choices to make about our habits. Will we warm-up and cool down to keep our muscles safe and healthy? Will we focus on our posture or let our butts out and our arms flop? Will we practice and ask questions until we get a move just right, or will we get the hang of a move just well enough before we move on, anxious to know more moves? I think in developing our habits, it's important to emphasize quality over quantity. At the beginning we may be anxious to move up and learn as many moves as possible - but if we do that and end up performing one day with no smile, horrible posture and weak arms, what have we really gained?! Sometimes we need to remember to slow down and focus on improving our skill. I don't know about you, but I really need to concentrate on this more. We have to imagine the dancer we want to become, and decide on and implement the best habits we can to make that a reality.

We form our habits - in life, in health, and in dance. Then our habits form us - for better or worse.

Just some food for thought. ;)

Dance Flash Cards - My Gift to You!

2012-01-26T16:04:00.000-08:00

Last June I showed you guys a great way to mix up your practice and keep you focused: Dance Move Flash Cards. Click >HERE< to check out the post for a reminder, or see picture below.

Now some fancy pants artists out there might be able to write their moves out in calligraphy or use graphics or something else like that, but as for me, I just grabbed a font from the net and kept it pretty simple. So I decided it would only be fair if I shared it with you!! I have 3 PDF files, one for each level, with each move on it in the font shown above. All you have to do is print it, cut out the labels and fix them onto cards. Here's a preview:

As I said, I have one page each for Level One, Two and Three. I am providing these free of charge. Unfortunately I do not know a way to have these right on my blog in a format that will print easily, so you have to email me and request it.

Email thetribalway@gmail.com and let me know which Level Pages you want and what email address to send the files to, and I will respond as quickly as I can with the attachments. Enjoy!

Tribal and Gypsy Inspired Decor

2012-01-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

Be prepared to dream and drool.

Rich textiles, heavy fabrics, ornate decor, chandeliers and drapes and pillows and lanterns and knick knacks and jewelry and antiques and everything you need to be inspired to create your own little haven. :)

Delicious Duets

2012-01-19T11:53:00.000-08:00

Ah, duets. I think I'm in love. They are just the most beautiful thing to watch, and such a joy to be learning about in my level three class. Solos can be breathtaking and groups can be fun, but I think duets are my favourite at the moment. Such a connection can be present between the dancers that real magic happens. I feel it when I learn a new partner pass in class, and I see it when I watch dynamic performances of duets in videos. There is so much more eye contact between the two dancers, and the ATS mindmeld becomes crucial and awe inspiring to watch or be a part of.

Here are some beautiful duets for your enjoyment ~

(Duet begins at 3:20)

Photo of the Week

2012-01-12T10:17:00.000-08:00

This is from Persephone Dance Company's facebook page

So beautiful! Check out all those colours and textures!

2011 - A Year of Dance in Review

2012-01-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

After seeing this survey on a couple sites, I decided to take part! If you're not interested, that's fine, but if you are, then tag! You're it! I'm inviting anyone who wants to take the survey to go ahead and post your link in the comments below. For me, 2011 was my first full year of dance ever! It was a year full of changes, in dance and my personal life. It will be a year I never forget!

By the way, this brilliant idea is from:

Dilara of Dilara's Diary and AJ of Confessions of a Dance Pants Addict

1. What did you do in 2011 that you had never done before?
Participated in dance class for a full year, danced in front of others, went to Mexico :)

2. Did you keep your belly dance new year resolution, and will you have one this year?
Last year my goal was just to progress into level two, which I did in the spring. This year I am resolving to smile more!

3. Did you introduce anyone to belly dance?
Yes, I got my sister involved!

4. What travels did you take, and did you involve belly dance with them?
In March I went to Spokane with my mom and sister for a Bellydance Superstar show. Then in May I went to Mexico with my boy!

5. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I'd like a bottomless bank account so I can purchase any skirt, necklace and bindi that catches my fancy. I'd also like endless energy! Haha - realistically, I'd like more confidence.

6. Which date from 2011 will remain etched in your memory and why?
July 25, because I found out that I would be bringing a new little dancer into the world!

7. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Progressing to level three in dance, starting this blog, buying a house and surviving the first 6 months of pregnancy!

8. What was your biggest failure?
Not practicing as much as I could have.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Neither, thankfully!

10. What was the best thing you bought or made for dance?
I only bought a few hip scarves. I was given a beautiful jaipur skirt, and I made a coin bra and tassel belt!

11. What did you get really excited about?
So many things! Belly dance shows, Mexico, Haflas, starting new levels in dance, a new house, having a baby, Christmas holidays!

12. What did you wish you'd done more of?
Practicing.

13. What do you wish you'd done less of?
I'd say sleeping, but it was quite necessary for baby-building ;)

14. What seemed to get in the way of dance?
Lack of energy and motivation.

15. What was your favourite music from this year?
I really loved Bounce by Solace, To the Mother * East by Filastine, Marcha de la Vida by Balkan beat Box, and Aicha by Khaled. I need to expand my music repertoire this year so if you have any recommendations please let me know! My newest favourite is Sunrise Over Tribeca by Helm and Phil Thornton.

16. What did you do on your birthday?
I went out for dinner with friends, and also had a surprise luau party with family in my hometown!

17. What would have made your year immeasurable more satisfying?
I'm actually pretty happy with 2011 :)

18. How would you describe your belly dance style in 2011?
Well, I was a student of ATS. It was a year of intence growth and learning.

19. What were the major influences on your belly dance in 2011?
Mostly just my incredible dance teacher - trying to emulate her strength and grace.

20. Best thing about being a dancer in 2011?
Experiencing the benefits, sense of accomplishment, and joy from dancing and connecting more with dance friends. Also starting this blog and being introduced to the online belly dance world, and discovering they are a very supportive and fun bunch to twitter and blog with!

Okay your turn. Tag! You're it!

Brilliant Belly Dance

2012-01-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

We all know there are many physical benefits to dancing, but did you know about the mental and intellectual benefits? Excercise has been shown to improve mental clarity, alleviate and prevent depression, aid in the regulation of hormones (and therefore mood) and can even give you a temporary high. Well, studies are showing that it can actually make you smarter! Unfortunately not every style of dance can take this kind of credit - the more improvisational, the more an impact it will have. This is no trivial impact either - we're talking a 76% reduced risk of dementia as we age.

Now let's explain. Almost any excercise or dance is a wonderful hobby to pursue well into old age. However, for intellectual benefits, only those which require quick critical thinking have the power to boost our intellectual clarity as well. Quite simply, if our muscle memory has been doing the same thing for years, and we could practically perform on auto-pilot, our brain is not making any new connections - it just follows an old path that is well ingrained. When we do any kind of improvisational dance, our brain constantly has to make snap decisions, and this is what keeps us sharp.

When leading in ATS, we are making many decisions about which move to perform next, based on the music, mood, ability of dancers around us, and probably other factors I'm missing. When we follow it may seem we're in much a more passive role, but in fact we are constantly reading the body language and cues of our leader. Of course we know as well that often the leader hat changes quickly - during turns, fading, etc. All of this quick decision making is what makes improvisational dance stand out from the others in this aspect of health. Not that we needed another reason to keep dancing! ;)

Source:
Richard Powers 'Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter'
His website: http://richardpowers.com/

My New Years Resolution - To Smile!

2011-12-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Have you ever watched a show where the performer looked miserable? What about one where you can read their lips - counting the steps? It's never a pretty picture. A frown has the potential to turn a beautiful performance into an awkward, bored and stale show. Thankfully we have the frown's much stronger nemesis at our disposal, free to employ at will: the smile.

Smiling really shouldn't be an issue. If we love to dance, why wouldn't we be smiling? However nerves, anxiety and self-consciousness can easily result in pursed lips and even a frown and furrowed brow from concentrating. The most beautiful costume, the msot incredible make-up - it all amounts to nothing without a smile.

So what do we do? We train ourselves from the very beginning, using muscle memory. We build a smile into the basics of each move. When considering an Arabic for instance, we can think about the count, the movement of the chest lifting, the movement of the lower abs contracting, the movement of the lips smiling, the movement of the feet, etc. Notice how the smile wasn't an afterthought? It is just as important as any of the other muscle motions, and can be trained into our memory just as well.

The reason I bring this up is not because I'm a perfect smiler and everyone else is horrible. Oh goodness - far from it. It's because I struggle with it so much - and finally pictures have been taken that show my worried face! I love dancing. I do! However I am naturally quite shy and self-conscious - and this comes out very easily in my face! Here is my proof:

These pictures aren't the greatest quality, but you can still see exactly what I'm talking about: no smile! In the picture on the left it actually looks like I am biting my lip! *Palm to forehead.* Strange to see, because I was having such a great time! These weren't from a performance either, this is just dancing for fun at the Hafla!

*Sigh* now you have seen my smile-shame. Look at pictures and videos of yourself dancing, I hope you're not as bad as me but you might be just as surprised! There is almost always room for improvement. If anyone has any tips please post them in the comments section below as well!

One more thing - we should have a big smile on our face for dancing fast, of course. If we dance slow with that same smile though, we might look a little crazy. My dance teacher suggests a soft, close -mouthed smile. She says to think of a smell that you love, and imagine smelling it and smiling. It works very well when you remember to think about it! Popular ones in my class are vanilla, chocolate, coconut, bread baking, and flowers.

Hope that helps any of you that struggle as I do! Let's resolve to SMILE! :)

*Note: There may be some dance forms or performances that require a different look. What I have written above applies to general ATS performing.

Christmas Hafla 2011

2011-12-16T14:39:00.000-08:00

Wednesday my dance group had our annual Christmas Hafla! It was so much fun. For two hours, I got to eat great food, listen to great music and dance with the coolest ladies I know. We did SO much dancing. It was tiring but such a joy! The Level 3 ladies, including myself, and my teacher with us at one point, danced for the other girls! It was nerve racking but so wonderfully empowering. We got some great feedback too though that the others really enjoyed watching us. So much love in our little dance group.

Here is a picture of me and a friend at the hafla (sorry about the poor quality):

So you can see I kept it very simple this time, my gypsy rose skirt from Flying Skirts, Red choli, coin bra, bindi from Kuhl Jewels and necklace and mirror belt that were gifts from my mom. My hair was up in a bun surrounded with red and black roses, to match the red/black gypsy theme! You can see my baby bump too!

My friend here is wearing a gorgeous peacock feather skirt with orange underneath, several fringe/sparkle belts layered, a purple sweetheart choli and coin bra she made herself as well! Beautiful! Of course she has a bindi from Kuhl Jewels as well! (No outfit is complete without one, am I right?!)

I hope your Christmas parties are full of just as much joy :)

Style Inspiration: Peacocks

2011-12-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

This beautiful bird has always been admired. Its vibrant colours and impressive plumage have ushered the peafowl into various religions and cultures. In Hinduism they are associated with the god Saraswati, standing for patience, compassion, knowledge. In Asian spirituality they represent Kwan-Yin as an emblem of love and good-will, and in Christianity they represent eternal life. They have a long history including a part in Greek mythology as well.

Regardless of their lore, the peacock is an awe inspiring creature whose dress we can borrow from to colour and influence our own styles in life and dance.

http://polishedlove.blogspot.com/2011/09/peacock-feather-nail-art.html

The Tribal Way: Reboot

2011-12-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

Miss me? I know it's been a while! We are all moved into our new house now, and baby is being much nicer to me too. My energy has (mostly) returned and nausea is at a minimum. Again if anyone is interested, my pregnancy/personal blog is here: http://ttw-babyadventures.blogspot.com/?zx=ab3658f2d680cca8

So I'm going to try and give The Tribal Way a reboot with more regular posts, which I hope will be much to your delight! Today I'll just give you an update on how Level Three has been going, but I have a post ready for tomorrow with lots of gorgeous style inspiration pictures!

So I only have one week left of Level Three. In the last several week we have covered the Doubleback Half Turn, the Arabic Orbit, Barrel and Sahra Turns, Sunanda, and Turkish Shimmy with arms and a turn and circling. My favourite out of those? Doubleback Half Turn without a doubt, and the Sahra turn for slow. Sunanda is fun too, just a bit more simple. The Turkish Shimmy move is fun too, with the different arms and the turn - but the circling part throws me off still! I have a problem with getting dizzy and short of breath very quickly, which I hope is just pregnancy related. It's still fun though.

I'm excited for the first session of Level Three to be over. That may sound strange, but the first session of each new level is so very challenging and stressful for me! The second session is always a million times better. Instead of just learning a new move and barely keeping my head above water, there is already a basic understanding of the move that I can build on. That's when it starts to get fun - when you can do the move, but now you get to work on it and fine-tune it until you can do gracefully and with correct posture, angles etc. This process of course lasts forever, but each time it is relearned a move becomes more engrained in my muscle and heart and more of a joy to do.

The Sahra Turn we learned last night is just beautiful. When our teacher first showed us what it was, I thought she must be doing 3 moves, not one, as there are so many parts to it! However after we practiced more, I saw it become a graceful combination of moves we already know. The forms of each action within the move are elegant and poised. I can't wait to work on this one until it comes naturally!

Alright my lovelies, wishing you shakin' shimmies!

Til tomorrow...

Chella

What Does it Take to Perform?

2011-11-15T16:38:00.000-08:00

Wendy Allen, Fat Chance Belly Dancer and leader of the student troupe, shares her thoughts in a poignant blog post found here:

http://spinofftribal.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-it-takes-to-perform-with-ats-group.html

She sums it up very well:

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.

Diligence in practice, integrity of character and patience will be your strongest assets. No one wants to dance with a know-it-all, do they?! Humility really is key. Key to opening yourself up to more learning, more experiences, and the key to not annoying your fellow dancers! No one is the teacher but the teacher, and unless she specifically asks, she does not need anyone to help her do her job. Just my two cents ;)

Keep dancing!

Level 3.4, 5, 6 Catch-Up!

2011-10-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy busy month. I think for the first time since I've started dancing, it has taken a backseat to other things going on in my mind. 18 weeks pregnant, looking for a house to buy, and dozens of other little things taking up my thoughts and energy. Feel free to check out my baby blog for more pregnancy talk!

Level three. In the past 3 weeks, we've learned Chico 4 Corners and the partner pass, the Water Pot, Wet Dog, Reverse Shimmy, and ASWAT Fade and Circle. It has been challenging to say the least! My favourite out of these moves is probably the Water Pot. Least favourite is the ASWAT Circle - not because it isn't beautiful. I just find it so confusing! That one will definitely need some practice.

Reverse Shimmy is a funny one because I can't do it. Period. Haha. I'll keep trying though I promise. Right now I'm trying to do a Reverse Taxeem and add that shimmy-wiggle to it. If anyone has any other tricks for learning it please let me know! Surprisingly it has a very different feel from the normal ATS Shimmy. You'd think turning up-down-up into down-up-down wouldn't look any different, but when my dance teacher first showed us she reminded me of a flittering fairy! It's very light and bouncy, whereas the regular Shimmy seems more earthy and solid - in my opinion at least.

Chico 4 Corners is fun and energetic. When we learned the partner pass and danced in pairs for about 3 songs straight I don't think I've ever smiled so much at dance! It was such fun. You know that fun moment when you're dancing in a group and the leader turns around and surprises you? There's that second of cheeky giddiness and then you smile and circle into the next position. That's what dancing in pairs is like - but it goes on the whole time! It's interesting too how the chemistry changes a bit depending on you dance with.

Well, Level Three is officially halfway over! I can't wait to start again in January and have more people in the class. After having an overview of all the moves it will be great to really develop them and get them into my head, and more importantly, muscle memory. Hopefully my growing belly doesn't make me too clumsy or unstable!

Question - what's your favourite and least favourite move in level three?

Have a great day everyone :)

Rest.

2011-10-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Our world is fast paced. Things to do, people to see, places to go. People boast to each other about how busy they are, how many important things they have to do in a day. Does anyone ever just sit in quiet? I think some people forget what that even sounds like. Between radio, computers, TV, cell-phones, there is a constant bombardment of marketing and entertainment vying for our attention. You have to consider that perhaps this self-perpetuated soundtrack to our lives may not be entirely beneficial.

My life has been overwhelming lately. Having my first baby, having to move - maybe even buy our first home. Level three, though it is a joy, does add to the stress. There's work, friends, family, appointments and obligations. Then of course there a million other things each day that demand our attention. Sometimes, we know we just need some rest.

The thing we need to know, is that it's okay. We don't have to feel guilty. We're allowed to rest.

Maybe you work a stressful job, or you're a busy mother, or you're just going through a hectic time where life seems to be moving so fast that you can't keep up. Whatever it may be, sometimes the most valuable time you spend can be a time in quiet, in rest. This may be a weekend away, an evening to yourself, or even just a few minutes in the shower where you can take a moment to breathe. Obviously how long you take depends on your obligations, but even the shortest break can do wonders for your spirit - and therefore for those around you as well.

Here are some ideas for your mini get-away:

Turn off the car radio and just drive in silence for a while.
Go into another room, even the bathroom, and take a few minutes to just breathe.
Wake up before everyone else in your home and take some time to read, meditate, or write.
Look at your schedule, at obligations you said yes to when you wanted to say no. Clear some of them out - and don't let yourself feel guilty.
Tell Daddy he's in charge for a while, lock yourself in the bathroom and enjoy a long steamy bath and glass of wine.
Stop at a park on your way home, and if you have time, take a walk around.
If you have the babysitters/time/money book yourself a hotel for a night. Enjoy a full 24 hours alone with your thoughts and whatever you enjoy most.

Though I don't do it as often as I'd like, I'm a huge advocate for meditation. Regardless of your beliefs, it can be a great tool to lead a less stressful life and be a more peaceful person. Here is a link to a website I like that provides guided meditations. Some are short, some are longer, depending on how much time you have and what you'd like to focus on. Click here to go to The Meditation Room.

Enjoy whatever rest you give yourself, and return to your life and the ones you love with a refreshed spirit! :)

Level 3.3 Arabic Hip Twist Flourish and Wrap-Around Turn

2011-09-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Well let's be honest, yesterday was a rough day. The cliche's of pregnancy stuck me one after another with everything from nausea to exhaustion to crazy mood swings to heartburn. Needless to say, I wanted to go home and sleep after work. (Which, to make matters worse, ended at 7 in the evening). I had no energy to practice any Doubleback on my lunch, and I wondered if I'd be able to do it at all in class. Of course, I still had to go. I'd have to be close to dying before I'd miss a class. Ha!

Everybody is always so happy and positive in class, I felt a bit better immediately. We went into warm-up and I messed up a simple step-touch excercise. Uh oh... I really hoped that wasn't a sign of things to come. Puja was calming as always, and then we began dancing. The great thing about it is you can't think anymore. You just have to dance. Before I knew it my teacher had cued the Doubleback. My feet started going right away and though my arms were a sloppy for a few beats they remembered by the time she changed the move again. That's pretty much how it was the rest of the night, maybe a little sloppy, but my feet and hips moved before I even knew what was happening! Way better than I thought it would be. Egyptian Full Turn has been going well, and Reshamka is fun. Fading is still very intimidating for me but I'm sure it'll get better as we practice more.

New move number one - Arabic Hip Twist Flourish. This one is very straightforward! Cue with a gaze on 1, complete the hip twist to 4, then do a spin for 4 counts with arms raised. Needs a bit of practice to be smoother, but just like the Egyptian half-turn it has a very clear cue and very simply addition to a move I already know. (Much appreciated after the Doubleback brain-splosion of last week!)

The second new move is one I think I'm falling in love with. A slow move called the Wrap-Around Turn. In my opinion it is a very plain, understated, even misleading name for such a beautiful move. Regardless, this slow turn is Flamenco influenced and very elegant. It has 'feelings' - which is a new concept my dance teacher is introducing as a popular one in Level 3.

This gorgeous painting of a Flamenco dancer is by Fabian Perez. I love how he conveys the strength in her arms - the same tension we should have in 'Part 2' of the Wrap-Around Turn.

The Wrap-Around Turn begins with the feeling of 'gathering'. The left arm sits behind the back as the right arm slides in front, dramatically pulling the audience in towards yourself. The second feeling is 'tension'. The move turns around and weight sinks coyly into the right hip. Hands do a reverse floreo to the sides and then rise - with said 'tension'. The head is turned slightly to the left, giving the audience a mysterious bit of profile to admire. Then lastly, the feeling is 'release' as the dancer completes a Corkscrew Turn spin all the way back to the front. The Wrap-Around Turn is mysterious, dramatic and magnetic. Beautiful. I can't wait to improve at this one and perform it with confidence!

* By the way, my dance teacher was recently in Oregon for training from Carolena and she purchased the book 'Tribal Talk'. She's been meaning to get it for a long time and now that she has it she wondered why she waited so long! Fat Chance Belly Dance used to have a newsletter and 'Tribal Talk' is full of the best (and still relevant) articles. Here is a link if you want to take a peek: Tribal Talk

Your Only Impulse Should Be to Dance!

2011-09-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I found an interesting video on Ted Talks. Benjamin Zander is a conductor, speaker, and leading interpreter of Beethoven and Mahler. In this talk he speaks about the love of his life, classical music. He explains how a student of piano progresses from novice to intermediate, and how it comes through in the music.

The video is just over 20 minutes long, so if you don't have time, the part i'm referring to is 1:00 until about 3:30 - if you can, the entire Ted Talk is worth the watch.

You can watch it from YouTube in the player above, or click >Here< to go to the original Ted Talk page.

Zander notes how the learning of a skill progresses. The novice puts an impulse, an emphasis or concentration if you will, on every key. They have to think about each note as a separate entity. As their skill increases, they don't have to think so much about each note - their fingers know where to go and the emphasis is on fewer notes. Finally they become so proficient that they place even emphasis on an entire phrase of notes - one impulse for an entire stretch of music. This is where the magic happens! The notes are smooth, beautifully running into one another with no hesitation.

This idea of impulses can be applied to dance as well. A beginner concentrates on each facet of each move, and you can see it in their bodies - the concentration as they move between each motion. There's nothing wrong of course, this is just the start and I'm sure we all looked a little jerky and robotic in the very beginning. However, when you look at a professional dancer - Carolena Nericcio, Rachel Brice, etc - you will see no impulse, no jerky hesitant movements. Their motions run gracefully together in a stream of dance.

You can see this easily when you watch videos of Fat Chance Belly Dance, and other extremely skilled troupes as well. Why do they seem so graceful? So in sync and smooth? Other troupes may do the exact same movements, but you cannot deny the certain 'je ne sais quoi' that FCBD possesses. Well, now you do know what - they have so few impulses. Their skill has grown so great that they are playing their instrument with only one impulse.

Let me give you another example. The Reverse Turn in ATS. It is a slow move, and there are 5 basic motions within the move. 1 - Floreos above the head. 2 - The right hand moves down and both hands floreo. Gaze cues the turn. 3 - Both hands do a floreo as the body turns. 4 - Hands floreo to each side of the body. 5 - Right hand moves up as hands floreo once more.

When I learned this move, I did each part as if it was a separate move. I was doing the move, yes, but robotically. Now that I've improved, most of the move has smoothed out. I'd honestly guess I have maybe 2 or 3 impulses on the move now - the first floreos flow easily together, the turn I still have to focus on, and then the last two floreos flow together. My dance teacher, on the other hand, has one impulse on the entire move. Each motion flows into the next without the need for concentration. We do the same move, but because her practice and skill has so minimized her impulses, she looks a hundred times more graceful than I.

Here is a video of Carolena dancing slow. Notice how she moves without any pause or hesitation. She is dancing on one impulse, as we should all aspire to. There is a Reverse Turn at 0:40. Enjoy the video :)

This Belly Dancer Has Big Belly News!!!

2011-09-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! So it's finally time to share my little secret...

I'm having a baby!

So my belly dancing is going to turn into big baby belly dancing!! :) The little one is due on March 27, which makes me just over 3 months along. My man and I are very excited. This is our first child and the first grandchild on both sides as well! :)

I hope this may shed some light on my lack of posts and tutorials over the month of August - I was exhausted! Literally aside from work, sleep, eating and dance class I was a lump on the couch. I was lucky and didn't have any 'morning sickness' persay but all day nausea was just about as bad!! Luckily that is gone now and I'm feeling much better.

Now obviously this is a dance blog, so I'm only going to be talking about my pregnancy as it impacts my dancing. However if you are interested in following my progress, you're welcome to follow or check up on my pregnancy blog - Baby Adventures. I'll put a link at the top of the sidebar as well.

Thank-you for all your support. If you have any dancing-through-pregnancy advice I'm all ears - or questions too, maybe I'll be able to answer them eventually! Have a wonderful day!

Love,

Chella & Baby

Tutorial: Hair Flower

2011-09-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Flowers are beautiful to wear in your hair for dance, and for everyday as well. You can buy them in stores, but I find they're either really cheap (and really scruffy looking) or beautiful - and really pricey. Here is an easy way to make them yourself! Even better, it gives you a very sturdy hair flower, so it won't fall off after the first wear! ;)

You will need:

Flowers
Fabric
Large bobby pins
Glue gun and glue
Scissors
Sparkles and white glue (optional)

Step One:

Cut fabric to be a backing. The flowers I used had three main petals, so a triangle shape worked well. Depending on the shape of your flower you can use a square pattern instead. The brown piece of fabric (you can see the white reverse of it) is stronger, so it'll be the main backing. The pink will overlap in the back, so it has to have enough to fold over.

Here are some patterns to give you an idea - the red line shows you where to cut to be able to fold the fabric over the bobby pin.

Step Two:

As above, you will fix the backing onto the bobby pin. In picture one the pink is slid into place. In picture two you can see I've used the hot glue gun to keep it sturdy. In picture 3 I've glued the brown to the bobby pin and pink fabric. In picture 4 and 5 you can see I spread glue on the top and folded over the pink. Picture 6 shows the final base - secure and tidy looking.

Step Three:

Glue the flower on! You can wear it already, but I wanted to add a little extra sparkle to my flowers.

I used plain white glue and 'Crystal Snow' sparkles, both from Michaels. Put a line of glue wherever you want the flower to glisten. I just did the edges and very middle of each flower. Sprinkle the sparklies over your flower and shake the excess off. (Make sure to do this over paper so you can collect the extra and use them for the next flower!) Then just let them dry - and voila!

Below you can see how the flower looks before and after the glue dries. I love the extra shimmer!

Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! If you have any requests let me know! :)

Level 3.2 Arabic 1-2-3 and Double Back

2011-09-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday leading up to dance was not fun. Long long day at work, on the late shift, and I ended up staying even later as I was still dealing with a client! (I work at a travel agency). Anyways by the time I got to class I was tired, hungry, and in a bit of a foul mood! Luckily warm-up and puja helped calm me a bit, at least enough to focus on the tasks at hand.

Arabic 1-2-3 is fairly straightforward. Cue an arabic, bring arms to the sides and take two steps forward, then level down with three chest drops. My brain fully comprehends this. My body however needs to learn to do the chest drops purposely and sharply. In ATS I have been used to chest lifts - and really the drop should come naturally after that - but this will definetly take some slow-mo practice! I'm excited to learn to isolate my chest better though. It always amazes me in tribal fusion how they can isolate their muscles so well and then layer the different isolations.

Then came the Double Back. My dance teacher was very kind and built up the move slowly, feet first. Then hips, and the two came together more easily than I expected. Once she brought in the arms, my brain was getting overwhelmed. Then she let us know that this is the other move where we perform military pattern on the zills! I love military pattern, any more intricate zill pattern gets me all excited - but all the components together seemed like insanity!

As long as I could watch my teacher I was fine. I've realised I'm an extremely visual learner and if I just watch her, I can almost imagine that I am her and her motions become my motions - I think this takes away from the logical thinking that I'm so bad at and lets my body learn more naturally. I knew though, that as soon as the pace quickened or we had to start on our own, things were going to get very tricky. We all attempted it in the group, and even though my mind was saying "heeeell no" I did give it a go. I got it maybe a couple times during the entire song haha.

This one is going to take A LOT of practice. Of course, like any of the really difficult ATS moves - it is beautiful. I can't wait for the moment it finally 'clicks'!

I do have good news too though! After practicing, Reshamka and the Egyptian Full-Turn came a lot easier in class this week. Can't wait to feel the same way about this weeks moves! :)

Headwrap Tutorial

2011-09-20T16:53:00.000-07:00

One of the key elements of an American Tribal Style belly dance costume used to be the Headwrap. Now it is not used quite as much anymore, but the skill of creating a beautiful headwrap should still be in any ATS dancer's arsenal. If you had a look at my Headwrap Inspiration post you will have a good idea of how they're supposed to look. In this post I will tell you the basics of how to actually create it! Enjoy :)

You will need:

Black broadcloth fabric - 3 yards (I think it would help to have a little bit of stretch, but either way)
Other accent scarfs of varying colours, styles, etc
Accessories - any jewelry, flowers, feathers, clips, adornments etc
You may want safety pins or sewing pins to fix some accessories to the headwrap

Now lets get started!

Step One:

Put your hair into a high bun as in picture a). If you have short hair, you will need clips and bobby pins to get your hair off your neck and forehead.

Step Two:

Take your broadcloth and fold it in half lengthwise. The folded edge will cover your forehead as in picture b). Make sure the rest of the length is even on each side.

Step Three:

Twist the fabric outwards. Make sure the twist begins at your hairline and is evenly taut on each side. (c).

Step Four:

Cross the lengths of fabric in the back and bring them out on either side in the front. (d).

Step Five:

Cross the fabric over your forehead as in picture e) and twist each piece around the other. It will look sort of like a knot, but really each length of fabric is just looped around the other.

Step Six:

Tuck the ends into the back of the headwrap, wherever it looks even and won't fall out.

Step Seven:

Choose another scarf or two, even hip scarves work, and wrap them around your head. Tuck the ends so it will not come apart.

Step Eight.

Fix any adornments you have such as flowers, feather or jewelry onto your head wrap. Done!

These last two steps are what really make the headwrap your own. You can match the colours to coordinate with the rest of your outfit, or choose a certain style to go for. Bright scarves will be very fun, flowers and feathers are eye-catching, and dark or monochrome colour schemes with more regal jewelry can look very elegant.

I hope this tutorial gives you a basic idea of how to put together your very own ATS Headwrap!

Beautiful silk fabric flowers provided by Sareen Dream - follow her on Twitter now too! @Sareen_Dream

Also, a big thanks to my beautiful littler sister for being my model :) She'll be helping me with more hair and make-up tutorials in the future!

Level 3.1 Egyptian Full Turn, Reshamka and Fading

2011-09-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

The first lesson of Level Three is now over! I was sooo excited to begin - and as soon as it did that old familiar feeling came back. The feeling that I can just barely keep my head above water! We learned the Egyptian Full Turn, Reshamka and Fading. I did them to the best of my ability, but my brain was close to exploding! We had a blast learning and dancing together :)

The Egyptian Full Turn wasn't bad. Easy, clear cue that I'm used to and makes perfect sense. The thing I'll have to work on is turning quickly, with balance, and transitioning smoothly into the next move. The turn happens so fast you have to know exactly what you're going to change to at the front if you're leading. As a follower, you have to watch very carefully to see what the leader will do to match as quickly as possible - which isn't unlike any other move in ATS, it just happens a little faster! Ideally it'll turn into a beautiful, quick, smooth spin... eventually! ;)

I was excited to learn Reshamka, it looked simple but sassy and fun when I saw it in videos online. In class, it is indeed relatively simple, fun and sassy - but the hand movement is trickier than it looks! It's like wringing a cloth, which is easy and comes naturally if that's all you're doing. Add in the zills and raising arms from the hips to above your head and somehow the cloth wringing turns to dog patting or pyschotic waving! I think some slow-mo Reshamka is in the works for my practices! I also kept starting my "1" too high, so that beats 1-4 were way too close together by where the "4" should go, so I'll have to pace myself and really start from the hips. I think that move will be a lot of fun though!

Fading. Enter, the ATS Mindmeld. Honestly, I think it's amazing, but I'm not the *biggest* fan. I like clear, straightforward cues. Tell me exactly what to do and I will do it. This formation depends on watching for a possible cue and then not knowing exactly what will happen. If you are in the 2nd position spot you may decide to follow and move forward to fade, or you may zone out completely and wonder why your leader is moving so far back and getting an increasingly preturbed look on her face - not that I would know anything about that! ;) If you are in the 4th position you have to watch the 2nd to see what they decide to do. The transition of fading is really beautiful, and I'm sure not all that complicated, but last night it was a bit overwhelming! It will require lots of practice in class and lots of forgiveness between the students!

Overall, the night went well. I kept my head above water and didn't lose concentration. We are learning so much so fast, and I think we all had fun. This class going to take a lot more practice and diligence than I've committed to previously, but hey thats what I signed up for! I just really hope I can keep up and make my dance teacher proud! Til next time ;)

*Head Wrap Tutorial is still on it's way I promise!! ;)

ATS Headwrap Inspiration

2011-09-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

A headwrap used to be a staple in ATS costume. They have since been mostly outdone by hair gardens and more simple updos, but a head wrap will always be classic ATS. In fact, the ability to make one is a skill that each American Tribal Style Belly Dancer should possess. You can count on a tutorial soon!

For today, however, let's admire some beautiful dancers who have employed the regality and exotic feature of a head wrap in their own costume. Take note of the black undercloth, the many styles and colours of scarves overtop, as well as the flowers and jewelry used to adorn the headwrap. Enjoy! :)

Starting Level 3 - & Questions for YOU!

2011-09-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! First off I just want to say:

Thank-you!

to those who read my blog on a daily/weekly basis. I hope you enjoy it, and if there is a certain type of post you'd like to see more of or any tutorial you're looking for, please email me at thetribalway@gmail.com and I'll do my best for you!

I just wanted to share my excitement with you guys - next week I start Level Three in my ATS bellydance class! I started dancing a year ago on September 21, and I've been in level Two since January. My dance teacher chose a very small group of her students to begin level Three, so I am completely humbled and shocked but SO SO SO excited to be a part of it.

I really have no idea what to expect, but I know just like beginning any new level that there will be some things that come naturally, and some parts I will struggle with. I know my coordination has improved throughout the year, and my confidence has definitely increased, so I'm feeling positive and ready to be 'nice to myself' when it gets difficult.

So I may do updates from time to time on how Level Three is going. You guys know I'm no professional, nor am I a dance teacher - nothing like that, just a student. Just learning as best I can - and sharing with you anything I think you might enjoy! Please let me know if there are any questions you have about my life or my dancing.

Also, two new features on the sidebar -

my STORE (products used/mentioned in this blog) & my FAVOURITE QUOTES - enjoy!! :)

Have a wonderful day, keep smiling, and keep dancing!

Chella

The Magic of Lemon Water

2011-09-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

Some people may see lemon as nothing more than a garnish, others might be experienced cooks and use it to give flavour to their dishes.

Whichever end of the scale you're at, you deserve to know the benefits of the simplest, inexpensive, most beneficial recipe ever:

lemon + water

This easy to make drink can have a big impact on your health. Here's why:

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C
They also contain vitamin B, riboflavin, calcium, magnesium, proteins, carbohydrates and other vitamins and minerals
Lemon water can relieve indigestion such as: heartburn, bloating, belching, gas, nausea and constipation
When you have a cold, lemon water cuts down phlegm and acts as an antibacterial in your throat
Consumed daily, lemon water is great for your skin - anti-aging and reduces acne!
Helps protect against bad breath
Aids weight loss
Strengthens the liver
Prevents and helps to cure urinary tract infections
Purifies the blood with antioxidants
Helps the body process sugar
Cleans out the intestines and gets things 'moving along'
Tooth aches, gingivitis and other mouth/gum problems can be relieved by lemon water - the antiseptic properties will aid healing, and any bleeding, swelling and pain is said to be alleviated as well
Can help break a fever
Reduces high cholesterol
Very alkalizing for the body

I could keep going, but I'll let you discover some of the benefits for yourself. I know if I've eaten too much chocolate or sugar and along with regret I've gotten a 'sugar' induced headache - a glass of lemon water is the cure. I've also used lemon water to alleviate heartburn, bloating, sore throat and other problems - so I can attest to its power!

So how much is enough?

The average person can have one to two glasses of lemon water a day. Use the juice of half a lemon for each glass. People over 155 lbs can use a whole lemon per glass.

Tips:

If it's just too tart for you, add some honey. Honey may be sweet, but its benefits are endless as well.
Start small. Use a slice of lemon first and build up until you can handle the juice of half a lemon.
Use a straw! The citric acid in lemons might have an small adverse effect on teeth enamel after prolonged use.

For more info click >Here< and >Here<. Now go buy some lemons! :)

Eeeeeeeeee Elbows!

2011-08-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

American Tribal Style is a dance form which prides itself on excellent posture. We create elegant lines with our bodies that show strength and grace. From the soft but strong curve of our arms, slightly bent knees, to keeping our pelvis tilted and lower abs engaged so we're never sticking our tushies out - ATS posture conveys stability and confidence.

A crucial element to remember when keeping correct ATS form is our elbows. How many videos have you seen on youtube where you see the dance but you don't feel the strength? If you look at their arms you might have your answer. All too often elbows are let dangle and droop where they are not meant to.

Granted, there are a few exceptions - Ghawazee Shimmy, Shoulder Shimmy Hip-Drop, etc. but generally these principles apply. Let's have a look at how elbows should be - engaged and elegant. EEE!

The first thing to remember about elbows is (except for a few select moves) they should be perpendicular to your body - never drooping. here are some examples:

You can see these dancers emanate strength and poise - and their elbows never fall below the yellow line - the arms are held up so they are perpendicular or even higher.

The other way we display strength through our elbows is by keeping them engaged. This is slightly different when we have them up (as in the Egyptian) or down (right arm in Reverse Turn).

If the arms are up as in an Egyptian, Arabic, etc. the elbows should be gently pulling backwards - away from the audience. In this way we show the soft curve in the arm - rather than showing the elbow pointing directly ahead and the arm looking straight or falling forward.

If the arms are down, we want to pull the elbow forward, toward the audience. Again, to elegantly show the full side and soft curve of the arm.

This is a little bit harder to explain, but here are some examples I hope will clarify:

In the first picture, especially in the dancers left arm you can see how she has a soft curve in her arm and the elbow is pointing out, almost back - not to the front. The lovely ladies to the right all show how the arms curve and elbows flex slightly backwards as well. Beautiful engaged, elegant elbows. EEE!

At first it takes great awareness of your body to remember to hold your elbows in this way. It may take time to drill into your head but eventually it will become automatic.

Chorus is an important time to remember your EEE as well, especially during slow songs. When performing taxeem or ribcage rotations our arms are in a soft curve, but down by our sides. We can show strength even then by pulling the elbows forward.

Hope this helps you look strong and elegant while dancing!! Just remember: EEEEEE!

Disclaimer:
I am NOT a dance teacher nor professional. I do not claim to be a perfect dancer or perfect advisor in dance technique. This is just me passing on what I have learned in my classes in hopes it will help you!

Style Inspiration: Vintage Belly Dance

2011-08-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Belly dance is an ancient artform, and as we all know trends tend to repeat themselves. Let's have a look at these beautiful dancers of old and be inspired by their costumes and grace. :)

100 Reasons to Belly Dance

2011-08-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

1. It's FUN. 2. You meet awesome people. 3. Muscles grow in places you didn't think you had them. 4. The jewelry. 5. Endless colour combinations. 6. Shimmying. 7. Decreased stress. 8. Improved flexibility. 9. Better sex. 10. Festivals and performances to go to. 11. Finally a place other than the beach or pool to show off tummy rings or tattoos. 12. Increased confidence. 13. Great reason to dress up. 14. Crazy Eye-liner. 15. Weight loss. 16. Lean muscle gain. 17. Your posture will improve. 18. Backaches and feet problems might be averted by better posture. 19. Self-awareness. 20. Self-confidence. 21. Learning to trust others. 22. Better sleep. 23. Reduces anxiety. 24. Lower risk of heart disease and cancer. 25. Alleviate and reduce depression. 26. Strengthens your immune system. 27. Makes you more graceful. 28. Better self-esteem. 29. New friendships. 30. Wearing jingly items - coin bra's/belts etc. 31. The music. 32. Learning about other cultures. 33. More smiling. 34. Good preparation for birth. 35. Increased flexibility. 36. Improves muscle control. 37. Getting to wear super bright/dark eye make-up. 38. Your spouse/partner will like it. 39. Humility - it's a lot harder than people might think. 40. Huge earrings. 50. Sense of community and connection grows. 51. Learn how to spin without getting dizzy. 52. Feel more feminine. 53. Improves oxygen intake. 54. Playing with swords. 55. Perform. 56. Sense of accomplishment. 57. Facing your fears. 58. Improves endurance. 59. Endless outlet for creativity. 60. An addiction that is good for you. 61. Learn how to wrap a turban. 62. Flowers galore. 63. Beautiful fabrics. 64. Sparkly things. 65. Expand your comfort zone. 66. Henna - and showing it off! 67. Bindis. 68. Haflas! 69. Learning a musical instrument - zills 70. Dancing with friends. 71. Stay in shape. 72. Fun blogs to read ;) 73. Shopping! 74. Increased muscle tone. 75. Increased energy. 76. JOY. 77. Acceptance for others and ourselves grows. 78. Increased spirituality. 79. Relieves PMS. 80. Improved social life. 81. Shock ex's and old classmates. 82. Better circulation. 83. *Can* be a relatively inexpensive hobby. 84. Hobby that can eventually bring income and even become profession. 85. Self-expression. 86. Increased passion for life. 87. Better balance. 88. To feel alive. 89. Improved concentration and focus. 90. The endorphins. 91. Deeper connection to women all over the world, past, present and future. 92. Something to do when music moves you. 93. Decreased cynicism and negativity. 94. Longer life. 95. Travel to places you might not have otherwise gone. 96. Treasure hunting in thrift stores. 97. Creating new costumes or accessories. 98. Introduce friends and family to more cultures. 99. Impress others and feel great. 100. Did I mention it's FUN?

For a humourous take on 'Reasons to Bellydance' click here!

My Beginning in Dance: Part Three

2011-08-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

So I kept going, week after week, loving the dance in spite of my inability, lusting after those costumes even though I felt I was no where near deserving of them. The zilling came naturally to my musical side and was a redeeming feature when the Egyptian - and by that time, Circle Step - was driving me a bit too crazy.

Then came the shimmy.

My flat little butt remembered it's long-forgotten Shakira-induced desire to shake. Our teacher diligently showed us 6 different ways for our bodies and brains to understand the shimmy, making us laugh the whole way. Gradually, it came. And it was So. Much. Fun! All of us ladies were beaming. The trust we had gained from each other during our many bumbling group dances strengthened and we were dancing improv together! Pivot bump! Egyptian! Arabic! Shimmy shimmy shimmy!

I don't think I decided for sure that I wanted to continue dancing in a new session until lesson 6 - the very last class. We worked on our shimmies more, on our zilling and then at the end we did a shimmy drill. For seven minutes we shimmied! We turned our shimmies and walked our shimmies backwards and forwards and turned again. Our teacher motioned for us to get into a circle, and like good little dance students we giggled and found our places.

We danced and shimmied and turned in that circle - connected to one another and yet each of us dancing with her own unique style and confidence. It was possibly the most joy I had felt since my life had been catapulted into chaos that past February. There was no way I was letting that feeling escape. I haven't stopped dancing since then.

When think of the first time I danced in a group, stressing over not understanding the Egyptian, and the few discouraging moments where I thought I couldn't keep going, I can't imagine what my life would be like now if I had let that stop me. Most things worth doing are difficult, and learning to belly dance is no exception.

If I had let my failures and self-doubt keep me from going back to class, I'd be missing out now on one of my greatest joys. Now I love improv in groups with my dance friends - we laugh at our mistakes, congratulate our improving skills and zaghareet after! The Egyptian eventually did succumb to my will, and I've learned many more moves since.

I hope this encourages you, on bad days, to keep going. Whatever you're up against today is no match for your perseverance. One day you can look back and see where you've been, and look forward with excitement and joy at what's yet to come.

'On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined!' ~ Lord Byron

If you'd like to share your story, please email me at thetribalway@gmail.com

My Beginning in Dance: Part Two

2011-08-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

I was excited and also very nervous about venturing into this unfamiliar territory. My first belly dance class arrived on a Tuesday evening, and the ice was broken as we stood in a circle and said our names. I wore a tank top and black yoga pants - others were in beautiful full skirts and these adorable little crop-tops I had never seen before. They had very ornate looking earrings, and antique belts - but even better was the joy they radiated! They couldn't wait to start dancing and their enthusiasm filled the room, permeating even my shakey nerves with assurance.

My new teacher began by explaining the basics of ATS, how it is a language of moves and each has a cue. She described how ATS dancers from different corners of the world could meet, and even if they could barely understand one another, they could perform a beautifully improvised set with no rehearsal whatsoever. This concept was new and intriguing. Even moreso was my teacher, as she spoke with such passion about the dance. She proceeded to show us the moves we would be going over that evening. She moved with such skill and grace, it was mesmerizing. Suddenly I found myself coveting her skills and passion for dance, and I knew I'd do whatever I could to develop them.

As she taught us the moves my clumsy body did it's best to cooperate. My left/right dyslexic tendencies did not make things any easier, and my general lack of coordination would have been a hilarity to observe I'm sure. I think by the end of the night, I could successfully do the Pivot Bump! Lovely and simple and my sole ego boosting (preserving?) move for the rest of the session - particularly after the dreaded Egyptian, which my brain could not comprehend. So, I thought, she wants my feet to move a certain way, while my hips take turns bumping up and forward - and she has the nerve to ask my arms to move as well? Don't forget the count - and then adding a turn?

Are you KIDDING me?!

Then came dancing in groups. Our dance teacher conceded that yes, this might be scary, but there has to be a first time! You can get through this! Well I did - barely. My anxious tears didn't fall and a sweet woman in a bright skirt brushed my arm with a motherly touch. She told me I did well, and that it'd get better. Maybe I did, or maybe she just saw my eyes glisten, still - she saved the day.

There were a couple nights I went home after dance and had a few self-pity tears. I felt like my limbs were in cahoots against me and I'd never improve. My emotions were also still very fragile from the anxiety and hurt that spring had brought me. And to top it off, my pride was hurt. Like I said, I'd never done anything like this before. I was used to being 'good' at art and music, not quite so challenged like this. But I was still determined to finish up the 6 weeks. I'd paid for them, and I'd promised myself I'd complete it, if just to say 'I tried'.

I had to keep going.

Part Three tomorrow :)

My Beginning in Dance: Part One

2011-08-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Oh Shakira. Really, you could say she was what got me started dancing. In spite of friends mimicking her by bleating at me like a goat, I've been a fan for years. In high school I remember watching her music videos and attempting a shimmy for the first time. Of course, back then I didn't know it was called a shimmy - I just tried to shake my booty as fast as I possibly could. (This was usually done alone, so as not to frighten anyone...)

I loved watching the dancing in Objection and the belly dance type moves in Whenever, Wherever. Such fun! I began to think belly dancing would be a fun way to get some excercise - little did I know what obsession was in store for me years later.

I tossed around the idea of learning to belly dance with a friend, but we didn't know where to start and schedules never seemed to cooperate. Dancing went to the back of my head.

Then in February 2010 my world turned upside down: in one day I moved out of my house, bought a car and said goodbye to the 4 year relationship I had been in. This caused more pain than I knew I could endure at times, and lead to months of struggling with depression, anxiety and a very skewed self-image.

Getting back on my feet included going out with friends, gaining my confidence - even beginning to date again. Still, I needed something for myself. Something that could bring new friendships, better health, and much needed joy. So finally a friend and I worked out a schedule and committed to going to 6 weeks of dance class.

Now I have to give you a picture of what I was like pre-dancing. I was one of *those* girls. You know, any excuse to miss gym, never been to a fitness class in my life, heck - the bowling balls at the local bowling alley hurt my arms! My hobbies had always centered more around music, arts and crafts.

Going into this class, I knew it was going to be difficult. I decided if I could just get through it, I could at least have that small sense of accomplishment. I had no idea at the time how much I was underestimating the challenge and the gratification that would come from these classes, or how they would change my life.

Part Two tomorrow! :)

Tribal Fashion DIY

2011-08-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

Tribal style is everywhere this summer - wait, where have we heard that before? A great way to update our wardrobe is with an easy to make DIY statement piece. Have a look and enjoy adapting these great ideas into your own stylish, tribal fashion!

Check out the tutorial >Here<

Tutorial >Here<

Just glue/sew on!

Sew super long feather onto a piece of fabric, glue to a clip and voila!

Tutorial >Here<

Info >Here<

Tutorial >Here<

Video Spotlight: Silver Wolf Clan

2011-08-07T18:13:00.000-07:00

Silver Wolf Clan, or Clan della Lupa Argentea, is a FCBD sister studio located in Italy. Their student troupe is Tengri Tribe.

Enjoy :)

They have a beautiful gallery of photos on their website as well, lots of outside shots which I love! Have a look here: http://www.erikadellacqua.com/Erika/Photos.html

Healthy Summer Smoothies

2011-08-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

My favourite, refreshing, light summer snack (or lunch) is a delicious fruit smoothie. Healthy and filling, it's a perfect post-dance practice treat! Just thought I'd share how I make them! Enjoy :)

Ingredients:

Half a banana
One cup frozen mixed berries
1-2 cups milk - (I use almond or coconut milk)
1-2 tblsp almond chunks/slices (You can find these in the bulk section of your grocery store)
1 tsp icing sugar
Any health powder you want to add - protein/greens etc.

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to your blender, mix and enjoy!

Tips:

This makes one smoothie - just double it if you're sharing with a friend!
I use the magic bullet blending system, which is great because I can just make a quick smoothie for myself and there is very little clean-up. A normal blender works fine too.

The icing sugar is not necessary, so just eliminate it if you are avoiding sugar.
Use yogourt instead of milk if you want a thicker consistency.
You might wonder about the almonds, but it adds a nice crunch and good protein to the smoothie.
I usually add a tablespoon of my greens mix:

Hope you're all having a beautiful summer!

Please comment below with your favourite smoothie flavours and recipes :)

Tribal Fusion ~ Costuming Inspiration

2011-07-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Tribal Fusion costuming is an artform - not unlike any dancers costume. However, fusion always seems to take a step over the edge. Often busy, ornate, and less colourful than other dance costumes, the performer has less boundaries and is able to fully inject her own style into the outfit.

Cascading fabrics, layers and layers of jewels and chain, feathers and cowries - and don't even get me started on the dramatic make-up that seems so perfect with this look - that will be another post. ;)

Be inspired...

The Power of Rejection

2011-07-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

I'm not talking about the kind of rejection you're thinking of - when we're turned down by something we want. I'm talking about how we can use the power of rejecting negativity to our advantage.

You know that inner banter that can sometimes turn so negative? The critic within starts telling us that we're not good enough, not beautiful, not worthy. How many times a day do you struggle with this? How many times a day do you hear some backwards phrase whispered into your ears - by yourself? Sometimes we just need to stand up and shout:

I OBJECT!

If you don't stand up for yourself, who will? Sometimes we really need to be our own best friend, defend ourselves, and reject negativity. Don't even give that inner critic a second to start tearing you down - reject it immediately. Remind yourself, 'Actually, self, I AM a great person, I AM beautiful, I AM loveable, and everything is going to be OKAY. So SHUT IT!' Get tough! You'll find your confidence grows by sticking up for yourself - even though it's only against you.

Some people might think that it sounds crazy to speak to yourself like that, that the only words that can hurt are the ones spoken by other people. That's not true! Often the most harmful lies are the ones we tell ourselves. Our biggest enemy can be our own mind - or we can be our biggest advocate.

It's up to you. Listen to the lies, the critiques, the twisting of reality - and let yourself crumble into despair. Or, reject your inner critic. Reject the negativity. Reject your self-doubt. Stand up for yourself and choose a new thought, a positive idea, a thankful attitude.

Whether it's in dancing or your personal life, please remember today that you are beautiful. You are worthy. You are going to be okay, and if something truly negative is happening, let it make you stronger.

Here are some encouraging quotes:

Whatever a person's mind dwells on intensely and with firm resolve, that is exactly what he becomes.
- Shankaracharya

You are never given a dream without also being given the ability to make it come true.

- Unknown

Stop and appreciate what you have today. Look at what you have with wider eyes, with more compassion and more gratitude for the things that you do have.
- M. Imperioli

Accept who you are; and revel in it.

- M. Albom

Thoughts are boomerangs, returning with precision to their source. Choose wisely which ones you throw.

- Unknown

If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely.
If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative.
In our thoughts and words we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths.
Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts.We can always replace negative with positive.
- B. Eadie

Peace and love to all of you xo

The Basic American Tribal Style (ATS) Costume

2011-07-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

~ Skirts by Tribe Nawaar*

For people starting out in belly dance, you might not be required to wear anything fancy to your classes. My teacher allowed us to wear yoga/excercise clothes until we were comfortable wearing a skirt and choli. However as you dance longer, you want to wear the beautiful costumes! The question is, what to get?

Here are the facets of the basic ATS costume:

~ The Skirt ~

   These full skirts range from 10-16 yards for practice, and 25 yards for performances. They are commonly made from cotton, rayon, silk, and other fabrics. They are sewn in tiers, usually between 3 and 5, and the yardage is increased in each tier. They come in a range of colours, patterns and types (padma, jaipur,etc).

   Popular vendors* include: Flying Skirts, Wendy Balisle, and Tribe Nawaar

   You can also make your own skirt, which I have not yet attempted, but you can find tutorials online.

~ The Pantaloons ~

Pantaloons are a very full, loose pant, gathered at the top and at the ankles. They often have slits down the outside of the leg, however in ATS these slits normally aren't very long. Tribal Bazaar* sells a great range of pantaloons, and they are also quite easy to make yourself - so I am told. I'll link a tutorial here when I make my own!

~ The Choli ~

Choli's are a backless cropped top, usually with a deep 'V-neck'. They can be various sleeve lengths, and other details such as a sweetheart neckline (middle photo above), no sleeves, or cut out shoulders.

~ Hip Scarves/Tassel Belts/Fringe ~

Oh, the fun to be had! These are not required for practice but how pretty are they! There is such a variety of colour, texture, pattern and length that you can really begin to find your personal style with these items.

Check out more tassel belts >Here< and a tutorial on tassel making >Here< :)

~ The Coin Bra ~

Coin bras are not needed for practice either, but are a must have when you perform in ATS. They can be purchased or made, but if you have even an ounce of crafty-ness in you (and maybe a helpful friend) I think it makes much more sense to make these yourself. Not only will you save money, but you can ensure the bra fits you perfectly and you can tailor the bra to your exact tastes.

One warning though is that it should be covered enough that it is obviously a costume and no longer an 'intimate' item.

If you want more inspiration, have a look at the photos >Here< or check out my coin bra >Here<.

~ Hair ~

Turbans or headscarves used to be standard in ATS, (Headwrap tutorial here) however most dancers now wear what is called a Hair Garden, where silk flowers are fixed into the hair. Hair falls and sticks with feather or jewel adornment are also popular.

To give you an idea of what the progression might be, my very first item was a long purple fringe that i wore over my yoga pants. Then I got a skirt, and more scarves. I didn't start wearing a choli until level two. Now I have skirts, choli's, scarves, one tassel belt and one in the works. I still actually don't have any pantaloons so that will definetly be my next purchase! I hope this post helps you get an idea of what items you might need - and with all these links i'm sure you have some shopping to do!* Enjoy :)

You can also buy the pattern for the skirt, choli, pantaloons, and advice on the other facets as well, from Fat Chance Belly Dance and Folkwear* >HERE<

~ Skirts by Tribe Nawaar*

* I am not affiliated with or paid by any of the above linked companies, they are just places I like to shop. :)

Costume Organization

2011-07-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Close your eyes and think for a moment - you have all the belly dance costuming you could dream of. You have a huge closet to hang it all 'just so'. Chandeliers, Moroccan tapestries, whatever decor you prefer. Floor to ceiling mirrors to try on different combinations, chairs for friends who've come to help you pick out what to wear for your next performance.

Don't forget the handsome, shirtless man to clean it all up for you when you've made a mess.

Now wake up! Back to reality. (Aww...) Are your costumes stashed at the back of your closet? Do you forget about certain pieces because they've been lost in laundry? Are there items that have needed repair for months but you haven't gotten around to it? It's time for some organization.

First off, take inventory. Find all the belly dance costuming you own. If you wear it as everyday clothing, leave it with your everyday clothes.

Secondly, categorise. First make three piles - 'To Keep', "To Sell/Give away' and 'To Repair'

*You might also have a 'To Store' pile - items that you will no longer use but cannot bear to give away or sell.

For the 'To Repair' pile, take stock of what you need to fix - and what supplies you might need. Put these items on your grocery list, or in your phone or agenda so you can pick them up next time you're out. Then find a box, crate, bin, plastic storage unit - whatever works for you - to hold these items. Put this somewhere easily accessible so that when you get your supplies and have time you can fix them up.

For the 'To Sell/Giveaway' pile, first off giveaway anything you can to friends, or do swaps. You can even organize a swap night where you invite other dancers and instruct them to each bring a few things they are willing to trade. Then list or advertise what you want to sell. Keep these items packaged or kept safe for the potential buyer.

Now we can move on to the real work! The rest of your items are 'Keepers'. So how do we keep them organized and accessible?

Find a place in your home that can be designated for costuming. Whether this is an entire closet, part of a closet or a shelf, your things deserve a 'home'.
Categorise your items by type, and/or size. For instance, if you have lots of big skirts, you're going to need an area with some height so they don't have to be bunched up.
Give everything a place - each skirt, bedleh, choli, top - if it earned a place in your wardrobe it deserves its own hanger. Get creative, there are many styles out there. (Also remember not everything is best on a hanger though - for instance 25 yard skrits are too heavy and the fabric can stretch if it is hung.)

Velvet hangers are a great investment as the texture prevents tops from moving around (and falling off) and the flattened hanger preserves space. (Great for all your clothes really...)

Use storage for items that don't have to be hung. Plastic bins, weaved baskets, hat boxes on shelves, whatever works. Organise by category again, but remember to keep the things you use the most accessible.

Here are more tips for you:

When decluttering, here are some helpful questions to ask: "Will I need this in 6 months? 1 year?" "If I need this in the future but don't have it, will a replacement be difficult or costly to acquire?"
General rule of thumb - if you haven't worn in a year, you're not likely to.
If there is an item you're bored with, think if there is any way you could repurpose it. If so, add it to the 'To Repair' box and note supplies needed.
Use ziplock bags for small items that might be lost on their own.
Hang items by length.
Use baskets, bins, plastic drawer units - any storage can help you contain your costumes.

Of course, you can always just wear your costumes every day and mix them all in with your clothing! In that case, these organisation tips will have to be applied to your normal closet!

Thanks to twitter friends @DawnSehar @KaleenaRivera @Oonai and @erthefae for their suggestions :)

Please comment below and share tricks you use for organization!

Much luck with your organising! :)

Mixing up Your Practice

2011-07-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get in a bit of a rut with your practice? Maybe you're bored, maybe you feel like you're not improving - or worse - you feel like you've gotten worse! It happens to all of us. But what do we do?

I heard a quote once that said, 'To change all aspects of the spin, you must change only one thing'. There was a photo of a spiral and you could imagine if just one thing interrupted the perfect cylindrical waves, the entire pattern would be changed. Like a pebble dropped into a puddle changes the entire surface of water, one ripple at a time.

So what one thing can you change? Here are some ideas for spicing up your practice:

- New music
- New environment - try dancing outside and see if you aren't inspired!
- Watch performances of dancing online and on DVD's
- Go to a workshop, seminar or class
- If you usually have very structured practice times, let loose. Put on music and just have fun.
- Sometimes persistence pays off - if it is one specific move that is defeating you, do it over and over at different speeds until you conquer it. You will! It's only a matter of time!
- Make a goal for yourself - one hour of practice per day/perfect a certain move/ whatever it may be, and reward yourself at the end of the week when you have done it.
- Find someone you can teach some of what you know to. Sometimes explaining things to another helps you see them in a different light.
- Pretend you are your own teacher. What advice would you give yourself?
- Try dancing in a completely different costume than usual.
- Get a dance video - latin, ballroom, zumba, something you have never tried before.
- Write about it.
- Remember why you love this dance and all the things you have accomplished so far. Make LISTS!
- If the problem is boredom, maybe you need to be challenged. Ask your teacher for a private lesson where she can push you a bit harder and teach you more.

It's fine to be discouraged or have off days - or weeks - but we don't want to stay there. We want to keep growing and improving! This takes action so brainstorm your own ideas or use something from my list that might help you. Above all - do something. Take action, and change the spin.

Nothing worth doing is ever easy. - Unknown

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. -Albert Einstein

Shopping Spotlight: Fat Chance Belly Dance

2011-07-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

You knew you could watch their beautiful performances, be inspired by their costumes and grace, and be mesmerized by their technique. But did you know you can shop with them? Yes, it's true - for those who did not know, Fat Chance Belly Dance has a shop! And guess what else? Until August 31, most things are

25% off!!!

They carry everything from hip scarves to music to training DVDs to patterns to jewelry. Here is a sampling! (Click on the picture for the link)

So much fun stuff I can't even decide what I want. Now I've never ordered from them before, but I mean c'mon - it's FCBD. I'd expect nothing but the best!

Tutorial: Shisha Stitch

2011-07-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

She sews shisha by the seashore... say that ten times fast... I dare you! :)

Shisha is a stitch that is used to fix mirrors onto fabric. We see this a lot in belly dance costumes and accessories, so I thought it might be nice to have a tutorial for the DIYers out there! The mirror catches light and adds a shimmering sparkle, and the thread adds a nice pop of colour. It can be used on belts, coin bras - anything that needs a flickering decoration!

Here is an example of shisha on a belt I'm working on:

Let's get started! You will need:

Mirrors (I got a little bag of 3 different sizes from Michaels)
Thread and sewing needle
Fabric to practice on

Step One - Six:

Here you are making the first rectangle over the mirror. You will have to hold the mirror in place while you do so. Try to make these tight, and fairly close to each other, as they will form the first part of the base for the entire stitch. When you create the frame going around the mirror, the stitches will fall right off the mirror if these first base stitches are too loose.

This part is probably the most finicky and difficult as the mirror wants to slip away, so hold it tight in place (or use glue it if it won't ruin the fabric) and be patient with yourself!

Steps Seven - Eight:

Create a second perpendicular rectangle over top of the other. Again keep the stitches fairly tight and try to have these base stitches match up evenly.

Steps Nine - Twelve:

Now with our base stitches in place (as in picture 8), we will create the frame of colour around the mirror. Your needle should be at the back of the fabric. Start by threading the needle up through the fabric a few millimeters away from the mirror. Overlap the base stitches, pulling the needle through underneath and back into the fabric. This will determine the width of the frame around the mirror, and you will want to keep this distance the same around the circumference of the mirror.

Continue this around the entire mirror, making sure to put the stitches very close together so the frame is full and vibrant - not sparse with holes. There you have it! You have completed your shisha stitch and framed a shimmering little mirror on your dance costume!

(The cowries are just sewn on by their ends - a few loops on each and knotted off on the back securely.)

It's difficult to show where the threads and needle is going so I hope the pictures and description were clear enough. Good luck!

Colourful Costumes

2011-07-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

Just some eye candy this afternoon, enjoy these beautifully vibrant costumes and be inspired!

I'm sure you have noticed I'm a bit partial to the ATS costume, being an ATS student myself. If you have any links to a beautiful bedlah or other costuming you've been lusting after lately please comment below or email me at thetribalway@gmail.com and I will add your pictures! Thanks :)

Videos: FCBD and Carolena

2011-07-16T17:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a weekend treat for you! Some recent Fat Chance Belly Dance and Carolena performances! Enjoy :)

Tutorial: Feather Earrings

2011-07-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Now that we have an earring holder it only makes sense to add some stylish earrings to it don't you think? Feather earrings are all the rage this summer, so I'm going to show you how it's done! Simple but so pretty!

Equipment:

Feathers (I got mine from the Michaels, feather picks in the garland section)
Earring backings
Cord crimps/end caps

Scissors
Pliers

Step one: Pick two feathers that look similar in size. Cut them down.

Step Two: Cut them down a bit more and strip the top end.

Step Three: Get your end caps/cord crimps and put them using pliers. Press them securely closed.

Step Four: Using the pliers, attach the earring backing to the end cap.

Step 4 (Optional): Now you can leave the feathers like this if you like the length. I chose to cut mine so they were a bit smaller and more tailored looking. Which do you like better? I made some for a friend and she preferred them long.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial, if you want to see how to make any other earrings please send a link to thetribalway@gmail.com and I will do my best ;)

Have an awesome weekend!!

Steampunk Jewelry: Two for One Tutorials!

2011-07-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

Steampunk is a style that has worked it's way into Etsy, runways, and even belly dance. Now it's up to you how far you take it, but I think it's interesting enough to glean some inspiration from! Really, if you knew me, you'd know I just wanted some new crafts to make ;)

I'm always looking for inexpensive ways to make crafts, so when I went to visit my parents last, I decided my Dad and I needed to raid his shop. Luckily he was game. I knew he'd have plenty of little treasures I could use, and we found more than I bargained for! From gears to keys to an old pump gauge - I had lots to be inspired by.

If you don't have a garage or shop you can peruse for steampunk goodies, have a look at your local hardware stores bulk section. You'll find lots and be able to purchase exactly the amounts you need and nothing more. Now let's get started!

We're going to make two pieces of jewelry today. The first is a braided hex-nut bracelet. I found this on another blog and thought the idea was simple and brilliant. She goes into a bit more detail with the braiding, so if you need more help definetly take a look at her tutorial.

Equipment:

String/cord
Hex-nuts ( I used 16)
Scissors and pliers
Clasps if desired

Step One: Knot your cord and start braiding.

Step Two: When you get about a third of the way into the desired length of your bracelet, incorporate the hex-nuts into the braid one at a time.

Step Three: Keep braiding as normal until the length is complete, then knot and add any clasps etc. Done!

Next we are going to make some "gearrings"! They are so cute and easy to make!

Equipment:

Gears - I actually used serrated lock washers
Earring backs
Cord crimps
Cord
Scissors and pliers

Step One: Make a cow hitch knot on your gears. I chose two gears in varying sizes, you could do more or only one - whatever you prefer. Remember you will have a very different look if your gears are new, mine came with a natural rust effect! ;)

(Here's a quick how-to for a cow hitch knot in case you're not famiilar)

Step Two: Pull the cord tight and cut it short.

Step Three: Attach a cord crimp with pliers and press it firmly so it won't come loose.

Step Four: Attach the earring backs and you're done! Adorable little gearrings!

Hope you've enjoyed these easy steampunk-inspired tutorials! Feel free to tailor the projects to your liking, and link back here to a picture of anything you make!

Foot Undeez

2011-07-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

As a new ATS belly dancer, I'm still trying things out and figuring out how I can dance and learn best. One of the things I've had to determine is what to wear on my feet! I think barefoot is beautiful and seems more earthy and natural so that would be my preference - but it just wasn't working well for me.

I found that for fast moves such as Turkish Shimmy turns and ASWAT, I wanted the grip of my feet on the floor. However when it came to dancing slow, my feet stuck and I couldn't do turns gracefully! Am I the only one who apparently gets sweaty feet? I didn't know they could sweat...

I needed something that covered the ball of my feet for smooth slow turns, and left my toes uncovered for fast moves. I decided to cut up some old socks and try dancing with a sock band across the ball of my feet. Of course they slipped around and didn't work very well. Luckily a lady I dance with saw what I was doing and rescued me! She told me about Foot Undeez.

Basically, they were EXACTLY what I needed. They really do look like little panties don't they?! Haha!

These were $24.99 (CAD) at a dance supply store in my city. They come in many colours, patterns and sizes.

They leave your toes uncovered, offer a smooth, padded surface for the ball of your foot and because of the thong piece and elastic band they don't slip around while you dance! Perfecto.

The lady at the store told me that for some reason the nude coloured undeez that I purchased tend to wear out faster than the patterned ones. I think I'll go for something a bit more fun next time anyways - leopard maybe? Snakeprint? So many options!!

So I'm curious, do you have the same problem? What do you wear on your feet while dancing, or do you have any tips for dancing barefeet? Let me know in the comments below!

Tutorial: Frame Your Earrings

2011-07-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

What do you do with your tribal jewelry? Mine was hanging off my dresser - not the greatest treatment for antiques. Then I found this little frame on the weekend - and everything changed. This tutorial is all my favourite things - easy, inexpensive, pretty, and useful. Hope you like it too!

What you will need:

Scissors
Hot glue gun
Frame (any size or shape - pick one you love!)
Fabric - sturdy enough to hold heavy tribal earrings, but not so tough that it can't be pierced with an earring backing.
Paint or decorations if you want to alter your frame

Okay let's get started! First Separate the frame from the glass. Let's do the frame first.

My frame was $1.99 from Value Village. I decided to paint it black. You can paint it, glue things on it, whatever you want. You could buy a gorgeous new frame and use it as is - whatever your heart desires!

I used a simple acrylic paint because I already had some in my craft storage, but you could use spray paint or whatever you have around. I let it dry and then distressed it slightly so that some of the original colour showed through. This makes it look a bit more vintage.

Then it's time to move on to the other half of this project - the glass. Cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than your glass. As shown below, it does not have to be perfect!

Then fold the overlap of fabric over the back of the glass and glue it in place. I glued the top and bottom first so it wouldn't move around on me, then continued on either side.

Done! Your last step is to place the glass back in the orginal frame.

And voila! A beautiful earring holder!

Now I realise my frame could only hold maybe one more pair, but it's perfect for now! Then I'll use a larger frame and make another one when I need more space. I think using a small frame like this would be a great way to present a gift too.

The great thing about this project is how versatile it is. You can customize it to your exact style and taste - to match your decor, to make a statement, anything!

Hope you enjoyed this, have fun making your own! :)

Make-Up Must Haves: Potion and Perfector

2011-07-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

Two of my favourite skin products are Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion and Clinique's Pore Minimizer. They're great for everyday, for dressing up and performing in. (Especially the primer to keep that gorgeous tribal make-up on right?!) Here are my reviews!

Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion

You only need a very small dab on each eyelid of the primer potion, before putting on any eye make-up. Smooth it over the lid and then apply make-up as usual. The first thing you'll notice is the smoothness. Then, if you're using the same formula that I use (in above picture) you'll see that the potion has some tint to it, and removes redness/veinyness from the lids. My eye make-up used to crease by the afternoon, now it can actually last all day! It's also really great for going out or performing, because the base makes shadows and pigments look brighter and last a lot longer.

*Caution - if you use too much potion it can backfire and there will be too much build up on your lid. Use a very thin layer.

Clinique's Pore Minimizer - Instant Perfector

I suffer from pot-hole size pores, so this product makes me very happy. Just a thin layer over my nose and anywhere else that needs 'smoothing' (or filling!) and my skin looks so much better. It's oil-free and doesn't make my sensitive skin break-out either which is wonderful. I also like that it is versatile - you can wear it with make-up or without. The creamy beige blends in with my skin tone so I can just leave it at that, or I can add foundation for a more perfectly smooth look. If you have larger pores, I'd highly recommend it. (Oh and the bottles last a looong time.)

*Caution - if you have dry, flaky skin, this product will exaggerate the flakes. If you have oily/normal skin you're fine, but any flakyness at all and you MUST exfoliate first. Also, like the Primer Potion - you only need a little! No one wants to see thick make-up.

Hope these reviews are helpful to you! If you have any product recommendations or want more product reviews on my blog let me know in the comments section below! :)

Tribal Style is Everywhere this Summer!

2011-07-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

If you've picked up a fashion magazine lately or follow any blogs - or do any people-watching for that matter - you'll see a tribal influence everywhere. Fabric prints and cuts, jewelry, even fabulous shoes.

Now I'm not saying I want (or you should) go shopping and make ourselves look like every celebrity out there. I'm all for individuality. But I do think it's cool that something we've always had a love for is now completely in style - and so much more accessible in stores and online now because of that! Feather earrings are huge, headpieces, detailed beading and bold prints are all around!

Indulge in some eye candy below my friends :)

From a fashion blog called The Chriselle Factor

From another blog: http://meetsobsession.com/

Blog: http://www.stylehop.com/

Blog - The Posh Review

My Personal Thoughts on Tribal Dance

2011-07-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

While I dance I cannot judge or hate. I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance.

~ Hans Bos

To me, dancing is a sort of moving meditation. It focuses all my energy, my entire body, and my mind on completing each move. When I dance, I'm not thinking about work the next day, my to-do list of housework, a friend who is upset or family member who is sick.

Don't misunderstand, there are times to focus the very important issues of life as well as the mundane, everyday tasks. However I find that after dancing, after releasing all of those thoughts and freeing my mind from worry, I am stronger once I go back to them.

I can relate to what the author Hans Bos means by only being joyful and whole while dancing. It gives you such a freedom that you can't help but feel more love, more joy, more gratitude, and more peace. When you leave dance class with these four gems lighting your way, life hasn't changed - but you have.

This last year has been incredibly challenging for me. Right in the middle of it I was drawn to ATS and it's been my lifeline ever since. For me, after dancing I feel more peace, and more confidence to take on what life brings. Class - through my teacher, fellow students, and the dance itself - has given me joy on days when all I thought I could do was crumble.

In a sense, I feel a great debt to the dance. Maybe that's what sparked the creation of his blog in the first place - it's my offering. It's good fun of course, with tutorials and shopping etc. - but my love for this 'tribal way' goes so much deeper. I hope dancing and this blog can impact you just as profoundly. :)

And PS: Carolena, if you ever find my blog, from the bottom of my heart, THANK-YOU.

Yes this turned into a mushy-gushy post, but I meant every word. If you want to share how dancing has impacted you, please comment below or email me at thetribalway@gmail.com

Tribal Makeup Inspiration: The Sequel

2011-07-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

You can see my first Tribal Make-up Inspiration post by clicking >> HERE<<

This is a very dramatic look. Of course you could switch up the colours, but the contrast beneath the brow bone of white and black is really beautiful.

This is a more colourful, abstract look. Not too sure about the costuming on the right for dancing though - might be a bit warm ;)

A couple simple twists on the classic 'smokey eye look' and you have an extravagant, tribal-esque face. Start with the smokey eye, an especially dark version. Mute the lips. Add false lashes of the length or style you desire. Then using eyeliner, extend the tear lines in a sort of double-wing. Ensure high contrast by adding white or a light colour between the wings!

This is simple as well, but i'm loving the use of white in tribal make-up lately.

Double winged eyeliner on both ends, straightened and pointed brows, and fading dots on the cheekbones and forehead make this a very complex but beautiful look.

More white! The dots across the nose and cheekbone are small but create a more authentic tribal feel.

And of course, miss Lady Gaga, ever the style queen, goes slightly tribal with her make-up in the music video 'Judas'. Not sure about the eyebrows, but the eye liner is intrigueing.

If you have a tribal eye make-up look you would like to share, please email me at thetribalway@gmail.com

Henna: The All-Natural, Temporary Tattoo

2011-07-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

Henna paste, used to dye hair, skin and fabrics for centuries, is made from a plant called Mignonette tree. The scientific name is Lawsonia inermis. The leaves themselves will not stain, but when crushed or ground and treated with a mildly acidic liquid, the lawsone particles are released and can bind to the proteins of the skin when applied. This creates the henna stain, which is orange at first but turns to a darker reddish brown.

Lemon juice or tea is acidic enough to mix with the henna, so it really can be all-natural. This doesn't stop people from adding chemicals and selling it pre-mixed, so be diligent in finding out where your henna comes from and what ingredients it contains. Sometimes essential oils are combined with the mixture to add benefits of scent or longer lasting stain, but these are usually safe.

The longer the henna paste is left on the skin, the darker the stain will be. As it dries you can dab a mixture of lemon juice and sugar on the application to lengthen the time the paste will stay adhered to the skin. Hands and feet generally stain the darkest.

I had my first henna experience on Wednesday night, as my dance teacher decided to invite a henna artist to our hafla. She was so quick, within 5 minutes I had a beautiful piece of art above my hip. It didn't hurt or tickle or irritate my skin at all - but I did have to be careful of smudging it. The henna dried in about a half hour.

This is the henna after it dried, before I took it off. If it had been earlier in the day I would have kept it damp with lemon and sugar but I wanted to go to sleep! It came off easily enough. Apparently I will have my temporary tattoo for a couple weeks!

Have you gotten henna before? What do you like about it?

Summer Hafla

2011-07-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was the summer hafla! My dance teacher, fellow students and our guests went and danced for a couple hours. We enjoyed good food, some performances, vendor tables and henna!

It was actually my first performance dancing ever! I was nervous but it went well and was actually a lot of fun. My beautiful teacher has been practicing with a sword and performed with it for the first time! She did very well. We also had some guest belly dancers perform. One of them was pregnant and her little belly was adorable. I'm sure baby was enjoying those shimmies!

Here are a few pictures for you to see what I wore! Maybe I'm paranoid but I don't think it's right to put pictures up of people without asking so it's only pictures of me here.

My outfit:

Burgundy Skirt underneath
Olive Jaipur skirt in a mullet-esque tuck job so you could see the burgundy skirt
Long purple fringe
Tassels with cowrie belt
Black choli
My new coin bra
Headband with guls made by yours truly
Bindi from Kuhl Jewels
Flowers, bangles, necklace, earrings

My Coin Bra!

2011-06-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

So for my birthday this year, my mom got me some coins. I was so pleased! I planned on starting a coin bra this fall, as I had so many other projects that needed finishing.

Fast forward to this past Sunday.

Suddenly it seemed completely necessary to make a coin bra in time for the Hafla on Wednesday! So, I bought some fabrics and thread from Fabricland after work on Monday and began the work! It took about 5 hours Monday, and maybe an hour or so on Tuesday.

This is what I had to start off with:

A black bra that had broken between the cups (around $25 originally)
Bag of coins (gift)
Black stretchy fabric ($3-4)
Burgundy fabric ribbon ($2)
Black thread and sewing needle ($1)
Cowrie shells (recycled from Value Village - $2)
Pendant (gift)

Here is what I did (I was so focused I forgot to take any pictures of the process!!):

Sewed my broken bra back together!
Cut a strip of fabric to cover the length of the bra, both cups and have extra on each end for tying
Cut the fastenings and shoulder straps off the bra
Sewed the black fabric onto the bra, cutting off excess as I went
Cut pieces of the burgundy and sewed it on
Sewed on the burgundy straps
Sewed on the cowrie shells
Sewed on the coins and pendant

Tadaaaa!!!

Now this was fine enough for me to wear to a Hafla with my fellow student dancers, but believe me when I say this coin bra is only half finished! I plan to cover the cups with more coins and jewels, add chain to the bottom, and more jewels or decoration to the burgundy stripe on the cups. If you have any ideas let me know in the comment section below!

So there you go, my first coin bra!! Hope you like it! :)

(I'll post some pics of the Hafla tomorrow so that you can see what it looked like on!)

Coin Bra - Inspiration

2011-06-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

Coins, cowries and kuchi. How we love coin bras :) Here are a few pics I found, I think they each have a few good ideas that we can use when making our own. I recently made one of my own, so I will be sharing pictures of that tomorrow!

I love the shape of this bra, and the silver ribbons at the top and middle of each cup.

I like the use of black space around the silver to really make it pop and emphasize the line.

Love the use of kuchi pendants cascading down the cups. Can you imagine a shoulder shimmy with this one? The 'dangly bits' would probably jump out an inch or two!

This one is quite nice, lots of coins, jewels for some colour and the chains on each side are nice as well. Normally I wouldn't be crazy about the lace/eyelet bra top coming through but it's not too lacey or obviously part of the bra - even looks like maybe it was added - either way it works. This one is my favourite!

Peacock feathers! Why not, they're beautiful!

I love the gold and red ribbon between the cowrie lines.

Simple and clean, nice coins and kuchi pendants.

Interesting way to display the cowrie shells, and adding a pop of colour with the beads as well!

More feathers! Now this isn't really a 'coin' bra persay - however might be nice for tribal fusion? I think feathers could work on a coin bra, in small amounts.

What do you think? What are your favourite types of coin bra or favourite details? Or pet peeves? Please share your thoughts :)

Style Inspiration: Steampunk

2011-06-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

Steampunk seems to be showing up more and more frequently. I recently discovered it through Etsy, and after wondering why old gears were appearing on everything entitled "Steampunk", went right to Wikipedia.

In a nutshell, they explain it as a fusion between steampowered, Victorian era Britain, and futuristic technology. Steampunk has only been popular for maybe 30 years, but never so prominent as now.

Style always has many inspirations. Why not Steampunk as well? No one is alike so you might take away something different than I do from these pictures, or you might hate it altogether. That's fine, leave a comment as to which styles you'd like to see and they'll be next! I think just about anything is worth having a look at. Then it is up to the individual to decide what they will take or leave. Anyways, too much talking, lets check out some pics ;)

So there you have it, beautiful Victorian inspired fashion with a technological twist.

Corsets, goggles, boots
Straps, buckles and laces
Gears, wires, tubing and other mechanical bits
Skeleton keys and timepieces

And yes, I realise Steampunk is not very 'tribal'. However, some tribal fusion dancers are using facets of this style in their costuming, and this blog is for EVERYONE. :) I myself am an ATS dancer and probably won't use any of this in my dance costuming - but I still enjoy having a look and getting ideas for my own personal style :) And if you do enjoy steampunk, you're in luck as I have some simple jewelry tutorials to come!

Shopping Spotlight: Sihaya Designs

2011-06-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

As you know from previous Shopping Spotlights I'm always on the look-out for the most unique, beautiful, quality creations to adorn us dancers. When I stumbled across Christina of Sihaya Designs on Twitter and had a look at her shop I was immediately in love! I think you will be too. Her designs are whimsical, charming and sophisticated. She was also kind enough to share a bit about her work! Please read her interview below:

How did you get started?

I started making jewelry in a serious way about four years ago. I needed a creative outlet, and I've always been a kind of a magpie. I was also in a job where I was not being creatively fulfilled in any way, micro-managed within an inch of my life. I felt stunted and anxious all of the time. I knew that I needed to have a job that meant something to me, that brought me joy, one of those things in my life was making jewelry. One day I had enough, and three years ago, I made the leap to full time artisan. It's been tough at times, but I never regret that decision.

Where do you do your creating?

I create in my home studio. I have a separate room where I keep all of my supplies, a big desk, an inspiration board, and an altar space, as creating can at times be a sacred act for me. I've decorated in bright colors-- purple sari curtains edged in gold-- and generally try to keep the vibe as comfortable and conducive to creativity as possible.

What inspires your designs?

As a Pagan, I am deeply inspired by nature. Many of my pieces reflect the changing of the seasons, or the magic of the moon, the stars, the woods. I'm also entranced by faery lore, so many of my pieces also have that as a clear inspiration. I love winged things! I like to create jewelry that is both modern and whimsical-- for the customer who chooses their jewelry to express the magic that is already inside of them.

What music do you like to listen to while crafting?

I tend to have costume dramas on in the background while I work-- looking up periodically helps me to refocus my eyes and combat fatigue. But sometimes I listen to music, as well. It tends to be things where I don't have to pay close attention to the lyrics, so I can just let the music wash over me to create an atmosphere. Loreena McKennitt, Woodland, The Mediaeval Babes, Massive Attack, Gaelic Storm, Great Big Sea, Lisa Gerrard & Dead Can Dance, and of course a lot of bellydance-able music-- Phil Thornton, Solace, Azam Ali & Niyaz, Beats Antique.

How long have you been dancing?

I've been dancing for about five years. I started out in swing and ballroom-- partnered dances where I was always being led. But I was really looking for the joy that comes with collaborative dance, where I could lead and follow, and create something with my fellow dancers. A friend invited me to a bellydance class, and I wasn't so sure about it. But after a class, I was totally sucked in! I fell in love with the movements that helped me to accept and love my own body, and the warm energy and smiles of my classmates-- many of whom I still dance with to this day. My journey began in a sort of tribal fusion, but now is mostly ATS in the Fat Chance Bellydance tradition. I still perform a little bit of fusion, but for the most part, ATS has stolen my heart.

Christina is a beautiful dancer and talented artisan, a big thank-you to her for sharing her gifts with us. :)

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go check out that music and do some shopping at the Sihaya Designs Etsy store! Are you coming? ;)

Christina is always looking for more Twitter friends to chat with! You can find her at http://www.twitter.com/sihayadesigns. Her blog is http://sihayadesigns.blogspot.com/. Also, if you're in the MidAtlantic area of the East coast and are interested in ATS (among other styles), you can check out one of her troupes, the Transcendence Tribal Bellydance Collective, over on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/TranscendenceTribal

Disclaimer:

I have not yet ordered from this merchant and am in no way affiliated or in business with Sihaya Designs. I just like shopping. ;)

Dancing Journals

2011-06-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

Have you ever used a journal? Most people have. There are so many ways to utilise them! Diaries, food journals, fitness journals, writing poetry or prose, journals to record vet records or baby's first moments, a bodybuilders reps or a gardeners notes.

Journals are devoted to important parts of your life, to record things and save them for future use - whether for entertainment, sentimental value, or to increase a knowledge or skill.

I've been using journals my whole life. When I started dancing and my teacher suggested using a journal, putting the two together came naturally for me. However, if you're not journal crazy and nuts for stationary like *some* of us, here are some helpful tips!

Use your journal by date. Record any class/workshop/practice and take notes. Who is teaching? What is the focus? What key points do you need to remember or work on? What have you improved upon? Write down any questions you have to ask at the end of the class. You could even include a blank page at the end to glue in a picture from the workshop.
Use your journal by move. Alphabetized, categorized by fast/slow or by levels, whatever works for you. Write a brief description of the move and then as you learn more from teachers take notes for each one specifically. If a good metaphor is shared, one that really helps you feel the move, write it down! If the teacher mentions something about posture you keep forgetting, write it down!
Use your journal as a scrapbook! Include concert and workshop tickets, notes from fellow dancers, diary entries, music playlists, funny stories - anything that will be fun to look back on!
Don't think your memory is better than it really is. We say "Oh I don't need to write this down - I'll remember it" - and then lo and behold we forget! This has happened a lot to me, am I the only one?Write it down!!! ;)

I'm sure there are many more ideas, themes and lay-outs you could use for your journal. If you don't have one, you might want to have a look at the different options you have before purchasing one. You might take into consideration your budget, the number, size and quality of the pages, the features, and of course, it has to be preeetty so that you want to use it!

Now a little bit about my own journal as an example! I use Moleskines for most of my journals. My absolute favourite is their sketchbook, which I use as a diary. Their agenda's are also great!

However I wanted to list the ATS moves and have room at the end for other things, and no Moleskine had enough pages. I had to resort to looking outside of the Moleskine realm. That's when I found this little beauty:

Isn't she lovely? Made by 'Mudlark' this little journal dubbed 'Kiko' was $14.99 at a Chapters store in Canada. You can also get her (and her beautiful sisters) online <<here>>.

It has a CD shaped pocket in the front to keep music or notes:

And the pages are all decorated just as extravagantly as the outside, with a special place for the date/move as well!

Okay, so my plan for this journal is to list the moves alphabetically by fast/slow and take notes on each of them. I also have extra pages at the back to include other details - like which moves are folkloric, which moves are in the Shimmy family etc. I hope it will be a great tool for learning!

And how fitting is the quote in the back, hmm?

If you are interested in learning more about how to use a dance journal, please leave a comment below or email me at thetribalway@gmail.com and I will post more about it soon, based on your questions!

Have a wonderful day!

Dance Flash Cards Tutorial

2011-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

As a student of ATS, I'm always looking for ways to make my at home dance practice more fun and efficient. A fellow dancer said she had made flash cards to aid in her practice, and I was intrigued. She explained it to me and of course I made my own set!

Equipment:

- List of dance moves (for ATS list click here)
- Stack of index cards
- Black pen or computer/printer/glue
- Coloured pens/highlighters

Instructions:

1. Either type, print off and cut out each dance move, or write them on each card. My index cards had one side lined and one blank, so I used double sided tape to fix my words to the blank side. One move per card.
2. To distinguish between fast and slow moves, I highlighted the edges of my cards. Yellow for slow, pink for fast. There are endless ways you could do this. Using any colours you wish, you could outline the cards, do designs, or use two different coloured index cards altogether.

Ways to use these cards:

- mix them up and randomly pick a few to put together in a song
- put them in alphabetical order and work through practicing each move, or mix up the order each time
- randomly pick 1-3 cards and drill them, focusing on posture and angles, or on smooth tranisitions (then remove these from the main pile so they are not picked again until this has been done with all the moves)
- randomly pick 5 moves and choose exactly what order you think they would look best to dance in
- if you are at an airport, on the bus etc use them as a tool for visualization
- add notes or pictures on the cards, and after doing a move, look at the back and quiz yourself to see if you remembered every detail of posture, movement, gaze etc

Happy Practicing!

Hip Mix A-List

2011-06-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

So, The Tribal Way is offically Hip Certified!

I'm sure you've all heard of HipMix.net, a website devoted to belly dance. They have everything a girl could want, from intriguing articles to event listings to shopping! YES I said SHOPPING!! :)

Hip Mix has one page for their A-List Blogs, and guess who is on there now? Yours truly! This is a great way for us all to meet more like minded people. They have other blogs listed on there too, go have a look!

Thanks Hip Mix!

Tassel Tutorial

2011-06-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

I am an ATS dancer and I have big love for tassels. Working on a new tassel belt, so I thought I'd share a quick tutorial!!! I know most of you are probably well versed in tassel making, so if this post is completely boring then simply feel free to drool over this yarn. Check out these colours:

Are you not IN LOVE with that purpley bluey colour? It's okay if you're not, I love this yarn enough for both of us. That shimmery green too! So excited for another tassel belt!

Okay - back to the tutorial!! So all you need are some scissors, some sort of measuring object to wind yarn around, and of course, some yarn. (Mine was purchased at Michaels for about $5 each).

So grab your yarn, and something flat to wrap it around. It's better to choose something sturdy - not a bendy shoebox lid like I used! DVD or CD cases work well. You can even make your own with some wood or cardboard.

Now start wrapping! The length of each side of the wrap will be the length of the tassel. If you want your tassels to be uniform in size, it's best to count how many wraps you make. Brave people estimate when it looks 'right' to them but I'd rather be certain.

Now snip your yarn! Then take a piece and weave it under the yarn loop.

Tie it up! Then cut the yarn at the other end.

Now you can see the tassel starting to shape up!

The last step is to cut a piece of yarn and tie it around the tassel, making a 'head' so to speak. You can tuck the ends right into the tassel head or tassel fringe, depending on how long they are. This is also when I give my tassels a trim at the bottom so the ends are even.

Repeat until you have all the tassels you need!

If you want to go a bit farther, you can wrap a different colour yarn around the top, or some beading or other adornment. It's also popular to make mixed colour tassels by doing say, 40 wraps of one colour and 10 of another, or just use a whole mish mash of textures and colours. Wherever your creativity leads you!

Happy tassel making!!

List of ATS Moves

2011-06-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a complete list is hard to find, so here it is, in alphabetical order! Apparently Carolena has recently approved more moves, but they will not be taught until they come out in the next instructional DVD.

* = level one ** = level two

Slow moves:

arm undulations *

barrel turn

belly flutters

belly rolls

bodywave *

camel walk **

circle step *

corkscrew turn **

floorwork

floreo *

head slides **

laybacks

puja **

propeller turn **

reverse turn **

ribcage rotation **

reverse taxeem **

sahra turn
taxeem *
torso twist *

walking bodywave **
walking taxeem **
wrap around turn

Fast Steps:

arabic *

arabic hip twist **

arabic orbit

arabic shimmy **

w/arms and turn **

w/arms and turn and fade and circle

arabic 123

arc arms **

double back w/half turn

double bump **

chico four corners

egyptian step *

w/ half turn *

egyptian full turn

ghawazee shimmy combo **
pivot bump-choo choo *
w/ arm 1, w/ arm 2 *
reach and sit **

re-shamka
reverse shimmy

shimmy *

shoulder shimmy-hip drop combo **
single bump **
w/half turn

spins
sunanda

turkish shimmy **
   w/quarter turn + half turn **
turkish shimmy
   w/arms and turn
   w/arms and circle

up2 down3 **
waterpot
w/half turn+flourish
wet dog

The beautiful and talented Manhattan Tribal

How to be PERFECT.

2011-06-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

If the title of this post was accurate, I wouldn't be writing anything. This post would be empty.

I don't know how to be perfect, and frankly it sounds awfully exhausting doesn't it? To execute perfectly every action, every role we play, every task and practice that brings us closer to our dreams... nah, I can't do it. I'm not cut out for it. Are you?

What I know we can do, however - with a little self-discipline - is to strive to do a little better than we did yesterday.

We can push ourselves a bit further. Let one less negative thought into our heads, one less sugary treat into our mouths, and less lazyness win us over. We can choose to practice isolations and drills for longer, or stretch farther. We can choose to eat blueberries and carrots for snacks instead of sweets. We can choose to think lovingly and forgive someone who has hurt us rather than try to bring them down, or let our anger ruin our day.

Even one little thing, one tiny improvement in one area, is enough to make the day a success.

Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Be stronger. Choose better. Forgive yourself for what you don't do, and push yourself to make the changes necessary. What will you improve today?

Enjoy your small successes :)

And don't bother with 'perfect'.

Drool Worthy Jewelry Box

2011-06-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

A collection of tribal jewelry, photographed by the lovely Sandra of 5inchandup.

A Very Sweet Birthday

2011-06-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

For my birthday yesterday, my boyfriend made me a belly dancer cake! I was very touched by the thought and effort he put into this. He learned some valuable cake making lessons too, like how red is one of the hardest colours to recreate with icing! The pink turned out very cute though I think! The decorations are from a dollar store princess necklace. The squares you see over the 'bra' are the candles. And yes, it was very yummy!! (Thank-you my love!)

Anyways I thought it was such a sweet idea that I'd include some more belly dance-themed cakes to inspire your creativity. Then when it's time for you to celebrate the dancer in your life, maybe you can make her day with a perfect cake as well!

Happy Birthday! (to me...heehee)

2011-06-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

And the cherry on top is...

...a new jaipur skirt in olive! Thanks mom and dad <3

Shopping spotlight on Tribe Nawaar is in the near future ;)

What other stores would you like to see featured? Yours maybe??

Recommend them to me by emailing me at thetribalway@gmail.com

Manhattan Tribal: Videos

2011-06-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Manhattan Tribal performing to three beautiful songs at the Rakassah Spring Caravan.

My First Tassel Belt

2011-06-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! So a few weeks ago I decided to try my hand at a tassel belt. It was very inexpensive to make. The belt I purchased at a thrift store for $2 and the yarn from Michaels for about $6. Just thought I'd show you what I came up with and what I plan to do differently next time!

So I started off by making tassels (post tutorial coming soon) with a dark burgundy yarn. I picked a yarn that already looked twisted so that in the knotted area it didn't look too plain. If you choose a plain string yarn, I think a good way to add some interest (and strength) would be to braid it first.

After plotting out my knots on paper I attempted to make them with the yarn. My measurements weren't quite exact ;) so I think I'd use a ruler next time instead of eyeballing where to cut. To attach the yarn to the belt I just did some simple sewing, and knotted it well so (hopefully) it won't come loose.

One thing I would change next time would be the position of the outer tassels. I would prefer them at the very edge of the belt so that when dancing they fall over the front of my hips, instead of over the side. Also, you could easily add more detail by putting decorations on the knots or the gathered part of the tassel.

So, overall I'm happy with my first tassel belt, but I'm excited to try it out again!

Double Winged Eyeliner Ideas

2011-06-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

The double winged eyeliner look has become popular in celebrity make-up, on you tube and beauty guru blogs as well. It's a simple twist from classic eyeliner but very versatile. It can be subtle for a day look, brightened up with highly pigmented shadows, simple and round for a pin-up look, or darker and longer wings for a more exotic look.

The first picture here is my personal favourite. The highlight between the wings really make them stand out, and the sparkles add a touch of glamour. With more colour, bigger wings and some dots this could look a lot more tribal and very dramatic.

Here are some tutorial videos to help you out:

Shopping Spotlight: Kuhl Jewels

2011-06-02T11:46:00.000-07:00

Kuhl Jewels Etsy Shop

Molly Kuhl is the maker of these gorgeous, well made bindis. She operates an Etsy Shop from her home in Colorado and is always putting up new sparkly designs! Molly knows what a dancer wants in a bindi, as she is a teacher and performer with Bella Rouge Dance Troupe.

This Kuhl lady is very passionate about making these beautiful pieces to adorn dancers everywhere. She says: "Bindi making is incredibly satisfying, SO fun, and a great outlet for me creatively! I'm a very, very creative person and I've always loved making things with my hands. I truly love making bindis, and just love love love the fact that my pretty bindis are making their way around the world!" Her inspiration stems from her grandmother, who in Molly's own words "was a jewelry maker, watercolor artist, potter, traveler, costume maker, and generally a really cool and quite amazing lady. She also happened to be a belly dancer ~ and she is the inspiration for much that I do in my life, including dance of course!"

These bindi's are well made with Swarovski crystals only. Every one is an original! They are shipped safely in baggies and boxed with care. She does offer advice on caring for your bindi's as well:

Use eyelash glue or spirit gum to affix to skin (adhesive not included).

*Proper Bindi Care*Always handle your bindi with gentleness and respect. Do not bend your bindi. Clean your bindi with a soft cotton cloth or a cotton swab. To remove spirit gum buildup on the back, dip a q-tip in spirit gum remover (oil) and gently rub. Do not get your bindi wet! Store your bindi in it’s cozy little baggie, in the box it comes in, in a safe place where it won’t get bumped or bent.

*** Disclaimer: They are all so gorgeous and drool worthy that it was impossible to include pictures of every style and colour etc. GO and check out her shop to see more! She does custom orders too! ***

Tassel Envy - Persephone Dance Troupe

2011-06-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Tribal Fest 2011

2011-05-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

Looks like Tribal Fest 2011 was a huge success! Here are a few videos :)

Beginnings ≠ Middles

2011-05-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

Would you expect a 6 month old to run a marathon? What about a newborn, should they be able to jump hurdles? Ridiculous questions, of course. A baby has muscles to develop, balance to acquire and lots of growing to do. No one will ever compare a child to an adult and wonder why they can't perform the same physical feats. So why is it that we insist on comparing ourselves to others who are much further along in our desired accomplishment?

Perhaps we've been dancing for a couple years, and we wonder why we can't make our muscles move like Rachel Brice. Maybe we've been dancing for a month and complain we'll never be able to master certain steps. Or we could be experienced performers, but lacking the following of someone who has been doing it much longer.

Stop!

Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle! Don't judge your performance by someone else who is miles ahead. Your first year will never match someone's fifth year. Your beginning is not meant to be compared to anybody elses.

If you want to lose weight, do you think it'd be wise to look at someone who has lost it all already and think "Man, I don't look like that, I can't do this"? Of course not! You have to look at where they've come from - the hard work and discpiline that it's taken to get so far and achieve so much.

It's great to have people to look up to and be inspired by. Just don't let your critical inner voice compare you to them. Instead, remember that you are in very different places, and focus on doing the best you can today. Focus on making the you of tomorrow a better you than today. Judge yourself based on your personal values.

Break your own records, achieve your own goals, and live your own dreams. :)

"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." -Joe Sabah

Style Inspiration

2011-04-23T14:00:00.000-07:00

5 inch and up

Fashion blogger Sandra from the UK often has her eye on tribal inspired items. Click on the link above for more of her incredible style and great photography.

(These aren't very tribal but I thought they'd be a cute alternative to pantaloons!)

ATS: The Folkloric Moves

2011-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

American Tribal Style is made up from many styles of dancing, from many cultures and eras. These are some of the more folkloric looking moves. That does not mean they are historically accurate necessarily, it just means their inspiration is from a folkloric dance, such as cane dancing or indian/egyptian folklore. These moves feel more earthy and are often simpler than the more modern moves.

Arabic
Arabic Shimmy (not ASWAAT)
Chico Four Corners
Circle Step
Double Bump/Single Bump
Egyptian Basic
Ghawazee Combo
Head Slide
Pivot Bump
Reach & Sit
ReShamka
Ribcage Rotation
Shimmy
Shoulder Shimmy/ Hip Drop
Turkish Shimmy (not TSWAAT)
Up2Down3
Wet Dog

Source: Wendy from FCBD - http://ats.tribe.net/thread/54d3d3ce-5e87-4252-8581-49dceeb0e6f3

Rainbow Eye Make-Up

2011-04-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

This look is beautiful. To look more tribal I would add an elongated and thicker wing, and some dots.

Here is the blog post for more information:

http://www.shesaid.com.au/article.aspx?n=13140570

Some tips for an intense look like this:

Use a primer (like Urban Decay's Primer Potion)
For more vibrant colours, use pigments instead of shadows. (MAC has a huge selection) The formula is much more concentrated.
Use a piece of scotch tape to help create crisp lines. Make sure to de-stickify it first by putting it on your hand and pulling it off a few times. You want it to hold, but not irritate your sensitive eye area. When you're done, pull it off and you'll have a perfect line! Check out this blog post for more of an explanation.
Keep Q-tips and eye make-up remover handy to fix any little mistakes along the way.

Have fun :)

The Tribal Code

2011-04-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

COMMITMENT

Be there for your dance sisters. Whether it’s making sure your cues are strong or getting to a gig on time, we all need to depend on one another.

COMMUNICATION

Ask questions and learn from the more experienced dancers and teachers. Also, don’t let things fester. Express yourself in a constructive, respectful way.

AWARENESS

Be aware of how your words or actions can affect others. What makes sense to you may be understood differently by someone else. Take considerations to think before you speak or act.

TEFLON

Don’t take things personally! There are too many unique individuals in this group to avoid minor misunderstandings. Let things slide off your ego – don’t let things stick!

HUMILITY

We all can benefit from going to Level 1 and Level 2 classes and working on technique. We can also benefit from allowing room for all our personalities to exist.

TRUST

This dance form is founded on trust, on and off the dance floor. Earn people’s trust and give yours as well.

RESPECT

Treat your fellow dancers (and human beings) with compassionate respect and be mindful of others’ talents and limitations. Respect the dance form for what it is rather than how you would change it.

SUPPORT

Come to the shows of FatChanceBellyDance and of your fellow dancers. Not only does it support the dancers, it is a great way to learn about performance!

JOY

Dance for the love of it! Enjoy yourself and the company of others.

* Written/Created by the lovely and talented ladies of FatChanceBellyDance

Tribal Moon Video

2011-04-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

Long video but worth the watch. Beautiful dancing and costumes and incredible drops. Such an inspiration!

Shine

2011-04-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Our deepest fear is NOT that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are POWERFUL beyond MEASURE.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you NOT to be?

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to SHINE.

...and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are LIBERATED from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

~ Marianne Williamson

Aren't we thankful Carolena didn't let fear stop her? Go on, make like Nericcio and go SHINE.