ATS, My Friend.

Some good things do come to an end. The years I spent dancing ATS were wonderful years. I made many new friends, pushed myself and found so much healing in movement and new relationships. It was a godsend in a time of my life when I desperately needed revitalizing.

ATS itself has become like an old friend. I don't speak with her as often as I used to, but when I do we connect with joy as if we've never been apart. ATS may just be an exercise class to some, but to me it really became a way of life - it's own little culture. It is a beautiful art form that requires utmost commitment and dedication - the kind of time and effort I just can't quite give it at the moment. I'm at a point in my life where other things must take precedent. My faith, my marriage, and my (hopefully) growing family are my priorities right now. That may sound old-fashioned and stifling to some, but to me it is pure joy!

I am keeping most of my costuming as I hope to find a teacher again one day, or at least continue my sporadic living room dance sessions. I enjoy dancing alone, but my 2 year old daughter dances with me sometimes as well, and I love to see her encouraged to move freely and beautifully.

I will be forever grateful to the admirable, graceful teacher who gave me the gift of dance, and to the encouraging women who I got to know along the way. I had never thought myself coordinated enough to learn to dance or confident enough to take a class. I became stronger and more agile on the outside, yes, but more importantly, my shattered worth emerged as assured confidence - somewhere in the midst of zills and yards of cotton skirts flying around me.

Thank-you for letting me share my friend with you over these past few years. ATS has been a true friend, and I'm thankful Truth Himself gave me the gift of her friendship.

Stay tuned for another very important post about the future of this blog.
*Hint: It is very GOOD news. You will be in good hands!

The Tribal Way is Coming Back!

It's been a long and eventful hiatus from blogging, but I'm ready to start again! I'll be starting slow but please let me know you're still here! Any tutorials or topics you'd like covered please comment or email me! :)

The last few months have been a rollercoaster ride. After my daughter was born, I dealt with a long recovery from birth (it was fast and her hand was by her face, so as well as many stitches I needed a blood transfusion) and the usual adjustment into motherhood. Then we were faced with heart breaking news. My daughter was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a very serious liver condition. Luckily they found it early. She had surgery in May and is doing very well so far. We're hoping the prognosis is excellent when we see the specialists in July, and we're praying she won't need a liver transplant.

Another big change is that my dance teacher has moved away. I cried longer than I care to admit over this. There isn't another ATS teacher in my area either - not that any other could replace her. The level two and three students have joined together to continue practicing the dance form and learning as best we can from Fat Chance DVDs and long distance mentoring from our dance teacher. We will be facing new obstacles together - the new dynamic will test our discipline and dedication to do each move well even with no watchful teacher to correct us. If anyone has any advice for this, please comment! I know some people start ATS with the DVDs alone so at least we had a strong start, but I still really want to ensure we are all pushing ourselves to keep our posture strong and our timing accurate. I know I will need reminding.

I've also made a few new pieces of belly dance attire, so I'll be sharing pictures and brief tutorials for those. I hope you enjoy what's to come, I'm happy to be back! :)

Welcoming A New Little Dancer

My beautiful girl - born March 22nd 11:06am 7lb 1oz

Chantelle Eliana

PS: Life has changed dramatically... and it will be a while before it settles into any kind of routine. If you are interested in contributing to The Tribal Way with a guest post, please contact me at thetribalway@gmail.com

2011 - A Year of Dance in Review

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!

Christmas Hafla 2011

  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 :)



The Tribal Way: Reboot

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

Level 3.4, 5, 6 Catch-Up!

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.

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

  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

This Belly Dancer Has Big Belly News!!!

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

Level 3.2 Arabic 1-2-3 and Double Back

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! :)

Level 3.1 Egyptian Full Turn, Reshamka and Fading

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!! ;)

Starting Level 3 - & Questions for YOU!

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

My Beginning in Dance: Part Three

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

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

    

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! :)

My Personal Thoughts on Tribal Dance

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

Henna: The All-Natural, Temporary Tattoo

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

  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!

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!)