We Make Our Habits; Our Habits Make Us

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.  ;)

Eeeeeeeeee Elbows!

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!