Performance Anxiety (or How I Learned to Let Go and Laugh!) by Holly Lloyd

Guest post by Holly Lloyd, a member of World In Motion's Sunanda Tribe, our newest staff member, and person extraordinaire!

I’ve been a student of belly dance for ten years now. I’ve performed more times than I can remember and I’ve been a happy audience member for more performances than I can remember. It has just been in the past few months that I’ve felt a feeling of peacefulness when I perform.

That doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous.  I’ve just learned to tolerate the nervousness and trust that no matter what could possibly go wrong, I will live through it and probably laugh about it later.

Here’s a small list of things I’ve experienced as a performer:

• My veil landed in someone’s (full) tea cup.  I spent the last minute of the song unaware that I was slinging droplets of a stranger’s tea all over the rest of the audience in the first row.
• I somehow ended up with my veil wrapped completely around my head. Of course someone got a photo of the exact moment when I looked like a really fancy and completely confused beekeeper.
• I fell on my behind in the middle of a performance.
• I got my right toe caught in the left leg of my harem pants in the beginning of a spin sequence. This resulting in my harem pants ending up around my ankles with 2 minutes left in the song to which we were performing.
• I’ve had the pleasure of seeing lipstick on my teeth in every photo of a performance.
• I’ve stepped on my skirt while coming off the floor from doing floor work which caused me to stagger around ungracefully for the first few seconds of my big solo.
• I’ve completely and totally blanked on an entire choreography as the music started for a duet performance. (Not a lot of room for faking your way through it in a duet.)
• I’ve experienced having a finger cymbal go flying off my thumb and making a loud “thunk” sound as it hit the stage during literally the only quiet moment in the song.
• I’ve missed cues, turned the wrong way, started a spin too late, started a spin too early and smacked my hand into the person next to me during performances more times than I can count.

Each one of these incidents are pretty traumatizing on their own much less as a collection.

I continue to perform because the benefits outweigh the risks.

I don’t perform because I particularly enjoy attention. As an introvert, I prefer to blend in and not be noticed most of the time.

What I enjoy about performing is the opportunity to wear my costumes and I love the sense of community, accomplishment and giddiness I feel after I perform. I wish everyone knew that particular kind of happiness.

And you can get there too if you give a class a try. 

You have to have some chutzpah to try something out of your comfort zone with as an adult.  There is the risk of frustration and feeling foolish. Performing adds another layer of risk of looking foolish in front of other people along with the fear of letting down your dance partners if you make a mistake. No wonder you’re nervous about taking a class at all, much less performing in front of people!

I was terrified walking into my first ever belly dance class. I didn’t know what to expect. Would the teacher be nice? Would the other students be nice? Did I have any rhythm? Would I be able to physically do whatever it was we were going to be asked to do? Would it be fun? Would I have to do anything in front of the class by myself and look like a fool?

The answers to those questions are: Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes and No.

Okay, I did resemble a drunken moose on roller skates for a long time. (Sometimes I still do.) And some really embarrassing things have happened to me during performances.

But I’m really glad I stuck with it.  And I’m especially glad that World In Motion came to be.

Through World In Motion classes, performances and social events, I’ve met some of the kindest, most hilarious and most supportive women I’ve ever known. I’ve come out of my shell and tried new things. I’ve seen some amazing performances. I’ve been surprised at how loud the audience can be cheering for the dancers after a performance.

It’s okay to be scared.  It’s okay to not be perfect. You will be okay. You might even laugh about it.

The point is, don’t let fear of the unknown or uncontrollable hold you back if you’re interested in dance.

World In Motion is a great place to start.  I can personally attest that the instructors are kind and encouraging.

Check out our schedule at World In Motion and give one of our classes a try.  

All you need to bring to your first class is a sense of humor :-)

What brought me back to WIM after the birth of my daughter? by Susan Ulrich

The second blog in our series by WIM students 

on what made them return to the studio after an absence

What brought me back to WIM after the birth of my daughter? by Susan Ulrich

I feel like in order to answer this question I need to go back to the moment I first decided I would someday learn to bellydance. It was nearly 10 years ago and I went with my mom to the Renaissance Festival in Kannnapolis. We happened upon the bellydance show and I fell in love with the dance at first sight. These women were all ages and shapes. There was even a pregnant woman. They all had these things in common: they were strong, beautiful, and they clearly LOVED what they were doing! I immediately added, "Learn to bellydance," to my to-do list.

I didn't actually start dancing until about 2 years ago. Obviously it took a long time to tackle that part of my to-do list. Partly because I've been an introvert most of my life and partly because I wanted to tackle my goal of getting my black belt at my karate dojo which is a physically demanding, yet incredible task! Once I checked that goal off the list, I became pregnant and gave birth to my son. When he was about 6 months old and not nursing CONSTANTLY, I decided I needed something in my life that was just for me. Bellydance was the first thought that popped in my head and as luck would have it, World in Motion is just a 5 minute drive from my house.

I remember how nervous and excited I was to go to my first class, an introductory bellydance class taught by Heather. I was nervous because, being a stay at home mom, it felt very strange to leave my son in the care of another (even if it was his completely competent dad) and uncertainty of whether this was a realistic goal for me. Excited, because I was finally going to start learning to bellydance and, holy cow! I'm actually out of the house without a child! Of course, let me say, I love my son deeply, but like all parents, time to ourselves gives us the sanity and energy to give ourselves to our kids so completely. By the end of the first class my body had been challenged in a way it had never been and my brain was ready to explode. I was absolutely coming back! I knew I ultimately wanted to do tribal bellydance but I had a big impediment, it was on Mondays and my husband had his own thing going on those nights. Thankfully both sets of grandparents live nearby!

I spent 12 weeks with Heather in her class and then another 12 taking cabaret with another instructor. I loved both classes so much. The instructors were so incredible and so patient! When I started taking Tribal bellydance, I knew this was it, this was where I wanted to be! I loved the instructors, the friendships with the other students, and how challenging it is. I've always loved being a student and with bellydance, you're a student for life!

When I became pregnant with my daughter I continued to dance throughout my pregnancy. She conveniently waited to be born two days after the last class of a six week session. I was thrilled since I had not missed a class since I started coming to the studio and they tell you to wait 6 weeks before resuming exercise after giving birth. So, I only missed one session before I returned to dance again!

Which finally brings me to the point, what brought back to WIM after the birth of my daughter? Remember how I'm an introvert? Being an introvert, big changes in life create a tendency to be afraid to push myself to get out of my comfort zone, otherwise known as my house. Hence, the whole, it took me 8 years to start dancing thing. So, having a baby and a toddler... that's sort of a HUGE change. During the time leading up to my second child's birth and during the 6 week break, I definitely had my moments of fear that I wouldn't be able to come back. I wondered if my little girl would take a bottle, if I would be able to store enough milk, if she would be too much for the grandparents during the, "I need to be walked constantly," part of her life, etc. But, when it came down to it, I was stubbornly set on returning after my break. I knew if I didn't come back right away, the day to day business would take over and I may never return. And that, would have been a great sorrow for me. Not only did I return to WIM, but I returned to take both the Fundamentals and Intermediate classes for a session before settling into just the Intermediate level.

I came back because there was no other choice. My class gives me sanity, gives me great joy, gives me strength. I came back to WIM because my mom and I would go see the bellydancers at the Ren Fest every year and we would talk about how someday I would dance like them. She passed away before she could see me dance, but I still dance for her. I came back to WIM because whenever I leave the house without my kids I worry about them, except when I am at WIM. I forget to worry and I give into the dance. I give into the love of learning, the wonderful challenge of doing so many things at once, the zilling, the posture, movements... so much to think about! I came back because I love the instructors, their patience, their attention to detail, and their ability to guide you to see the fabulous bellydancer you can become. I must admit some hero worship when it comes to all of the instructors I've had. They are incredibly talented and give me something to aspire to. I feel so honored to be taught by such amazing women. I came back to WIM because when I see the awe-inspiring Advanced Tribal class, I see my own potential with time, patience, and dedication. I came back to WIM because of the way my fellow students encourage and energize me to work hard. I came back to WIM because even though I don't get to practice as much as I would like, they never make me feel bad about it. They all understand the wonderful insanity that comes with raising kids. I came back to WIM because every time I dance, I am in the moment and I am happy.

My Love Letter to World In Motion and to Bellydance, by Heather Murphy

This blog is part of a series of postings from World In Motion students about taking a break from the studio and what made them want to return...


Time flies by, especially since my now 6 month old son was born.  In the midst of doing repetitive, mindless tasks like changing diapers everyday, I keep trying to capture and treasure important moments.  Sometimes I am able to capture his smile with my iPhone, an instant Facebook post; sometimes it is just a sunny Sunday picnic with my husband and boy that I want to hold in my heart and memory forever.

For me, that is how bellydance feels.  A series of little moments, knowing glances exchanged with your partners, shared smiles, electric energy, all felt in just that instant.  It is the definition of living in the present, feeling the joy of the dance, together.
For all of my classmates and troupemates, dancing gives us time away from life's distractions- a lousy day at work, a sick child, car problems, house payments- it helps move life's challenges into the background, because all you have is now.  You focus on catching the next move, staying in time with your partner's hips.
Dance, the studio, my Saturday morning Advanced Tribal family- they were the one constant in my life after having my son, Sean.  Now a mostly stay-at-home/sometimes work-from-home mom, I was used to working a full-time job as a college administrator and instructor and helping run our beloved little dance studio.  I used to eat all my meals at my desk, or in the car on the way to somewhere else.  Now, I am still crazy busy, but in a completely different way.
I think I enjoy life more.  Instead of stressing about work politics, unreliable team members, and troublesome students, I go for walks with my boy.  We smell the roses and honeysuckle, I explain to him about colors and animal noises.  And I dance.
When I couldn't dance- in the few weeks before and after Sean's birth- I didn't feel like myself.  My whole identity had changed, but I needed to retain at least this one piece of it.
I definitely would not be myself without WIM and my weekly dose of Advanced Tribal class.  The ladies in it are not just my classmates, they are my friends, my instant sisters.  Many of us have danced together for over 6 years.  We've experienced loss, joys, sickness, abundance and struggle together.  They kept me whole, encouraged me to get back to dance, to do something for myself, and were patient as I caught up.
I felt how easy it would be to give up.  I was tired, overwhelmed, a little person needed me, I hadn't showered for some time...All excuses I'm glad I ignored.  And there was my dance family every week welcoming me to shimmy and sway with them again like we hadn't missed a beat.
They helped me be Heather for a couple of hours, rather than a mom, wife, daughter, teacher, or whatever label my obligations placed on me.
I am truly grateful for World In Motion, for being able to help build it, and to keep dancing there, and for finding myself there again every week.

Make-up for Peformance Revisited

 This blog was first published in 2012, and it was one of our most popular postings so we decided to share it again!  We hope you enjoy it, and that you get some good tips to add to your make-up bag of tricks!

At a recent show, someone remarked to one of the dancers, “Wow!  You really look fantastic tonight!”  (I thought so too.)  The performer in question is a naturally beautiful woman, and always looks lovely.  But that night, she really popped onstage, and much of the reason was that she had had her make-up done differently that she normally does it.  What a phenomenal difference it made in her stage appearance!

It got me thinking about how I could improve my stage make-up as well (I am certainly no make-up expert!), and thus I did a little research and came up with some tips and tricks to share with you.  If you find this post helpful at all, please send a picture of yourself wearing your new make-up to share with the rest of us in a future post as we would love to see the new and improved you!

The lovely Hannan Sultan with picture perfect make-up!

Tip #1: Imagine what your stage make-up would look like in black & white. You want to go for a dramatic effect akin to old time movie stars. Under the spotlight, parts of your face may seemingly disappear so you need to use make-up to make your features appear larger.  When you are finished, step back and take a look in the mirror.  Does anything appear washed out or hard to see?

Breathtakingly beautiful Kaitlyn

Tip #2: False eyelashes are a performer’s best friend!  Here is a link to a great tutorial for applying them: http://www.wikihow.com/Apply-False-Eyelashes

Tip #3: Body and face glitter is hot and trendy, but apply it to some specific areas, not all over.  Otherwise you may end up looking like a disco ball!  Use a brush to apply, and only ever use specially designed glitter on your face and eyes.  There are also gels and sprays available for easier application.

 Tip #4: To give your lips the illusion of being more pouty and full, apply a touch of white or silver gloss in the center.  Be sure to use a base of some sort (there are specific lipstick bases such as those by Urban Decay and Smashbox), and be sure to powder your lips before you apply the shiny gloss to set the color.

Tip #5: Be sure to take the shape of your eyes into consideration when doing them.  Too much dark shadow can make some eyes appear smaller and more closed up.  Just because it looks great on Rachel Brice doesn’t mean it will work for you!

Blush brush

Tip #6:  The right tools make all the difference!  You don’t have to break the bank to purchase the right make-up brushes and applicators.  Stores like Target and Walgreens have a good selection of inexpensive tools , and you can also use natural bristle art brushes for make-up application.  Do some research ahead of time to find what type of brush, sponges, etc. you need for different applications (a blush brush isn’t the same as a loose powder brush,  for example).  Print out some pictures or save image urls to your smart phone to bring to the store with you so that you know you are getting the right ones.

Tip #7: Use a make-up setting spray when you are satisfied that it is finished. Urban Decay has a fantastic product, and they are cruelty-free to boot!

Exotic and exquisite Rachel Brice

Tip #8: Have a make-up kit packed and ready to go with you to performances.  It should include the following:

·         Foundation

·         Pressed powder (easier to transport than loose powder)

·         Eyeliner: most dancers prefer liquid waterproof eyeliner in black

·         Blush and/or bronzer

·         Lipstick: dark and rich reds are often your best bet

·         Lip gloss in white or silver

·         Eyeshadow: multi-color packs are good for when space is limited in your dance bag

·         Mascara:  Blackest black unless you are pale blonde, then brown-black.  Waterproof is best for avoiding raccoon eyes

·         Tweezers

In researching this post, I came upon a fantastic article on how to apply belly dance performance make-up.  You can find it here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4594319_apply-belly-dance-performance-makeup.html

Tribal style dancers often need some extra help achieving a signature look, so here is a You tube video with some tribal style make-up tips.  She is a bit talky in it, but it does offer some good pointers for the tribal dancer:

Okay, now go practice and be sure to show us some pictures of the new, more striking stage-ready you!!

What Types of Exercises Can I Do to Improve My Dancing?

There are many reasons why people pursue instructor-led dance. From social interaction to physical benefits, dancing is a great form of artistic expression, stress relief, and exercise. For those who want to strengthen and sculpt their bodies in order to enhance their dancing, there are other exercise disciplines that will complement your dance practice and help you to meet that goal.

WIM Yoga Instructor, Karen

Yoga  

Yoga stretches the body while relaxing the mind. Yoga is a low impact way to stay limber and prevent
strains and sore muscles sometimes associated with dancing. Yoga is a gentle way to start and end your
day. Some of our instructors incorporate yoga poses as part of their  warm up, cool down and stretch routines, and it provides a terrific method for strengthening those all-important core muscles essential to good dance posture and technique.

Resistance training

Long lean muscles, often a hallmark of strength and grace, can be acquired through weekly resistance
training. The Mayo Clinic warns muscle mass naturally diminishes with age. Instead of allowing your
body to turn it into fat, gentle strength training can rebuild lost muscle and help you develop greater stamina.When performed properly as part of an overall fitness plan, you can control the amount of bulk gained so that you can become as toned and sculpted as you would like to be.


Pilates

Pilates is an excellent way to strengthen the body, especially the core. Pilates is low impact, requires controlled breathing, and uses your own body weight.. Incorporating Pilates into your fitness plan will

improve your posture and flexibility - necessary qualities  for budding and veteran dancers alike. It is adaptable to your  fitness level and needs and improves both energy and posture- critical elements of dance.

Cardio

There are many ways to work extra cardio into your day in addition to a structured program.  Aim for
ways to add concentrated bursts of cardio to your daily routine to improve circulation and endurance. Even taking 5 minute walk at lunch, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking further from your destination will help. The benefits of cardio in dance include greater endurance during long practice sessions and in performance. Dancing is no fun if your heart and lungs are unable to keep up!

 





Visualization 
Learning to see yourself as the dancer you want to become in your mind’s eye and developing imagery of your dance will enhance your memory and performance. Sports psychologists and brain imaging techniques have demonstrated that visualizing a motor skill utilizes the same brain regions as actual physical execution of a move does, and that when done together, physical and mental practice leads to more enhanced performance than either technique alone. Learning and remembering new moves is a balance of your mind and your body working together. Visualization techniques in combination with practice and physical exercise will teach you to become more focused and will benefit you in other areas of your life other than dance.

Only your health care professional can determine which type of exercise program is best for you to
pursue.  Dancing can be as much or as little of a lifestyle as you choose. The time spent in the studio is
disproportionate to the time living daily life outside of dance, but by beginning or improving your exercise routine, you not only improve your dance but your overall health for wherever the music takes you!

Let's Get Started Belly Dancing!

As with many cultural activities, belly dancing is not native to the US but is a fusion of international influences. Belly dance in its contemporary incarnation pays meticulous attention to form, technique, posture, and costuming. One of the most compelling and beautiful aspects of belly dance is that it is a physical expression of both music and emotionality.

The imagined skill set required to dance seems to scare off would be dancers but anyone can learn to belly dance. Each person is born with an innate propensity to move to music- just watch a toddler when they hear music playing! Belly dance promotes positive self-image, wellness, and enhanced cultural awareness and is an excellent form of low-impact exercise that is suitable for all ages, body types, and fitness and experience levels. Plus it is so much fun! Today we will go over 5 basic belly dance techniques that you can start doing right now.

Starting Stance

    Belly dance is about beauty and grace. For these reasons, it is important to remember there are no sharp angles. Soft poses combined with fluidity in movement keeps the dance feminine. The basic stance is critical for executing the dance properly and safely After a bit of time, it will feel as natural as breathing!.

Stand with your feet pointing forward, slightly(about hip width) apart. Bend your knees slightly. If you look down, you should be able to see your first 2 toes, but not the rest of them.

Keep your pelvis in a neutral position- neither tilted forward nor back. Imagine that it is a bowl and that you don’t want to spill the contents of your bowl on the floor in front of you nor on your own body. You should keep your lower back relaxed. Remember if your back hurts the next day…your posture was wrong!

Relax your shoulders, rolling them back and down, and lift your chest by engaging your upper back and upper abdominal muscles. Allow your arms to hang naturally at your side, with your thumb touching your middle finger.

That’s it! Now you’re ready to safely go into any pose or routine.

Hip Shimmy

   Time for the famous shimmy. There are several types of shimmies depending on the dancer and the style. For now let’s start with the hip bump. This is where it is important to remember your posture and keep your neutral pelvis and abdomen engaged. Keep both knees bent throughout this move; just unbend each knee about half-way to get that hip to lift. Be very careful not to lock the knee on the side you are trying to lift, and keep your derriere relaxed. Bump one hip for each beat of the music, alternating right-left.  Try to keep the movement straight up and down (like pistons in a car) and try to avoid any side-to-side motion. Watch yourself in a mirror both face on and sideways to be sure that you aren’t sticking out your derriere as that will only result in lower back pain. Gradually increase your speed and with practice, soon you will be shimmying like a pro!

Snake Arms

    Back to the basic stance. It’s time for those beautiful snake arms. This isn’t a matter of flailing your arms up and down like a drowning swimmer, but involves mastering them via controlled fluidity. Starting on the right side, lift first with your elbow, then the wrist, then the fingers. Don’t lead with your wrist or you will lose control of the movement! Try the same thing on the left side, and then eventually try to alternate sides without stopping in between. Remember, the rest of the body should not move.  In time, your arms can become light and look as though they are floating upwards - a beautiful illusion that will  be sure to entrance your audience.

Shoulder Shimmy

The shoulder shimmy is a strong and powerful move that can be done alone or layered over other moves. Start by pushing your right shoulder forward. Now push your left shoulder forward as you bring your right shoulder back. Keep your hands still and far enough forward so that you can see them in your peripheral vision.The rest of your body should not move. Belly dance is about isolation. Continue to alternate shoulders, increasing the speed until the alternating forward motion is a fluid transition from one side to the other. Congratulations! You’ve just learned the shoulder shimmy!

Head Slide

With the shoulders loosened, it’s a perfect time to add a head slide. The head slide is incorporated into many dance routines to add punctuation and depth to a dance. While keeping your chin parallel to floor, slide your head first to the right, then left for each beat of the music. Don't jut your chin out, and keep your shoulders back and down. Keep the slides small at first until you get used to them. Visualize having a pencil hanging from your chin and trying to draw a straight line back and forth on the ground. Have patience! Head slides take a while to get the hang of. Try practicing in front of a mirror, and do it slowly at first. When you can repeat these motions without moving your shoulders, you will have mastered the head slide.

Now you know some basic belly dance moves! Practicing at home is a great way to start, but having some in-person guidance will ensure you are executing the moves safely and correctly, and  will allow you to interact with other beginner dancers. Our instructors believe in a hands on approach and want to share the love of dance with all their students. Come visit us during an open house or sign up for a class to learn for yourself how easy it can be to belly dance!

Silver and gold

I was watching TV recently, and the commercial pitchman extolled the virtues of “out with the old, in with the new”.  Since this is the start of a new year, it seemingly makes sense that we would want to discard those old habits and ideas that haven’t served us well and replace them with newer, shinier, better habits, thoughts, beliefs, actions, etc.  But I would posit that not everything old is bad, and sometimes it is in looking to what we already hold in our minds and hearts - not to mention our closets and music stashes - that we might find some forgotten treasures that can still serve us well.

One example of this is when the contents of my iTunes library recently vanished into thin air. Still don’t know exactly what happened, but it was all gone.  In my efforts to restore the many lost playlists, I rediscovered some favorite music that I hadn’t listened to in years- great tunes that I can love and use anew. This discovery compelled me to dust off some old choreography and workshop notes which I found to be full of wonderful ideas for class and performance.  There were great combos and moves that I had totally forgotten about which I am excited to reincorporate into my dance repertoire.

Along these same lines, during my end-of-the year household purge, I found a VCR that I thought was long gone hidden in the back of a closet.  And it still works! So I started to sift through old performance and instructional videos, and I found some real gems. (Does anyone else remember “The Dancer’s Toolkit”  by Baraka or FatChance BellyDance’s “WomanPower Workout”?  How about Domba’s “Belly Belly Afro Belly”?) I had just been thinking that I needed to purchase some new DVDs, but now I have plenty of golden oldies to keep me occupied for quite a while!

Of course, the merit of shopping at thrift and consignment stores for costuming items and elements is well- documented, but just going through my closet recently yielded some real finds that I can either use as-is or reconstruct into something fabulous.  Have you ever found a $20 bill in the pocket of a jacket that you haven’t worn in a while?  It is a great feeling, and it was exactly how I felt when I rediscovered these old pieces that I can remake into something new.

So the moral of the story is like that Girl Scout standard: “make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other, gold.”

Speaking of things of value, anyone who emails worldinmotindance@gmail.com by 4 PM, Sunday, January 8 and mentions the keyword “salvage” will be entered into a raffle for a $25 World In Motion gift card.  So be sure to re-purpose this post for a chance at something great!