Bellydance Adventures In Mexico!

This weekend brought the first cold weather of the season, and while I love the cool Fall weather, I couldn't help but think about this past summer.  Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the summer, but this past summer was a very special one for me.  I had the privilege to spend a week in Mexico learning from the fabulously talented bellydancer, Bozenka (video of Bozenka performing).  Not only did I get to hang out with my dance idol for a whole week. but on top of that I was staying at the most breathtakingly beautiful place I've ever seen.  When my sister and I signed up for the intensive, I thought we'd have a fun time, I had no idea how amazing and life changing the experience would be.
The intensive took place on Isla Holbox in the Mayan Riveira in early June.  For almost a week, we spent four hours a day dancing and trying to take in the wealth of information Bozenka had to share with us.  Some of the topics included: graceful arms, veil and double veil, zills, cane, fan veils.  To be honest, there was so much covered that I am a having a hard time remember everything!  One of my favorite class moments was dancing on the beach with our veils fluttering in the ocean breeze.  I felt like I'd died and gone to bellydance heaven.  We also had casual evening performances at the resort's restaurant for those who wanted feedback from Bozenka.  It was extremely nerve-wracking to perform in front of such an amazing dancer, however I'm very glad I didn't chicken out.  The culmination of the week was a show in the middle of the town.  A significant portion of the island's population came to the show and it was amazing to perform for such an enthusiastic crowd (watch video).  Plus, now I can say I've performed internationally!

I could go into even more detail about the trip (whale sharks! Tarzan man! political rallies!) but then this post would probably never end.  Suffice to say, the experience was enriching for me as a dancer and an instructor.  As the days get colder, I'm planning on holding on to a little bit of that island sunshine so that I can continue to feel inspired and pass some of that amazing dance energy along to my students.  Now I just need to figure out how attend one of Bozenka's intensives in Greece...

Bozenka's website
Casa Las Tortugas

*Thanks to my wonderful studio co-owner (and mother), who made this trip possible for a scrub like me.

Beautiful Dancers

We are so fortunate to have such wonderful instructors at World In Motion! We see them in class every week in their day-to-day dance wear so it is hard to remember sometimes that they are gifted and beautiful performers as well.  So here are some pictures of recent performances that have featured several of our instructors doing what they do best.  Enjoy!

Amara performing at Down East Bellydance and Drum Fest. Photo by Dave Lee

Nandana and Heather doing ATS with Azadi at Project Shimmy.  Photo by Bonnie Stanley

 

Sara at Project Shimmy.  Photo by Bonnie Stanley

Emily at Blue Moon's Summer Hafla.  Photo by Rick Ward

Shaiya at Blue Moon's Summer Hafla.  Picture by Rick Ward

Motion, according to Miriam-Webster, is defined as the following :

1. An act, process, or instance of changing place 
2. An active or functioning state or condition 
3. A proposal for action 
4. An act or instance of moving the body or its parts 
5. A melodic change of pitch

Each of these definitions in turn describes the happenings at World In Motion at various times and for different people.  When you think of your experiences at World In Motion, which of these descriptions ring the most true for you? 

Do you see the studio as a place to get away from it all (#1)?  An opportunity to be active and mobile, to better the functioning of your body and mind (#2)?  How about a venue where you can follow the action plan that an instructor proposes so that you can learn, grow, and be part of something bigger than yourself (#3)?  Or is it the corner of the world where you can simply put one foot, arm, leg and/or torso (so to speak!)  in front of the other just so you can move your body to the music (#4)?  Or maybe it is akin to a melodic change of pitch in that it represents movement toward a goal as well as encompassing aspects of harmony, dynamics,  contour and resolution (#5)?

The reasons to join our community and to help it grow, thrive, percolate and create are many and varied.  I know why I am a part of this wonderful place. What moves you to be part of World In Motion? 

September Happenings

September at World In Motion is going to be jam-packed with all kinds of great events that we are either sponsoring, attending or performing at so be sure to mark your calendars and come join the fun!

Friday, Sept. 9,  7 - 9 PM: Bellydance lesson/Open dancing & music jam: Sara will be dazzling us with a class from 7:00-8:00 focusing on strong and fluid arm and hand movements in bellydance, followed by open dancing from 8:00-9:00 with live music provided by our local Middle Eastern Musicians group. All abilities welcome! Only $5 admission for the whole evening!  More info at http://www.worldinmotiondance.com/events/

Saturday, Sept. 10,  9- 10 AM: salutation nation: WIM will have representatives at this nation wide outdoor yoga event being held locally at the Durham Bulls Athletic park.  Come say hi to us!

Saturday, Sept. 10,  5:30 - 8:30 PM: Trishna 2011: Come see some of our Bollywood class students perform with their dance team at Trishna 2011, a cultural event organized by Two Cents of Hope, a non-profit organization trying to educate underprivileged kids in India. Location: Stewart Theater, NC State Campus. Admission: $5 for students; $10 for adults/non-students.  more info at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265347946823747

Sunday, Sept. 11, 12:15- 2:15 PM: Mother-Daughter Workshop: Come and spend a fun afternoon with your daughter (or niece, granddaughter or friend) learning a bellydance-inspired choreography!  Ages 5+. More information available on our website at http://www.worldinmotiondance.com/workshops/

Saturday, Sept. 17, 9:30 - 10:00 AM: Walk to End Alzheimer's Kick-Off!: Sara, Sashi and Emily will be warming up the participants (over 1100 expected!) with some fun and funky bellydance and bellygroove moves as well as manning a booth at this annual event to be held at the Durham Athletic Park. Stop by and visit us if you are there!  More info at http://www.kintera.org/FAF/home/default.asp?ievent=460805

Saturday, Sept. 17,  Noon- 4:00 PM: Fun and Easy Science Education Awareness Expo: World In Motion will be participating in the Education Awareness Expo sponsored by Fun and Easy Science at Cary's Herbert C. Young Community Center. Come join the fun and learn more about our children's Hip Hop, Zumbatomic and Bellydance classes and try a mini-shimmy class at the event. Free pizza provided by Papa Murphy's to the first 200 people!  More info at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=279651758717901

Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:00 - 10:00 PM: danceSPARK Performance!  WIM is proud to have been chosen to perform as part of the weekend long SPARKcon event held in downtown Raleigh.  Several of our wonderful instructors will be performing: Heather, Nandana, Sashi and Lisa will present an improvisational tribal belly dance piece, and Sara and Emily (as Sparkle Oasis) will be performing one of their signature lively choreographies. Exact performance times TBA so keep looking for that information coming soon!

Sunday, Sept. 18, 12:15- 2:15 PM: Drumming for Dancers Workshop with Ken Ashley of the Lost Nomads: Find out if you like to drum, learn Middle Eastern rhythms that are important to bellydancing, expand your awareness of the driving force behind Middle Eastern music, and discover your hidden talents!

A few loaner drums are available- reserve yours now by registering early! Details and registration information available at http://www.worldinmotiondance.com/workshops/

Saturday, September 24, 12:30 - 2:30 PM: The Goddard School of Morrisville's Fall Carnival:

World In Motion will be sponsoring a booth and also presenting a kids' Hip Hop, ZumbAtomic and Bellydance performance/mini-lesson (1:30 - 2:00 PM) at this fun family event which is free and open to the public.  Located at 4027 Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560

 

Saturday, September 24, 4:00 - 6:00 PM: Get Your Shimmy On! Combinations/Layering and More with Nandana: This workshop will focus on different types of shimmies and how to use them in your dance.  We will work on several dynamic combinations, different ways to layer upper and lower body shimmies, how to practice your shimmies and more!  All levels of dancer are welcome. 

Saturday, September 24, 7:30 - 9:30 PM: WIM Student Showcase!  We love showing off our students, and want to provide a safe environment in which to perform for family, friends and fellow students. Our showcases are always fun and lively. Free for WIM students; $2 for guests.

Friday, September 30, 8:30 - 10:30 PM: Zumba/Shimmy Party!! Join World In Motion and Latin Z Studio for a fun evening of high-energy Zumba and Bellydance! Our awesome Ecuadorian Zumba instructor, Vanessa, will be teaching exciting new Zumba choreographies, Emily will lead the group in Bellygroove combos, and Sashi and Heather will introduce the basics of Bellydance! Party will be held at Crosspointe Church, 6911 Carpenter Fire Station Road in Cary.

Fee:
$5 with purchase of any 6-week session of classes
$8 advance purchase
$10 at the door

For details and preregistration information, visit http://www.worldinmotiondance.com/events/

Questions about any of the above? Please contact World In Motion at worldinmotiondance@gmail.com or call (919) 465-4440.

Medieval life lives on!

Today's post is by guest blogger, Brian Beaman.  Brian is a member of the Lost Nomads (Like them at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lost-Nomads/124885607564856) and Blue Moon Dance Company (www.bluemoonbellydance.com).  Enjoy!

 

Imagine yourself during medieval times walking through a market, shopping for supplies or looking for a place to rest from your travels and partake of food and drink. As you make your way through the crowed marketplace, you are surrounded by other shoppers and travelers. Some of the other people are dressed like you in familiar clothing and others are dressed in a variety of clothing that is much less familiar. Gypsies, pirates, warriors, and barbarians with no clothing on except for a loin cloth from animal skin are just a few of the people you notice. The local shop keepers are busy helping their customers to purchase a variety of items from clothing to armor and weapons to musical instruments. Just beyond the marketplace, clusters of tents with banners indicating the names or heritage of the different clans stretch out as far as the eye can see. As the day turns to night, the sounds of drums can be heard echoing thought the encampment and you slowly make your way in that general direction. Along the way, you marvel at the variety of tents and other structures that are used to make each of the makeshift groups feel more at home within their own separate space as well as a special part of the entire community. When you arrive at the encampment where the drumming has originated, you find it crowded with people. Like you, they have been drawn by the sounds of the drums and the bright lights from the many torches surrounding the encampment. There are musicians playing familiar melodies and dancers moving to the music with sensual grace and beauty. The host of the party greets you and welcomes you to their celebration with plentiful food and drink. The festivities continue late into the night until you finally make your way back to your tent for a few hours of sleep.
This place that you have imagined is not a fantasy or a magical dream world. This is a place of reality called Pennsic. It exists every year for the past 40 years at a little camp ground north of Pittsburgh. 10,000 people come together every year for the first two weeks in August to create this real life fantasy world. Talented musicians and dancers share their knowledge with other members of the community and provide a source of inspiration to dedicated acolytes. While there are many wonderful benefits that Pennsic has to offer, there are also many challenges and it takes a special kind of person with dedication and desire to find a home at Pennsic. Do you have what it takes?
To be continued ....

Can't wait for our new classes starting next week!

While we have always offered fabulous classes at World In Motion, we are especially excited about the new classes that will be starting next week!  Several of the offerings are as a result of your suggestions- so keep them coming!

The complete line-up can be found on our website at http://www.worldinmotiondance.com/classes.html, but here are some highlights:
Lunchtime Zumba, Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:30 -12:30 AM: For those of you who want to move to that Latin beat during the daytime
Tribal Level 1 Belly Dance, Mondays, 7:00 - 8:15 PM: These classes are presented in the exciting Tribal Style (lead/follow) format.  If you love to dance, you will love this class!
Bellygroove, Tuesdays, 10:00 - 11:00 AM: This is a fun and funky way to get great exercise and get your belly groove on!
Kids' Hip Hop/ZumbAtomic, Tuesdays, 5:45- 6:30 PM: A series that your kids are sure to love!
Adult Hip Hop/Bollywood , Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 PM: 3 weeks each; take them separately or as a series of two
Discover Bellydance,  Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:15 PM: This is an ongoing series- no breaks.  Drop in anytime! 
Performance Incubator, Wednesdays, 8:30 - 9:45 PM: This session will focus on performance technique and stagecraft as a means of dancing your dreams!
Nia, Thursdays, 9:30 -10:30 AM: Julie, our black belt Nia instructor, is phenomenal
Cabaret Belly Dance Level 1, Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:45 PM: Featuring the incomparable goddess of shimmies, Amara!
Children's Belly Dance, Saturdays, 9:00 - 9:45 AM: What a fantastic way for the girls you know to learn performance technique, stagecraft, and group cooperation as well as a beautiful art form - all while improving self-confidence and fostering great body awareness

Plus many more!

We have lots of options that make taking classes at World In Motion affordable, from pre-registration discounts to a generous referral rewards program to new students getting their first class free to our work/study program to our Unlimited Class Pass option- there is sure to be something that will work for you.

It's like being a kid in a candy shop!  Which one will you treat yourself to?  Why stop at one??

Feet- the unsung heroes of dance and movement

This Friday, August 12, Grace Tang of Strive Physical Therapy is coming to World In Motion to give an interactive lecture on foot and spine health.  Personally, I am really looking forward to this event because my tootsies ache a lot lately!  But if they aren't bothering us for some reason, how often do we actually think about our feet and how crucial they are to our everyday life - let alone our dance and movement activities?

In my very humble opinion (and I do think that other more illustrious people in the world of dance agree), the foot is the most important part of the body for a dancer.  You might say, "Duh" to this concept (it is hard to dance without using your feet.  But not impossible.  I have taught wheelchair-bound folks to bellydance, and they were fabulous at it. But I digress.) But how many of us are conscious and deliberate about what our feet are doing when we dance?  Or how we treat our feet before, during, and after a workout?

The next time you watch a phenomenal dancer, take a few minutes to really examine what she/he is doing with her/his feet.  Watch how they place them in space- odds are, it will be with purpose and grace.  Look at how their feet are an extension of their entire movement, characterization, mood and musicality and not just a means for getting them from one spot to another.  The next time you practice or are in class, try to be aware of what you are doing with your feet. Are they parallel?  Is the weight evenly distributed between them and across each foot?  Are your knees aligned properly with them?  Observe what you do with your feet when you travel across the floor.  Are your movements smooth, controlled- beautiful?  Be sure to warm up and cool down your feet and ankles before and after class.  And think about giving your hard working feet a nice massage after class and practice!  Massage between your toes, over your arch and around your heel and ankle.  Your feet will thank you for it later!

For more extensive information about how to treat your feet properly, be sure to come to this Friday's lecture as well as the one on August 19 when Aaron Marco will present an interactive program which will include an awareness exercise centered around feet and how they relate to the ground.  But in the meantime, be nice to your feet- the unsung heroes of dance and movement.  You might be surprised at how much better you feel- and move- overall if you are!