Almaza performing LIVE Malmö – رقص شرقي

Lite svenskt måste man även ha…från Malmö tycks det vara…

belly dance from malmo sweden festival 20-08-08 – رقص شرقي

Bellydance through birth

Bellydancing is a safe and effective dance expression that supports women throughout pregnancy and labour providing a natural birthing technique that encourages active birth at its most feminine

Middle Eastern Dance has evolved over time, transversed many lands and has been labelled, restructured, extended, and fused with other dance styles. A predominantly woman’s dance it would have been passed from mothers to daughters to preserve its sacredness and honour its connections to birth and fertility.

Used with permission from:
http://www.bellydanceforbirth.com

“Bellydance for birth”
by Maha Al Musa

Maha Al Musa is a mother of three gorgeous children – two sons and a daughter, writer, human rights activist, dancer, doula and lover of all things connected to the divine ‘feminine’. She is of Palestinian / Moslem and Lebanese / Christian background and was born in Kuwait and migrated to Australia in the early 60’s.

In 1996, whilst pregnant with her first son Kailash, she reconnected to her cultural roots through the “bellydance”.

When her son was six months old Maha began facilitating Bellydancebirth® classes in Byron Bay, Australia after being introduced to the dance by a local midwife, Annie. The classes were extremely popular with pregnant women and Maha developed a keen rapport with many of her students and midwives. She began working as a doula (birth assistant) with local home birth midwives and encouraged women to embrace their pregnancy journey with strength, empowerment and courage. She realized many modern women were estranged from not only their physical but also their emotional and spiritual body in this most powerful feminine cycle.

Through her classes, Maha presents Bellydancebirth® as a means for women to explore these most primal movements, drawing on her cultural heritage for its wisdom, healing and ancient knowledge. She weaves together the ‘old world’ with the ‘new world’ through the belly dance creating a joyful and uplifting experience for all mothers to be.

After the birth of her second son Tariq, at home in the water, she realised her dream in writing her book “Dance of the Womb”. Then to give birth a third time round at the ripe young age of 46 to her beautiful daughter Aminah (how lucky I was to have a girl!!) gave Maha an opportunity to make her long awaited DVD – to share with all women the positive power of her native dance in pregnancy and birth – all an incredible gift.

It further solidified her understanding of Bellydancebirth® in an even more powerful and holsitic way – she was able to refine many of her ideas around dancing in pregnancy and gained even more experience of it’s use in labour. Maha really felt that her third labour was enhanced by the belly dance in a way that was different from her first two births.

“I really felt that the belly dance gave me a very strong focus for my breath in my labour with Aminah……rather than just ease and dissipate the intense sensation of each contraction, the circling and spiraling movements helped to ground me deeply into my pelvis as I breathed through each wave……..I was able to let go, surrender and remain free of fear and thought … I really used the belly dance movements as a beautiful meditative guide through first stage…..it was really incredible to experience these new ways of utilizing the dance in my labour. I am so grateful as a facilitator of Bellydancebirth® to have been given this wonderful opportunity to test out my work again!!”

Maha’s book and DVD are two fold in their message, both as a valuable manual for women and an expression of the essence of Middle Eastern women’s instinctual creative “feminine” expressed in an authentic and profoundly positive manner. Maha has always felt that most images, both visual and written about Arab women are usually one dimensional stereotypes that she, nor many of her sisters do not resonate with.

She hopes her book and DVD will shine a light on the positive aspects of Arab women’s culture and take belly dance the dance of birth to a deeper realm for all women worldwide to have access to….

Maha’s DVD and book will soon be available to order through the Soulbirth website.  If interested in pre-ordering, please email me at: faye@soulbirth.com as I am in the process of ordering some in. I had a beautiful conversation with Maha this week and we are planning to bring her over to Perth in Aug/Sept 2010 to run a training program for us here in the West. I can’t wait, as I have always been a huge advocate of bellydancing throughout pregnancy and birth.

To visit Maha’s website, follow this link:
http://www.bellydanceforbirth.com/

belly dance – syrian contestant – رقص شرقي

Orit Maftsir in Poland 2008- Baladi – رقص شرقي

Ansuya – Belly Dance Sallam Alay – رقص شرقي

Jihan Al Masri- Lebanese bellydancer – رقص شرقي
Även hon är lebanesisk danserska.

Dina arabic belly dance (El Helwa bil bara) – رقص شرقي
Egyptiskan Dina dansar.

رقص شرقي يجنن – نورا Noura
Noura, lebanesisk danserska.

Yousra Hanem Belly Dancing – رقص شرقي

Yousra Hanem, lebanesisk danserska.

Cheeeeio de teias de aranhas esse blog aqui, hein? Empoeirado, coitado. Então vamos faxinar. Primeiro, contando o que andei fazendo nesses últimos dias.

Vamos lá. O que fiz todo esse tempo? Fiquei estressada, claro. E produzi mais um espetacular “petáculo”. Que canseira! Uma vez por ano, de agora em diante. Sim, Brasília é uma cidade tão alucinada que fazem esses cansativos eventos duas vezes ao ano. E dá um desconforto extra essa coisa de olhar data para não chocar com o espetáculo da colega e tal e coisa¹.

Impressão geral

Esse último espetáculo promete ter sido o melhor de todos os 11 promovidos pelo Ayuny desde sua fundação. Tenho a impressão que foi, e assim me contaram várias pessoas, entre professoras, alunas e convivas. O tema era a relação entre os universos divino e humano; cada professora inspirou-se em uma divindade do antigo Egito para compor seu próprio personagem e as coreografias das alunas. A minha, claro, foi Bastet. Depois conto com detalhe. O lance é que esse foi o espetáculo mais bem produzido que já fizemos: as coreografias tiveram iluminação especial e foram antecedidas de narrações poéticas cuidadosamente pesquisadas. Tive a ajuda da Laura, que dividiu a direção comigo e, estudante de cênicas e garota espertíssima, ajudou, entre outras coisas, a compor a iluminação (feita por Daniela Diniz, sua irmã), a narração e a cenografia da dança das professoras.

A dança das professoras

Pois é, as professoras dançaram todas juntas. Foi um processo criativo loooouco, mas proveitoso como poucas experiências de dança podem ser. Todas competentíssimas e poderosas, precisando comprimir técnica e energia criativa em 3 minutos de música. Foram oito professoras juntas, veja só. E a coreo foi construída em conjunto meeesmo. Isso é uma vitória. Claro que o clima fica tenso às vezes: já estão todas esgotadas de coreografar, ensinar e ensaiar suas próprias turmas; preocupadas com o próprio figurino e com o figurino das alunas. Ou seja, vitória ao cubo termos feito uma coreografia bonita, elaborada e bem executada.

As minhas alunas

Sou uma megera. Às vésperas do espetáculo (isto é, 1 mês antes), me transformo. Igual ao médico bonzinho do Pernalonga. Sou um poço de paciência ao longo do ano; repito e repito e repito tudo; detalho cada movimento, traduzo a música, mostro as camadas sonoras. Vai chegando perto do espetáculo cobro tudo. Não grito com ninguém, claro; mas mando melhorar a cara, cobro presença, corto perguntas impertinentes, fico ríspida mesmo. Claro, só com alunas mais avançadas. As macacas-véias, como gosto de chamar. “Credo, Roberta, que coisa horrorosa, pra que tudo isso?” Para que elas sempre – sempre – se saiam bem sobre o palco. Como fizeram mais uma vez. Elogiadas, lindas e maravilhosas. Dançaram absurdamente bem, mais uma vez uma coreo nada simples. Tiveram que coreografar algumas partes elas mesmas. E foi um sucesso; todas fizeram jus à confiança. A expressão estava ótima, a leitura musical apurada, o alinhamento, perfeito. Ai ai. Orguuuuulho!

A minha dança

Improvisada, simplésima, mas emocionante. Três queridas alunas me acompanharam no solo. O trocar de olhares sobre o palco é algo de arrepiar; é como trapacear: a expressão, coisa das mais complicadas de se conseguir sobre um palco, vem pronta, quentinha como o pãozinho da manhã. E elas também improvisaram. Ainda que minha dança não tenha sido inesquecível para o público, o foi para nós quatro.

1. Essa cidade é um ovinho. De codorna, não de quadril. Ha ha ha. Que piadista.

Today I had an extended lesson. One hour and a half shaking the medals pretty cool. I recommed it to all women who wants to feel like a real woman, sure of themselves and who are confortable about their womanhood. Bellydance is a cry for independence, sensuality and spoken movement.

Give it a try. Google it

Tues. Dec. 1st, 2009
2 fabulous shows! 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm
$25 ticket, kids 12 and under $15.
Benefit is held for Women for Women International

For more information contact:
Tina Enheduanna (949)842-5989
tina@enheduanna.com
www.enheduanna.com

One of the most enjoyable aspects of  “All the Pretty Snakes… (& Bellydancers”) is the coming together of so many creative, talented individuals. Last Friday we took over EPICA studios for a multi-person shoot with Sherri Wheatley and friends (snake and otherwise). This particular shoot brought a lot of anticipation and agonizing over every detail as it was by far our most complex shoot from a costuming and makeup standpoint.

In come Amy and Melissa! At Karma’s Halloween party, these two sisters (along with third sister Meredith) did a zombie-inspired number with makeup to boot! So Lee asked Amy if she had any experience with costume makeup, explained to her the concept of our trying to achieve the look of stone, and soon thereafter started communicating frequently about how best to accomplish said goal. Lee was busy all last week starching thrift store shirts to get a frozen, statue-d look With some professional makeup purchased from Cinema Secrets in Los Angeles, a few makeup brushes, sponges and whatnot, and most importantly, some very enthusiastic and talented participants, we were ready.

The day of the shoot dragged – it just seemed like it couldn’t happen soon enough! But then in rolled Omarr, Tonantzin and Zenen… followed shortly by Amy and Melissa. Slowly but surely the whirlwind of creative energy started up… clothes were flying as we fitted the men for their statue costumes. Once that was done, the sisters were out in the parking lot adding finishing spray-paint touches to the starched clothes which Karma then finished. Then the sisters (aka makeup artists extraordinaires) and I soon had the men lined up in another room and were making the transition come to life. We coated their faces first with gray, then with a darker color to shadow, and white goop to highlight; those of us doing the makeup had our hands and wrists covered in it. Amy and Melissa were so expert at applying the makeup, and also extremely patient with me as they instructed me in the ways of costume makeup (I jumped in because it looked like so much fun, plus time was of the essence)! It took almost an hour and half and 4 sets of hands to transform 3 men into statues. It was so much fun!!!

There is no way we would have accomplished this shoot without the help of our volunteers: Amy, Melissa, Karma, Omarr, and Zenen, and even Tonantzin and Sada for their moral support and snake-holding ability. We hope the effect will be mesmerizing, however we are true believers that the process is just as satisfying, if not sometimes more, than the outcome itself. It was a lot of fun having an extended team of snake-charmers around and we’re so appreciative that they endured more than 5 hours of “All the Pretty Snakes…” up close and in person!

Medusa and her village

Sabe aquela música que você ama? Não pode ver tocando que já quer sair dançando? Pois é, qual é o nome dela? É inacreditável como muitas bailarinas, alunas e até professoras não se importam em conhecer o nome da música e o cantor/orquestra que está executando. Muitas acreditam que este é um mero detalhe, o importante mesmo é sair dançando e aplicar os 90 passos que deveriam ter aprendido até o nível avançado. Mas não é bem assim! Para a formação de uma bailarina da dança oriental é indispensável conhecer a música e seus clássicos.

A música árabe é uma das mais complexas e ricas do planeta. Tem instrumentos próprios e desconhecidos da cultura ocidental como o alaúde ou a flauta nay. A aplicação ou retirada de um instrumento da música pode atribuir significados muito diferentes a mesma melodia.  A presença de um instrumento pode transformar uma música expansiva em introspectiva.E a complexidade não pára por aí. E quando resolve-se misturar instrumentos tipicamente ocidentais como o saxofone e o violino com a música árabe? Realmente a diversidade da música árabe é um desafio para qualquer estudante.

O conhecimento das variações da música oriental é importantíssimo para a correta interpretação durante a dança e este conhecimento não é adquirido ouvindo Nawal Al Zoughbi ou Amr Diab e sim , conhecendo os clássicos da musica árabe.Nada contra o pop árabe, eu também gosto bastante. Mas não se pode estudar dança só com este estilo.

Para ilustrar um clássico da música árabe, deixo vocês com a bailarina argentina Saida dançando Amal Hayati executada por Mario Kirlis e sua orquestra. Não é a versão original de Om-Kalthoum, esta você pode encontrar aqui.

Ahora que ya entrevistamos al Maestro Mario Kirlis, llegó la hora de las bailarinas chilenas!!!

Siempre quisiste preguntarle algo a alguna bailarina que admires, como empezo en la danza, cuales son  sus planes, etc? Ahora es cuando!!  Elige a la bailarina chilena a la que quieras entrevistar y deja una pregunta para ella, la bailarina mas votada recibira las preguntas que tu formulaste. A votar! (Por favor agregar si falto alguna en el listado)

I’m not sure if anyone else feels this way, but every time change comes in to my life, I try to read a really life-changing book (I know, I know… I take nerd-dom to a new level). I have had a few people recommend the book “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert to me, so I picked it up the other day from the library. In this autiobiographical account, Elizabeth details her year-long quest for true spiritual enlightment. — 4 months in Italy, eating good food, learning the language, and seeking pleasure in life; 4 months in India, studying yoga and spirituality at a yoga Ashram with a guru; and 4 months learning life lessons from a Balinese medicine man in Indonesia.

Well, I definitely picked a life-changing book to read.  It’s honest, really well-written, and dripping with wisdom.

It got me thinking… I think people do not take nearly enough time in our culture to work on their own happiness and spirit. Wouldn’t it be cool, I thought, if I went on my own journey pursuing three things I wanted to develop or experience to make me a better, more enlightened person? And what if I could work on my passion, dancing, like Elizabeth pursued a relationship with God? I think it’s safe to say that I am a preacher of the dance gospel — maybe that makes it my religion (“Please open your Bibles to the gospel of Martha Graham, please…” ).

So I’m doing it! Starting in December, I am going to spend one month focusing on eating, nutrition, and keeping my body at optimum health. I am going to try to make meals for myself more, try new food, and learning as much as I can about taking care of my body. I will be traveling to Chicago during this time for Christmas — resisting my mom’s fudge will be an interesting challenge. I’m hoping to explore the city with this new mindset.

Come January, my focus turns to training. I’m hoping for bootcamp-style, constant dancing and studying as many dance styles with as many dance teachers as possible (even as a kid I always loved the montage where the dancer is training feverishly). I will be in Sacramento to study with Amy Sigil and other belly dance teachers in the area for the first half of January, and I’m planning to continue studying Indian dance, modern, ballet, and explore some new dance styles.

February is going to be the month where I am going to focus on creating. I am surrounding myself with as much inspiration as possible, collaborating with other artists to achieve my goals, and work on some pieces. I am hopefully going to be traveling to Atlanta for Tribal Con during this period, which I am really looking forward to for a lot of inspiration.

And I think you should do it to!

I’m calling it the “Eat, Pray, Love” experiment. Who would be interested in focusing on three passions, three things-you-always-wanted-to-do, three do-your-soul-some-good things; spending some time pursuing each one (it could be a day, a week, several months — however long you want your experiment to last); and sharing our experiences as a community? When going through huge changes, sometimes it can really be great to have a community of people supporting you doing something good for yourself. It’s also great to hear about one another, and it will keep us all motivated to keep with the experiment. If you’re interested, post a response to this blog.

I have been getting so many requests from dancers wanting to learn some of my specialty bellydance techniques that I finally decided to dedicate a weekend to them. Yes you will learn veil, turns, super flirty combinations, sword and more, all next month. Class size is very limited so first come first served. The Saturday Workshop is geared for all levels and the Sunday one is geared for Int/Advanced levels. Because I like games and fun stuff, I’ve decided to use twitter http://www.twitter.com/shabnamdancer to offer special deals and prizes on this workshop weekend and other upcoming events. (The fab pics are by Liza Heider btw)..See you there

Saturday December 12 11am-3:30pm

Ultra Femme, Flirty Sexy Combinations and Techniques -All Levels 11am

Turns and Veil Techniques Plus Combinations 1:30

Sunday December 13 11am-3:30pm

Sword Techniques and Unique Combinations -Int/Adv Levels 11am

Super Bold Drum Solo Choreography -1:30

Tuition:

$145 in Advance for Full weekend (expires December 10)

$80 for 1 full day

$45 each

Location:

Shabnam Studio

580 Grand Ave Suite 304 Oakland CA

I just got back from a fabulous weekend in El Paso attending workshops with the amazing Ava Fleming. If you ever get the chance to take a class with her or even just watch her perform I highly recommend her. She is phenomenal.

I have to say that big thanks have to go to the beautiful Fayruz of Rakkassat Aldahab for hosting this event. Without her hard work and dedication it would not have been possible; and kudos to her girls for working hard too! It really was one of the best events I’ve been to.

Ava taught four workshops:-

(1) An intense layering workshop, which fried my brain completely!
(2) A Total Request workshop, where we played with different things including spins, undulations etc …
(3) A fabulous shimmy workshop (probably my favourite of the lot!)
(4) A Triple Threat workshop where we learned about the history of bellydance and the founding of tribal, then learned some tribal moves and cues and blended cabaret and tribal together.

I came away from the weekend with a better understanding of the dance in its entirety and an idea of where I want my dance to take me. Ava was really an inspiration.

I also performed in the show with my first ever improv solo in a formal setting. I was nervous but it went extremely well and I got a nice applause! I also had several people in the audience come up to me afterwards and compliment my dancing, which was a nice surprise. Someone even paid to have a professional photo with me!