And So the Story Goes…
Skeletons, ghosts and names on tombstones greeted us at the Haunted Hips workshop in Abilene. We arrived in Abilene after driving the long way around to get there and thankfully settled into comfy beds at the hotel. Even our 3 legged blue heeler, Mr. Zippy was out like a light, snoring away and dreaming of that unreachable rabbit. Saturday morning was upon us in what seemed to me to be only ten minutes of sleep but I know I am exaggerating a bit.
The Haunted Hips workshop was finally happening and I was ready and anxious not only to get started but to meet all the wonderful women who travelled to the workshop from out of town. The Magic Lamp Studio director Jami Chance is about the nicest and most gracious hostess I have had the pleasure to work with. Jami and I met through my online videos a few years ago and we have been dance friends ever since.
Saturday was a day full of opposition hip combinations that is based on the Hip Phylosophy curriculum. It was a day of laughing and dancing which is always the best way to learn dance. Everyone who came to the workshop came through the 4 hours of instruction with flying colors. There were different levels of dancers so it was an interesting mix of beginner dancers to professional. Sunday was a mini choreography on Continual Soft movement and group participation. It was my favorite class of the weekend because the girls took combinations apart and put them back together in various ways and then performed the combinations for each other. I think in the Sunday class the girls were able to see that putting combinations together can be fun and both groups came up with wonderful variations on the combinations. They could actually see that what they came up with not only worked but looked beautiful all at the same time!
The Saturday evening show was full of great energy and I must say that Jami did a wonderful job training her girls. Each performance was full of high energy and the evening flowed effortlessly and easily. It was just one of those shows that was a joy to be in. At the end of the evening Jami brought me roses and we all danced to live music by a wonderful drummer named John. It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening!!
When the end of the workshop came it was sad to leave. Jami’s family is just as gracious as she is and we feel so fortunate to have met Jami’s husband Steve, daughters Brittany and Bekah. Thank you so much for making our stay wonderful and memorable. And thank you Jami for letting me off the hook for forgetting the lights!!
DVD Review, Rozana al Jinans Cane Choreography
Review by Leyla Najma for “The Chronicles Belly Dance Magazine.
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Rozana al Jinan Presents:
Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon”
Cane Choreography like you’ve never seen it!
Sun, sand and swirling images in blue greet you as you start your journey watching Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon”. Rozana al Jinan takes what you thought you knew about cane and completely revolutionizes cane technique with modern choreography. As you watch Rozana move with the cane, it is almost as if the cane is an extension of her movements. And this is why this is a must have DVD.
A pleasant “warm up” starts you off and is so enjoyable because Rozana has such a soft and relaxing voice. This really gets you into a good mood and prepares you for the challenging class awaiting you. But I have to warn beginner dancers; this choreography is intended for the experienced dancer. So make sure you have your foundation movements down and you are able to work in your traveling steps before you try out Rozana’s choreography.
How many dancers really know how to hold a cane? Rozana gives tips on how to hold and control your cane. This is a must know part of cane and even if you have danced with cane previously this information is a really good reminder on how to feel the energy with your cane as it moves with you. Rozana does something that I wish a lot of dancers would do when they produce an instructional; she shows the feet work first than the combination with the cane and than the cane drill. Wow, this took a lot of the guess work out and I was able to follow Rozana with greater ease.
For the professional dancer out there who is bored with her cane this DVD not only saves the day but adds a new spice to cane choreography. Since Rozana is a black belt in Tae Kwando she combined new and exciting elements to her choreography which include martial arts. This is why Rozana’s choreography is different and challenging. She brought in rudiments of Contemporary Wushu which translates to “Flowering Hand”. This is a form of Chinese martial arts that is performed as a sport today. The form itself is known to mean “As soft as a flower while in motion but strong upon impact” which defines Rozana’s choreography perfectly. My favorite combination is the Plum Blossom which is a move derived from Wushu. Trust me this particular move with the cane will test your ability to do two things at once which I found out to my chagrin. The bottom line is this DVD is educational, challenging and different. And an added bonus is a “Tips and Inside Information” booklet that Rozana provides with her DVD.
With so many instructional DVDs out today Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon” is
a wonderful surprise and once you buy it; you’ll find it is money well spent.
Raqs Assaya “Blue Moon” is available from Rozana al Jinan. For more information contact Rozana al Jinan at: www.jinanbellydancing.com or
Rozana @jinanbellydancing.com
By Leyla Najma
Drum Roll…Belly Dance Village has arrived!
by Leyla Najma · 4 Comments
Can you all believe it…….Belly Dance Village is finally up and running! It’s been a journey of ups and downs especially with the design and content but the finished project is a gem of a site. It definitely has been a labor of love for Daniel but for me I must say it’s been a little like falling down the rabbit hole. I’m sure Dan can attest to the many animated discussions we have had since the thread of the idea started. But it has all been worth the trials and tribulations of getting it rolling because it is a huge part of the demands and needs of belly dancers today. In other words times are changing therefore Belly Dance Village has arrived!
From a girlie belly dancer perspective I have to say I love the artwork because it seems to have a timeless look to it and that was very important to Daniel and I. Jennifer Bauman is our artist extraordinaire and it only took one phone call describing what my vision was for Belly Dance Village for her to get it right on the money. We wanted the look pleasing to the eye first and than Daniel was adamant about making it user friendly. It really is a website that has a life of its own and it will continue to grow as members come in and we start to accommodate different needs, ideas and more content.
I will be doing a new video a month for members, this way it keeps new content coming in and if subscribers have ideas for videos they can put in their two cents besides being apart of the video process. I know there are women looking for videos that address specific problems so this is our way of answering the needs of the many. I enjoy different ideas so for me it will be fun to see what members have to say and what magically appears gliding on the magic carpet called video ideas. The possibilities are going to be endless!
We have a few interviews of amazing dancers up for your enjoyment so stay tuned for more that I will be doing specifically for Belly Dance Village. Also if any of you have dance friends or teachers who inspire you, write in and let me know about them for future videos. I am also interested in interviewing women who have conquered physical problems, personal issues or who are leaders in your communities. We want Belly Dance Village to be a place that feels like a village and community not just a place for dance only but for women with common goals and ideas. The focal point for Belly Dance Village is “you” the dancers and women who are searching for a place that not only feels a little like home but where you can voice your opinion. Realistically speaking if any of us become members of anything we want to feel like our voice counts.
The cool thing about Belly Dance Village is the fact that you can have access to any of my videos. I think at this point Daniel told me I have done 27 videos so that means there is a lot of instruction at your finger tips. So no matter what happens during the day or week you can have access to them when it’s “your” dance time. Belly Dance Village for me is a necessity for the moms out there, working women or the time restraints from being both. It will be there when you find the time and that is the comforting aspect of being a member. You can go at your own pace and enjoy class time without feeling you are missing out. There is no traveling in the car (gas prices are soaring) and you can be in the comfort of your own surroundings.
I have included important elements of being an entertainer which includes stage terminology, lighting and stage areas. These are must know aspects of being a dancer and a major part of the education of performers. For those dancers who don’t know what entails putting on a show this information is especially for you. Also there is a link on make-up which will help create stage personalities and give tips for a variety of looks.
The history of Belly Dance is also being added but I have kept it more in the Egyptian arena which is my focal point and has been for years. But the history will include important dates, dancers, musicians, composers and information needed for your belly dance education. It does not include American Cabaret, American Tribal, Gothic or Fusion but that can all be added later. As I said the membership site will be a work in progress so that it can grow and more content can be added.
If any of you were wondering what happened to Belly Ache radio well wonder no more because we will be including it into Belly Dance Village. That’s right, I will be interviewing different types of personalities on the show not only dancers but people with important information I feel you should know. So as you can see there is a lot going on with this membership site that will make it an exciting place to be. At least from Daniel and my perspective we are working to make sure that it is the answer to dancer’s needs and more.
So what are you waiting for go check it out!
“The Divine Unrest”©
by Leyla Najma · 7 Comments
For the most part of two years I have been typing away and writing my thoughts on dance. The words started to pour out of me and as the pages accumulated it became apparent that a book was eminent. So after all is said and done the long journey is finally over and my unexpected book “The Divine Unrest”© is finished.
The one thing that nobody told me was that the writing bug didn’t always bite me like I hoped it would and there were many times I had to drag myself in front of the computer. But it was therapeutic and healing for me and the best part is that I could read back to myself what I wrote and get a better grasp of things.
The reason for writing the book ended up being a multi-purpose response to a lifetime of experiences in this business, the reality of dance, relationships and healing. It includes all the above and more which surprised me because I really had no clue which direction the book was going. Daniel was another push in the book direction because he suggested to me that I should write one since a lot of what I wrote for the Chronicles belly dance magazine was based on experience. At first it didn’t feel like I was actually writing a book, it was more of a journal with insights and memories. And maybe that will be how it reads to people but what I am hoping for is that women will read into my words and see that this dance is just like life. No matter how magical belly dance can be it is still a part of life and with life comes issues of all shapes and sizes. I think the difference with this dance form is that sometimes situations can be magnified twice over what the normal person experiences. I say this because there is no exhaustion like what a belly dancer lives through with the postpartum production blues. Once you produce a show you will know what I mean!
I wrote “The Divine Unrest”© from a place of surrender. I realized that by surrendering to the Universe I had her infinite wisdom and humility as my compass. Hopefully down the line “The Divine Unrest”© will be a guide for dancers starting out on their journeys and a good laugh for those already on their path. Either way it was written from my heart to yours!
Leyla’s Commentary for Dancers
Workshop in Sedona Arizona
I am teaching a workshop along with another friend of mine Rozana al Jinan sponsored by Shimmy magazine/Holly Luky Saturday, June 26th with the evening show happening Friday the 25th .
The show will be at: (Reservations only)
Relics Restaurant 3235 West Highway 89A Sedona, Arizona.
Telephone (928) 282-1593 – Online www.relicsrestaurant.
Saturday workshop times:
1) Rozana al Jinan 12:00-2:00: With over 30 years of dance experience, Rozana has chosen one of her sassiest Egyptian Style choreographies. Be prepared for a dynamic, fun and fast paced workshop. Rozana’s Lulu choreography is definitely one of her troupe’s favorites!
2. Leyla Najma 2:30-4:30: As a Master Teacher Leyla Najma focuses on hip articulation, speed and completion of movement. Come and learn Leyla’s unique way of putting together shimmies with sharp and soft hip combinations. Your traveling steps and layering will never be the same! Be prepared to shimmy, maya and roll!
3) $50 for both (early-bird) or $30 for one. At the door: $70/both, $35/one.
For more information:
Contact Holly Luky at shimmy@esedona.net
(928) 282-7755
For Hotel reservations contact Kokopelli Suites at: http://www.kokopellisuites.com/
The group code to use is “Holly” in order to get the discounted price of $99.99.
Phone numbers Toll Free: (800) 789-7393 /Local Number: (928) 204-1146
I will be writing more about this workshop because it looks like we will be broadcasting my class “live”!
Topic of Live On-line Classes
The live classes have been a blast to teach but I must say stressful for Daniel. Not only is he watching the class on his monitor but he is making sure everything technical is working. Can you imagine teaching class with him crawling on the ground and not being able to laugh? Or another scenario which I still crack up about was when Daniel thought we were off line only to find out we weren’t. It must have been funny for everyone watching us talk and I am so glad I didn’t pick my nose or do something silly!
With the classes being live my chances of making booboos is definitely there for everyone to see. The only draw back is laughing by myself but I know if I’m laughing you all must be too…right? Zippy our dog made an appearance in the last minutes of the evening Thursday class. He was pretty cute and class thankfully was coming to a close.
We are excited about the classes this week and I think you will all enjoy the curriculum that I put together for you. So far the feedback has been thumbs up and everyone seemed to love my bloopers! I definitely feel blessed because the women taking my classes have the most beautiful hearts and amazing dedication to their dance. So thank you all for taking the classes and I can’t wait to get started for this week!
Topic of Emails
We know that emails are a very personal matter and that sometimes it may seem like there are a lot of emails from us. So I wanted to let you all know where we stand with the emails we send out. Everything we send out is important at least to us and its all information we feel you need to know. Deep down inside I am a belly dancer first and business owner second and because of this I am dedicated along with Daniel to giving you the best on-line instructional videos I can. It is always at the top of our list.
Sometimes we have a multitude of things going on at the same time and Daniel will send out the technical emails to everyone and then I will send out my Belly Dance blog topics for everyone to read. On a day to day basis we get emails from dancers needing help with instructional videos, asking questions about the online classes etc. So Daniel is constantly making sure everyone is happy even if he goes to bed at midnight. At this point in our business it is all about customer service and we want everyone to know our goal is to make the videos and instruction available to everyone no matter where you live. This means wearing different hats and having to double up on responsibilities. Even our daughter Savanah is working with Daniel with editing and other areas to help him out. We are a family run business which means there are no middle men to deal with, it’s just us. So please know that we have your best interest at heart when we send out emails and that we are a family of three (with a neurotic dog) that are working double time to get dance to not only your door step but into your living room.
