Connecting the Dots in Belly Dance
by Leyla Najma · 1 Comment
This past weekend I was able to do a workshop with my students and at the same time showcase the curriculum that I have been working on for a better part of a year. What is so exciting about this new curriculum is that it is the end result of students understanding choreography in a way that makes sense to them.
What I mean by this is students are learning to understand their own choreography. The curriculum shows them how to connect the dots.
The one thing that I have noticed especially with the emails Daniel and I have received through out this last year is that many dancers don’t understand how to interpret movement to music or they don’t even know why they move a certain way to the music, they just follow their teacher. Some dancers have said that they learn the same moves over and over again but the reason behind the move is not talked about.
I think as teachers we have to take a good look at our own curriculum and than stand back so we can take a good look at what we are teaching.
Connecting the dots never made more sense to me than it does now. We can’t just give students a glimpse of something and than hope they get it, we have to show them what happens when the dots are connected. What is so exciting right now is that the end result of my curriculum is showing itself in each and every dancer that I have. I have beginner students who I started with this curriculum and they are advancing in leaps and bounds. I have students that have come back to me that are amazed at the changes and they can see the difference in what they had already learned to what they are learning now.
The online classes have really helped evolve this curriculum and my teaching ability. I have many students and dancers to thank for helping me understand that when a student is learning how to dance she has to be taught in a way so that she can enjoy and understand the process.
The formula is simple; opposition hips and understanding how they work together or apart. Layering with opposition hips and understanding when to work in your right and left sides. Transition steps and transition moves used to change with the phrasing in the music.
If students are given a repertoire of moves and combinations and they are taught how to use them than eventually the body will relax and take over. Once the body relaxes and takes over than accents,exaggerated moves or pauses along with level changes, lines and angles can be used in the dancers own unique way. The end result will be a dancer that is confident and well trained.
So for all you teachers out there think about how you train your students because once a student understands how to connect the dots, the dancer in her will emerge before your very eyes and it is a beautiful sight indeed!
Sphere: Related ContentThe Reality of Photo Shoots!
by Leyla Najma · 2 Comments
The reality of photo shoots seems to be in the back of my mind this week. I was looking at old photographs and I realized that my sense of modeling has come a long way. And I mean from “nada” to where I am today, is like leaps and bounds! Most women will rely on the photographer to tell them everything and in the end they leave with little or no information. Understanding the necessity of photos in this business and marketing yourself is like another business. But in the end understanding lighting (indoor or outdoor) make up, body positioning is an art and one professional dancer’s must learn. It’s the life of an entertainer and whether we like it or not it’s apart of this business.
As I said, this topic is important to me because I have written about it before but I thought it would be a fun topic for this Wednesday’s chat. Besides it made me think of cool combos to use for in-front of the camera depending on indoor or outdoor shoots. So I am including “Photo Shoot Combos” with this weeks chat and I’m hoping everyone will have fun with them!
I think that many women rely on friends to take photos and there are many amateur photos used as professional photos. A friend of mine Michael L. Miller who is a movie producer/photographer and actor helped me realize the importance of first impressions. In the movie industry you might only have one shot at a part and if you don’t present yourself in the best possible light, it’s easy to be passed by. I remember I was called in to do a stand in for Jodie Foster in a movie she was directing and co-staring with Dennis Hopper in Taos New Mexico in the late 80’s. I was the right weight and height but they felt I was too exotic to double for her. I was wanted later for another film as a Lolita character but I didn’t want my first role to be a soiled dove! My point is that the first impression I made with the movie people at that time was a sexy Lolita character and I couldn’t get past that stereotype later down the road. So my so called movie career turned to dust. 
The worst part about this business are those horrible photos that someone takes and then all of a sudden there you are on some social sight looking like a scared chicken or menacing Medusa. Lol……..I didn’t understand in my early years why that was such an issue that was until I had my first experience with someone published a horrible photo of me in a German dance magazine. I didn’t know I was in the magazine until a dance friend showed me. I’ll never forget her saying, “If you don’t feel bad now after you see this photo you will.” I looked at her and thought to myself, “Could it really be that bad?!!” Oh yes it was! There to my horror was my impersonation of a scared chicken. What made me feel worse was the fact it was published without my permission. And I thought, why would someone even want to publish a photo if it’s that bad? Your guess is as good as mine.
Do you have a preferred side profile? I didn’t understand that until I had photos taken from my left side and right side. I realized that if you split my face in half, I would look like two different people. I had read in a Hollywood movie star book that Joan Crawford, Veronica Lake, Linda Darnell, Betty Davis and even Marilyn Monroe had preferred lighting and side profiles for close ups. The make up, lighting and camera people knew from working with the stars automatically how to make them look perfect and beautiful on screen. The same has to go for your photographs. You have to know your face and how you look from all angles. That includes your nose, eyebrows and how you work in your eye shadow in contract to lighting. You can’t just come to a photos shoot and say, “Here I am!” You have to know your make up.
Sometimes even the fact of knowing these things won’t stop problems from popping up. Outdoor photo shoots can be a pain especially if it’s hot and you’re sweating out your armpits! In one photo shoot I was on, I had mascara smeared on my cheek and the photographer never told me, he just kept on taking photos. Another time I had a long stick that attached itself to my skirt and unbeknownst to me I was dragging it around with me. There it was in the photos! Have you ever had a fly or mosquito buzz around you as you are trying to stand there and look not only professional but relaxed. It’s just not going to happen until the fly or mosquito is dead! I’ve walked on loose rocks and fell down a few feet skinning my knees. I had what seemed like millions of little stickers on my costume that would poke my ankles every couple of steps. I have lost a few feet in height because of hidden holes and our little or big friends who live in nature can really scare the begeegies out of you.
But the whole reason for our chat Wednesday is the funny reality of photo shoots. Remember that a yearly photo shoot is a good habit to get into. A theme is always fun but the best part of all is that as the years pass you will have wonderful archives to share that is your lineage to your belly dance journey. We’ll also talk make-up too. So join our chat and let’s have some fun! Don’t forget I’ll be sharing “Photo Shoot Combos” with everyone! 
Download Photo Shoot combinations
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Belly Dance Inside Scoop
The Belly Dance Inside Scoop!
The belly dance scoop starts with us revamping our business strategy and working together on what we can do to make dance classes easily accessible in these uncertain times. We want everyone to know that the on-line classes are secure and available to all dancers. Daniel wants me more in the business function of what we do because he feels I will know what dancers want. I’m so used to being in the front of the camera and creating curriculum that this might be a little challenging for me. So what this means is that you will see more of me on our sites talking about on-line classes and new info. We also have in the works something really cool and needed for those of you who spend a lot of time at home training and practicing. Of course you know me, I get an idea, Daniel jumps on it and then we are both off and running to make it accessible to you. So we have new projects in the works which means a lot of work ahead of us.
I would like to thank all of you who have written in and shared your stories and support regarding the topics and opinions I have on belly dance agendas, business ethics, advice and community needs. Also I would like to thank those who have written in disagreeing with me or had an issue with me over my topics. Your emails are just as important to me because I know it takes courage to write about something that bothers you. I tend to occasionally step on a few toes with my blog but I have found that with my readers I feel an obligation to stay the course and speak my mind. I sit back and wonder sometimes if I should say something and then I realize that my blog is about the reality of this danceform. I feel that we all have to uphold the integrity of this danceform by being the example. Some times this means I have fallen flat on my butt but other times I have stood my ground.
Remember to stay true to yourselves and know where your heart is at. If you feel your heart is in the right place, move on and enjoy the next adventure.
Belly Dance Inside Scoop on Interviews Coming Up!
The next interview coming up on bellydancevillage will be with Cristina and Seemore from Spain. They are a couple who teach a variety of Latin Dances and are the biggest names in their field. Their interview will be up within the next few days so bellydancevillage members you are in for a treat. Also in the editing room are two more interviews, award winning troupe director and choreographer Rozana al Jinan from New Mexico and Maffie De Hoyos Fitness Expert and Dance Director of Cuts, Curves and Movements from the Philippines. Check interviews out on www.bellydancevillage.com
Belly Dance Inside Scoop on our Chat Forum with Leyla Najma every Wednesday!
“Dance Talk”
We have exciting news on the classroom front because starting next week Wednesday August 24th at 10:00am to 11:00am and 9:00pm to 10:00pm I will be available for live chats! This is thrilling news for me because I have been wanting to be accessible to dancers in every way possible. We wanted it to be right so that I could put in the time to answer questions or talk about belly dance issues once a week with everyone. “Dance Talk” will widen the gap needed for students and dancers who have a wide range of questions regarding performing, on-line classes etc. I am looking forward to talking with all of you so look for details coming soon!
Gig Advise
On another note remember that now is a good time to look at your business strategy and to make those changes that are necessary to get you out and positioned in a good light. A good article in the local newspaper on belly dance fitness or a belly dance class at the local gym can give you a student base boost. If you sell yourself for free then expect what comes with that. If a client calls you and wants you for free or your community can’t afford you there are always things you can ask for in place of full payment. Ask for gas money, food and drinks or compensation for future events. This way you don’t feel you are being taken advantage of and they feel they have put some effort into bringing you into their event. If you agree to “free” then expect a free mentality which means you won’t get much. A thank you and hand shake after the 15th time gets old and the time and effort it costs you or your troupe to get ready and drive out to a gig especially when it’s out of your own pocket can be costly.
I danced at an old folk’s home in the Dallas area years ago and found that there were a few of the patrons that did not like me being there. One old man played a record player with 40’s music blaring. Another woman kept trying to hit me with her cane while another old man was yelling at me to take off all my clothes. I did that gig for free and found that with the time and effort it took me to drive there, convince the patrons that I was not an “exotic” dancer; dance over loud music amongst yells and whistles, it was an exhausting experience with not compensation for my efforts. The facility nurses and staff paid me little attention and the group coordinator that hired me was oblivious to any problems. I know community service is a good thing but after awhile of doing the freebies I learned that free means that no one is responsible for taking care of my needs and it’s an expense that’s my dime and not theirs. I make a living with my dancing and if I don’t give myself worth then there will be those who will take advantage of this. I’m not saying we shouldn’t help organizations or causes but stipulate what you will do and write up a contract showing them what they would have had to pay in order to get you. This way they see your worth even if you are helping them out for free.
Contest!!!!
Hey blog and bellydancevillage teachers and students, write in about your favorite Hip Phylosophy move meaning any combos from the videos for prizes! You can write in short story form or paragraph form. Who knows you could be a winner!!
Sphere: Related ContentFollowing Through
I think this week’s blog topic “Following Through” is about a subject that we can all relate to. When I had my studio I realized that it wasn’t always easy getting the girls to come in each week especially if they had things they wanted to do instead. Since dance is a form of exercise and to some a hobby I think it’s important to go through your student base and see who your serious dancers are versus those who are just taking belly dance for fun.
There is nothing wrong with dancing for fun but as a teacher we have to know what classes are for which type of students. I ended up changing my class courses for the week based on who was coming in. In the end I had a stronger class with my serious dancers and my fun students enjoyed a different type of belly dance aerobics class that I created just for them. I found that I looked forward to each group more because I was able to separate student needs and desires.
I had a few students who would pay for each month in advance and then miss two weeks worth of class complaining to me they were behind. I ended up telling them they needed to go because they couldn’t see that they created their own dilemma. Sometimes students want to live out the fantasy without actually doing the work. I had a few students who would come dressed up ready to dance in harem pants, coined bras with bangles and beads galore. They were the students that would end up talking through out class to the point I finally had to ask them to either be quiet or leave. They eventually left because I made them work and even gave them homework. The homework also helped me see who the serious dancers were because if a student didn’t follow through with her homework then she couldn’t participate in class; it was as simple as that.
As a teacher it’s important to create opportunities for your students and to help them understand that with goals come responsibilities. For example, I was invited to dance at a Tavern in the Mountains of Madrid NM, and I had my students perform instead. Each student choreographed and prepared their own show but I noticed a few were lagging behind. A week before the show those who were lagging behind told me they hadn’t found the right music and they didn’t know what costume to wear. So guess what……..they didn’t dance. I told them they could be audience support for the students who were “prepared” and ready to dance. They weren’t upset….well too much because they understood that performing is an honor and to think of it as anything less then that discredits the dance form.
You can’t teach students without being an example so when new students came into my studio I would have them come to the restaurant I was dancing at called “Pars Cuisine” to watch me perform. If a student doesn’t like the way their teacher dances then they won’t be able to learn from her. This way they could see me in the environment I loved doing what is my passion. Most students get to a point to where they want to dance and perform in the same venues of their teachers but I always tell my students if they follow through with their training the rewards are endless with performing being the encore!
Adding to this I must confess that there are some things as teachers and business women that we must follow through with that sometimes we can let slack. One is to answer people back as best you can. I don’t care how “busy” any of us can get there is always time to answer people back. I know emails can get lost in the cyber black hole but I think it’s just common courtesy to follow through with business and student emails. If anyone wants to be considered a professional business woman they have to follow through with business protocol.
I had an experience within the last couple months of a publisher not answering my emails until I wrote her regarding canceling my subscription then I finally received an email. The last thing any of us need to deal with in business is the lack of another person’s good business ethics. Women have to understand they can’t bring into their business those useless idiosyncrasies that can effect their business in a negative way.
Even though this is our passion, we have to look at it as a business. Unfortunately just recently I missed out on being invited to a photography show that I was apart of because I didn’t check up on one of my emails. (I have around 8 websites so this does happen.) A friend of mine who is a photographer, Michael L. Miller took photos of women of different ages and called his themed show, “Women of a Certain Age.” He emailed me for the date and time of the show but I didn’t check the email and did an unintentional no-show. So word to the wise, if you are inviting people to participate in a show of any kind, don’t just email them, phone them as well. Follow through with all kinds of communication and check your email or as in my case emails daily.
I can give Daniel a hundred different reasons why I don’t feel like doing something but all that does is postpone it for another day. Our business depends on me following through with what I say I will do. Become the business person of your dreams by following through with what you say you will do and by giving your students/dancers the service they deserve.
Sphere: Related ContentPhoto Shoot Weekend Divine
by Leyla Najma · 3 Comments
“The Dragon Fly Twirl, Click and Pose”
Not long ago I went on a wonderful adventure with a group of gals. Well okay, there were three 16 year olds in the back seat talking a mile a minute on a volume that was stuck on “high.” It was the photo shoot weekend of a life time because unbeknownst to me, I was in the presence of a petite photographer prodigy.
Savanah (my daughter) and her friends Christina and photographer extraordinaire, Vivien along with Vivien’s Mom Michelle crammed into our jeep two weeks ago and we all headed up to Michelle’s family ranch in Stanley (Ojo de Cebolla) north of Moriarty, NM. Carlos, Michelle’s brother was at the ranch guiding us in and lending his assistance .It was amazing to see such family support for Vivien and everyone helped out any way they could. I also thought it was wonderful that Michelle offered her family ranch as a photo shoot location and she was a delight to visit with.
I was dressed up in my gypsy outfit which included a corset, skirt and boots. The giggles were non stop in the jeep but once we arrived at the ranch, Vivien turned into a serious photographer and started telling me where she wanted me to stand, pose or move. The two of us worked together like we had worked with each other for years. The backdrop for this amazing photo shoot was old adobe walls, and believe it or not one of the first “bordellos” in New Mexico history! It felt a little spooky but some of the pics in that particular building really were not only hauntingly beautiful but timeless. All the buildings had personalities of their own and were on the family ranch within walking distance to each other. Vivien took black and white besides color photos and she had a timing that you just have to be born with to photograph dancers. She caught my veil as I twirled along with my skirt and in the background were old windows, doorways, wood floors and an eerie feeling of the old west. Plus there were lots of noises, bangs and stinky smells that reminded us that we were in the desert not to mention ghosts making themselves known. Our ghost radar was on “high” and there were a few times I almost felt like running out of the bordello house but I kept this a secret from the girls.
Photo shoots can be a lot of work but this particular photo shoot breezed by and by the time we were finished with the first location I was astonished we had been to various buildings for almost two hours. As we stepped into a wonderful old house that belonged to Michelle’s family I could feel the history of the family all around me. It’s was a warm feeling that touches your soul and makes you feel right at home. We previewed some of the photos and that is when my jaw literally fell open and I was like a kid in a candy store going, “I want that one and oh my God look at that one and no wait I think that one!” In the almost two hours of working with Vivien, I probably had more photos to work with then at any given time with any other photographer. She blew me away because we had just begun our day and had more locations to go to. I was thinking to myself as we drove to Santa Fe, “Not only is this the photo shoot of a lifetime but I am one lucky dancer and model”.
The way Vivien worked was like an old pro and the best part of all was how easy she was to work with. She is an instinctive photographer which is a true find almost like a lost treasure because an instinctive photographer knows by intuition how the backdrop or lighting will work with the model. Some of the black and white photos were even more powerful then the color because Vivien knew to use the lighting to her advantage. Black and white photos also give off the “atmosphere” of a building while the color photos tend to show life and movement in present day. I loved the fact that I had two different versions to choose from besides the added surprise of Vivien giving me the options automatically. We didn’t talk about it; she just knew to take both versions. I wonder if Ansel Adams is somehow guiding her?!!
Photo shoots are a risky business because the outcome can hang in the balance of either fantastic photos or photos few and far between. For instance I went out to an old west town for a photo shoot a few years ago and I think there were 3 photos that I was able to use from the entire day. We spent a lot of our time walking the terrain and eventually working along a hillside or in town finding the right building but I found that I just didn’t feel insync with the photographer and it showed in just about every photo. Photographer and model relationships that work, are like finding pure gold and believe me when I say even the best of intentions don’t always work out. If a photo shoot flops, it can take the wind out of both photographer and model. I can remember one particular photo shoot where my group of students and I took a photographer out to lunch as a thank you and he ended up being grumpy with everyone. I think he knew the outcome of our photo shoot ahead of time because there wasn’t one photo I could use after the fact.
The next location was a small town up the road from the ranch called Galisteo where a Catholic church resides in which Michelle’s parents Eva and (Deacon) Carlos Pacheco were married. The church still stands today and is a testament to the faithful maintaining its walls and history. As we were standing in the parking lot, I saw a dirt road almost directly across from the church that looked interesting. We ventured down the road and saw that it came to a bridge that looked like it had been around for many years. The bridge had the distinct feeling of going on forever and the opposite end gave off a magical feeling of entering into another time and place. Vivien and I looked at each other because we had the same thought at the exact same time. So we ventured on a short walk to the bridge and with Vivien’s first click of her camera she started the black and white photo shoot that was just enchanting. An old Chevy pick up truck made its way along the bridge and with Vivien’s keen eye she knew it would add ambiance to the back ground and design of the photos. She just has that intuition that a photographer is born with because you just can’t teach someone to follow their instincts especially with live on-site photo shoots. I twirled until I was dizzy and Vivien clicked away until she was satisfied she had achieved her shots.
Next we went to Santa Fe and had lunch at a cool restaurant called Cowgirls and enjoyed a surprise visit from Michelle’s Dad, Carlos Sr. who is full of New Mexico culture, history and philosophy. It was a wonderful afternoon and we were able to talk about many things including the success of the day’s adventures. Later after lunch we went to Michelle’s sister’s house; Diana’s house was not only beautiful but had a panoramic view of mountains and hills that definitely let you know you were in Santa Fe. Again the hospitality was wonderful and a reminder of how true native New Mexican’s live life.
After a relaxing break, Diana suggested a wonderful location for our late afternoon photo shoot. It was a trail that went along railroad tracks that was a hop, skip and a jump away from her house. With the cars it felt just like that as Michelle, Diana the girls and I all drove a short distance to the location and started our walk along the railroad tracks and into a magical sunset. It was I must admit my favorite location of the day because it was so unexpected and such a great idea. Diana was a great help and I loved her suggestions and ideas because in the end everyone made the photo shoots enjoyable and fun. It was truly a family affair and I feel so blessed to have experienced time with such a wonderful family!
Vivien was the consummate trooper and she started looking at the background and areas that would create a unique photo. She had me on top of railroad ties or on the railroad tracks along a bridge. I was wearing my Bolero hat and with the sun setting, the images were just magnificent. New Mexico landscapes really add ambiance to any photo and no matter where you are there is always a mystery or magical feeling that is captured besides the unexpected lighting that cascades along the hills and valleys. The railroad tracks was an unexpected delight and a wonderful way to end an amazing day. All three photo shoot locations had something different to them and the best part of all was the petite prodigy that I had the pleasure and honor to work with. To date, Vivien is my favorite photographer of all time and the photo shoot along with an amazing family’s generosity made it truly an experience of a life time!
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