“The Divine Unrest”©
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 Latest News
Weight Loss VS A Performing Art:
For the past year I have been noticing a lot of women are writing in because they want to lose weight. I know belly dancing is a fun way to exercise but the serious dancer in me doesn’t see the connection from learning a cultural dance to losing weight. Obviously any type of cardio is a great way to get into shape but there is a bit of a difference here. As a professional dancer I see belly dance as an expression of individual divine creativity. It’s the self expression of the soul that is my connection to belly dance. But I had to sit back and chew on my feelings for awhile and that is why I decided to do the Belly Stretch-Thrust and Roll exercise class. Another reason is that now that I am in pre-menopause I have found that I have to exercise more to keep the weight off. So this week I am creating a fast paced regimen for everyone that should be a lot of fun!
Jibber Jam
I am in the process of working on a drum solo choreography for dancers and students called Jibber Jam. The drum solo music was a Christmas gift from Daniel 4 years ago composed by Issa Malluf. I am trying to make it something that is easy enough for dancers to follow who aren’t comfortable creating their own choreographies yet. I know that everyone loves drum solos so I thought I would make it first on my “to do” list of new videos. I must say as a spontaneous choreographer this is quite the task for me because as I have been listening to the music my mind wonders and I find I am literally “jamming” to the music.
Book is Almost Done!
I haven’t written much about my book only because it has been a long and thought provoking journey. But I am excited to say that I have only 4 chapters to go and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I have to say I haven’t been totally in the dark, I have been flying around with past memories, people and a few giggles. So I’m hoping to get it finished within a couple months and when I do, it will be party time!
Latest Article for Chronicles
I have been writing for Chronicles belly dance magazine for over 3 years now and wrote an article that I’m hoping you all check out in the next issue which will be Oct/Now/Dec. It’s a short article on my view of being a belly dancer and the “Flower of Life” imprint of the Goddess. I think you will all like it and maybe if I get enough interest I might post it here so you all can get a peek at it first before it comes out.
Ciao for now,
Leyla
