First of all, I'd like to mention that Asharah's latest blog entry over at Bellydance Paladin is absolutely fantastic. It deals with the defining characteristics of Tribal, and believe me, I wish I'd had just such an entry to read when I was brand new to dancing.
Not to talk badly about my first teachers, of course-- they teach a very fun class that does include lots of improv and encourages expression in their students. But I wouldn't classify the class as firmly grounded in Tribal roots and movements now that I know more about the dance form and am becoming serious about studying to become a performer. One thing that has really stuck out in my mind was when Nora of Kallisti told me that I had a lot of Cabaret in my Tribal. Looking back over the video of the performance she was referring to, she was spot-on, and I'm glad she gave me that bit of concrit, because it inspired me to find a teacher who would really take me back to basics so I could develop a solidly Tribal foundation.
So, much of my last year has been spent un-learning many of the things I learned incorrectly as Tribal. I had to completely re-learn posture and a lot of arm movements. I had to really focus on my slow movements and isolations. This is why, when I was pulled up by the Cabaret dancer on Saturday night, I was so pleased that she quickly asked if I was Tribal-- it meant that even without any sort of costuming cues, my form was visibly Tribal from the start.
That said, I did enjoy a lot of things about my first class-- many of the movements that were not specifically Tribal were still fun and had a sassy energy that I liked. The thing is that before I was just dancing on auto-pilot, not fusing Cab and Tribal elements consciously. That needs to change if I decide to add some more Cabaret elements back into my dance. So I've been toying with the idea of taking a Cabaret class when my teacher, Lyra, goes on maternity leave later this summer. I've heard really great things about Lotus Niraja, and in one of those weird feats of dance friend synchronicity, a bunch of my friends have just started taking her level I class as well. I can't do this session, as I am currently busier than god, but am looking at taking the next session if I can manage.
...as for the rest of life, things are good. Last night, I got a visit from Abby, and we had breakfast for dinner, couch time, gossip time, and a zombie flick before I got caught up with Tex about our respective weekends. Tonight is rehearsal with Flissy, then I continue massive bedroom reorganization. This entry is brought to you by my icon, which illustrates the Spaz Dance that I've been doing so often lately. Ta-da!
Not to talk badly about my first teachers, of course-- they teach a very fun class that does include lots of improv and encourages expression in their students. But I wouldn't classify the class as firmly grounded in Tribal roots and movements now that I know more about the dance form and am becoming serious about studying to become a performer. One thing that has really stuck out in my mind was when Nora of Kallisti told me that I had a lot of Cabaret in my Tribal. Looking back over the video of the performance she was referring to, she was spot-on, and I'm glad she gave me that bit of concrit, because it inspired me to find a teacher who would really take me back to basics so I could develop a solidly Tribal foundation.
So, much of my last year has been spent un-learning many of the things I learned incorrectly as Tribal. I had to completely re-learn posture and a lot of arm movements. I had to really focus on my slow movements and isolations. This is why, when I was pulled up by the Cabaret dancer on Saturday night, I was so pleased that she quickly asked if I was Tribal-- it meant that even without any sort of costuming cues, my form was visibly Tribal from the start.
That said, I did enjoy a lot of things about my first class-- many of the movements that were not specifically Tribal were still fun and had a sassy energy that I liked. The thing is that before I was just dancing on auto-pilot, not fusing Cab and Tribal elements consciously. That needs to change if I decide to add some more Cabaret elements back into my dance. So I've been toying with the idea of taking a Cabaret class when my teacher, Lyra, goes on maternity leave later this summer. I've heard really great things about Lotus Niraja, and in one of those weird feats of dance friend synchronicity, a bunch of my friends have just started taking her level I class as well. I can't do this session, as I am currently busier than god, but am looking at taking the next session if I can manage.
...as for the rest of life, things are good. Last night, I got a visit from Abby, and we had breakfast for dinner, couch time, gossip time, and a zombie flick before I got caught up with Tex about our respective weekends. Tonight is rehearsal with Flissy, then I continue massive bedroom reorganization. This entry is brought to you by my icon, which illustrates the Spaz Dance that I've been doing so often lately. Ta-da!
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