Suhaila in Denver!

I sponsored Suhaila here in Denver for a Level 1 workshop October 1-3, 2010. I choose a level specific workshop over a variety because it was how I first experienced Suhaila and I found it invaluable to know the beginning. I knew exactly what I was lacking and what I needed to work on.

I was so impressed by the participants dedication. It was exciting to see everyone working so hard and asking very good questions. I had tears in my eyes at the end to see such a successful workshop coming to an end.

Myself and one other participant where already level I certified, so Suhaila had us up our game and had us doing level II work as we went around the room. After awhile we would try to guess what Suhaila was going to have us add on or change the timing or feet. I think we came up with some doozies...but the ones Suhaila came up with made me laugh often. It did feel good to know that my body has level I in it.

What has really hit me through all my training so far is the fact that I struggle through most of the rotations around the room. I know I have really learned something if I get it on the very last leg. That is when I feel successful. The rest of the way was figuring it out...starting...stopping...slowing it down...sometimes just doing the feet...all the tricks it takes to get it. I also found out that when I really start to struggle I count louder....laughing...I had no idea I did this.

Stacey Lizette was so wonderful to get to know a little better. I have always admired her dancing. (Those of you that don't know...I went to grad school in Austin, TX, and I used to see her around town. I was way to chicken at the time to approach her or take any classes from her.) It is a joy to see how much she has grown. She shared with the workshop participants her level IV choreography. I was completely blown away by her. And, then her performance in the show was also stunning. If you are in Austin you have to look her up! http://www.staceylizette.com/ (and yes you can tell her I sent you)

Sponsoring this workshop has upped my own game. I feel the need to work harder toward my level II certification. These are what I have done since the workshop and what I am doing to work toward.

1. I have found a pacing partner to help keep me accountable to what I am doing.
2. I have made a date every Thursday, with another Level 1 participant who is working toward their level II, to work through a level II online class.
3. I work through a Level I online class each Monday morning, but doing it all full time. I do this with a friend who enjoys Suhaila's belly dance technique, but who does not ever plan on testing or performing.
4. Perfect the Level II choreography. I need to get the finger cymbals down!!!!
5. Perform the Level II choreography, with finger cymbals, twice before testing in August. Denver folks watch out...you may see these choreography more and more!

Talking with Suhaila after the workshop she helped me to form a plan for the year. Another thing I am going to do next year is go to the Jamila level I & II in June. In order to be ready for this I will be doing these things before then.
1. Learn the choreography for Raks El Zagat
2. Learn the choreography for Bal Anat Pot Dance
3. Work through the Jamila online classes.
4. Work my finger cymbals!!!!


So I am working my butt off and am excited to see how it unfolds. Where are those finger cymbals???

Drat those Finger cymbals

I am still having trouble remembering the order of the sections for the level 2 choreography. I listen to the music and some it sounds so the same to me. The ques are not yet obvious to me. There are three that can get me back on track but other then those if I get lost..I am really lost in the order. I keep thinking the more I listen to it the more I will hear it. Some music is just like this for me though.

My pyramids and Vs are a mess, especially when I start to move the other way. I don't think this concept is living in my body just yet. The muscle memory is not there...hmm..which means I need to practice and drill them. Well I just checked the online classes and there are 6 classes waiting just for me to work on them with. Good to know!

Ok..now onto the finger cymbals. Have you ever added finger cymbals onto something and something else falls apart? Sometimes I can be excellent on the finger cymbals, but can no longer walk. Or I totally loose my body work. I have found The Amazing Slowdowner to be invaluable in this training. You can slow down your music and then slowly speed it up again without changing the pitch(is that the right musical terminology?) Rachel Brice uses in in workshops and she told me about it. Check it out at http://www.ronimusic.com/ (oh..the other application I like this for is speeding up music. Often in preparation for a performance I will practice it faster, so I know I can get all the moves at a faster speed. Then when the performance happens everything just slows down and I hit each move the way I would like.)

Little O is asking for help with her Caterpillars, so I must cut this short. Practice, practice, practice

Level 2 Required choreography

I am working diligently on the choreography for the level 2 certification test. It is really an amazing piece of choreography. Suhaila has done a great job of putting pieces together to really challenge the knowledge learned in level 2. I feel as if I have been working on this forever. But of course I have not.

Right now I am having trouble remembering exactly what happens next in the choreography. I have the home study kit, which has been invaluable. I am actually listening to the CD of the finger cymbal work right now. I do feel myself following the dancers too much right now to remember the order. My glut work is also failing me a bit in the quickness. Double time is still alluding me. I am laughing a lot. I am not sure exactly if this is good of if I am going a bit nuts.

I feel as if the choreography is coming along well, but the online classes are harder to get my butt into. I am still feeling very out of shape and my endurance is still low compared to what Suhaila is asking me to do. I still cannot walk in releve for any length of time. I am just assuming as I lose weight my knee and ankles will allow this to happen. I am considering trying to find a pacing partner to check in with daily to see how we are progressing in our Suhaila studies.

Feeling It

Today I bought some weights that wrap around my wrist and has a thumb hole to help hold it in place. I am planning on using these with my training. So when I am moving around the room with my arms in 5th position my arms and shoulders will get more of a workout. When I take them off I am hoping that my arms will feel light as feathers.

I have been working on learning the level 2 choreography. I was hoping to test for Level 2 in July, but I am not sure that I will have this down with zills by then. It seems like a world away, but I know it will sneak up on me.

My friend and I are working on level 1 online classes on Friday mornings. We have decided to move up our sessions to 7 am so we can have more time during the day. Plus little O will be done with school on Friday so I won't be running around in the morning getting her ready.

My body is really feeling the Suhaila I am giving it. Currently I am doing 2 level 2 a week, one level 1 and a dance movement class. Plus working on the choreography. I finally got Serpent of the Nile. That book is hard to get a hold of. I will need to read that and another book, plus watch some videos. A have seen 3 of them but I know I need to bone up on them. I wonder how much is on the test.

Between this training and working on pulling weeds in the new lawn and working on the garden my body is sore. I wish I had a hot tub.

I will get my dance shoe fixed this week and get more of the choreography in my little head.

Online Class level 2- 11-2009 Suhaila Singles

Yeah I know..it has been awhile. My body is finally getting back to its self. I have a new and improved knee brace, have taken off the ankle wrap, and hopefully getting better sleep with my new CPAP machine. I am hoping to get a portable ballet barre, the amazing slow downer and a metronome soon. I think the ballet barre will really help me strengthen my Relevé.

Today I jumped in with Suhaila's level two online class- November 2009, Singles. It has been awhile since I have done a level two and boy does it show. I was having trouble with walking in 1/2 time and glut squeezes full time. My gluts kept trying to default into 3/4. I also did not use my finger cymbals much today. I just held my stick up above my head so I would get used to 5th position again. I have a suspicion that my Suhaila finger cymbals grew while riding around in my dance bag, since I often default to my other ones. I was a little surprised at how short the warm up was. I am going to have to go back and work on some of the warm up strengthening on my own.

I am starting to work on the level 2 drum choreography for the level 2 test. I find it really interesting with taking time off, when I go back to work on it, what new things I really understand. It is like the Suhaila language is finally assimilating in my brain. I have to be careful to keep the regular belly dance vocabulary and Suhaila's vocabulary completely separate or I get confused.

I Also have finally found a copy of Serpent of the Nile at a library. My library is getting it from another library since our copy was stolen. I will have three weeks to read it.

Sometimes this journey feels like I am back in school. It is so interesting though. I do feel this is the journey I am suppose to take.