Arrived at the Mothership

Last year I said to Husband, I want to go to Berkeley for the summer. I want to train at The Mothership, Suhaila Salimpour's home studio. Of course he smiled at me, nodded and said ok...let's go. He talked to his work and they gave him the go ahead to work remotely for the summer.

Sunday morning I hit the road. I drove two very long days and arrived in Berkeley Monday evening. As I drove by the studio, in my car, with costumes, sewing machines, Little O's toys and two bikes on the back I had tears in my eyes. I didn't expect to feel so emotional. I was leaving my regular routine, my friends, part of my family and a Denver summer to come here. To sweat, to train and get one step closer to being the Bad Ass Belly dancer I am striving to be.

Yesterday I moved into my house for the next 6 weeks. There are so many bags, boxes and a variety of shoes laying around that it is sometimes hard to walk through the house. I was so tired from unloading the car, retrieving my items from storage and trying to make decisions that I just wanted to stay home last night and veg. But I didn't. I got myself together as much as I could and went to L1 & L2 class. I was so sweaty. (It was so humid!) I walk in and Andrea and Lori where both excited to see me and Andrea sold me my very first Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance Class Card. Ashara was doing the warm up and Zoe Jakes was front and center in class. What an inspiration being in a room of people who are motivated to learn and work hard. All egos are checked at the door and everyone is working on their stuff. It is really an amazing place to be, and work.

Last night we were working on squares and somehow something really gelled for me. It was like my body decided to cooperate..of course it only came together sometimes..but it is those gems that push me forward..if I did it once I can do it again.

Today I have a phone coaching, I am going to join a gym, work on the Algerian and Raks El Zagat Choreography, and sew some more costumes. What a perfect day ahead of me...and the sun just came out from behind the clouds!

Hi ho

I was at Suhaila's Level 2 weeklong a few weeks ago and we were suppose to already know the Level 2 finger cymbal drum solo when we arrived. I have to say I knew it pretty well, but not solid, and my finger cymbals are still messy. One of the things Suhaila said was if we are serious about being there (which at this level and the price we are paying for the workshop, and the work we have already put in...we should be serious) then we should think of the training as our job, and we should have known the choreography. I agree with her.

I am thinking of this as my job. (yes I have a job, but I am lucky to not have to go into an office, I get to go to my own costume shop). Today I have been working on a training plan. I am pairing my training plan with weight lose and overcoming my emotional eating. I am also starting a pain journal. I have found an outline of a body, front, side and back that I can mark where my pain is for the day and the intensity. I will also have room to record my workouts and my emotional thoughts about my body for each day.

Here is the schedule I am working out right now.

Sunday~
1 hr emotional work
30 min biking (for endurance building)
15 min of finger cymbal drills (right now that is all my over worked hands can handle
1.5 hour Suhaila L2 online class

Monday~
1 hr emotional work
1 hr personal training session
30 min biking
30 min pool work (to include working on my plié, relevé, and squats)
1.5 hour of learning and working choreography

Tuesday~
1 hr emotional work
rest the body day

Wednesday~
1 hr emotional work
1 hr personal training session
30 min biking
30 min pool work (to include working on my plié, relevé, and squats)
30 min Drill Breaks/Twitter Drills
1 hr Folkloric fusion online class
15 min Finger Cymbals

Thursday~
1 hour emotional work
30 min biking
1.5 hour Suhaila L2 online class

Friday~
1 hr emotional work
1 hr personal training session
30 min biking
30 min pool work (to include working on my plié, relevé, and squats)
1 hr dance movement class
2 hour of Suhaila studies (learning drum rhythms, watching required videos, reading and taking notes, reviewing nomenclature)

Saturday~
1 hr emotional work
30 min biking
1 hour of learning and working choreography
1.5 hour Suhaila L2 online class

Hi ho..hi ho..it is off to work I go!

Long time no?

Once again it has been too long.
I have been taking a break for absolutely no good reason.
I have been working on my finger cymbals and my 4s are almost fast enough for the level 2 test. What I am struggling with now is that ring of the finger cymbals of my left hand is horrible. It is so obvious when I play my left hand. I keep thinking I should work on my left hand dominance in order to work my left hand more. Maybe one day my left will catch up to my right.

I came up with a brilliant plan. I have been having trouble staying in relevé for any length of time. It really has to do with my weight. I have very strong legs, but not very strong ankles. I have decided to start doing some training in the pool. I walk back in forth in the pool, in relevé, making sure to flex and place, near the wall so I can stay stable if need be. As I get stronger I will move to more shallow water. I have tried this in the pool and it really does work out my feet and ankles. Once the little one is in school all day (um..which is next week) I will have a little more time to noodle around in the pool.(Of course I would really like a waterproof mp3 player to help me keep time in the pool...but that is not happening right now)

My biggest dilemma right now is speed. My weight is again holding me back from speed and progress. I am always surprised at how much I am learning about myself and my deep emotional hurts by working on my certification. I knew that level 3 was when the emotional aspect will be brought in...and I have heard all kinds of stories about how many tears are shed during level 3.

I am having to get over my perfectionism. It is not just about getting the technique right. For me it is about being able to train each day, and not beat myself up for what I cannot do yet. To be able to train in an imperfect situation, and imperfect amount of time. I can't believe how knowing I will have to cut my training short will stop me from even starting. It is like if all the planets are aligned just right, the floor is perfectly clean..my workshop is also clean ( I can see it from my dance space), then I can train. I need to get over that and push on...keep challenging myself.

In my mind I keep hearing Suaila say "you have it in you". I need to print that out and tape it to the wall. I also need to stop questioning it. I do have it in me. Time to bring it out.

Ok..ready...set..go...

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.