Bittersweet greetings... Azza Sherif, Egyptian dance icon, passed away last week. Alia and Azza in 2011. Thank you Lisa Talmadge for taking this picture I had the pleasure of learning from Mme. Azza at Camp Negum in 2010 and 2011. She … [Read more]
Why Distractions are a Good Thing (and why dance makes a great distraction).
We think we know what's real and what's not. But do we? The brain can’t tell the difference between fantasy and reality. That’s why we can be frightened, even traumatized, by scary movies or video violence, why we weep at a … [Read more]
How to Make the World Better-by dancing
Can recipes make you more creative? When I was a kid, any time my Mom and I wanted to cook something new, we hauled out all our favorite cookbooks and found as many versions of the recipe as we could (there was no internet back then … [Read more]
How to have the most beautiful dance (yes, really)
Recently in my practice, I enjoyed playing with The Most Beautiful Move. As the music unspooled, I let random moves appear, marveling over each one as The Most Beautiful I Have Ever Done. Continuing to follow the music, I let more moves come, and … [Read more]
How to have a Power Innage
When I was a kid, there was a huge blackout in New York City. The whole region lost power, right up into Canada. Our family huddled together in the dark. But we had a secret weapon. Gas. We had a gas stove, so we could cook dinner. It was serious … [Read more]
What is the Most Beautiful Move?
Think of the most wonderful dancer you’ve ever seen. Everything they do entrances you—every action feels perfect. You notice only the energy and the love. Joy and warmth suffuse your soul. You feel loved and loving, uplifted and happy. At the end, … [Read more]
Thank You!
Happy Thanksgiving! It's Thanksgiving Day in the USA, a holiday with some terrible colonizer overtones, but I like that it promotes gratitude and thanks.I am grateful for you, for this dance, for all it has brought to my life. Gratitude is pretty … [Read more]
What Dina said III
Greetings! It's Fall here in the Northeastern USA--cold and damp abound. The heater is on, warming me and ticking quietly to itself. Thank heavens, because I do not love the cold. I rather do love Dina, though. I am sure that she has her … [Read more]
ONE Day Left for the Bellydance Bundle
I've been looking over the material in the Bundle, and I have to say, there is some good stuff in there. Nadira Jamal's Improvisation Toolkit. Keti Sharif's beautiful Traditional Arts of Egypt video seminar. Sahra Saeeda's complete Journey Through … [Read more]
The Bellydance Bundle is Live
It's time. The Bellydance Bundle is live. Over $1300 worth of belly dance resources. Over 25 contributors. Over 85% off. The bellydance bundle is available for for one week only. All the courses have been revealed. It's a wonderful … [Read more]