Belly Dance Gathering
OK, first of all, I gotta stop calling it that. Belly Dance is what the Westeners call it. In Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries where this beautiful dance originated from, it’s called Raks Sharqi or simply, Oriental Dance. It’s a very cultural thing for them.
I really love this dance because never has a dance form been more made naturally for women. It’s a very joyful and expressive dance, created by women for women. Of course, the guys have their toes in it as well, but it’s always the women who bring out the beauty of this dance.
So naturally, I was really excited when I found out that Conny will be organizing a gathering of sorts for her students. So excited in fact, that I snapped up my ticket on the spot, forgetting completely that the date clashed with a friend’s birthday celebration.
**So sorry, Girl, but you know how I get when I hear an opportunity to belly dance (blush!)**
Conny had the gathering at her studio so that we, her students, can mingle and get to know each other. Yeah, we all only know the girls from our own classes and even then, we struggle to get each other’s names.
This is the ice breaking ceremony. We were supposed to bump hips first then shake each other’s hands before moving on to the next person.
After that, we did all the routines we have learned before from beginner to advance levels. Can’t believe how much I have forgotten, even some which I claim to be all time favorites.
It shows that this is something that you have to continue practicing.
This was after one of the routines, the opening dance for the last hafla, in fact.
Conny allowed for a Q&A session during the gathering. Some students brought friends along who are virgin to belly dance so they have the opportunity to ask questions.
A lady in our group sure has lots of questions but that’s OK. We learn together, huh?
I discovered how far I’ve come during the free dance session. When I first started, I wouldn’t be able to improvise to save my life. Now, I can.
Ha ha…I love to let my hair fly when I dance. There’s something of a sense of freedom in it.
Some girls are really crazy about upping their skills. They go for workshops everywhere. Me, only when they come to my turf. I’m not so nuts as to go all the way to AS or SP. The toll charges and gas will probably amount to more than the fees they charge to attend the workshops.
Can’t wait for this November’s hafla. My first glimpse of a male belly dancer and I will definitely try to attend his workshops.
