Hello all!
Nadiyah and Hasnah Haddiya are hosting a hafla and pet food drive tomorrow at A Taste of India on Division - they have amazing food there and the buffet will be open for 10 or 12 dollars. Free entry for the show but it is a drive for Spokanimal so please bring along a donation of pet food of some kind! This is a great chance to get out and meet people in the community and enjoy great food and dancing! I hear 18 different dancers and troupes are performing. Hope to see you there! :)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Creating a Thorough Practice Routine
Having a structure in your practice is very challenging! Many dancers end up staring aimlessly into their mirror unsure of what to do. But a thorough, regular practice is the best tool in a dancer's arsenal. Dedication and finding time are hard, but if dance is a real priority there is no excuse for irregular or (gasp!) total absence of practice. Some dancers mistakingly believe they don't need to practice - but let me tell you no professional ever got that way on an hour of practice a week. Here's a good motivator. Taking one class a week will result in an average of 52 hours of training in a year. Daily practice (which should amount in about an hour total if possible) could easily result in 365 hours of training in a year. Professional dancers work several hours every day - in my busy months that sometimes adds up to 25 hours a week or more between teaching, performing and personal practice, which could add up to as much as 1300 hours a year.
Many dancers also make the mistake of "practice" meaning just improvising aimlessly to music - which is extremely important and should be a part of your practice. But very few dancers, I find, actually drill movements consistently which is the true key to effortless technique. To solve these problems I am going to outline a sample drill routine. It is important to rotate what movements you integrate into your practice, and make sure to include new moves without forgetting old ones!
I recommend selecting a handful of movements you want to work on based on how much time you have. Don't forget to warm up! You might start with gentle taqsim movements and yoga poses.
Now let's say you've decided to practice hip slides, saiidi hip drops, sidewinder, undulations up to down and three quarter shimmy. It would be straightforward to practice these movements standing, as we do when we learn them in class. However, this is not dancing dynamically! Once you have learned how to do them, you must integrate into your muscle memory in a variety of poses and movements! So here is an example of a drill of one movement; we'll select the three quarter shimmy.
Begin in first position and drill for 16 to 32 counts here. Repeat in second and fourth. (not all movements can be done in all foot positions!). Repeat that whole sequence in double time! Now with a basic walk in all stage directions - downstage, upstage, left, right, and diagonals (while facing downstage). Walk in a circle around yourself both directions. Now try grapevine and basic Egyptian. Repeat all that in doubletime. Practice with a level change. If you are an advanced dancer, try adding upper body layers.
If we wanted to practice a similar drill flow with a different movement, such as a grapevine - the example above would not apply the same way. We cant do a grapevine while doing a basic walk at the same time, but we can variate the direction of the grapevine, for instance. So to make this less confusing, here is a simple set of questions to ask yourself about each movement you want to practice.
Which standing positions can this movement be done in?
How many time signatures/speeds can this step be done in?
Can this step be done with a basic walk?
Can this step be done with other foot patterns such as grapevine, chasse, basic Egyptian and cross-step?
Can this movement be done with a level change?
Can this movement be done while turning?
What other isolations can this be layered with? (advanced)
Can this movement be done in floorwork? (advanced)
Practice each variation for 16 to 32 counts - longer if it feels awkward or you want to work the controling muscle - shorter if you want to practice a greater variety of moves. Remember - quality over quantity!
Of course, you won't be able to do this with every single move you know every single time you practice, the key is to rotate. Just insure that you don't practice too wide a variety so that you are master of none, but don't practice so few that you limit your movement vocabulary. It's all about balance. And don't forget to allow yourself free dance time to improvise and feel! This will develop your individuality and personal style.
Many dancers also make the mistake of "practice" meaning just improvising aimlessly to music - which is extremely important and should be a part of your practice. But very few dancers, I find, actually drill movements consistently which is the true key to effortless technique. To solve these problems I am going to outline a sample drill routine. It is important to rotate what movements you integrate into your practice, and make sure to include new moves without forgetting old ones!
I recommend selecting a handful of movements you want to work on based on how much time you have. Don't forget to warm up! You might start with gentle taqsim movements and yoga poses.
Now let's say you've decided to practice hip slides, saiidi hip drops, sidewinder, undulations up to down and three quarter shimmy. It would be straightforward to practice these movements standing, as we do when we learn them in class. However, this is not dancing dynamically! Once you have learned how to do them, you must integrate into your muscle memory in a variety of poses and movements! So here is an example of a drill of one movement; we'll select the three quarter shimmy.
Begin in first position and drill for 16 to 32 counts here. Repeat in second and fourth. (not all movements can be done in all foot positions!). Repeat that whole sequence in double time! Now with a basic walk in all stage directions - downstage, upstage, left, right, and diagonals (while facing downstage). Walk in a circle around yourself both directions. Now try grapevine and basic Egyptian. Repeat all that in doubletime. Practice with a level change. If you are an advanced dancer, try adding upper body layers.
If we wanted to practice a similar drill flow with a different movement, such as a grapevine - the example above would not apply the same way. We cant do a grapevine while doing a basic walk at the same time, but we can variate the direction of the grapevine, for instance. So to make this less confusing, here is a simple set of questions to ask yourself about each movement you want to practice.
Which standing positions can this movement be done in?
How many time signatures/speeds can this step be done in?
Can this step be done with a basic walk?
Can this step be done with other foot patterns such as grapevine, chasse, basic Egyptian and cross-step?
Can this movement be done with a level change?
Can this movement be done while turning?
What other isolations can this be layered with? (advanced)
Can this movement be done in floorwork? (advanced)
Practice each variation for 16 to 32 counts - longer if it feels awkward or you want to work the controling muscle - shorter if you want to practice a greater variety of moves. Remember - quality over quantity!
Of course, you won't be able to do this with every single move you know every single time you practice, the key is to rotate. Just insure that you don't practice too wide a variety so that you are master of none, but don't practice so few that you limit your movement vocabulary. It's all about balance. And don't forget to allow yourself free dance time to improvise and feel! This will develop your individuality and personal style.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Tv Show Shimmy is a Great Practice Tool!
Hello students!
For those of you who have cable I highly reccomend recording or tuning into the show Shimmy on Fit TV. It's a really great practice tool, with good instruction and beautiful production. Check out the preview below!
http://www.shimmy.tv/index.html
While some of the movements are done slightly different than the way I teach them (usually simplified or emphasizing posture slightly lesson so watch out!) I think it's a great way to have a guided practice! Hopefully soon I'll be investing in the series for the library - each 2 disk set is $50.00 though so it may be a while! In the meantime check it out if you can and let me know what you think!
For those of you who have cable I highly reccomend recording or tuning into the show Shimmy on Fit TV. It's a really great practice tool, with good instruction and beautiful production. Check out the preview below!
http://www.shimmy.tv/index.html
While some of the movements are done slightly different than the way I teach them (usually simplified or emphasizing posture slightly lesson so watch out!) I think it's a great way to have a guided practice! Hopefully soon I'll be investing in the series for the library - each 2 disk set is $50.00 though so it may be a while! In the meantime check it out if you can and let me know what you think!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Mystik Dream's library will be up and running soon!
Hello all!
I'm happy to announce our most recent brainchild, a student resource that I'm very excited about - a library! We already have a pretty respectable collection of DVDs - instructional, performance and documentary, as well as books and CDs! Also, right now we have a whole bunch of DVDs to sell for 40 to 60 percent off - they don't have the covers, so I'd like to replace the ones designated for the library (It really helps to pick out a DVD when you can see the pictures and description and such).
It will run simply as any library - pick out something you'd like to borrow, you'll get a return date, and bring it back! We will have standard late fees and all that jazz, but we shouldn't have too much of a problem with that right? ;)
If you completely fall in love with something, just let me know, pay me the value and keep it and I'll order a new one!
I'm very excited about the way that this will expand the resources of my students and I hope you will all enjoy it!
I'm happy to announce our most recent brainchild, a student resource that I'm very excited about - a library! We already have a pretty respectable collection of DVDs - instructional, performance and documentary, as well as books and CDs! Also, right now we have a whole bunch of DVDs to sell for 40 to 60 percent off - they don't have the covers, so I'd like to replace the ones designated for the library (It really helps to pick out a DVD when you can see the pictures and description and such).
It will run simply as any library - pick out something you'd like to borrow, you'll get a return date, and bring it back! We will have standard late fees and all that jazz, but we shouldn't have too much of a problem with that right? ;)
If you completely fall in love with something, just let me know, pay me the value and keep it and I'll order a new one!
I'm very excited about the way that this will expand the resources of my students and I hope you will all enjoy it!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Re-sharing an observation from this Spring
The following is from my Facebook notes from January. :) Came across it and thought I'd share here. For any of my serious students, this mentality is what I hope to instill in all of you. Take it to heart!
I have not danced in eight. days. My body, as an instrument, is out of tune. I rue the difference I feel after one or two days. Dancing daily results in every muscle memory being fresh in the mind, the most complex muscular combinations as easy as waving the hand. Concentration and strain is for the studio, not the stage. People mistakenly practice at 50 to 80 percent at best, and perform at 100 percent.
However it is my personal motto that one must practice at 120 to 150 percent - rehearsal is the time to push yourself and concentrate. When you perform, all your practice pays off and you actually perform at 100 percent. The best performers are often said to be the ones who "make it looks easy". If a dancer does something obviously very impressive, but appears to be straining or nervous (or pulling a muscle), it really ruins the effect. It is far better to do the most difficult things with the most apparent ease and grace.
If every last minute detail is not perfect - repeatedly - in the studio, it will not be so on stage. By the time anything reaches the stage, in a perfect world, it could be done backwards and upside down while sleeping.
Nothing makes a phenomenal performer or group except diligence, preserverance and good old blood, sweat and tears. Practice does not make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect.
I have not danced in eight. days. My body, as an instrument, is out of tune. I rue the difference I feel after one or two days. Dancing daily results in every muscle memory being fresh in the mind, the most complex muscular combinations as easy as waving the hand. Concentration and strain is for the studio, not the stage. People mistakenly practice at 50 to 80 percent at best, and perform at 100 percent.
However it is my personal motto that one must practice at 120 to 150 percent - rehearsal is the time to push yourself and concentrate. When you perform, all your practice pays off and you actually perform at 100 percent. The best performers are often said to be the ones who "make it looks easy". If a dancer does something obviously very impressive, but appears to be straining or nervous (or pulling a muscle), it really ruins the effect. It is far better to do the most difficult things with the most apparent ease and grace.
If every last minute detail is not perfect - repeatedly - in the studio, it will not be so on stage. By the time anything reaches the stage, in a perfect world, it could be done backwards and upside down while sleeping.
Nothing makes a phenomenal performer or group except diligence, preserverance and good old blood, sweat and tears. Practice does not make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
New Session, New Classes, and More!
Greetings students and dancers!
We will be hosting our quarterly (or supposed to be quarterly, cough, choke) souk on Saturday April 29th here at the studio from 3 to 6pm! Come browse the various new and gently used wares including practice wear, costuming, fabric, props, and all kinds of things!
Also, we are beginning our newest session May 1st! We will be welcoming new students and a new instructor! Director of Koreshkati Tribal Fusion, Nicole Richardson will be joining our ranks teaching Tribal Fusion Mondays at 7pm! We have a special offer for current students - sign up for a month of Tribal Fusion in addition to your current class and save an extra five dollars off the bundle price! That's $70.00 for two courses (8 classes per month)!
We are adding a couple more ways to earn Bellybucks to our rewards program! Students who pay for a session and do not miss a class will receive five dollars off their next session! And students who attend an approved company performance or community event will receive a discount off their next month or session, depending on the ticket price of the event.
And last but not least, a reminder of a few policies we're javing trouble with
Please respect our neighbors and make sure to park on our side of the street in front of our house! If there is not space on the street, feel free to park behind the black car in the driveway. And also please be sure to remove your shoes at the door and place them in the coat closet. It makes a huge difference in keeping the floor clean for each class!
Thank you all, and we will see you in class! :)
We will be hosting our quarterly (or supposed to be quarterly, cough, choke) souk on Saturday April 29th here at the studio from 3 to 6pm! Come browse the various new and gently used wares including practice wear, costuming, fabric, props, and all kinds of things!
Also, we are beginning our newest session May 1st! We will be welcoming new students and a new instructor! Director of Koreshkati Tribal Fusion, Nicole Richardson will be joining our ranks teaching Tribal Fusion Mondays at 7pm! We have a special offer for current students - sign up for a month of Tribal Fusion in addition to your current class and save an extra five dollars off the bundle price! That's $70.00 for two courses (8 classes per month)!
We are adding a couple more ways to earn Bellybucks to our rewards program! Students who pay for a session and do not miss a class will receive five dollars off their next session! And students who attend an approved company performance or community event will receive a discount off their next month or session, depending on the ticket price of the event.
And last but not least, a reminder of a few policies we're javing trouble with
Please respect our neighbors and make sure to park on our side of the street in front of our house! If there is not space on the street, feel free to park behind the black car in the driveway. And also please be sure to remove your shoes at the door and place them in the coat closet. It makes a huge difference in keeping the floor clean for each class!
Thank you all, and we will see you in class! :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Koreshakti @ Abney Park Concert!
Koreshakti's performance at the Abney Park show yesterday at the Knitting Factory! Nefabit, Surina, Savvy, and Nicole, You guys RAQ!! :)
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