Tabia
Laliba Ahteen
Kiya
Jawhara
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Videos
Here are some videos of us doing solo performances for one of our classes.
Laliba Ahteen
Kiya
Jawhara
Laliba Ahteen
Kiya
Jawhara
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Change Rooms
Doing performances often requires us to change costumes. Changing costumes requires us to have a dressing room. We have encountered some rather interesting places to change!
Our latest performance was at a local community centre. When we asked if there was a room we could use we were told we could use the washroom or the kitchen. We decided on the kitchen even though there were 2 doors in and out and anyone could have come waltzing in! We put my husband, who was acting as our manager that night, on guard duty. Jawhara happened to find a door off the kitchen and had a look to see what was there. It was a prep room that was a little on the small side but better than the kitchen itself. It also had a door we could close and not have to worry about anyone coming in. It worked out fine, there was even a mirror in there. Why a kitchen prep room needs a mirror I don't know!
We have also had to use the venue's washroom to change. Our event for Blades of Glory this past summer for example. We had our stuff spread far and wide. Makeup all over the counters and clothes draped over stall doors. Most women coming in to use the facilities had a good laugh when ever they entered to see it all! Some thought they were in the wrong place and ran out apologising having us call them back telling them it was OK, come on back! It was quite a good way, actually, to chat to the ladies to see how they were enjoying the show!
A show we did for Christmas had a mass dressing room for all the ladies to use. Not so good if you like your privacy! When we change in front of each other it's no big deal but sharing with women we don't know is another matter all together! Imagine our concern when we discovered a security camera in the room too! We all made sure someone went to ensure it wasn't operating while we were changing!
It's always an adventure wondering where we will be changing but it makes it all part of the fun too!
Our latest performance was at a local community centre. When we asked if there was a room we could use we were told we could use the washroom or the kitchen. We decided on the kitchen even though there were 2 doors in and out and anyone could have come waltzing in! We put my husband, who was acting as our manager that night, on guard duty. Jawhara happened to find a door off the kitchen and had a look to see what was there. It was a prep room that was a little on the small side but better than the kitchen itself. It also had a door we could close and not have to worry about anyone coming in. It worked out fine, there was even a mirror in there. Why a kitchen prep room needs a mirror I don't know!
We have also had to use the venue's washroom to change. Our event for Blades of Glory this past summer for example. We had our stuff spread far and wide. Makeup all over the counters and clothes draped over stall doors. Most women coming in to use the facilities had a good laugh when ever they entered to see it all! Some thought they were in the wrong place and ran out apologising having us call them back telling them it was OK, come on back! It was quite a good way, actually, to chat to the ladies to see how they were enjoying the show!
A show we did for Christmas had a mass dressing room for all the ladies to use. Not so good if you like your privacy! When we change in front of each other it's no big deal but sharing with women we don't know is another matter all together! Imagine our concern when we discovered a security camera in the room too! We all made sure someone went to ensure it wasn't operating while we were changing!
It's always an adventure wondering where we will be changing but it makes it all part of the fun too!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Teaching
As I mentioned Tabia and I are teaching beginner lessons to a group of about 15-20 women. Tabia does most of the teaching and I go around and help the ladies perfect the moves.
It is a lot of fun and quite a challenge. When it comes to teaching I always think I know how to do the moves, how do I explain it in a way the student can know how to do the move too. It's not as easy as some might think! I love using analogies to help. Most of the time it makes all the difference to the student. Having several analogies also helps as what works for one might not work for another. One example for the hip drop is to imagine as you let your hip drop down that your butt cheek is hitting a drum to get a good boom as it drops.
We are obviously doing it correctly as the women are AMAZING!! They are all picking it up really well and we have a great group of dancers. Some women are unsure even when we tell them they have it. Others are very proud of themselves. I thought one woman in particular had taken lessons before as her hip moves were wonderful She told me she hadn't taken any lessons and was quite surprised but happy when I told her how lovely her hip work was.
One move we've taught them is a large hip circle. Like it sounds you move your hips in a big circle starting at the side, swinging your hips and butt around the back to the other side then do the same to the front. The ladies had it but needed a bit of flare. Tabia said if they were facing away from the audience when they swing around to the back that they want the audience to know they have the honour of seeing their butts so make the most of it while they can! The ladies stepped that swing up with so much attitude it was awesome! I ran to the back to see and it was great seeing the new found pride they had in their butts, which can be a real source of self consciousness for a lot of women!
It's been great to see the enthusiasm and excitement the ladies have when coming to the lessons. The last lesson when Tabia and I arrived many of the group was already there, eagerly awaiting their next lesson.....it was great!
It is a lot of fun and quite a challenge. When it comes to teaching I always think I know how to do the moves, how do I explain it in a way the student can know how to do the move too. It's not as easy as some might think! I love using analogies to help. Most of the time it makes all the difference to the student. Having several analogies also helps as what works for one might not work for another. One example for the hip drop is to imagine as you let your hip drop down that your butt cheek is hitting a drum to get a good boom as it drops.
We are obviously doing it correctly as the women are AMAZING!! They are all picking it up really well and we have a great group of dancers. Some women are unsure even when we tell them they have it. Others are very proud of themselves. I thought one woman in particular had taken lessons before as her hip moves were wonderful She told me she hadn't taken any lessons and was quite surprised but happy when I told her how lovely her hip work was.
One move we've taught them is a large hip circle. Like it sounds you move your hips in a big circle starting at the side, swinging your hips and butt around the back to the other side then do the same to the front. The ladies had it but needed a bit of flare. Tabia said if they were facing away from the audience when they swing around to the back that they want the audience to know they have the honour of seeing their butts so make the most of it while they can! The ladies stepped that swing up with so much attitude it was awesome! I ran to the back to see and it was great seeing the new found pride they had in their butts, which can be a real source of self consciousness for a lot of women!
It's been great to see the enthusiasm and excitement the ladies have when coming to the lessons. The last lesson when Tabia and I arrived many of the group was already there, eagerly awaiting their next lesson.....it was great!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Challenges and Dancing
Oh my, has it really been that long since I updated the blog? Sadly I know the answer so there is no need to tell me!
We have been faced with some challenging times. The members of Basha Raks have all been involved with major happenings in our lives.
Jawhara is enduring physical pain in her shoulder and neck. She does not let it stop her from dancing. However the rest of us find ourselves continually saying "don't do this!" and "Don't do that!" for fear she will hurt herself further.
Laliba Ahteen has had her son, Caleb, move back home to her from Winnipeg. Their family dynamic has changed and though it is a most wonderful thing to see Laliba Ahteen and her son together again it does come with challenges.
Tabia has welcomed her parents into her home permanently. Again, a most wonderful thing but adjustments are underway in her household.
I, myself, am studying to become a reflexologist something I am truly enjoying but I must say.....who knew feet were so complicated!! My studying won't stop there either. I also will go on to study hand reflexology, Reiki and Indian Head Massage.
So while all these major changes are going on in our lives one thing remains the same......we dance. Dance is ,something no matter what is going on, we just don't give up on. We keep up with our lessons, we perform, we practice.
Tabia and I have had the privilege of teaching beginner lessons to a wonderful group of women. It is a fantastic experience and we are both enjoying it very much. I will post more on that later.
We also have a performance this coming Saturday for the Friday Nighters Hockey Team. It is a fundraising dance for their annual tournament in the US, Lake Placid this year I believe. We are all looking forward to it!
So Although we may be busy, hurting, struggling, studying we dance. We love it and it helps bring us together to celebrate. Celebrate each other and the dance itself.
We have been faced with some challenging times. The members of Basha Raks have all been involved with major happenings in our lives.
Jawhara is enduring physical pain in her shoulder and neck. She does not let it stop her from dancing. However the rest of us find ourselves continually saying "don't do this!" and "Don't do that!" for fear she will hurt herself further.
Laliba Ahteen has had her son, Caleb, move back home to her from Winnipeg. Their family dynamic has changed and though it is a most wonderful thing to see Laliba Ahteen and her son together again it does come with challenges.
Tabia has welcomed her parents into her home permanently. Again, a most wonderful thing but adjustments are underway in her household.
I, myself, am studying to become a reflexologist something I am truly enjoying but I must say.....who knew feet were so complicated!! My studying won't stop there either. I also will go on to study hand reflexology, Reiki and Indian Head Massage.
So while all these major changes are going on in our lives one thing remains the same......we dance. Dance is ,something no matter what is going on, we just don't give up on. We keep up with our lessons, we perform, we practice.
Tabia and I have had the privilege of teaching beginner lessons to a wonderful group of women. It is a fantastic experience and we are both enjoying it very much. I will post more on that later.
We also have a performance this coming Saturday for the Friday Nighters Hockey Team. It is a fundraising dance for their annual tournament in the US, Lake Placid this year I believe. We are all looking forward to it!
So Although we may be busy, hurting, struggling, studying we dance. We love it and it helps bring us together to celebrate. Celebrate each other and the dance itself.
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