Week 4 of the 90 Day Belly Dance Challenge
Again I found this week a struggle and there were a few days where I really didn’t think I was going to do my dancing but I did and I can proudly say I have not missed a day (yet?)
Day 22 – My Ashford class are picking up the routine well and they started working on part 4 of 6 in the choreography. This gives us plenty of time to rehearse before the Folkestone Multi-Cultural Festival. Total Time – 1 Hour
Day 23 – I started by doing my own warm up. I then walked through the ‘Lonely Star by the Sea’ choreography up to where I had learnt so far and practiced a couple of times with music. Afterwards I began to learn a bit more to add to it and tried the whole routine so far a few times. I have noticed my back hurts a bit so I need to remember to really support it with muscles.
To cool down I tried a Yoga DVD my friend lent me.
It took a while to get started but I liked the sun salutation. I think I will keep using this DVD and try some other chapters next time to help me gain flexibility. Total Time – 1 Hour & 20 mins
Day 24 - I I began using Ruby’s ‘10 min Backstage Warm Up’ from her ‘Flawless Floorwork’ DVD since it does get you warm as well as working on your abs, legs and arms.
I walked through the drum part of ‘Lonely Star by the Sea’ up to where I had learnt yesterday and tried it a couple of time with the music. For the sections I couldn’t remember I watched the video to refresh my mind and then continued to learn a bit more. It is coming along nicely and since doing this challenge it has made me work on it more (rather than rushing last min).
After I had a quick go at the ‘Desert Dream’ Baladi piece although I noticed after doing Oriental Bellydancing while practicing ‘Lonely Star by the Sea’ it made it harder to get into my Baladi piece straight away and my arms were moving into similar positions which are quite ballet like and not for Baladi style.
I did a quick improv to a drum solo which I was considering doing a choreography to for my students but after I decided that I had one already for them and it just needs to be re worked on.
Lastly I chose Rachel Brice’s Cool Down from ‘Serpentine’.
I love this DVD and her explanations. This is the only cool down that I feel able to keep my breath flowing and it works on a lot of stretching which will help my flexibility. Total Time – 1 Hour and 25 mins
Day 25 - I didn’t do so much dancing today due to having other things to do but I still did the Ruby warm up and a short set at the restaurant. I danced to 4 songs and on the last one I began to feel sick. I think this was due to having my dinner a bit later than usual and I don’t think I gave myself enough time to digest. Total Time – 25 mins
Day 26 - As I was pretty busy today I didn’t think I was going to actually get some dancing in today until I got called in at last min to dance at the restaurant again.
Due to the rush I didn’t warm up and hoped that the quick walk to the restaurant would at least help and a little bit of light stretching in the back. I danced for a group of customers who were a lot of fun. Total Time – 30 mins
Day 27 - Even though it was my day off I felt a bit horrible and my mood wasn’t the best. This was one day I really thought wasn’t going to happen but I found out that for my performance next week they want something traditional (for Western audiences) so I decided to re learn a routine from Masters of Egyptian Choreography Vol. 2 with Diana Tarkhan. I only learnt the first section so I went over that with the instructions and then the rest of the week I shall learn the rest.
To cool down I went for Jillina’s ‘Drum Solo Choreography’ DVD again. Total Time – 45 mins
Day 28 - It was back to a normal lesson after the bank holiday so we worked on breathing, stage presence and part 3 of the Modern Egyptian Choreography
In the troupe session we did a long belly dance warm up which included stretching, push ups, planks, squats and more. Total Time – 1 Hour & 30 mins
Next week I will use my spare dance time (when I am not teaching lessons and performing) to practice the Diana Tarkhan Egyptian Choreography so I am ready for Saturday. At least I am still going strong and getting things done