Dancemeditation - the weekly class

A couple of years ago I was speaking with Dunya about dance technique and teaching dance technique. She related to me that she was so much happier with Dancemeditation because she didn't have to put as much 'thought' effort into it. Perhaps those weren't her exact words, but the sense was that Dancemeditaiton is restorative (more so than many movement forms) from a teaching standpoint, while technical classes can definitely be a drain if the student/teacher reciprocation is not working.

In January of this year I began a weekly Dancemeditation class at the studio and we've only missed 4 classes since then. I've got to state what a triumph this is (regardless that there are typically only 3 students, a different 3 most weeks though) Last night, while stuck in traffic and completely unable to get to the studio in time for Dancemed, I realized what this practice means to me; even if I cannot go as deeply into a session as a teacher than as a student.

One of the participants is a 15/16 year old, home schooler who showed up earlier last year with her mother for one Dancemeditation session, we'll call her 'K'. She didn't come back for about nine months and it was then I found out that this girl (wisp of a girl) dances...everything. She was so busy with her other dancing that she didn't have time for Dancemeditation. After I had the opportunity to speak with her, K informed me that this type of dance/work wasn't new to her at all. She had already been involved in Somatic practices, contact improvisation and energy work...and K has probably done more at her age in these areas than I have yet to do! Fortunately, there are actually a few things I can show her she hasn't yet seen.

A few weeks ago, I had that ...thing...I'm still not sure what to call it...tap me on the back of my head and say, "hey, we need to whirl." And so they did, or rather, I asked them to and they were thrilled to do so. Granted we only had two participants other than myself, but holy guacamole....

When I am 'running the show' I only get to watch instead of participate, but there's an extremely beautiful thing that happens during a group whirling - and it never fails - when the whirlers are momentarily synched up and for one or two revolutions, they move as one. I know they don't realize what is happening, but from the observer's point of view, the visual is stunning.

This past Tuesday during Dancemed, we had two brand new souls to add to the session. They had never done the practice before, but I knew they would be alright the instant I said "Close your eyes and let your body move however it needs to move." They just rocked the place. Perhaps that is my biggest joy in bringing Dancemeditation to our little corner of the world, I get to watch people who say they have no focus, or who say "I can't dance", or who, for whatever reason, resist other methods of meditative work finally let go and reach/touch that space that is deep within each of us calling and begging for our attention if we will only slow down and listen. The room lit up and literally crackled with energy, an energy so palpable the participants commented on it later.

This particular posting has been going on for exactly one month now...due to lack of focus toward writing on my part... but everything here needed to be said.

The cutting of hair....

So it's a rather huge deal when I cut my hair.

I haven't *really* cut my hair since I was 16 years old...which we'll just say has been almost 20 years. In the interim I've occasionally trimmed 1 to 3 inches off of the bottom to keep it from getting completely ragged.

Sunday, in a manic state, I decided to trim my hair. It's always interesting to me when my simple acts of maintenance turn into cries for major transformation. I've always been teetering on the line between reality and fantasy, so much so that as a child I had the very distinct impression that I had similar properties as the dolls whose hair one can cut, but then pull out again later. To this day, I have to have mental arguments with myself about what is possible in this physical world prior to acting upon some impulses.

I have been wanting a hairstyle change for about a year now. I spoke seriously of and had discussions about it last June and even bought fashion magazines (again, something I haven't done since I was 16) so that I could more accurately indicate to a hair stylist what I was looking for in a 'new do'. Ultimately I'm a chicken when it comes to changing my physical appearance. I like to have as much to work with on the outside as possible so that I can be the chameleon I actually am on the inside. Having lots of hair is exceptionally conducive to changing one's appearance instantly. Shelly can leave his hair down and stop NYC traffic, but once he pulls it back in a braid, the same people who were creating traffic jams can walk past Shelly without ever even noticing him.

All of that being said, my hair is only about 6 or 7 inches shorter than before. Although, when you only have 22 inches of torso, 6 or 7 inches does actually seem like more than it really is. I feel that my hair is at least healthier now than 5 days ago, but there's something dramatic about a length of hair that covers one's entire back and I and I feel differently now for it.

"I feel differently for it", that would be the subtle, subconscious cry for transformation. My Mom used to say the only thing she had control over changing was the arrangement of the furniture. I think what she should have said was, "the only thing I have control over that won't be an obvious, glaring change to the rest of the world, is the arrangement of the furniture." I'm always so impressed when others can change, on a dime, in front of the entire world. I've known and still know people who change, at least their appearance, on a seasonal if not monthly basis; although, I've yet to meet anyone who changes that frequently on the outside in order to reflect some personal, internal, life change.

I am not yet a master (even at the age of 34 and 3/4's) of the chrysalis process, but it is my preferred choice of change. Perhaps that is why I love and long for Dancemeditation retreats - the workspace itself is like one giant chrysalis holding many bodies in varying states of development and transformation. Coming out on the other side is perceivably different, both on the inside and out, to myself, the others in chrysalis with me and the rest of the world. Maybe my longing for transformation is the manic realization that I have not had the opportunity to spend any real length of time in a chrysalis removed from the everyday world in almost a year.

In summary, hair cuts = instant change = sharp intakes of breath and brief instances of panic.

Now how about another vision quest to wrap it all up?

I think it might be time.

Baton Rouge Bellydance Festival Registration is LIVE!

The 2008 Baton Rouge Bellydance Festival is around the corner and this year, we've got something for everyone!
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 20087:00 pm—8:30 PMJewels of the Mississippi 600 MAIN - Downtown Baton Rouge Main & 6thProfessional Bellydance Showcase featuring dancers from South LA$10 - Tickets available online and at the door (Limited Seating)

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008
$20 by the class
$55 3 Class Pass
$100 DAY Class Pass* - *includes 6 classes + Saturday Show!

Printable Registration Form

7:00—8:30 PM BATON ROUGE BELLYDANCE FESTIVALStudent Showcase & Choreography ContestRED LION HOTEL2445 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808OPEN AMATEUR CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST & STUDENT SHOWCASE!$10.00— 1 Free with purchase of any ‘Class Pass’

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST
2 Categories, Troupe & SoloStudents dancing for 3 years or less and not in a professional capacity. Choreography can be an older choreography as long as it was choreographed by the students and has never been performed for money. Participants must register for at least one class during Saturday's workshops. Troupes have a 6 minute limit Soloists have a 4 minute limit

STUDENT SHOWCASE & HAFLA Troupes & Soloists welcome Troupes have an 8 minute limit Soloists have a 6 minute limit Participants must register for at least one class during Saturday's workshops. All music must be turned in to Shamsi by 12:30 PM Saturday, May 31st.

INDIVIDUAL HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling the hotel directly and asking for Jan Douglas, Director of Sales at 225.235.4000 or 888-368-7578 by May 15, 2008. They must identify themselves as members of BayouShimmy. All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card.