Lets talk about bellydance. There are many different stories and opinions as to where the dance originated and how it became what it is today. My personal belief is that it has been done since the beginning of time. Women have used dance for spiritual and healing rituals. They have gathered and danced in joy and sorrow. It has always been a way for her to express her innermost feelings and tell a story. She uses nothing more than her body movements and her eyes, allowing others a glimpse through the windows to her soul. I believe there are so many different forms of bellydance because women from all corners of the world were dancing in the beginning. Growing and evolving each style. In my opinion I believe each is unique and equally special in its own form.
I believe that the true masters of the dance are the ones who preserve the art of the dance while continuing to evolve it and with it. The best dancers are the ones that dance from the heart. The rawness and passion that is expressed through her dance when she is truly moved or inspired. Rarely do I feel this is expressed the same in choreographed pieces. I don’t agree with popular consensus as to who are the best bellydancers and master teachers. Just because you studied, performed or taught for 20 years does not mean you are good at it, let alone the best. Experienced yes. A master no. With the title master teacher, I expect a lot more from a performance and a class.
What I feel makes a good teacher is the ability to successfully break down steps and teach it in a language that all levels of dancers can understand. Having different explanations and ways a dancer can somehow relate to the movement in everyday life is helpful. Not everyone comprehends the technical bellydance realm. A good teacher is not going to expect you to just follow what she is doing, leaving some beginners watching in awe, but feeling inadequate while she basically performs for the class instead of teaching. A true teacher is willing to give her students her secrets. A great teacher wants her students to excel and surpass her ability. She will not always try to keep her students a step or two below her. After all, if our students become wonderful dancers, better then we are in fact, it can only reflect brilliance in our teaching ability.
My philosophy of teaching is this… Each of us are individuals with our own different way of learning and expressing. I try to reach each student on her level. All my classes are open level. Everyone moving at the level and pace they need. I always begin with basic and alternative stretching and warm ups. I cover a few basic moves to review, then move to shimmies, variations and drills or a more challenging move to perfect. I always end with a few minutes of freestyle. I play a song at request or at random. Each dancer can feel safe, secure and confident to practice, perfect or try new moves while in a performance mode. This is where my motto “Dance like no one’s watching” TM comes in. I tell the girls…imagine yourself on a stage with flattering lights and a fierce costume. Imagine that this is the last time you will ever dance. Dance with your heart! Dance like you do when you are alone in your house and you know no one’s watching.
What I look for in a performer is entertainment. That is what you are there for. Yes we appreciate the art, but, it doesn’t matter how technical or folkloric you are all of the time. The majority of the audience will not recognize that you have executed technique perfectly. As a bellydance performer you are there as an entertainer. People want to see a show sometimes even a spectacle! To see a dancer transition from being lost in her dance and then back to connecting with her audience, grabbing the minds and fantasies of individuals to be lost in her dance with her is the mark of an amazing dancer and probably one of the best performances you will ever see.
When attending my classes or performances I aim to make it an experience instead of making people feel like spectators. We all started as beginners. I consider myself to be a true master teacher of the form I created Bellydance-House Fusion. The most important thing in all of this is to remember to have fun! Enjoy the moments in the dance.
I look forward to sharing more stories about my experience as a bellydance instructor, performer, mother of 3, adventures in the tri-state area hookah bars and lounges, International restaurants and other cultural and bellydance related events. To keep track of my everyday goings on please friend request me on Fabebook.com/ Destiny Maktub. Here is a clip from a few years ago Bellyhouse & Destiny Perform @ House Of Blues.
**Side Note** Rakkasah East the biggest bellydance festival in North East U.S. will be held Oct 8th, 9th & 10th Somerset, NJ. We go every year. There is non stop bellydance performances all 3 days, workshops, and TONS of bellydance apparel and other vending! Not to be be missed for the bellydance enthusiast!
Until next time…
~Double Kisses & Shimmies~ Destiny The Dancer
