Tuesday, November 22, 2011

TO MY SISTER IN DANCE


I will not point out your failures
I will not expound upon our differences
I will not show you disrespect
YOU ARE MY SISTER

I will saghareet at your shimmies
I will clap for your hip drops
I will return your smile
YOU ARE MY SISTER

I will let you dance first at the hafla
I will let you pick our song
I will give you the recognition you deserve
YOU ARE MY SISTER

I will sing with you
drum with you
dance with you
YOU ARE MY SISTER

Beth Jones


Thursday, October 27, 2011

WHAT IS THE BELLY DANCE?

TAKE A CHANCE - BELLY DANCE

The Belly Dance is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso, and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions. Characteristic movements in the dance include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps. Arms and hands move fluidly, like serpents or ribbons in the air. Unusual strength and control is demonstrated in the belly area.

Sometime known as MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE or RAQS SHARKI

TAKE A CHANCE - BELLY DANCE

check us out at: www.compassionatehands.info and, of course, FACEBOOK - COMPASSIONATE HANDS HOLISTIC CENTER

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

PRACTICING "KINDNESS"

When you go to class, do you compare yourself with other students? You may feel like you're behind some people, or ahead of others. It's natural to compare ourselves to those we see around us - we've been conditioned to do that by commercials & ads all our life.


Friendly competition can also be a useful self-motivational tool-but use it wisely! If you feel you have superior skills, be sure to practice patience and kindness while waiting for others to catch up. And always show respect for those who have surpassed your level, and acknowledge their accomplishments with geniune pleasure.


The "family model" is a wonderful social construct; think of your fellow dancers as sisters- some are "older" and more experienced, others are below us in knowledge and maturity. But treat them as kindly and as considerately as you would your own siblings-be happy for them when they succeed; compassionate when they fail.

(part of article) written by Anthea (Kawakib)
http://www.kawakib.com/

Thursday, August 25, 2011

JUDY'S GYPSIES will be performing at the Abbott Terrace Nursing Home (44 Abbott Terrace) this coming Wed. night, Aug. 31st at 7:00pm. All of our beautiful ladies are asked to come & dance or just support your "sisters in dance"!! Practice will start at 5:00pm that night. We will be leaving the center between 6:15pm & 6:30pm

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

About Oriental Dance (aka Belly Dance)

In Arabic it is called "raqs sharqi" which translates literally to "Eastern Dance" or "Oriental Dance": raqs=dance, sharqi=Eastern, Oriental. Raqs Beledi, it's more common dance relation, means "of the country, folk or people" - raqs beledi refers to the dances done by ordinary people. Raqs sharqi refers to the stage presentations as performed by professionals. Raqs sharqi's basic movement vocabulary consists of intricate hip articulation, flowing arm movement and undulatory movements of the torso; often augmented by floor work, playing of finger cymbals or use of props, ie: veils, canes, swords, candelabras, snakes, etc. On stage it is usually performed mostly by a soloist. Often dancers will use the terms belly dance and Oriental dance to refer to both Raqs Sharqi and Raqs Beledi.

The true origins of this art form are hotley debated. What can be said for sure is that the elements of the dance were taken from many of the regions that met and melded in the Middle East, through trade, war and travel. A few influences particularly notable, Africa, Turkey, Greece, Persia, the Rrom people and the Arabic-speaking countries. Certain movements such as the belly roll and flutter are traceable to birthing rituals practiced by some Berber tribes in North Africa, some Bedouin tribes in Arabia and others.

More of the History to follow !

Monday, July 18, 2011

HAPPY HIPS!

Everyday movement does not really require that we move our upper body separately from our lower body. However, as belly dancers, such isolation is not only beneficial, it is crucial! To gain this isolation, you must practice, practice, practice! But you must also stretch, stretch, stretch. The muscles which help or hinder your isolation are primarily the obliques (the muscles along the side of your torso) the psoas (connecting your pelvis to your torso) and the hip flexors. Stretch one arm over your head, leaning over (but keeping your chest straight i.e., not twisting it forward or back). You should feel a nice long stretch along your ribs and even down across your hips. There are many variations of this stretch - find one you like and that seems to give you a nice long stretch. Better yet, do all the variations. You'd be surprised how they build on one another. Now keep your chest lifted and slide your hips to one side. Really push it out there - feel the stretch across your hip bone. Use hip circles and loose shimmies to warm up your hips and your side muscles. Do these stretches EVERY DAY! When these muscles are long and flexible, they allow you to move your hips without involving the upper body and vice versa.

(farfesha)

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

SACRED BELLYDANCE

Belly dance is a celebration of life. In ancient times when people were awed by the miracle of birth, belly dance was a ritual of love, magic and worship of the divine feminine creator.

As temple priestesses danced, they were the embodiment of the goddess on earth - vessels of spirit, channels of divine wisdom!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Ask yourself, have I changed in any way since I began studying Belly Dancing? On what level: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual? Or...perhaps all of them! If you answered yes, then ask yourself "in what way"?


  • Are you stronger?

  • Are you more sure of yourself?

  • Are you more grounded?

  • Are you more animated?

  • Do you have more energy to be productive?

  • Can you feel spirit within when you just let the music move you?

  • Do you appreciate yourself more as a woman?

    When you've danced hard and it was one of those magical moments in time when the energy was right and you know you did an outstanding job, do you feel the warm glow of your energy body? If you've never experienced that phenomenon, you will sooner or later if you continue to grow in this art form. It's not an "ego" high I'm talking about, it's about being EMPOWERED ON ALL LEVELS, not just one. That's called being in "harmony" with one's self!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Welcome to Judy's Gypsies !!


Soon I will be making a weekly update to dance articles, special events and the news from Compassionate Hands. Watch for the new pages and articles soon! Judy