Upper body extension for beautiful veil workshop with Dawn White

I went to a lovely workshop today. It was "upper body extension for beautiful veil", taught by Dawn White. Dawn is a graceful, powerful dancer and when I used to go to her regular Edinburgh classes (back in 2003!), I remember thinking she focussed more on creativity and elegance of movement than I was used to, and less on hip technique. I was pregnant when I last went to Dawn's classes, couldn't keep up the pace and then she left for Australia!

You can see Dawn's upper body extension as she dances here!

I really enjoyed today's 2-hour workshop. Dawn's teaching challenged the way I think about movement - she talked about creating beautiful movement, not just shapes. She emphasised how we use the space with the extremities of our bodies, from our fingers to our toes, our chins to the crowns of our heads. There were challenging drills  - the notion of cracking walnuts between my shoulder blades was painful, but as Dawn said, if you go to a workshop and don't push yourself, you might as well be dancing in your living room. There were lovely swishy combinations with veils, the room was sea of colour as we switched from demure dancers to warrior princesses!

It feels like a long time since a teacher has given me new technique to think about, rather than a choreography or style of dancing. I am really looking forward to more workshops with Dawn and hoping she stays in Scotland for a good while!

A little stick dancing!

This week I taught saidi-style stick dancing... to groups of primary 2 children!

My son is in primary 2 at Leith Primary School and they've been doing 'dance' as their topic for gym this term. After 6 weeks (to my boy, 6 endless weeks) of Scottish Country Dancing, and two weeks of Katy Perry's Firework, a la Just Dance 2 for the Wii (yes, really!), I volunteered to add a little international interest!

 I was a bit nervous - I was taking my 3-year-old daughter with me too; I had especially shortened sticks for the children; I had a last minute panic being unable to find my galabeya; and I wasn't quite sure what all the teachers would think of it.

It was great. Nobody lost an eye (which should be a worry with the 6-year-old and stick interface!) and only one girl got a  skelf from the stick (oops). Quite a few of the children spent more time goggling at me than dancing (they're more used to seeing me in the playground in civvies, I guess!).  But most of them got to grips very nicely with the saidi step, the dums and teks and pretending to be dancing horses. I held back on the stick spinning and backbends - maybe we'll try that if they have me back!!!

My 3-year-old nearly peed herself as I was a bit too busy to take her to the loo, but otherwise she was very helpful, pressing play and pause on the ipod when I asked her too!

Teaching children is so different to teaching adults  - not least because grown-ups have chosen to come to class and actively want to be there! But I really enjoyed it.

Come dance with me!

Time for a new term! And a busy, exciting one for me. I hope you can come and dance with me at the Fisherrow Centre, or either of the Dancebase venues.

Wednesdays: Dancebase, Grassmarket
6.30-7.30 Beginners
Learn basic belly dancemoves, get shimmying to Egyptian music and enjoy the energy and elegance of belly dance, modern Cairo style! We will learn basic hip-work, fabulous foot patterns and rudimentary rhythms. This moderately energetic class will work your body all over. Please wear loose, comfy clothes.

7.30-8.30 Improvers
In this class you will learn different styles of Egyptian belly dance, as well as improving your technique, travelling, interpretation and confidence. There will be new moves and an emphasis on modern Cairo style belly dance. Later in the term you will need to bring a veil. Please wear loose, comfy clothes.

Each class costs £73.50 for the term (12 January - 6 April), please book at Dancebase.

Thursdays: Fisherrow Centre, Musselburgh. 
7.30-8.30 Beginners/open level
8.30-9.30 Improvers/performance
Fun, friendly community dance classes.
New dancers, come and try before you buy. If you're not sure which class suits you best, then try them both. The term costs £54 (£45 for senior citizens, students, unwaged), or £95 (£80) for both classes. NB No class on Thursday 3 March, but there will be a class in school holiday week.

Fridays: Dancebase, Leith
5.30-6.30 Beginners
Learn basic belly dancemoves, get shimmying to Egyptian music and enjoy the energy and elegance of belly dance, modern Cairo style! We will learn basic hip-work, fabulous foot patterns and rudimentary rhythms. This moderately energetic class will work your body all over. Please wear loose, comfy clothes.
£73.50 for the term (12 January - 6 April), please book at Dancebase. 

I'm really looking forward to lots of great dancing this term - please email me if you have any questions about the classes!