Thread: Abandoned by the muse?

One of my dearest friends told me that dance is a journey. My journey has not turned out at all like I expected or wanted. I’ve been all over the place from obsessed and drilling everyday to not dancing at all, which is were I’m currently at. I can’t seem to find my niche. I’ve been all over the place: cabaret, tribal, fusion, troupe, student, solo, sword, zills, public performances, costumes, obsessed, avoidant…

The only thing that I have loved and been consistent with during my journey is zills. I feel in love with my zills from the first moment I put them on my fingers. Other than that, I just don’t know. I’ve only been a student for 6 months and I feel like I’ve been all over the place too quickly. Some people have told me that everything I’ve been through was a good learning experience, but now I just feel resentment and burn out from doing too much too fast.

I feel completely abandoned by the muse. What do you do to get your shimmy shake back?

One thing I would suggest is that you look for opportunities to attend some good dance events . . . as a spectator. No pressure on you to do anything, just relax and take time to look at what others are doing. I'm planning soon to attend a big show in Mass with Suhaila, Issam, and boodles of performances by lots of dancers doing their various things. And I will be doing NOTHING, but hanging out (and . . . uh . . . shopping). I find it really re-inspiring every once in a while to do something like this.

I would also just comment that if you've been in love with your zills from the git-go, you have a RARE gift that you should certainly cultivate! Most new students find zills especially challenging and frustrating and a lot of dancers just don't even try to use them.
Rosette

You stop! Take a chill pill and relax. Let it happen. You can be fusion if your torn between (what I call) two worlds. I stop practicing on a regular basis so I can let it soak in. Belly dance is dance - why get caught up in the drama of what moves are correct with what form of dance. Take time to develop your own style. Dance is suppose to be about feeling - not static like and same. You dance your feelings. So if you are sad one day or happy the next - dance with those feelings. Don't force it - that's when you get burn out.

I find that when I stop, I feel somehow that my dance has risen to another plateau and dance the moves that I didn't think I would be able to. The important thing is to take time out and let it soak in... and watch some you tube of your favorite dancers. I think that's what has helped me as well. Being a fantastic ziller is very good - You should be proud of that.

I agree, sometimes nothing is what I've had to do. I've just had to let go of my death grip long enough for the fire to build up again, and watching other dancers and being inspired by them helps me feel that.

On the other hand, sometimes I NEED an objective - I need to have something I'm working towards. This has been performing sometimes, and sometimes just working on choreographing a song that I really want to dance to.

But I think the important thing to remember is - like everything in life, we go through ups and downs...some weeks I want to practice an hour every night, some weeks, I can hardly stand to go to my lesson. As long as you hang in there, you're progressing.

Um, only six months? It sounds like you're trying to burn yourself out before you even get started.

Relax, slow down, and enjoy whatever it is that speaks to you about the dance *now* - that may change for you over time - and it should - but it sounds to me like you're trying too hard for some reason.

After six months, you should still be worrying about getting your shimmy down, much less about getting it back.

I was going to say, but Tex beat me to it.. six months? I've been dancing again, for about that much time, but I have yet to try even half those things you rattled off. Whatsyer rush?

Take a break!

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

After six months, you should still be worrying about getting your shimmy down, much less about getting it back.

I agree completely

I got ahead of myself and did some stuff too soon and now I'm trying to figure out how to pull it all back in.

Dance is a journey... don't sprint!!

I'm also not surprised that you're feeling burned out already, having experienced so much so soon. Getting disenchanted after spreading one's self to thin is a very normal reaction for pretty much *any* interest. For anyone who's though that some of us have been a bit of a wet blanket with enthusiastic newbies on Bhuz, deadpoet's situation is exactly why we take that stance.

I'd echo Rosette's suggestion on getting on the spectator train. Watch as much performance as you can, and then decided which ones speak to you enough that you want to personally pursue them. I like to watch a lot of different styles of BD, but I pick and choose which ones I want to do myself, and then concentrate on them one at a time. I greatly enjoy watching ATS, Turkish Rom, Double Veil and some Tribal Fusion, for instance - but I don't really want to learn any of those forms myself, at least not in the forseeable future. I guess the point I'm getting at is that you can like or even love a style/prop/technique without actually feeling like you have to do it yourself.

If you came to me as a student, I'd probably recommend concentrating about 90% on fundamentals and basic technique, and the other 10% on stylistic concerns, props, or other long range goals.

Originally Posted by laura 2

For anyone who's though that some of us have been a bit of a wet blanket with enthusiastic newbies on Bhuz, deadpoet's situation is exactly why we take that stance.

If you came to me as a student, I'd probably recommend concentrating about 90% on fundamentals and basic technique, and the other 10% on stylistic concerns, props, or other long range goals.

I agree. Thanks.

Originally Posted by deadpoet

I got ahead of myself and did some stuff too soon and now I'm trying to figure out how to pull it all back in.

How do they say it? The first step to recovery is acknowledging the problem?

If that's true, then you're definitely on the right track! :Ahappy:

So, zill to your heart's content, to whatever music you like. When you're ready to dance again, think about what style of dance you'd like to pursue. Although fusion is a wonderful thing, I'd stick to something that is a little broader at first, just so you get a feel for BD movement, like the Egyptian or American Classic/whatever-we're-calling-it-today styles. I love tribal myself, but I find it might not be the best way to learn to belly dance, if belly dancing is your goal. [no flames, please; I believe that ATS and forms similar to it are belly dancing, but I see it as a niche style with very specific movement vocabulary]

Give yourself time to grow into the dance; all things being equal, you'll need a year of one or two classes a week plus some practice at home to get a good foundation in any style of dance. Allow yourself the luxury of time -- this isn't a job where you have deadlines to meet -- use your obviously inquiring mind to fully explore not just movement, but culture and music. Teachers love working with a real student of dance . . . there aren't too many out there!

Enjoy!

ETA: what laura2 said!

Deborah

It sounds like you have been too many places too quickly too soon. In order to really get it, you have to stay with something for a while. It won't always be fun, but I don't think you'll get overwhelmed.

I'm still a student, too, but I think the best thing for you to do is take a basic class from the best teacher in your area. Use the class as an idea of what you should practice each week.

While you're busy with your class, take time to watch other dancers. Decide what you want to try when you feel more comfortable in the basic moves. If you find costumes you like, if you don't have the cash, you can do what I do and save images so you know what you like for the future.

I would just take it very slowly. I feel like a lot of times belly dancers are in a huge rush to get to the next step. It takes time to cultivate your style. Don't rush it.

Pretty much what everyone else has said. Play your zills (lucky you, I love mine but they DO NOT love me) and instead of focusing so much on style for now, just dance in your house. See what feels right for you, watch lots of dancers to see who really gets you pumped, then combine it all and take classes that involes those elements. Stick with the one for awhile and see where it leads you.

Good luck in the journey...