Thread: Suhaila for the long distance learner

I took a workshop with her a year ago and found that I loved her foundation work. After having a baby boy in March I feel like i want to get back into it...i'm just having trouble structuring my own practice and I don't have chunks of time to dedicate but I do have snippets through out the day.

Edmund - tribe.net

picture of my little man when he was a few days old......g.:


soooooooooooooooo

How do you organize your practice time at home?
What do you try to incorporate within the day? week? month?
What are your goals? (mine is to do a weeklong in CA)
Do you journal it or keep some sort of record of where you started and how you have progressed?
What types of exercises do you practice when you just have a few minutes?

Thank you!

I set aside weekends to do long sessions, like make it through an entire video. During the week, other than class, I try to get in a little dance every day, I warm up with a little free improvisation, then work on any choreographies or songs that I'm currently working on, then run through some video choreographies real quick (or select portions of drilling dvds).

I set mini performance goals, as well as goals of things to learn. I might focus on drum solos, or on cane, or floorwork. The big record of my improvement is watching any videos that have been made of my performances. Other than that, it's hard to know because as I grow, so do my standards.

If I am waiting for the microwave or otherwise have 5 minutes where I can sneak in some practicing, I often shimmy, do those range-of-motion exercises from Aziza's dvd, or something I learned from Kami Liddle - stretching your chest really far forward in an effort to increase the range of motion and also fix posture...hard to describe.

Nepenthe - thank you for responding :Ahappy:

what a cutie.

Most of my practice comes from teaching classes. Otherwise I probably dance around my apartment to a song or two about once or twice a week.
I want to do a video everyday but I almost never do

I do a lot of practicing in my head on my commute (yay ipod!) and then dance around my house a lot...pair that with my coach, who I see twice a month and I'm a (mostly) happy camper :) There are times I miss the rewards of a group class - but time is hard to come by, and I don't even have children!!

My regular gigs keep me in check as well - restaurant jobs at least once a week...

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I *think* Michelle Joyce's DVD, "Drills, Drills, Drills" is set-up in the Suhaila form. According to Suhaila's website, Michelle's certified level 1. I really like how she structures the video so that you can drill/layer everything from figure 8s to 3/4 shimmies.

I restructure my sessions on a weekly basis, depending on what I'm working on, and I have a very complex note system that I need to organize. It includes everything from a journal to interesting articles I find online to video reviews, etc... I download it all to Microsoft OneNote. I do like to set aside at least one hour, four times a week to practice.

I love the Drills DVD....

thanks for all of your responses...i've been having a really hard time lately and i think that keeping a dream alive (dancing) will help me through it.

The Fitness Fusion videos are a nice way to work with the format--each video covers different movements and you can do two in a row if you want a longer practice or just do the bonus workout if you're short on time. Regularity is key.

I just finished up the Level III workshop and while preparing for the exam I practiced finger cymbals every day, and put myself through a Suhaila-style warm-up complete with glute squeezes, straddle squats and vibrations several times a week. I made a CD/playlist and assigned different exercises to each song (ex: this is the straddle squat song, this is the vibration song, etc..) It made it very easy to follow and remember. One of my fellow students, as part of her Level III assignments, made a video blog of her training for the Level III test. With the help of someone at the studio she followed along with what they were doing in classes there (the class rotation is posted on the website http://www.therealsuhaila.com/downlo...sRotations.pdf ) and practiced drills around her pool table, something I also used to do when we still had one. I do also go down to the mothership several times a year, but that's not enough if you want to progress in the format. But it absolutely can be done from a distance, it just takes motivation and determination.

I'm doing it!

Ditto to everything above, and you absolutely must have the books for Level 1 and 2, and the Fitness Fusion dvds. I would also recommend getting either the CD "Fate" or the Remix one. There are several songs on those CDs that are about 20 minutes long with the same tempo and beat throughout. GREAT for drilling.

If you look at the bonus workouts on the dvds, you'll see some of the drills from the Level 1 classes. If you have the book, you'll have a list of all the basic isolations. For Level 1 practice, just walk with all the different isolations, with all the different timing and downbeat options. (Actually this is A GREAT exercise for figuring out how to get the most of a movement -- make a list of each timing and downbeat option for each movement.)

Add cymbals next, with alternating singles and then different patterns. So now you're drilling all the basic isolations with all the different downbeat options with all the different cymbal patterns! Whew!!

Once you have worked up to doing all the isolations full time (except the interior circle, which you can still do half-time) with all the different down beat options, and different timing options for the feet, then try doing all the isolations over DIFFERENT footwork -- the chasse, pas de bouree, grapevine, etc. Those are listed in the Level 2 book. Then try it with cymbals.

Then eventually you can add the basic layering -- which is more a Level 3 thing. Glutes with chest work and glutes with undulations are the basic ones.

***

Remember these are DRILLS, though and not necessarily dance moves. I think one of the key things to think about is how you might use what you're practicing here in your own DANCE.

Originally Posted by lylagus

I took a workshop with her a year ago and found that I loved her foundation work. After having a baby boy in March I feel like i want to get back into it...i'm just having trouble structuring my own practice and I don't have chunks of time to dedicate but I do have snippets through out the day.

How do you organize your practice time at home?
What do you try to incorporate within the day? week? month?
What are your goals? (mine is to do a weeklong in CA)
Do you journal it or keep some sort of record of where you started and how you have progressed?
What types of exercises do you practice when you just have a few minutes?

I'm home on and off throughout the day, so I practice at whim when hubby and kids are not around to pester with my music. The length of those sessions depend upon my motivation level and current focus. Usually about 1-2hrs, but of course there are days I don't, and will easily go up to 6hrs.

So long as I get some practice in 5-7 days/week, I am pleased. There is a saying I learned back in highland dance. "Don't practice for one day - you notice. Don't practice for two days - everyone else notices".

My initial goal was to be on a commercial performance video and I have reached that goal two times this past year. I'd say it's time for a new one - not sure what that is yet! But really - it boils down to becoming the best dancer I can be. That just takes time... so mini steps are more reasonable than expecting to be perfect overnight. I'll keep working towards becoming my best, and enjoy the journey.

I don't journal my progress, but take video footage of my dancing as often as possible. It's proven to be a great learning tool for me. I can see what I've done that looks nice, and improve on the things that suck.

If I just have a few minutes to practice - I'll just put on some music and dance. There are some specific aspects to my dancing I'm working on improving, that I can tackle within loosely structured improv. Or sometimes I'll just do a certain move over and over and over at every opportunity until I get it. I tend to pick a lot of these up from watching performance videos. Someone posted a Randa clip yesterday where she was doing this accented shimmy walk with her back to the audience, so I've been busting out attempts all over the place... dishcloth in hand, doing laundry, etc. ..l;, MUST. HAVE. THAT MOVE!

It really depends on how badly I am working towards something and how much time I have. What I would like to improve on, is putting on my instructional DVDs and working through those.

Hi Lylagus,

I live in Cleveland, OH and have been studying Suhaila's format for several years. I am Level 2 certified, and just attended my first Level 3 weeklong workshop in CA last week.

It can be difficult practicing the format long distance, so I have a few suggestions:

1. Even if you've been dancing for years - start at Level 1! Buy the Level 1 book and study and drill everything that is in it. The focus should be mostly on isolated hip work and ribcage work, done at 1/4 and 1/2x speed (no layering at this point). Start by drilling standing in home position (explained in the book - knees bent, pelvic neutral, glutes relaxed, shoulders back and down, spine straight, and arms in 5th position), then add movement over 1/2x footwork (walking forward, backward, side to side, grapevine, chasses forward and back). Drilling should also be done while in home position (yes - keep those arms UP!)

2. Straddle squats, squats, and more squats (as described in the Level 1 book). I cannot stress enough to you how important it is to strengthen your quads so that, in movement, your glutes are free to perform your hipwork, as opposed to using your glutes for walking and holding you up (which is what most of us do).

3. I definitely agree that you should get the Fitness Fusion dvds. personally I find the Buns and Pilates dvds particularly beneficial.

4. Get the Jamila finger cymbals dvd and book and practice your finger cymbals, adding them to your drills over your 1/4 or 1/2x hip work or ribcage work.

5. Practice your glute exercises as much as humanly possible. ..g.:

Once you get your isolated hip and ribcage movements precise at 1/4 and 1/2x, then speed them up to full time for Level 2, and try some layering. Then get the Level 2 book and drill from there! In Level 2 everything should be full time (except interior hip squares, which are 1/2x).

NOTE: interior hip squares should be practiced at 1/4x for Level 1 and 1/2x for Level 2.

Don't forget to also practice all movements with your downbeat Left as well as Right.

I'm sure I left some things out...but you probably get the idea! ,r:;

*quick thread hijack*

Hi Renee!!! Congrats on Level 3!!!! :) How do I get onto the Yahoo group?
My regular email is elliott underscore erika at hotmail dot com.

((HUGS))

*and now back to your regularly scheduled thread...*

Originally Posted by ReneeD

The Fitness Fusion videos are a nice way to work with the format--each video covers different movements and you can do two in a row if you want a longer practice or just do the bonus workout if you're short on time. Regularity is key.

I just finished up the Level III workshop and while preparing for the exam I practiced finger cymbals every day, and put myself through a Suhaila-style warm-up complete with glute squeezes, straddle squats and vibrations several times a week. I made a CD/playlist and assigned different exercises to each song (ex: this is the straddle squat song, this is the vibration song, etc..) It made it very easy to follow and remember. One of my fellow students, as part of her Level III assignments, made a video blog of her training for the Level III test. With the help of someone at the studio she followed along with what they were doing in classes there (the class rotation is posted on the website http://www.therealsuhaila.com/downlo...sRotations.pdf ) and practiced drills around her pool table, something I also used to do when we still had one. I do also go down to the mothership several times a year, but that's not enough if you want to progress in the format. But it absolutely can be done from a distance, it just takes motivation and determination.

What's the yahoo group ? Can I get in on that one?

Originally Posted by aziyade

What's the yahoo group ? Can I get in on that one?

Hi Aziyade - I PM'd you.

Thank you! :)

Originally Posted by aziyade

What's the yahoo group ? Can I get in on that one?

would it help me too? is it a format support group? i miss the old Suhaila tribe because i could search for level one stuff.........the new tribe isn't as active and doesn't have the awesome backlog of info...


thank you for all of your answers..i bought the level one manual (on sale too..g.:) the finger cymbal book and cd .. and the Fate cd..i already have the fitness fusion series. i'm considering it my 30th birthday present to myself along with the spider plant i already got...i really need to get out more.,r:;

Hi again, lylagus,

The Yahoo group is a support group for those Level 2 certified and higher...

And the Suhaila Tribe actually IS still active - it's just got a new name. It's TheRealSuhaila. It's quite active and there are many people out there who will be willing to help you! There's also the Suhaila Method Resource Group which is also a good place to gather information and get answers to your questions. Her new website: The Real - Suhaila Salimpour, also has some great information on it. Check it out!

Suhaila Method Resource Group is this on her website? i couldn't find it on tribe...

i'm a member of TheRealSuhaila tribe and i do check it out a bunch for info and find it to be a good resource.

i can't wait for my new goodies to arrive in the mail : )

wow. i keep being shocked by how deep this Suhaila stuff goes.

I think i need to start using my dvds

The Suhaila Method Resource Group is on Tribe, and if you're on The Real Suhaila tribe it should be pretty easy to find from there as a related tribe.

BTW, feel free to send me a Friend request on Tribe. I cannot get onto Tribe from work but sometimes check it in the evenings. ..g.:

Originally Posted by ErikaOH

The Suhaila Method Resource Group is on Tribe, and if you're on The Real Suhaila tribe it should be pretty easy to find from there as a related tribe.

BTW, feel free to send me a Friend request on Tribe. I cannot get onto Tribe from work but sometimes check it in the evenings. ..g.:

i sent you one ..g.:


i'm thinking thr resource tribe may be private because it doesn;t show up for me in searches...

Everything Aziyade wrote has got me excited about the Suhaila workshop next weekend. Last time she was here, I really had trouble keeping up at all (apparently the weekend workshops were mis-ordered -she taught a drum solo workshop with tons of layers the day before she taught her layering methodology.) - but I was also much less experienced then (2 years ago). So at the time I didn't like it - especially when she was telling me to do things in a completely different way than the way I had learned, which made me feel like I had re-wound my personal progress tape to 0.

However - I really like Michelle Joyce's DVDs, so if that's considered Suhaila style, there's a good chance I'll appreciate her more now. I should consider learning some of Suhaila's drilling techniques. I'll check out what she has for sale at the workshop.

Am worried about my knees when doing squats.............. Should I chose a different way of working?

Originally Posted by lylagus

i sent you one ..g.:


i'm thinking thr resource tribe may be private because it doesn;t show up for me in searches...

It's invitation-only but if you send a message to the group moderator she'll invite you.

Originally Posted by ErikaOH

*quick thread hijack*

Hi Renee!!! Congrats on Level 3!!!! :) How do I get onto the Yahoo group?
My regular email is elliott underscore erika at hotmail dot com.

((HUGS))

*and now back to your regularly scheduled thread...*

Thanks Erika!

Originally Posted by jencUK

Am worried about my knees when doing squats.............. Should I chose a different way of working?

Can you be more specific about your concerns? My general advice is always keep your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes, but don't let your knees jut *past* your toes.

Originally Posted by ReneeD

Can you be more specific about your concerns? My general advice is always keep your knees pointing in the same direction as your toes, but don't let your knees jut *past* your toes.

I have old knee injury and squats are difficult. (I'm also 59 (in 3 weeks ugh! (don't tell anyone)))

Yay! ..g.:

Remember if it's a choreography workshop, get the basic drift of what she's teaching and attempt the multi-level layers but if you can't do them, DON'T FREAK -- it's okay. Just SEE what the options are, and try to figure out why she put what and what together in that part of the music.

Years later, when you start looking at your notes again, and you have some of her technique solidly under your belt, then try adding those extra layers. There's a level 3 drum solo choreography that's been floating around for a few years, and I'm now starting to add the layers -- which makes me feel all warm and happy and ever so proud of myself :)

What I think is cool about her method is how while at first you feel like you're unlearning everything, eventually you work out how to actually incorporate what you learned into how you already dance. cooool.

Have fun! and Don't worry.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

Everything Aziyade wrote has got me excited about the Suhaila workshop next weekend. Last time she was here, I really had trouble keeping up at all (apparently the weekend workshops were mis-ordered -she taught a drum solo workshop with tons of layers the day before she taught her layering methodology.) - but I was also much less experienced then (2 years ago). So at the time I didn't like it - especially when she was telling me to do things in a completely different way than the way I had learned, which made me feel like I had re-wound my personal progress tape to 0.

However - I really like Michelle Joyce's DVDs, so if that's considered Suhaila style, there's a good chance I'll appreciate her more now. I should consider learning some of Suhaila's drilling techniques. I'll check out what she has for sale at the workshop.

Aziyade,

Looking back, that's what I should have done - only done one layer at a time instead of piling them all on and looking like I was having an epileptic fit. Of course, Suhaila looked as if she was looking out onto the group of us with dismay and horror at how poorly we could execute her vision. :-)

I will say that she got me doing the whole butt-squeeze-driven hip thing. At first I was resistent to the idea but now my butt is always in on the action.

Aziyade - thanks for your gobs of advice. I had so much fun at suhaila's workshop because I remembered to just do what I could execute properly. I also felt she was a lot more personal and nicer than last time - maybe she is doing better in her life these days. I am now a Suhaila fan. For one, it helped that I went two years ago and started doing the glute-squeeze and undulation exercises from her DVDs.

So I picked up one of the drilling CDs (Remix) and the Level One booklet and I'm going to start using this to structure my practice. I don't want to go whole-hog Suhaila (3+ layers is just not my style) but I really like the way she uses the musculature to drive the movements.