I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing

[jewelsdances]

Originally Posted by Razia

I suspect that this thread will become huge, so I'm going to post my ''accountability log'' on my tribe and myspace pages rather than this forum. I will jump in here from time to time though :) If anyone else in recovery plans to do the same, let me know and we can keep an eye on each other!

Hi Razia, I am going to do this too, let's keep an eye on each other

[Razia]

Hey Jewels, I've got my eyes ready :)

[artemisia_danst]

i'm doing my own version of this: i get an hour of ME time daily. after the last couple of months i need that more than anything else. i dance enough. the hour can be dance, can be something else, and surfing on the internet doesnt count.

sitting in bath for an hour does, working at getting my dance studio up does, all kinds of artists dates count (who else is doing the artists way), ballet class does, choreographing for my students does NOT however, etc etc..

Artemisia

[Sonja2]

Originally Posted by LeylaFahada

So I also am guilty of having dozens of videos collecting dust! For those of you like me, what are you going to do: Work with all of them, or select a few to work with repeatedly to really get a grasp on the material?

I am so excited because I just made a chart and printed it out to keep track, and I've also picked out my reward for finishing the challenge. I've also recruited a buddy. He's not a dancer, but he's doing something similar with his workouts and so we're going to check up on each other.

I'm still sick today, so I'm starting tomorrow with a class.

Oooh OOoh reward! A chart is a great idea!

[Sonja2]

Day 1 done!! 1 hour at home dancing, 1/2 for teaching a class for an hour, and an hour taking a class last night! Woo hoo! I'm gonna start a facebook page & keep up there, I think. When in costa rica, though, I'll just have to be on the honor system until I get back--won't have internet access!

[bintbeled]

This has really given me the motivation to practice more, plus watch the performance videos I've accumulated on the shelf. And it was such a hardship yesterday, watching Tito , in addition to practicing for an hour and teaching for 4 (with lots of ab, glute, and shimmy drills thrown in).

BTW, the Tito preformances on this DVD are awesome:

Welcome to Hala Dance

Scroll down to the video link. He dances in traditional costumes, and also in blue jeans!

[jessedan]

I am sooooo in! I've got about 300 videos sitting on shelves, half of which I've only watched once or twice, and the other half I haven't even watched yet. (Writing this as I'm ordering half a dozen more videos.....)
Now I have a perfect reason to finally pop them in the player. Great idea Michelle!
I'm Priscilla, and I'm guilty of not being able to improvise to save my life.....


Regards
Priscilla

[MaryRaks]

I just found this and I have a confession to make!

My name is Miriam and I am a bad dancer. I do not focus on my own dancing as much as I should and allow myself to get away with improvising just about every time I perform. I have not choreographed for myself in over a year even though I fear my improv skills may not be up to snuff. I want to focus on adding variety to my dance, adding more "pow" to movements and choreographing something for *me* and not for my students.

I taught a class last night and troupe rehearsal - so 1 hour down, 89 to go!

[Khalida]

Originally Posted by Razia

I suspect that this thread will become huge, so I'm going to post my ''accountability log'' on my tribe and myspace pages rather than this forum. I will jump in here from time to time though :) If anyone else in recovery plans to do the same, let me know and we can keep an eye on each other!

You're ON We could do Myspace or tribe or both, my myspace blog links directly to tribe. *thinks* Myspace might be better, don't want to be able to abuse tribe downage as an enabling tool

[danielabellydance]

I would like to join. I taught a class last night, and am teaching tonight and taking ballet before my class, so I'm off to a good start!

[mariyah13]

I have decided not to log my non-dance workouts, performances or teaching.

Day 1 (11/11) -1 hour reviewing and practicing material from a workshop I took over the weekend.
Day 2 (11/12) - 1.5 hours choreographing/rehearsing for an upcoming project. 30 minutes practice with dvd
Day 3 (11/13) 1.5 hours ballet class
Day 4- 11/14 1 hour with floorwork dvd. 30 minutes with shimmy dvd.
Day 5 (11/15) 1 hour with drum solo dvd
Day 6 (11/16) 30 minutes drills with dvd, 1 hour practice on my own
Day 7 (11/17) I was only able to get in 45 minutes of practice today, but I'll make it up tomorrow!

[amyraks]

Okay, I've been doing this since Friday even before the thread started, yay! I have Ranya's gala show coming up next month and we have tons of 3 hour workshops until then. I did the Luscious Bellydance Workout on Sunday and I am going to try many of the World Dance videos I have and haven't even opened yet. Like Cardio Samba! Asharah has a really great warm-up conditioning section on her DVD even if you don't do tribal, etc. And the Industrial Strength Workout is intense, I hope I can do that one :) I am using my weight belt as well. Have to figure out what I am going to do today...

[shaiadancer]

what a great idea! I need something to get me going again after the birth of baby Rosie 3 months ago. Count me in! Hope I don't relapse too soon,

Linda

[Veil_Dancer]

Originally Posted by michellejoyce

Hi Everyone,

I am in recovery... from bad dancing. I was thinking about all my bad dance habits and have decided to attack the problem as an alcoholic attacks sobriety.

When an alcoholic starts AA they are told to do 90 meetings in 90 days. And they are told to seek support.

So - I will be taking 90 dance classes in 90 days. Videos count as a class as long as I actually do them for at least an hour straight. Yoga classes and fitness classes at the gym only count as 1/2 of a dance class.

It doesn't only have to do belly dance stuff. Any style of dance class/video will do. Obviously, there is a focus on belly dance, but I believe that all forms of dance can be helpful to improving your belly dance.

Anyone care to join me? We can support each other and report our progress here. Let the revolution in our dancing begin! Let's start the new year strong, balanced and with new tricks up our sleeves.

In addition to being on the fast track to FABULOUS, those who do the program with me will get a free Body Motion Modern Dance DVD to get you started training in other dance styles. Trailer and details here Body Motion - Modern Dance Workout - DVD

So declare your new sobriety (bad dancing is sobering business) to the world on this thread. Admit that you are powerless over your bad dance habits. Then send me a private email michelle@cheekygirlsproductions.com telling me where to mail your DVD.

Yep, I'm in! I still have bad dance habits from my teacher 6 years ago and would love to kick them to the kerb!!!

Samiya
xxx

[Souzan]

Since dvds count, what dance-related dvds are you using or planning on using? For drilling and form I have several that I use: Nourhan Sharif's basic technique, Zahra Zuhair's advanced class dvd, Ayshe's bellydance core training, Michelle's own Drills, Drills, Drills, Aziza's Practice Companion, Celeste's Turbo Shimmy for an extended cardio session, Zhaleh Fereshteh's abdominally controlled hipwork.

What are you using for technique drills?

Souzan

[Viv]

Well, I'm late to the party (like that's anything new...lol) but I'd like to join in. I have to modify the practice time a bit, due to work and life schedules I can only reasonably find half an hour a day to work for me in, but better to set a goal I can achive and be thrilled when I can get extra in, over constantly not making my goal in the first place.
So today, half an hour of Virgina's One on One dvd to get me back in the swing of things. (Not that I was on the right or left foot the same time she was but that's nothing new either....lol). I'm hoping I can try the combos I got through after class in front of the mirrors if I can shoo everyone out quickly enough.
May I suggest setting up a group page for us to log in our dailies so we don't end up with a gargantune sized thread?

[artemisia_danst]

i have an idea, why dont we keep editing our own posts

day one
day two, rather than starting 1000 new ones? or make a GROUP for this here, where we each have our own thread?

[artemisia_danst]

anyway

week one

12 nov, day one:
- an hour sorting cd collection, an hour organising my dance room. i know have 12sqm to myself. will have 16 if i clean up the rest of the junk
- danced for about half an hour (student choreo's)
- taught two hours of class
- 1h troupe rehearsal
=> goal reached

13 nov, day two
- one hour of teaching
- half hour of making choreo
- half hour of preparing class
=> goal not reached
added 40 min of yoga
Goal reached!!!!

[michellejoyce]

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

i have an idea, why dont we keep editing our own posts

day one
day two, rather than starting 1000 new ones? or make a GROUP for this here, where we each have our own thread?

I love that idea - how do you do it? Do I need to do it since I started the thread? Can someone tell me how?

[jmdruadh]

What about using Habitcal? It's free and easy: you create one calendar for each behavior you're trying to change, and then you mark each day a success, a failure, or exempt (green, red, yellow).

[Lauren_]

Someone earlier suggested a new thread each week -- like Recovery, Week one, and Recovery, Week two. I like that idea, but I'm in for anything.

Just spent another hour with Dina, she makes my feet sore (muscles, not soles) but I love her technique!

[stardancer]

where the hell are you guys getting the energy to do this? I would love to join in but between working 60 hrs a week and taking care of a family, I feel like dropping the minute I get in my door at night.

[Khalida]

Alright then, this will be my log post until we have a group, to be edited if i can still find it in a week I'm doing the artist way too btw, very much recommended!
Week 1: 10th Nov - 16th Nov 08
day 1: 3 hours teaching => OK
day 2: 2 hours teaching, 1 hour obsessing over music => OK
day 3: 2 hours teaching, 1.5 hours Aziza practice DVD, 0.5 hours choreos => OK
day 4: 1 hour ballet, 0.5 hours Bozenka practice DVD, 0.5 hours choreos => OK
day 5: 0.5 hours Sadies drumsolo DVD, 0.5 hours practice and shimmies => OK
day 6: 1.5 hours ballet, 1 hour Sonia and issam DVD, 15 minutes shimmies => OK
day 7: 0.5 hours Leyla shimmy DVD, 0.5 hours choreos. => OK. Yay! Week one DONE!!
Week 2: 17th Nov - 23th Nov 08
day 8: 3 hours teaching => OK
day 9: 2 hours teaching => OK
day 10: 1 hour teaching, 30 minutes practice => OK
day 11: 1 hour ballet, 30 minutes practice => OK
day 12: 2 hours WS Aziza => OK
day 13: 2 hours WS Ava => OK
day 14: 4 hours WS Aziza => OK
Yay! Week two DONE!! Score!!
Week 3: 24th Nov - 30th Nov 08
day 15: 2 hours WS Ava, 4 hours WS Aziza => OK
day 16: 2 hours WS Ava, 2 hours WS Aziza => OK
day 17: 2 hours WS Ava, 4 hours WS Aziza => OK
day 18: 2 hours WS Artemisia, 2 hours WS Ava => OK
day 19: 2 hours WS Ava => OK
day 20: 2 hours WS with Ava => OK
day 21: 40 minutes Bozenka shimmy DVD, 20 minutes practice => OK
Week three DONE!!
Week 4: 1st Dec - 7th Dec 08
day 22: 3 hours teaching => OK

[Linnyg]

Is it too late to join? I am sooooo in!

Monday - BD class, 2 hrs
Tuesday - The Art of the Drum Solo - 1 1/2 hours (approx).

[Mayliz]

Might be a dumb question, but what's The Artist Way, Khalida?

[Khalida]

Hi Mayliz,

The artist way is a kind of self-help book for recovering artists, which means artists that want to motivate and inspire themselves to create art and to stop procrastinating.. like all of us in this thread.

It is basically a 12-week program that has a bunch of assignments which include daily writing/logging and weekly 'artist dates', ie doing things that inspire you.

It was recommended to me by Aziza herself, and hey, if it works for her.. You can find the book on Amazon for 10$ or on the authors website: www.theartistsway.com

[banatsusan]

I want to join in too. My name is Susan and I am a bad dancer. Dance class last night 1.5 hours for my first day. Today, 1 hour working on new drum choreography!

[artemisia_danst]

hey
i emailed aziza, and she actually meant another, similar book, if i remember well it's something about the inner coach or something, will look it up again, but havent got around to it yet!

[Khalida]

Could be, in the introduction of the ten year edition it says that the artist way used to go under another name, maybe that's the one she meant last year?

[artemisia_danst]

na, found the reference back, it's a different one
Coaching The Artist Within by Eric Maisel