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.
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Michelle - what on earth are you talking about with the bad dancing?? You are a fantastic dancer and in demand all over the place!! But I *do* like your idea. Hmmm... thinking... might just do it.
A journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single post.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10,399
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Dammit, this is just what I would love to do but I can't commit till the thesis is done, really. It's like NaNoWriMo for dancers!!!!!!!!!
Do one's own classes count? Cos I can't teach them and take another video class for an hour right at the moment.... but I need to put a dance together for something soonish anyway and this would be a fun impetus.
A journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single post.
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 10,399
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Quote:
Originally Posted by joanneraks
Michelle - what on earth are you talking about with the bad dancing?? You are a fantastic dancer and in demand all over the place!! But I *do* like your idea. Hmmm... thinking... might just do it.
Perhaps we are powerless over our addiction to just coasting along rather than being actively BAD dancers?
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
ok, I'm in too.
*passes the microphone/candle/what have you*
My name is Joanne and I'm guilty of being a bad bellydancer. I have procrastinated practicing for the entire decade or so that I've been interested in this dance. I hereby promise to get off my lazy arse and practice/take a class/or work on a video for an hour a day for the next 90 days! yippee!!
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Hmmmmm - should teaching your own class count? Maybe only as 1/2 of a class because you aren't actually learning anything new. I don't know.... if you make your students work on something you need to work on that could count?? What do you guys think?
Well, I am on day 1 and I went to yoga this morning and I just completed the Body Motion DVD. I am hoping to find inspiration through some non-belly dance classes this week. I am soooo ready for my revolution.
I printed out the schedules for the yoga studio, the dance studio, and the gym near my house and put them on my fridge. All the DVDs in my collection (many still in shrink wrap) are dusted off and poised near the TV.
Can't wait until tomorrow - I will be doing this DVD
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Hello, my dance name is Jasani and I AM a terrible dancer, but I would like to change that by making the commitment for the next 90 days to become a better dancer through hard work and study with area teachers and video. I've been a slacker for too long and my health has paid too dear of a price. To start, I'm currently on a week long juice fast to clean my fatty liver (second day on the fast and I'm feeling good!). I also will become a vegetarian - with the exception of Thanksgiving day - well because my boyfriend is relentless about wanting me to cook a Turkey and he's a really bad cook.
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
I'm in! Great idea, Michelle.
Bookkeeping question: Does a four-hour workshop count as one unit or four? In other words, are we counting individual days or averaging 90 hours of focused work over 90 days?
Suzana
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"I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself." -- Mikhail Baryshnikov
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zana
I'm in! Great idea, Michelle.
Bookkeeping question: Does a four-hour workshop count as one unit or four? In other words, are we counting individual days or averaging 90 hours of focused work over 90 days?
Suzana
I thought is waas 90 *classes*, not hours. Because some classes are 1.5 hours depending on the genre... I would think a workshop would count as one class if it only covered a single topic. Because I wouldn't be exposing myself to 4 different influences - it;s really just one kickstart in terms inspiration. However, a couple of 2-hour workshops in the same day by different teachers -- like a Rakkasah situation -- would then count as 2 classes. Does that sound right or am I crazy?
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zana
Not sure if I'd have the nerve to post clips, but you've just inspired me to at least take some for purposes of comparison. Interesting, indeed!
lol - you could have a point! I bet several of us have footage that somehow never manages to "swim upstream" -- I know I do!
But I am really liking your idea of taping just for myself....
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zana
I'm in! Great idea, Michelle.
Bookkeeping question: Does a four-hour workshop count as one unit or four? In other words, are we counting individual days or averaging 90 hours of focused work over 90 days?
Suzana
I think that everyone can have their own slightly different rules depending on the resources available to them (ie 1 - 1.5 hours of practice in front of the mirror for an hour can count as a class in a pinch). But your rules should be set ahead of time and there will be no negotiating with yourself later on - you know how we addicts can be: "Just sit on the couch and watch this DVD - no one will know - it counts." ...or... "Today in class they are doing hip circles. My hip circles are great, I don't need to go." ...or.... "What could I possibly learn in THAT class. I'd rather zone out on YouTube."
This is a bad habit smackdown, people! Tough love! No one said recovery is a walk in the park! It works if you work it.
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Last edited by michellejoyce; 11-10-2008 at 11:29 PM.
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Quote:
Originally Posted by zumarrad
Dammit, this is just what I would love to do but I can't commit till the thesis is done, really. It's like NaNoWriMo for dancers!!!!!!!!!
Do one's own classes count? Cos I can't teach them and take another video class for an hour right at the moment.... but I need to put a dance together for something soonish anyway and this would be a fun impetus.
You know, I'd say one's own classes are fair game! When I get asked to sub teach for other's classes, I focus on what *I* want to work on (appropriate for whatever level I'm teaching, of course), so it's like an hour and a half of drilling movements I want to be stronger on, and making others follow along!
This is a rad idea, Michelle. Call me if you want to drill!!! I'll make my way across the golden gate bridge to your house (as long as wine is involved).
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Michelle - I really need this, and the timing is great. I'm so glad you posted!
I just got the dance room cleaned up and I'm ready to rock and roll. Tomorrow's Day One! I was thinking about the idea of doing a video before & after, too. Maybe I'll pick a song that inspires me & improvise & compare in 90 days... Guess it's time to open that camcorder I got for Christmas 2 years ago...
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Quote:
Originally Posted by zumarrad
Dammit, this is just what I would love to do but I can't commit till the thesis is done, really. It's like NaNoWriMo for dancers!!!!!!!!!
Do one's own classes count? Cos I can't teach them and take another video class for an hour right at the moment.... but I need to put a dance together for something soonish anyway and this would be a fun impetus.
Zumarrad - this is an intervention. We are doing this because we care about you. You do have the time. This is your life we are talking about here. Your. Life.
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
michelle -
This is so in alignment with my Masters Thesis project. I am training to compete at Ahlan was Sahlan in June! I am currently taking 3 belly dance classes a week, adding yoga, pilates and going to drum circles, etc. This is bril!
{{{HUGS}}}
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You can dance if you want to. . . [link="http://tahirabellydancer.com"]Tahira of Los Angeles[/link]
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Hey Michelle! I know how you feel even when everybody else says you are good (although I too think you are a fabulous dancer). Sometimes you gotta get back down to the nitty gritty to have that feeling of being good again. Unfortunately, my schedule won't allow it but I'm gonna try it everyday in my own way. And to the rest of you who are in the program, I am with you in spirit!!
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Me too! Just returned to dancing after semi retirement of five years and I am soooooooooooo bad its unbelievable! This is exactly what I need, great idea Michelle!
Re: I'm going to get clean - talking about my dancing
Michelle--this is wonderful! What a great idea--I'm in!
Hi everybody, I'm Razia and I'm a bad dancer. I love this dance more than anything and yet I don't give my body or mind the care it needs to allow me to dance at my full potential. I'm tired of doing performances that I'm not thrilled with. I'm tired of my body hurting all the time. I want to change. I want to make training and self care daily priorities and treat myself with respect. No more BS-- I start my 90 days today!
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