Monthly Archives: November 2012

Fall sessions almost over; a break is in order!

I love teaching. I love the energy coming through the students as we dance, explore and learn new things together. As December approaches and we prepare for our end of season recital { sorry, it’s a semi-private sold out event}, I am reminded why I love belly dance.

Even though there are very specific rhythms and moves accorded to all the varieties of Middle eastern dance/ arabic dance, I call what I do, Belly dancing For Fun, because that’s what it’s supposed to be.

Fun, for adult women who have stress filled days and need an hour – or two – to get out and shake things up in a gentle yet physically enriching way.

Fun, as we play with beautiful pieces of fabric that we direct through the air and laugh as those same gentle piece of fabric go awry and wrap around our heads.

Fun, as most of the ladies I teach are from completely varied backgrounds and get to know something about themselves as they all work together over the weeks of a session to learn and accept what their bodies can do!

And then, when it all seemed to be settling into a too familiar rhythm, I decided to mix thing up and created my own fusion classes that I call, Bellywood.

And the fun got turned up a notch!  Mixing moves from Bollywood, classical indian, and general mayhem with fusion music from south asian artists/ canadian artists and whatever suits my fancy, my ever evolving Bellywood with Halyma gang has been making me smile!

Ameenah, Sadirah, Halyma and Esmerelda

And now as things are winding up for the Fall 2012 session, I am looking forward to the break. during which I will over indulge in relaxation and food.

Starting mid January, though, we are back at it!  You gonna join in the fun?

CreatorCamp Ottawa2012

Click here to go to the main website.

Just got my confirmation email yesterday from the organizer, Mark Blevis, that I will be part of the very intimate group of presenters at the upcoming Creator Camp Ottawa on Sunday November 18th at Pressed, 750 Gladstone.

What will I be talking about? Well they always say to focus on what you know…so:

Bellywood: Creating dance, fusing cultures and styles.

I think every dancer has their own way of creating choreographies as well as improvising and I am grateful for the chance to briefly share my own approach. While I suspect the participants will be seated, I hope to inspire and move people.  Or … get people moving…that’s a bit of a forewarning I guess!
Based on the Eventbrite page, there is still room for folks to sign up to attend this free event, with the suggested donation of $10 for the Ottawa Food Bank.
So what are you doing Sunday, November 18th?
—-
UPDATE:
I had a great time – all the talks were inspiring – thanks again to Mark Blevis for letting me come out to play! See a couple of photos on my Flickr page and check out the video of Derek DeBeer getting the folks to be musical:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW7noDRni5o?rel=0&w=560&h=315]

Modern Bollywood Style Upbeat Hindi Instrumental Free Stock Music

http://www.danosongs.com/blog/modern-bollywood-style-upbeat-hindi-instrumental-free-stock-music/

All Hallows Eve – “retro”spective

@halyma and @wtl by Halyma
@halyma and @wtl, a photo by Halyma on Flickr.

This year, we celebrate Samhain with some of Ottawa’s finest at the 14th Annual Charity Witches Gathering on the Saturday before Halloween.

We have been judges for many years with Auz and Marianne as our cohorts for the evenings adventures and it’s always a fun but challenging experience!

If you click on the photo, you’ll be taken to my Flickr page where there a handful of great shots from the party, which featured the theme of Day of the Dead.

And if you are one of my Flickr contacts, you will see a couple of shots from my youth which inspired by hair for Saturday!

We were actually characters from “Weird Science” from the end of the movie when the nerds were now cool. But for those who just thought we were Duran Duran, I’ll accept that too!

T/H