Ballet and Belly Dance

I've been immersing myself in ballet in recent months. After progressing to the point of putting on pointe shoes as a teenager, I abruptly stopped.  And now, almost 15 years later, I'm starting classes again. I'm all the way back in beginner, but loving it nonetheless. I've also been frequenting performances at the Pacific Northwest Ballet and reading Misty Copeland's autobiography, An Unlikely Ballerina. Copeland, pictured above, is famous in the ballet world for both being a prodigy and her skin color in a mostly white-dominated art form.  Additionally, over the last year she skyrocketed to household name status after her stint as a guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance and her incredible commercial for Under Armour. Top all this off, I've added in ballet-inspired workouts from the Ballet Beautiful series to my weekly fitness routine, likely making me an official ballerina junkie at this point.

All this recent ballet involvement has acted as a catalyst in getting me thinking about the links between ballet and belly dance, and reflecting on how there is a significant ballet influence in belly dance.  Let's take a look.

First, there was Badia Masabni.  As discussed in a post a few months ago, Masabni began incorporating Western elements, predominately ballet, as well as other Middle Eastern dance styles, with traditional Egyptian dancing.  She encouraged an uplifted carriage and trained dancers to lift and open their arms, like in ballet  She also taught her dancers to use more space on the stage, layering in enhanced traveling steps and footwork that borrowed from the ballet repertoire.  Masabani trained the famous dancers Samia Gamal and Tahia Carioca in this style, who in turn carried forward these ballet elements, thus launching the modern age of belly dance.

Then of course there's the undeniable influence of Mahmoud Reda.  A classically trained dancer and gymnast himself, Reda continued along the same lines as Masabni, fusing classical ballet moves and stylistic influences into traditional Egyptian folk dances.  Reda's influence and crossover effect has been dramatic in defining modern belly dance for future generations of dancers through his choreographies, movies, and training of belly dancers, including Dina and Randa Kamel.

So yes, what we think of as belly dance or raqs sharqi, has elements of ballet and other Western dances as well.  When belly dancers hold their hands with the thumb and middle finger extending toward each other, that's ballet.  When belly dancers extend the leg behind the body in an arabesque, that's ballet.  When belly dancers open the chest and extend the arms to the side in a relaxed second positions, that's ballet.  When belly dancers spin across the stage in a modified version of a chaine, that's ballet.

I know that there are some in the belly dance community who don't care for the mention of ballet and belly dance in the same sentences, and don't believe that there has been crossover in this regard. However, when I view both dances, I personally think that the influence is undeniable. It don't think that by acknowledging these observations that it anyway detracts from the distinct art form that is belly dance.  Nor do I believe that comparisons rob raqs sharqi of its unique nature.  And I don't believe that by discussing correlations and connections it means that belly dance has somehow been "adulterated" by Western culture. On the other hand, I am also not saying that the two dances styles are identical twins, or that belly dance is ballet's little sister  They certainly are not.  But do they share certain aspects? Yes, I believe so. Like most art across time and space, influences from other countries and cultures creep in.

Belly dance ever has been, and ever will be, a changing landscape of moves and movements.  Like it or not, is a shifting, evolving, and growing art form, with new fusion influences and elements being added and experimented with every day.  I think it's best just to enjoy the ride.

Photo Credit: Misty Copeland, calendar photo shoot

Annual Belly Dance Beauty Awards

 

Beauty-related posts have proven to be popular topics on this blog, including my post last year on my favorite beauty products for belly dancers, as well as Mellilah's guide to stage makeup.  Thus, we are instituting an inaugural annual beauty awards post. Since my last beauty post round-up, here are the latest and greatest products I've discovered that I think fellow dancers may enjoy as well.

1.  Benefit They're Real Push Up Eye Liner - I love this new liner from Benefit! The patented, flexible applicator allows for "tight" lining, which is the most effective placement of liner for making your eyes look bigger and more defined. It also dries quickly and doesn't smudge. I would add the disclaimer that it's not for eye liner newbies, as you need to get it right the first time, as you can't smudge out any mistakes, or reline over a second time, due to the fast drying nature of the product. But this shouldn't be a problem for anyone reading this blog, because belly dancers are eye liner aficionados, right?

2.  Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray - I've owned a large quanity of failed beach sprays in the past. But after discovering this gem not any more.  It actually delivers on its promise to create beachy waves without crunch.  This product will be most effective on individuals who already have some level of natural wave to their hair.

 

3.  Style Sexy Hair 450 Blow Out Spray - I am frequently asked about my hair and how I achieve my "signature" big curls look.  I always say my secret is hot rollers.  But before I style with hot rollers, I always start with a blow out, and this spray is my new hands down favorite for heat styling.  It's an incredibly light-weight product and doesn't leave any residue or film in hair.I spray it in before blow drying and voila, my hair is soft, silky, and ready for styling.   

4.  Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish - Let's get this out of the way: There is no at-home polish that can compete with a salon shellac/gel manicure in terms of drying speed and durability. That being said, Sally Hansen's gel nail polish is a pretty close second for a fraction of the price. It dries fast, stays on relativity chip-free, does not require placing your hands in miniature tanning beds, and doesn't take off half of your nail when you try to remove it. Slide into your local drugstore to pick up your own bottle.

5.  Buxom Lash Mascara - Buxom Mascara seems to be gaining a secret cult following. It's certainly my favorite and go-to for mascara. It goes on clump-free, both lengthening and defining lashes with striking effect.  Maybe best of all, it stays put with no mid-day under eye smudges.

6.  Cane + Austin Retexturizing Body Pads - With all the working out and physical activity that dancers participate in, skin can take a beating. Especially when you combine it with makeup, spray tans, and hair products, you can create a breeding ground for bacteria and acne.  That's why I love these glycolic pads for exfoliating and treating skin.  These are designed especially for the body and are the most effective product I've ever had in eliminating bacne.  They are pricey, but if this is a skin concern of yours, they are worth every penny.

7.  J. Cat Beauty Wonder Lip Paint - These amazing little beauties are the perfect cross between lipstick and lip gloss. They deliver intense pigment on the level of lipstick, dark enough for the stage, but in the form of a stain that doesn't dry out lips like a heavily pigmented lipstick does.  I'm always prone to chapped lips and most lipsticks make the problem worse for me, but I can wear these all day long with no pain to my pucker. Best of all, these beauties start at just $4.99 a tube, and if you use the code 25JCAT, you can get 25% off for the next month!

8.  Buxom Full-Bodied Lip Gloss - This is another great lip product that doesn't dry out lips. I would say these aren't pigmented enough to stand alone on stage, but they are a great for added shine applied over a lipstick or for wearing alone when you aren't performing.

9.  Joico Gold Dust Shimmer Finishing Spray - This is a fun product for adding subtle shine and shimmer to locks, especially as they catch in the glow of stage lights.  I use this product after I've styled and sprayed my hair with a firm-hold hair spray.  I then add this product as a final finishing touch to bring out that extra sparkle.

10. Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo - Dry shampoos are another product that I've had quite a few disappointing purchases of. I've even had most of the cult favorites, like Ojon and Philosophy, but no luck.  It wasn't until I found this product by Lush that my faith in dry shampoo was restored. It actually works for cutting greasy shine and replacing it with volume. Perfect for after a sweaty class or between dance gigs.

Bonus!  Ipsy - If you don't already have an Ipsy subscription, you need one.  For only $10 a month you get a cute makeup bag of beauty swag with approximately five products, mixed between sample-sized and full-sized. It's a great way to try new products and see which work for you without a big investment. You can use this link to bypass the waiting period and sign up for your own subscription.

The Blessings of Illness

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I always like to take a break from dance related topics and take a moment to reflect deeply on gratitude. If you'd like to read last year's post on gratitude, you can find it here.  Additionally, if you previously read my post regarding my goals for the year, you already know that boosting my gratitude practice has been on my radar for the entire year and not just for the upcoming holiday.

It can be easy to feel gratitude when things are going well.  That's why for this post I wanted to focus on expressing gratitude in those times when it's hardest to do so: when we face adversity, opposition, and trials.  The times when we feel beaten down and strung through the ringer.  When we'd rather cry than crack a smile.

While I've had some great moments and accomplishments this year, I've also been experiencing my fair share of trials and tribulations.  Starting back in March, I began having stomach issues.  My symptoms have been so severe that there are days I can't really function as a normal human being.  So severe that I've been tested for everything under the suspicion that I may have Crohn's Disease, cancer, or some other terrible illness.  I've had to cancel multiple sets of classes and shows.  I've been late to work and had to back out of plans with friends and family.  There are some days I feel racked with anxiety at the thought of leaving my house because I don't know how I might feel later in the day. I've cried during a friend's wedding ceremony, not out of joy for the happy couple, but out of crippling pain. 

However, after months of testing, the only diagnosis my doctors can come up with is IBS-D. While I'm certainly happy and relieved that I don't have cancer or something else of that nature, I'm also frustrated with this diagnosis because it doesn't really mean anything and it doesn't correlate to any specific treatment.  Thus, I'm continuing to search for answers and a course of action that can get my body back on track.

Since the process of trying to figure out what's wrong with me has been so drawn out there have been many days where I've felt beaten down and emotionally brittle.  Where I've sat on the couch and cried because when I look into my future, it's hard not to see never-ending day after day of continued illness.  But it's because of this that I feel it all the more important to focus on what I have to be grateful for in my life, and even more specifically, what I have to be grateful for from undergoing this illness.  There have been lessons I've learned and growth that I've experienced because of being sick that I don't think I would have experienced otherwise.  With our national day of thanks just around the corner, let me share my reasons for gratitude with you.

• Being ill has exponentially increased my level of compassion for others who are suffering from chronic and/or severe illnesses.  Yes, of course, I've always felt bad for those who were sick, but experiencing a chronic illness first-hand has made me realize how depressing and debilitating it can be, not only on a physical level, but on a mental and emotional level as well.  Since I've been sick, I find that others confide in me more frequently about their own health struggles.  I've had people tell me about their battles with breast cancer, brain tumors, Crohn's Disease, and a myriad other diseases and health conditions. There are unfortunately a lot of sick people out there, and if you are one of them, I can truly and sincerely say that my heart and my empathy extend to you.
• Being ill has made me truly appreciate my husband and his love for me. Its easy to love and get along with someone in the good times, but it's in the bad times that you see what people are truly made of.  My husband has been by my side, holding my hand, showing me love, and trying to cheer me up.  Without his help, I couldn't have gotten through this and for that I am deeply thankful.
• Being ill has made me appreciate good health! It's so easy to take feeling "normal" for granted, but man oh man, do I now look back on former days of health and realize I should have appreciated them in the moment.  So now, when I do get a good day here and there, I cherish and appreciate it wholeheartedly.
• Being ill has solidified to me that you really only need your basic needs in life to be met to be happy.  Its so easy to get caught up in the daily toil and grind and think the grass is greener somewhere else.  To think that once we get to that special place just out of sight, we'll finally be happy. But that place is actually right here. Assuming you have your basic human needs met, you don't need to be any other place or accumulate any other possessions or accomplishments. Stop waiting, and be happy now!

So there's my list. Especially on my bad days, I try to keep these thoughts in the forefront.  Whatever trials you may personally be going through, I hope you can find your own list of positives to help you find your way through to the other side.  Blessings to all in this holiday season.

Photo Credit: Unknown