it only takes a moment

I'm spending the holidays sitting on my butt when I'm not using crutches to get around the house. 
Recently I started jumping in my riding lessons which made me want to "step up" (pun intended!) my exercise routine. I started using a plastic garden bench about 15" high for stepping up and down to strengthen both legs. That's been going really well and I was enjoying how much stronger my legs felt, when this interminable rain began here this winter in Virginia. I didn't want to bring the grimy bench inside so instead tried using my husband's space heater, which was about the same height. That was a mistake, since it's actually on wheels. While exercising a few days ago, I was on my last step-up, and wasn't paying enough attention. I placed my foot too close to the edge, and the space heater tipped over. 

So I fell, my knee got jammed and went sideways, and now I'm on crutches with what I hope is just a sprained knee. Of course it happened JUST during the holiday break when I was getting ready to film a short "down shimmy" video tip, as well as start on the Tribal Fan Veils video tutorial. The studio was set with lights and ready to go the next day. I'm so disappointed. 
Accidents happen so quickly! But to look on the bright side, at least I already had a set of crutches from my previous accident. And both my hips are doing great! 

Here's to a better holiday and new year for you and me. In fact I'm busting into this tasty little gift set right now. Cheers!

Vinho do Porto

Yours in dance, 

Anthea Kawakib

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into the HIP SWING of things!

So now I'm over a year with the newest hip! It's doing well - though this leg is a bit shorter now; it's noticable to me but doesn't seem to cause any problems so far.
After the rehab stage, and getting my feet wet in public performances with my group, I've continued getting back into shape on my own by teaching dance classes, and doing odd jobs (mostly outside) in the realm of "farm maintenance" for a nearby horse riding facility. This is really my favorite work, though I can't do more than a couple of hours at a time.

horse shows are fun too! 

Stamina disappears when your hip hurts too much to do anything, and I had years of limping and suffering. So now those years of muscle atrophy are being remedied with exercising, dancing, and riding lessons. Mounting continues to be the hardest thing to do with the new hip so I'm motivated to get my leg strong enough to mount with ease. What's my plan? Well, I have a dance for that! Inshallah, we'll be working on that number soon in class.
Of course, my PRISM Dancers' scheduled shows give me an extra reason to rehearse and keep my skills improving. The side-step with shimmy continues to be a challenge so of course I included it in a couple of new numbers for good measure!
Next week I'm returning to the downtown Fredericksburg stage with a new solo! How freaking exciting is that! It's almost too exciting at this point - but somehow I'll get through it and be happy while I'm doing it too.
This particular show, "Reflections On The Veil" is going to be outstanding - all veil numbers - even just entering with veil a la Egyptian style counts! Definitely a show to remember; plus a flea market to start the evening, so that's extra fun. We are SO looking forward to it! I hope to see many local F'burgians in the crowd.
Cheers!
Anthea Kawakib

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Anthea's hips are working again

Dancing again makes me so HAPPY!

One of my students told me in class last night that when I was dancing at our Hafla this past Sunday, her husband said "I see Anthea's hips are working again." That made me laugh!
Doing that short one-song improv was a mental challenge, as I am not so sure of my body as I used to be, but once I started, I really enjoyed it. Although I know it wasn't the "artistic best" I'm used to doing, it still was fine. And like I kept telling everyone, "it's just a party!"
Getting this first post-op performance done kind of reminds me of getting on a horse again after you've been tossed off. You gather yourself together, brace yourself, take a deep breath, and just do it. Speaking of horses, one of my riding friends attended the Hafla with her husband, and took this photo of me: 

Anthea does an improv solo at the Hafla

NEXT: More dancing in store!

I'm super excited to be dancing at a show in Richmond (VA) in a couple of weeks! A very sweet lady, Rose Ravia, is hosting an afternoon restaurant show and invited me to dance, as well as my PRISM Dancers; and our own Pixie will be doing her Double Sword dance too. The event is "An Afternoon with Friends", 1 - 5pm at the new Pho House of Noodles on Broad Street. 
For this show I decided to tackle my old pop number, Layali by Angham. Getting through it in my studio the other day was challenging, but I did it; my left hip gets tired, and the muscles are lazy, but articulating these easy moves will be good exercise for my left side. I'm SO happy Ravia invited me! Not only do I get to dance, but my dancers will be with me too. I'm absolutely intoxicated with anticipation! 

Anthea Kawakib

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new joint, new life!

I totally thought I had published a post in October after I started bellydancing again! It's been buzzing around here for the last month since then - honestly, it must be the renewed energy through my chakras!

Since I started - very gingerly - dancing in class again last month, my stability, strength, balance, and skills have improved steadily. I'm still doing my rehab exercises, mostly on "off days"; that is, days when I don't teach class, ride, or work at the barn. In late September I resumed riding; and soon after that resumed morning chores at the horse farm once a week.
My left leg (the rehab side) gets tired quickly, especially the outside thigh muscles; so side steps continue to be the hardest exercise to do. When my leg gets tired I start limping a little bit but I know it will continue to improve. When I teach, it's very interesting to experience what feels like a "beginner leg" on that side.

My biggest excitement: dancing at the hafla!

The PRISM Dancers had our Fall Hafla at the beginning of the month, collecting food donations for the local Food Bank; and I absolutely danced my ass off during open dancing! Yes, it was amazing, fun, and so thrilling to be dancing again!
We always enjoy Kabab City restaurant - the staff, food, hookah, and spacious dance floor; not to mention to colorful and beautiful atmosphere.

My students and I danced and enjoyed guest performers. 

We were all happy to meet Lulu and Zyzy, a couple of Veda Sereem's students from Maryland; as well as Nadira from VA Beach, host of the rejuvenated East Coast Classic weekend bellydance festival. It was great to get out and dance, and enjoy time with my wonderful students and friends. 
I'm so happy to be able to dance again! 

good to meet dancers Zyzy and Lulu!

Nadira and I enjoying hookah and libations

Anthea Kawakib

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swinging your hips is not just for dancing!

What does walking really feel like?

I'm excited! When I got home after physical therapy yesterday I tried the "new walk".
One of my therapists had previously told me that I wasn't "swinging my hips" when I walked, that instead I was limping; that is, carrying my weight in my upper torso and shifting it from side to side, instead of my hips.
When he told me that, I did try shifting my weight from side to side in my hips, but my leg didn't feel strong enough to carry my full weight, as each leg has to do when you walk.
The feedback I get from this particular therapist is spot on and helps me be aware of how my body is moving. He showed me again that I was dropping my hip while walking instead of stabilizing all the muscles around the hip. My leg was too tired at his office to really work well, but when I got home I tried it again.
And finally I did it - the muscles in my leg DID feel strong enough to support my weight while walking - though I can only do it for a short time before getting tired and sore.
It's been such a long time since I could walk that way! It feels pretty amazing, let me tell you. It actually feels "right"!

Body-Mind Consciousness

When a hip joint begins to deteriorate the muscles get sore from trying to stabilize the joint; and the body starts compensating to avoid that pain, almost without conscious thought. The body has a mind of its own, and it doesn't like sharp pains - it'll do whatever it has to in order to avoid them! And that's how limping starts. In fact, "avoiding pain" starts to filter every movement the body makes so that before long, your entire movement vocabulary changes.
It's kind of interesting to watch my performance and how-to videos just prior to surgery; when you know my hip is not working right you can see me compensating for it; but I have to say, I think I do a pretty good job of compensating!

Hello Again Hips!

So now I'm becoming aware of what it means, and feels like, to move "normally" again. Yes, I'm trying to "swing my hips" now when I walk, though when I get tired, I start to limp - then the cane comes out. That will only be for a short time though.
Every day is a learning experience as I get acquainted with my hip muscles again! It's pretty cool, because I enjoy learning, and I can't wait to dance again - in a couple of months.... I know it will feel so different!

bellydance students swinging their hips

Anthea Kawakib
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Back with a bang!

December's turned into a busy month, making up for lost time I guess!

Between me and my PRISM Dancers we have 6 bellydance events, and I participated in my first horse show last weekend.

My strength still isn't what it used to be but I am getting stronger all the time. I've adapted the exercises I was "supposed" to do ("keep doing the exercises thru the end of the year" the Dr. said) to more pertinent ones, and added a fun balance board to the routine too.

Using the balance board I did fine some differences between one side and the other, mainly in flexibility through my hips and back, so am working on that.

People ask me often "how's your hip" and I'm so happy to say, "GREAT!"

Well I'm proud of myself, I did my two sets of exercises yesterday (now with THREE pounds on my leg!) even though we went grocery shopping & I walked all around the store. Thought I'd be too tired but I wasn't.

I'm keeping track of the reps & sets on my phone, very handy. Yesterday's entry looks like this:
5/17: plie's 45; rotations 20 each; side lifts 60; bridges 45, w/steps 15. outside walk, yes. (the shopping trip!)
Great feeling of accomplishment getting them done every day. woo hoo!

My husband got me a nice black cherry wood walking cane I can use for short distances (not the grocery store, obviously). Will see the Dr. next week, hoping for good news re driving...