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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Food Drive Hafla

Last week we had our second annual Food Drive Hafla (called the "Hungry Halloween Hafla"), to collect food for the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, and it went great. The fact that it was on the night before Halloween was extra fun, a perfect time for people to dress up.
I had my students vote on where they wanted to have the event, and they overwhelmingly chose a local restaurant/hookah lounge, Kabab City. This is a great place: attractive inside, attentive staff, the management likes us, and of course, they have hookahs! They welcomed us and helped us have a successful event - the staff was wonderful again; the floor space was cleared out for us to dance; the DJ handled our music really well; and I was happy all around, as you can see here:

For Halloween I was "Inappropriate Grandma"

Next time we have an event I really hope to connect with more dancers outside of our school. This happened to fall on a Wednesday evening so that might explain why we didn't see anyone but us; I didn't get any feedback on why people couldn't make it so I'm just guessing. I really expected more of a community turnout after an intense month-long promotional campaign; but I have high hopes for next time.

We did have an excellent turnout of my students, plus family and friends. And all levels danced together, both "regular belly dance" and Tribal Style. Now is a perfect time for me to brag on my students and their dancing!

All month long we focused on Solo Improvisation techniques (one of my specialties), using music we'd be dancing to at the Hafla (a mix of Arabic pop, and world fusion lounge). Each week in class we would use a different strategy for improv, particularly the use of Foot Patterns, Motif and Development, and Theme and Variation. We practiced this "home style" dancing in all my classes last month, even my new beginners (just at a less intense level). By the end of the month, wow, they were looking fabulous! What a treat for me!

It really was a perfect night; we collected a bunch of food, and even a couple of checks. Here's SOME of the food donations:

I'm happy that even some late donations have come in, so I'll be making another trip to the donation center this week. Words can't express my gratitude! Thank you to my students (the PRISM Dancers), and everyone who donated, and Kabab City.

 Anthea / Kawakib
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