The New Year is always the time where we think of trying something new or doing something we've been doing in a new way. For the belly dancer, there is a lot to think about for incorporating into practice time. Here are a few tips for improving the quality of your practice time no matter how long you've been dancing!
1. Create a dancers journal for yourself. It can include as many things as you can think of.
Here is an example of a format to use for your dancers journal which I found on datura.com!
Jan.1 2017
Achievements:
Breakthroughs:
Things To Work On:
Personal Reflections:
Be sure to refer back to your dancers journal and check off what you completed. If there are any that you didn't complete for lack of time and energy think about that when planning your next practice session of whether or not to include it. You may want to practice it in place of something else. Also check your notes to see when you practiced something last to create a layered, overlapping practice that keeps your movements fresh while still building on what you've done before. Include a page in your journal for your long term goals for the year. Again narrow it down to a few things that is doable for your schedule, time and energy. Perhaps include a page for your wishlist of costume pieces, workshops you want to attend etc.
2. Be picky! This is not only about being picky with your technique but picky about what you choose to practice and for how long. It also means to not give yourself the impossible goal of practicing everything in one practice session!
3. Choose the right time for you to practice. This is different for everyone. If you have a job on the side of being a dancer then of course you have to work around that. Will your productivity and energy level be better if you practice before or after work? If you have multiple creative pursuits that you need to make time for to practice which one would be better to do first to utilize your energies and concentration the best?
4. Just get started! Starting is the tricky part for most people. If this is so with you say that you will practice for one song. You'll likely feel like practicing longer. Before you know it your dance practice will be a habit that is hard to break!
5. Take care of your body! Very important! If you don't take care of your body it won't be able to handle the demands that you place on it. This means to give yourself the time to have hot epsom salt baths for your muscles. Take the time to drink water during throughout your practice and don't be lazy on this one! You can afford to stop for a second to drink some water even if your really into it!
6. Aside from planning your practice ahead of time in your dancers journal you can set up a video playlist on your computer to be ready for you.
7. Take a break! If you have been practicing hard to the point of quarantining yourself make sure to take the time to get outside. You may love to dance but after awhile what used to feel freeing to you will feel like a pressure. Go to a cafe and have a chat with a friend. Do something that takes you away from the belly dance world just for awhile. Give yourself the time to pursue another interest that isn't dance related whether it's another creative pursuit or an interesting subject.
8. Include warm ups, a variety of basic moves with one or two new things to focus on or find ways to do what you already know in a new way. Be sure to include a thorough cool down. I always do more of a cool down with yoga stretches even after a cool down I had already done with a video. I have my favorites and have been doing them for years after my practice because they are perfect for post practice. Listen to what your body needs for ways it wants to stretch.
9. Supplementing your practice by being involved in your local dance community or on-line dance communities, purchasing new dance classes or dvds, feeding your dancers soul with belly dancer goodies such as jewelry and costume pieces will keep you excited for practice!
10. Don't get into a belly dance music rut! Hunt for new music to dance to. And keep your mind open to dancing to a song that previously didn't grab you when you first heard it. It may become your favorite! New music will keep you feeling fresh in the dance and encourage you to dance in a new way!
11. Practice for the love of it. If your thoughts are steering you in other directions screw your head on straight! If your practicing turns into making yourself good enough or perfect enough or popular enough realize that these priorities will not help you or anyone else in the long run. Part of belly dance is about community spirit and it's too hard to feel part of a community if you feel that you are constantly failing at an impossible standard that you've set for yourself. Or if it becomes about popularity then belly dance is being used as a tool to feed your sore esteem. Be kind to yourself and give yourself the gift of belly dance for you as a just because gift rather than a race for popularity. It isn't very kind to yourself and if you don't get the results you want you'll feel more sore than you did before! Trust that people will be attracted to your voluminous passion for belly dance and they will come!
If your really, really into belly dancing then here is an extra for you!
Decorate your space with exotic fabrics, colors and patterns! It could be your hip scarfs and your jewelry elegantly displayed. You can also make a dancers altar where you keep incense, zills, jewelry and whatever else you want! You might have vintage belly dance music records to decorate your walls or even a painting of your favorite dancer! Your space and your altar should wake something up in you when you look at it. It should give you a feeling of magic! By the time you have created your space it will likely have a bohemian feel! Incorporate interesting mood lighting with lava lamps and white christmas lights around the ceiling with candles throughout the space.
If your like me then your sensitive to your environment and are more productive in a space that is beautiful, expresses you, is comfortable and luxurious with elements that help you to feel alert and energized!
If you enjoy this blog please share with others and do share what helps you to stay motivated for your Belly Dance practice!
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