Inside Ellie's Head

Belly Dance Fever

Belly dancing is not for the dancer from the Middle East any more. Every person with an interest in the dance form can learn it and become great at it. For a while now, every time I visit a Middle Eastern restaurant that features belly dancing as entertainment, I don't see the Persian or Arab woman performing. Instead of see a woman of all shapes, colors, and ethnicities belly dancing fluidly and beautifully. Take Sadie for instance. In this video she skillfully and gracefully executes an intricate belly dance routine in a way that leaves us feeling convinced that she must have grown up with the dance. But don't assume just yet...  

A little Stretch can go a long way

I've always wondered why stretching is an accepted and integral part of some types of dance lessons and not others. You will be hard pressed to find a Ballet or Hip Hop class that does not start or finish the lesson with a stretching sequence, yet you'll have trouble finding a ballroom teacher who is willing to spend any time on stretching before she starts to teach you a new Waltz move or Salsa sequence. 

Also, many Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Hip Hop lessons tend to be more than 1 hour in duration while 45 minutes has become a standard for Ballroom lessons. Yet ballroom dancing puts just as much demand on a person's body. Does it not make sense that we should stretch before a Cha Cha or Bolero lesson? 

Perhaps we have good old Arthur Murray's to thank for this phenomena. After all, shorter lessons to which you are not required to show up in comfortable work out clothes appeal to a larger group of potential students. 

The benefits of stretching should not be overlooked in the realm of couple dances. By just stretching a few minutes every day, you can gain more than physical flexibility alone. According to Michael J. Alter, the author of Stretch and Strengthen and Sport Stretch, benefits of stretching include:

• enhanced physical fitness
• enhanced ability to learn and perform skilled movements
• increased mental and physical relaxation
• enhanced development of body awareness
• reduced risk of injury to joints, muscles, and tendons
• reduced muscular soreness
• reduced muscular tension
• increased suppleness due to stimulation of the production of chemicals which lubricate connective tissues
• reduced severity of painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) in females

Buddha with Thousand Hands

If you've ever tried to dance, you have felt the importance of music and sound. Being able to "hear" the music seems to be an important part of being able to dance, especially with a partner. Imagine trying to dance as part of a large group of performers and not being able to hear anything at all. 

Some of you may have seen this video already. If you haven't seen it, take the time to watch it now; if you have seen the video before, watch it again! 

These performers are all deaf and rely on visual cues to keep them in sync with one another throughout this intricate and beautiful performance. How magnificent!

APA Annual Convention in Boston

Boston is perhaps one of the most beautiful American cities I have ever been to. It is alive and colorful, clean and exciting. It is magnificent and breathtaking. It is unique, cultured, and absolutely inspiring. Being from California and all, Boston is very different from what I had imagined it. I have officially fallen in love with its architecture, its culture, its people, its landscape, even its subways! 

Thank you APA for holding this year's annual convention in Boston. And thank you Boston, for such a wonderful stay!