I have admired Blanca and her beautiful dancing for so long. I would never have imaged though, that I’d actually get to meet her. I imagined even less that I would actually meet her right here in India. And I imagined least of all that I’d meet her here in my own dance room! But well, here she is, and this is where she’s given me the first “live” belly dance class I’ve ever had.
The most gratifying part of this experience has been the fact that Blanca validated all the hard work I’ve put in for these past fedw years. She didn’t see my isolations and go “no, no, not like that”, she said instead that I have very good range of motion and also that many moves were beautiful. I can’t say how very good this felt because I’ve largely been in the dark about how I’ve been doing all this time. I haven’t danced for anyone who really knows about belly dancing and I haven’t put up any videos for feedback. She is also amazed that all this has come about just by videos alone. So… I really feel I need to thank all the dancers who’ve made such wonderful videos. They’ve got me—and probably many other people—to this point safely, correctly, prettily.
Blanca did have corrections to make to some of my moves and she did point out places where I needed better isolation. The out-and-down vertical side is one of them. The Arabic Hip Walk too isn’t really happening nicely enough. Lots more energy is needed in the arms and hands etc. She gave me some great tips and stuff to work with. I thank her with all my heart.
And way to go, videos!
November 14, 2008
OH MY GOOOOOD you met BLANCA the divine
I am so happy for you, and slightly jealous I must admit!
This is AMAZING!
you re taking your 1st class and it s with one of the dancers I admire MOST I cant believe it I m so happy for you Mala!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 14, 2008
Dina! I wish you were here. I think that for those who live in the US, it isn’t so far fetched to think that you will met your most admired dancers. Everyone there gets to take workshops and private classes and it’s not very unusual. But for that to happen so far away is quite incredible. She’s a lot of fun, Blanca. And it’s thrilling to get tips and corrections from her.
November 14, 2008
awwweee how I wished that too!!
and I m so mad at me I did not know about the bellydance community when I spent a couple of months in NY four years ago!!! ;(
True, if you re in the US, chances are very high you ll get to see them in a workshop or you might be going to NY visit somebody and take some classes..
November 14, 2008
Are you part of the bellydance video or by video group? And have you joined the 90 classes in 90 days initiative?
November 14, 2008
I’d love to know more about that! I’m in Vancouver, and I’ll be taking classes in tribal fusion, Egyptian, kathak and ballet in January, inshallah.