Ok, so I spent a week
in Molokai in between the last time I wrote about being in Maui, and now, where
I was again to start off the New Year. I can’t get enough of the warm and sunny
and beautiful islands. I always feel so good there, but I was a little
disappointed in how built up Maui has gotten! I didn’t do all the touristy but
wonderful things I’ve done before such as sunrise at Haleakala or the road to
Hana or any other number of things. I did enjoy beach time and beautiful
sunsets every night and some much needed R&R.
So here for a week to
just relax, I planned to take advantage of the opportunity to study with two
local dancers. Last time I was in Maui, I took private lessons with Kajira
Djoumahna and bought her two American Tribal Style (ATS) DVD’s. So I was
back for more. And this time, I was again planning to hook up with
Mirayah Delamar for a class with her, too. Unfortunately for me, I had taken a
painful fall on the ice the month before and my arm and shoulder has been very
slow in regaining it’s use and comfort level. So I decided driving that
far across the island once for one class was as far as I should push it. I
couldn’t even swim….(My Physical Therapist probably appreciated my not pushing
it, too….) Anyway, if you get to Maui, check
these ladies out!
So first of all I have
to share that Kajira has new DVD’s coming out that she is in the process of
editing now. So watch for these if you are interested in solid ATS
instruction, Black Sheep Belly Dance Style. The author of “The Tribal Bible”
also has her annual Tribal Fest coming up in May in California that I so want
to get to some day!
I went ahead with my
private lesson with Kajira, who was ever so mindful of my injury and we worked
on other things that I really enjoyed. She tailored the private lesson to what
I wanted to work on, and these are things I have practiced since that I am
going to put to work. I told her I’d probably never be an ATS dancer, but I
certainly learned a lot I can use in my own dance styles! I do some tribal
fusion, and I have ideas where to use the partnering combos we did as well as
the rib circles with the reverse body turns for an upcoming choreography.
I have to recommend if anyone gets a chance to study with Kajira, do. She
is very clear in her instruction and breakdown, she offers encouragement and
she’s a lot of fun. And be sure to check out her current DVD’s (see my
prior review) and her upcoming DVD’s!
