Nizana in Maui-Review of Kajira Djoumana‘s Lessons and DVD‘s!!!

    Well, you know me, love to travel, love to dance, AND I love Hawaii. I have traveled to the four main islands at least 16 times over the years, and here I was, on an overdue vacation over the Christmas holidays in Maui. Not only was it time to relax and play in the waves and sun, and smell the fragrances of the islands, but check me out! I found some local dancer action in advance, and I’m so happy I did!! I tried to hook up with Ahimsa Arts’ Christmas evening’s event of poetry, dancing, drumming and East Indian food and potluck dinner, but I got lost in the dark driving around upcountry‘s winding roads, even with the map she gave me. It was raining, and I was tailgated no matter how many times I’d speed up (and not be able to read the signs) or pull over to let others by. So frazzled, I gave up. Maybe next time.   

    I had also found, now get this, Kajira Djoumana, of Black Sheep Belly Dance and United We Dance for private lessons. Oh wow, talk about studying with one of the best. My troupe and I have been dabbling in tribal fusion, and what a knowledgeable teacher to get some great American Tribal Style instruction from first hand! Kajira is the author of the elusive “Tribal Bible,” a former member of Fat Chance Belly Dance, festival sponsor (Tribal Fest in northern California, this year May 16-20th) an award winning instructor, and so much more. Fascinating woman. Patient, interesting, open to questions, and full of information. She broke down a couple of moves that I’d learned and struggled with before and made it so I can do them much better now! We had a fabulous time and it was time very well spent. Additionally, I was able to improve upon an existing troupe choreography, my first foray into tribal fusion.
 
    So I bought her two DVD’s to practice what I learned. While they are instructional, there is also a performance piece at the end of each one by Kajira and members of “United We Dance.” In these performances, they improvise their dances using the movements and combinations that Kajira demonstrates throughout the DVD’s. They are in full costume, play their finger cymbals, and perform ATS to both fast and slow music selections. The videography is very clear and well done; the producer is IAMED, a producer of many great ME DVD’s. The DVD’s are part of the Instructional Series and can be ordered through IAMED (www.bellydance.org)  or Black Sheep Belly Dance’s websites. (www.blacksheepbellydance.com) They are 115 and 118 minutes long, respectively, which are a lot longer than many other DVD’s I’ve found on the market for the same price.
 
    The first DVD, “ATS: Tribal Basics” is just what it says. It is appropriate for beginning dancers, or dancers who have learned other styles of belly dance. Kajira breaks down and drills basic tribal posture and slow and fast movements. Kajira has modified Carolena’s and Fat Chance Belly Dance’s style to include leading and movements from both left and right, and also includes rhythmic and arrhythmic movements. Her instruction and demonstration is very clear, and she discusses tribal concepts throughout. Kajira recommends that you warm up prior to beginning, and teaches lower and upper abdominal, as well as oblique crunches to help you build your core, or center, where many of the movements come from. Kajira thoroughly teaches a number of movements along with the cues for transition, then provides ample opportunity to drill them, then follow along practicing the movements with she and her troupe members to music.   

    The second DVD is “ATS: Beyond Basics.”  Kajira builds on what she teaches in the first DVD, in the same format. It is segmented with instruction, drill time, practice to music, and a performance. Additional movements, combinations, transitions and cues are demonstrated and clearly explained. Kajira demonstrates the movements from different angles so you have every opportunity to really learn what she is teaching. Her concise breakdown of each movement is very helpful. She also goes into the structure and dynamics of the Chorus (the back “line” of dancers that are framing the spotlighted duet or trio.) Studying with both of these DVD’s, plus what I learned when I studied with her in person, have provided a strong foundation for me to build on.  I recommend these to anyone who is interested in ATS.    

    Kajira is a very talented all around artist, and I was impressed enough to leave wanting more. (Not to mention she was really a cool person!) I am glad I got the DVD’s to reinforce my lessons, and I hope to study more with her in the future, and maybe even make it to her festival!