Zaina’s Zany Two Day Intensive
A Review by Oberon
I step here knowing that some will refer to the closeness of Zaina and me, feeling that I would naturally tend toward a glowing report of anything she turned her energy toward. Those that really know me will read this with interest because they know I’ll always include the “bad bits” along with the “good bits”. You may not know that as editor and owner of iShimmy.com – Zaina Hart is extremely protective of my reputation of impartiality because it’s an important commodity to the integrity of her product. So it’s a risk you see and a test to have me review her first instructional intensive.
For myself – I’ll say right up front – that it’s so important to me to expose the immense value of our own backyard. As a committed student, performer, teacher, coach and workshop instructor in our community of Middle Eastern Dance, I’ve spent thousands of dollars traveling to study what I’ve seen and has inspired me and some times I’ve been lucky enough to find enrichment close – lucky enough to recognize it’s worth and not fall prey to the human frailty of thinking it better if it’s hard to reach. With the state of today’s economy, these resources can only increase in value.
Sushi The Greeter
Waiting Patiently for Gayle's Arrival
Zaina refers to her Intensive as “Zany” – and so it was – unpretentiously held in her pretty Vancouver home with its welcoming décor and large sunny backyard. Her dogs Saki and Sushi the official greeters – a job they did with delightful enthusiasm. (I mention this, because I noticed that a large part of the charm of this event was the immediate warmth and relaxed feel that drew even the shyest of dancers who stated they hadn’t felt comfortable to participate in other environments).
After depositing the food we had brought for a barbecue at the end of the day’s session, we dribbled slowly into the large studio at the end of her home. A long wall full of mirrors greeted us immediately and the softly giving, faux wood floor was a welcoming site to our always worried “dancer” feet. The studio is lined with art and artifacts and cushions and fabrics associated with our dance. We settled in – changing our shoes – wrapping our hips with “non-jangling” scarves as Zaina had requested. We sighed our way into a standing group – after all – it was the “un-Godly” hour of 9:30 and most of us were wondering if one more cup of coffee could be squeezed in before our bodies had to do anything.
Zaina pointed to the “hand-outs” which we dutifully folded into our belongings. These are the maps that will later lead our memories back to what we’ve learned. I wish every teacher provided them – they don’t – and there is not usually time to cover everything with notes – it’s usually a choice between participating in every move or giving up some dance time to take notes. Some teachers give hand-outs that seem mystically unclear – I find Zaina generous in her clarity. The agenda for both days was printed out and fixed to differing sides of the mirrored wall for all to see.
Important to know – Zaina launched the event with an introductory circle that gave each participant, knowledge of their fellow class mates experience and approach to the dance. It gave all of us – teacher included – the awareness that we ranged all the way from “never-have-taken-one-lesson-in-this-dance” to professional and everywhere in between. Considered a teacher’s teacher, she had two of us in this series of classes. We were extremely wide-ranging in age and size also – this can be a daunting scenario to teach. I’ve seen “baby” dancers leave work shops dejected because there is absolutely no connection for their level. Conversely, a teacher can be afraid that experienced dancers will walk away unsatisfied thus damaging her “cred”s”as a desirable work-shop teacher. Zaina handled this in a way I love - -- but I digress – because next we took our positions for the pre-class warm-up – something you have heard me complain about when an hour later I am too sore to best absorb the movement because the teacher tried to impress on us her athleticism in a form that non of us will ever repeat on our own after one event.
So – it was a pleasant experience to complete a familiar range of short stretches that moved from head to foot to warm and awake the body without the jarring “old-fashioned” over extension of muscle that leaves it limply over stretched and weak.
We were ready to dance – and here I’ll describe my delight in hearing that our class would begin with an introduction to Zaina’s basics. So many times when I can - I have taken a teacher’s beginning class before any other to make sure I am able to build on anything she will teach me. Also to determine what I can expect of myself within the scope of my experience with her movement. And so – we began to learn each basic step and in the next three and half hours – we would learn with complete understanding the correct way to begin a step and several options to expand that step into an interesting “phrase” of movement. Therefore, the class began with an education of Zaina’s basic stance – expanded into level changes, full extension and angles of the move and completed with transition of the move, in and out of optional variations on the move. I won’t be boring with a list of what we learned – the agenda may change next time – but you need to know – that we worked through a range of basics from rib cage work to “Rocker Shimmy” - moves integral to Zaina’s approach to Egyptian style dance – and as she could see that we understood each basic beginning she added options in extension and stylization. Therefore, from beginner to professional, (who often times have their own habits with movement), we came away from the beginning hours with an additional style – a reasonable understanding of the style and a base on which to build the coming combinations. Effective wouldn’t you say?
Merilyn - Waiting for the next step
and wondering why we are taking a break
Where did the hours go? We had been blessed with a liberally hot and sunny day – so as we broke for lunch the floor had grown slick with the humidity of our sweat, even under the fans and open door.
We spilled into the kitchen raiding the refrigerator for fruit, sandwiches and salty treats. We sucked down the water, pop and juice Zaina had provided and filled the outside and inside tables with our sweaty bodies and excited discussions. Strangers became friends – experiences, advice, compliments and laughter filled hearts - and our common passion was eagerly celebrated. Some of us had to tear ourselves away for a time to meet other commitments – it was here that I needed to leave the day – and you know I was Loathe to go. Lucky to this article though – it gives room for another voice to describe the “Z-Hip Articulation” series and the barbecue that followed – all of which I feel pitifully deprived of: Here I bow to Libby Sawyer –Zaina’s close friend and student. There from start to finish is her version of the Hip Savvy section and following pot-luck!
Oh my – the hip articulation segment of the workshop was intense. Zaina had us running through multiple drills from hip drops to the infinity move which felt strange after so many “downward” moves. She taught us several “transition” moves which would give us a more polished presentation. After the drills, we were run through our paces when she would call out moves and transitions.
By the end of that session, we all decided we were starving. The Potluck was incredible!! The Cornucopia of food that spilled out over the table was unbelievable. There were hamburgers, hotdogs, Garlic Chicken, a lovely light cabbage salad, to die for. Potato salad, vegetarian chili, corn bread/muffins, and Cat’s amazing Shrimp ball / Squid Ball kabobs….. don’t wrinkle your nose!! They were wonderful! It was a diverse menu. THE DESSERTS: were beyond compare. Joann brought the most outrageous cake that was covered with flowers made of frosting & sugar PLUS - It was chocolate with raspberry (I think) in the filling. Then there was the chocolate peanut butter and the cake that you (Oberon) brought….. I didn’t even get a chance to try it… I was stuffed! I can only speak for myself, but I’m ready to do it all again!
Libby Sawyer
JoAnn was the Dessert Winner - WOW
Sunday morning, and we have returned – the sun is still shining – a beautiful thing to see here, and Zaina has given us the grace of starting at the reasonable and recognizable hour of 10:00 A.M. We are all a little early and Maia and Zaina have boxes of “stuff” to rummage and shop through on the floor, and as costume pieces and DVD’s fly, we are laughing and teasing again and much more awake when we finally stream into the studio.
It is today, with perfect flow to the lesson plan, that we learn to put it all together in combinations – the perfect little phrases that help tell the story. Here in a satisfying way – teacher and students see the fruits of their labor. We pair the basics we have learned with other integral steps – Arabic Basic with Cha Cha – and with stalled Arabesque – to the corners to the front. Box step and Egyptian Switchback – Elegant back-step. We repeat them solo - in lines – in V’s. We hold onto each other and rocker shimmy – admire each others technique, and work hard until the familiar rivulets of sweat roll down the indentations of our bodies.
Finally – at Zaina’s request – we grab cushions and take to the floor for the final cool down. Beautiful music washes over us as we follow Zaina through a series of arms and hands and body extensions (Zaina’s Wings of the Phoenix) through standing stretches and folds that finally end our two day intensive. Hating to leave, we raid the kitchen which is over-flowing with every kind of food from the previous day. We tell more stories, Zaina walks us through the box of stuff she is readying for our trip to Egypt – she and I demonstrate our versions of the Hijabs we will wear. One by one we filter away – the last of us waiting until the sun has changed to evening position in the sky.
I hope you can understand the importance of my sharing this review with you! This was a perfect jewel of an event from a Master Instructor of the Dance. Well worth the reasonable price - providing a wealth of information whatever our experience level - in an enjoyable atmosphere that promoted relaxation and retention. Highly recommended!
Let There Be Shopping
Jewel's Looking to add yet one more costume to her stash