well as others I have performed in , sometimes it has been a struggle to get myself up and practicing like I should . Maybe I get busy with other things and just don ’ t prioritize it like I should , or just “ don ’ t feel like it .” I ’ ve even found myself switching gears at the last minute , something I ’ ve never done before in my dance life . I totally get the challenges of dancing online .
Having regular haflas to dance in motivates me to present something new or different , to find new music , and to show up with my fellow dancers . It motivates me when dancers thank me for having haflas for something to look forward to , to help them through illness or injury and to keep them involved in dance where otherwise opportunities would be very limited . Having team members who also want to stay connected through dance is also motivating . Other benefits that are motivating include health ( physical and mental ), socialization , learning , and being entertained . Watching a hafla or show together is uniting , even if it ’ s only sometimes via the chat . Encouraging each other , sharing each other ’ s artistry , and enjoying each other ’ s performances delight students , hobbyists , and professionals alike .
Not to mention our adoring audiences ! As an audience member , too , I know there are some dancers who have taken a break or quit altogether that I really miss seeing perform . Some may have been ready to give it up anyway and the timing was right . For those who keep thinking about it , but just not quite feeling it yet , check out an online hafla , show , festival , class or workshop . Seeing all the dancers who have worked so hard to do their best in trying circumstances is motivating . I have witnessed some stellar performances and incredible interactions between dancers and audiences online .
It appears we may be doing these for a while longer . Talk to other dancers who have danced online to get a feel for how it works . Sign up for an online hafla when you get the opportunity and take the initiative to learn a few tech tricks for online performances . There are usually people very willing to help with this . If you still long to dance , online is mostly where it ’ s at right now . We all would like to get back to regular haflas and shows , but in the interim , dancing online is still better than not dancing at all for most of us . Revisit what motivates you and get up and dance !
NIZANA
Nizana has been instructing , performing , studying , choreographing , troupe directing , event producing and otherwise being engaged in the Florida ( where she resides ), Washington ( State ), Hawaii , and Bay Area California dance communities . A published author , she is a long-time writer for “ The Belly Dance Chronicles .” Nizana and her “ occasional troupe ” ( the rest of the troupe lives in WA ), the Desert Silk Dance Company , can be found on Facebook and events on one coast or another ! Photo by Robert Akins Taylor
May 2021 � The Belly Dance Chronicles 41