when entering your sacred dance area . “ Ladies ! Dance like a peacock , not a feather duster !” ( Bert Balladine-ism )
• Bigger is not better ! More jewelry , longer fingernails , crazy drum solos , more store-bought hair , popn-locking till the chiropractor comes home , more dripping sequins , repetitive hair tosses --- none of these things will get you the artistic attention you may be hoping for .
• Do not allow “ Stinkin ’ Thinkin ’. That little gremlin in your head must be banished at performance time . All “ I ’ m too old , short , tall , fat , skinny , too young , etc .” thoughts are not allowed to fester .
• As my dance partner used to say to me , just before I entered the stage , “ Amaya , be the most Amaya you can be out there . There is no one like you .” I would take posture , breathe deep and take off onto the stage like a powerhouse . It was a glorious and scary moment at the same time !
It takes time and experience to achieve this level of performance . Tap into your confidence and trust who
you are . ( If you are not sure who you are , well , Fake It ‘ til You Make It !) Ultimately it is only you , the audience , the music . Aim for a magical performance where you transcend yourself , the musicians , AND your audience into a moment in time where no one is thinking of mortgage payments , babysitters , or their sore back . Time stops and it is just you and them feeling , floating , and not thinking . Open your soul to the moment . It ’ s really a no-brainer .
AMAYA
Amaya resides in the Land of Enchantment , also known as New Mexico . She enjoys an eclectic life of green roasted chilis , sunflower harvesting , writing , sunset gazing , fire fly dancing and scratching the heads of her boys , Mr . Smith , Buddy ( rogue Scottie Terriers ) and Partner Pete . For more info on Amaya ’ s dance see www . AmayaDances . com
We ’ d love to hear from you ! chronicles @ isisandthestardancers . com
10 The Belly Dance Chronicles � May 2022