Bright Eyes Belly Dance

[12/15/20]   The next class series will begin in March! Get your rest, happy holidays, and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself ❤️

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Small Business Saturday! Amazing sales on belly dance classes and leather commissions!

Check under "shop" and "leather commissions."

Feel free to share your business as well!

brighteyesarts.com

First time ever Modern Tahtib Tournament

Raqs al-Assaya, the cane dance, springs from the martial art Tahtib.

Here's a beautiful video of this martial art in action.

youtube.com If the 1st football championship took place in URUGUAY on July 13th 1930, the first time ever Modern Tahtib (MT) Tournament took place in Paris on May 14th, ...

Drums Of Naverone

Enjoy one of my favorite upbeat songs from Belly Dance Superstars Vol. 12!

https://youtu.be/Hg8e8RS3Ajg

youtube.com Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group Drums Of Naverone · Ahmed Qawala Bellydance Superstars Vol. 12 ℗ 2014 CIA Released on: 2014-01-01 Auto-generated...

Belly Dance Myth #5:

"I can't belly dance because...

I'm too old!"

I remember when I lived in Hawaii being mesmerized by one of the older teachers on the island. She was in her 70s, yet she whirled and danced as if she were in her 20s.

I wasn't the only one enchanted.

A visiting drummer exclaimed, "Maybe I've been dating in the wrong age pool!"

This isn't to say you have to perform (or date the drummer), but it is to encourage you to know that belly dance crosses all sorts of boundaries, and age is one.

The dance is low impact, allows for many variations, and welcomes all ages (and its practitioners welcome the wisdom that comes with age).

Ailments and injuries may hinder some movement, but you are never too old to dance!

PS: You can still sign up for belly dance class Sunday, 2-3 at The Spinning Jenny. Five weeks for $60!

Register here: http://bit.ly/BellyDanceFiveWeeks

Belly Dance Myth #5:

"I can't belly dance because...

I'm too old!"

I remember when I lived in Hawaii being mesmerized by one of the older teachers on the island. She was in her 70s, yet she whirled and danced as if she were in her 20s.

I wasn't the only one enchanted.

A visiting drummer exclaimed, "Maybe I've been dating in the wrong age pool!"

This isn't to say you have to perform (or date the drummer), but it is to encourage you to know that belly dance crosses all sorts of boundaries, and age is one.

The dance is low impact, allows for many variations, and welcomes all ages (and its practitioners welcome the wisdom that comes with age).

Ailments and injuries may hinder some movement, but you are never too old to dance!

PS: You can still sign up for belly dance class Sunday, 2-3 at The Spinning Jenny. Five weeks for $60!

Register here: http://bit.ly/BellyDanceFiveWeeks

Belly Dance Myth #4

"I can't belly dance because...

I don't have time to practice."

You know how it is: you take a class, you vow to practice at least three times during the week, life happens, and then it's class time AGAIN, and you want to hide in the back because you didn't get in practice time.

Familiar? This is me but with harp lessons (and I can't hide because these happen via Zoom.)!

On one hand, you have the right idea. Practice brings improvement.

On the other hand, you don't have to view belly dance as another obligation; you are allowed to view the class as your weekly purely YOU time. The one time a week you can learn something, enjoy the music and company, and then go home and be reabsorbed in the chaos.

You might decide you want to commit more time later, but, for now, enjoy the moment!

You can still sign up for belly dance class Sunday, 2-3 at The Spinning Jenny. Five weeks for $60!

Register here: http://bit.ly/BellyDanceFiveWeeks

Belly Dance Myth #3

"I can't belly dance because...

I don't want to watch myself in a mirror!"

I get this! When you first start out, you feel so self-conscious, and a mirror can make the awkwardness worse.

Eventually, the mirror becomes your friend--a help to correct your posture, show you what needs changed, and show you what looks good.

As a beginner, you don't need to focus on the mirror but on your instructor.

Watch your instructor's feet, knees, posture, arms, and begin to feel what the moves look like.

As you grow in the dance, you'll start to welcome the mirror. For now, enjoy the journey.

Belly Dance Myth #2:

"I can't belly dance because...

I have too little/too much belly!"

Belly dance is for all ages, all sizes, and all people.

I've seen pregnant women in their third trimester perform beautifully, lithe dancers sinuously sway to a flute, and full-figured dancers blow away audiences with their beauty, technique, and shimmies.

I've had students in leg casts take part in class, dancing with their arms.

You don't have to perform if you take classes, you can wear what makes you comfortable, and you can know that YOUR figure is perfect for this dance and this life.

As always with a new exercise program, you want to check with your doctor to make sure it's the right fit for you.

Myth #1

I can't belly dance because...

I have no rhythm!!!

How many times have you held back from the dance floor at a party because you don't think you can dance or you don't want to look silly?

That shouldn't keep you from trying belly dance!

Here's a poorly-kept secret of mine: In ninth grade, I was removed from the cheerleading squad of a very small school due to my severe lack of coordination.

That stuck in my head until I was 25 and tried belly dance. I struggled, but I got out of my head and into the music and into the beat!

You might not be a "natural," but you can still have fun in a safe group of people focused on enjoying movement and music.

You WILL find your rhythm!

I'm celebrating 24 to 42!

Yes, 24 days until my 42nd birthday (and if you know Douglas Adams, you know that for a year, I am the Answer).

To share that with you, I'm giving out a crystal necklace to everyone who registers and comes to this month's belly dance session starting today, 2-3 pm at The Spinning Jenny.

Register here! https://bit.ly/Nov1BellyDance

#24to42

TEDxGreenville: Brain Candy

A week from tomorrow, my TEDx Talk "The (Sword) Fight for Education" debuts with a host of other talks including discussions on black holes, coffee-as-community, dumpster diving, superheroes, divorce, and more!

eventbrite.com TEDxGreenville is Going Live on November 6 and 7.

Check it out, Greenville people!

partnering with @sweetsippinsc
for costume contest following the
Saturday 10/31 HIIT workout at 9am @gathergvl
Winner (must be a participant) will receive FREE MIMOSA of your choice! Let’s dress up!
Still a few spots left. $12
DM @864fit to sign up

#halloween #costumecontest #workout #hiitworkout #hiit #whatsgoingongvl #gvl360 #gvltoday #gvlifestyle #gvldaily #instagvl #hereingreer

Belly Dance! November 1-December 3 | brighteyesarts

Register today for a six-week intro belly dance class starting Sunday, November 1, 2-3 pm!

Location: The Spinning Jenny in Greer, SC.

$70

Let's get moving!!! Enjoy the beauty of fall and the beauty of dance in a six-week course designed to get you moving and loving life again. Dates: Sunday, August 30-October 4 Time: 2-3 pm Place: The Spinning Jenny in Greer Cost: $70 We have a HUGE space to social distance, but class size is still li...

We had an awesome free intro class today!

You can join the six week session starting next week, Sunday, 2-3 pm at The Spinning Jenny, by registering here: http://bit.ly/Nov1BellyDance

[10/18/20]   Next Sunday is our FREE class, 2-3, at The Spinning Jenny!

Enjoy today's rest.

[10/03/20]   Due to a family emergency, the October 4 class will be held October 11.

I know I have sword dancers here!

Describe your ideal sheath to me: what would make it ideal to carry to shows, to pack, to store, etc.

Would you want a pocket for zills or something else?

What kind of designs would you like incorporated?

Here are some pictures of my sheath I made from 5-6 oz veg tan leather with Mehndi-inspired carving, and a tan/dark brown dye. The center jewel is glass.

My dance sword needs a new sheath! I hope to be finished by Friday.

www.brighteyesarts.com

Join us tomorrow for an afternoon of belly dance at The Spinning Jenny!

Register below.

brighteyesarts.com

Belly Dance! August 30-October 4 | brighteyesarts

Beginning August 30, YOU can experience the fun and movement of belly dance!

Sign up for six weeks of dance at The Spinning Jenny.

Sundays, 2-3 pm.

Register here: http://bit.ly/bellydancespinningjenny

brighteyesarts.com Let's get moving!!! Enjoy the beauty of fall and the beauty of dance in a six-week course designed to get you moving and loving life again. Dates: Sunday, August 30-October 4 Time: 2-3 pm Place: The Spinning Jenny in Greer Cost: $70 We have a HUGE space to social distance, but class size is still li...

Catalog

Free online belly dance class September 12 at 3pm!

I'm teaching a beginning class for the University of Atlantia, a SCA event (SCA=Society for Creative Anachronism).

You can register here: https://university.atlantia.sca.org/catalog.php

university.atlantia.sca.org

We used a compass, straight edge, and pencils to create beauty in my online Creative Belly Dance course.

I'll be offering the class as a monthly membership soon!

Dance, art, and growth in a creative space.

The quiver work continues!

Last night I taught my online belly dance group a mandala lesson.

This morning, I taught the belly dance class with a focus on poses.

Then I worked on leather tooling for a couple of hours.

I love the creative process!

#bellydance #yeahthatgreenville #leather #leatherwork #mandala #creativity #onlinebellydance

Creative Belly Dance: An Online Course in Dance and Art | brighteyesarts

Let's go on a creative journey of dance, art, and music together this summer starting June 6!

YOU want more beauty in your life. More movement that inspires you while making you feel more whole. More creative focus.

So that's what this next four-week ONLINE belly dance course is about: a creative movement journey.

What you'll get (it's all recorded, so no one needs to miss out):
1. Weekly belly dance classes (recorded and live)
2. An art class
3. A jewelry-making class
4. Weekly creative prompts

This is an experiment in an online dance and art container, so I'm offering this for $50 (To give you an idea, all this would normally cost $150 if you took these classes at my Greer studio).

However, if you join my online group Belly Dance for Creative Inspiration, you'll get the special group discount:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/434281783440326/

Are you serious about investing in your fulfillment?

If so, register below. https://bit.ly/CreativeBD

brighteyesarts.com Let's go on a creative journey of dance, art, and music together this summer starting June 6! YOU want more beauty in your life. More movement that inspires you while making you feel more whole. More creative focus. So that's what this next four-week ONLINE belly dance course is about: a creative mo...

Bright Eyes Belly Dance's cover photo

Mermaid belly dancers?? Yes!

I'm learning how to draw loveliness through @janedavenport

#yeahthatgreenville #bellydance #mermaids #bellydancers #drawing #art

Yesterday I celebrated the book launch of Angie Rooker's series The Enchanted Sacred Garden: Dragon (Book 1).

I didn't talk about belly dance--I demonstrated some sword techniques and discussed how I integrate art and theatre (and sword fighting!) into literature courses.

Tod Tinker gave some tips on world-building; Debbie Burns encouraged us to feed our creative souls; Charlene Templeman spoke to how a good story can create a desire for goodness while showing the complexity of daily life.

All of this was made possible by Ynes Freeman and Balance of Seven Publishing!

I love the beauties that open up when creatives join together for a common purpose.

Bright Eyes Belly Dance's cover photo

Another free class in the books!

We had so much fun! The full class session starts the first week of April.

#bellydanceingreer #bellydance #yeahthatgreenville #dance

[03/12/20]   The free dance class this Saturday is still happening.
If you're feeling unwell and have to stay home, no worries! The six week session will begin in April, and you can get your dance on then!

Bright Eyes Belly Dance's cover photo

Heading off to a wedding to enjoy the company and perform!

A boxing expo is happening at The Spinning Jenny where I teach, so we had class in the ring!

Bright Eyes Belly Dance's cover photo