TEACHING PROGRESS :: blanca

It's T minus 11 days for the 'Sensual Bellydance' filming and as I develop my own methodology, I reflect on the fact that effective teaching methods draw a special fascination to me.

A close friend once labeled me as someone whose greatest pleasure comes from learning.

I'm lucky and I'm blessed for I constantly attract friends who have this same fascination. One night right after my performance —in which I didn't exactly feel that I did my best— Ayshe took over the stage. After witnessing her glorious beauty we both came backstage and she noticed my frustration (now, this is before we were friends). She came close to me still wearing her mask, like an otherworldly being, and whispered in my ear: "If you come to my class I will teach you all my secrets." And right there my life changed. I couldn't believe 1. That what she did could be passed on and 2. That she was willing to teach it to me.

Once at a party job, I watched Jenna teach a couple of movements to a mixed group of children and adults. These were people who never took a dance class before. And these were full-body movements, not just an isolated shimmy here and there. To my amazement, all of them were able to perform the movements. The simplicity of Jenna's teaching, as well as her friendly approach really inspired me and made me realize why her students move on to more advanced learning stages so much faster than most people.

When I first watched Neon's "Instant Bellydancer" my eyes opened wide. Movements that I had somehow managed to perform but hadn't yet understood suddenly became clear thanks to Neon's analytical thinking and clarity of communication; not to mention her innovative graphic approach. What had taken me years to perform —and still didn't understand fully— was now as clear as the morning sun.

I never encountered anyone who sat down and explained Middle Eastern Rhythms down to the essential core. After years of being able to identify and dance to Middle Eastern rhythms, I was invited to Carmine's basic drum class. And there it was, the very essence of each of these rhythms. The answer to questions I've had from the beginning but never dared to ask. He figured a way to dissect the whole to expose its essence. Like Neon, he broke it down and thanks to this anyone is now able to learn it quickly. Not just subconsciously, not just by imitation, but by understanding the concept from the very beginning, which makes a strong foundation for more advanced levels. This strong foundation speeds learning in mind-blowing proportions.

In my passion for the instrument that is the human voice, I have had wonderful teachers. Methods... wonderful methods... Doctor Breath, Linklater, the old ways... you name it. Recently, I encountered the Estill Voice Training System who was recommended to me by a wonderful singer who took one of my bellydance classes. Her voice is so glorious that as a child she was awarded the Placido Domingo Scholarship. To her dismay, when she grew up she lost hold of her voice. She had no idea how to use it anymore. She had to learn. She went from teacher to teacher getting increasingly confused. Until she finally encountered Tom Burke and the Estill System. This is high tech stuff. A whole system of symbols, gestures and exercises. Computer software that maps what your voice is doing. Very advanced stuff. And yet, incredibly simplified, trimmed down to its very essence so anyone can grasp it. Ms. Jo Estill didn't settle for the old "feel like you have a rose in your throat" methods.

For whatever reason, some artists are attached to the mystique of "the old ways". They love the idea of the old master and the student who will always be the student and perhaps in his or her old age, she will get to be just as good as the master. It is a romantic image, indeed. But not a very helpful one.

Technology advances. Fast. Even cleaning products advance. Sure, it is best to consume the least "technologically advanced" food we can. It's better for our body. But in learning art a great part of the learning phase is not about art, but about using your mind effectively. Effective teaching methods allow students to learn faster.

Feels like my friends and I are scientists constantly inventing new methods and reinventing old paradigms. Feels like our aim is to steal the fire that once remained secret and share it with humanity... you see, we believe that if someone is able to perform something, then everybody is—within his or her own limitations and to his or her personal best. We are beyond that silly idea that being able to dance well is for "the elite" or "the chosen ones" or "the ones who were born with it". We believe that dance —and all arts— are a part of life. A part of every human being. If a student is not able to dance (or sing, or play or whatever) to the best of his or her own capacity, it might be worth taking a look at where she is learning.

I am forever grateful for all my teachers who are also analytical thinkers. I bow at their generosity and hope to honor them by sharing everything I can. I have been blessed with generous teachers who always wanted the best for me. I thank my Bellydance teachers as well as my Ballet, Jazz, Flamenco, African Dance, Modern Dance, Authentic Movement, Voice (Voice!), Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Rolfing, Gyrotonics / Spinal Gymnastics, Body Awareness, Drumming, Music, Visual Arts, Esoteric Arts and of course my Spiritual Guides.

Comments

[Desari]

She came close to me still wearing her mask, like an otherworldly being, and whispered in my ear: "If you come to my class I will teach you all my secrets."

Do you know how much I have longed for a teacher to do that?
~~~~~~
Blanca, I think you are in my head...what a great post! Or, you are me or I am you. :D

[Blanca]

The truth is... you can have Ayshe whispering in your ear right in your living room! She teaches all of her secrets in her DVDs.