Comments on: Stop slumping!

By: Nadira Jamal

Nadira Jamal — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:51:08 +0000

When I get stuck, I either need to:
1- take a guilt-free break for a weekend or so
2- expose myself to something very different
3- watch some really good belly dancing purely as an audience member. No analysis, no idea-scavenging. Just enjoy it. Usually, #1 and #2 have to happen before I’m ready to do that.

By: Tara Swaim

Tara Swaim — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:07:33 +0000

I usually take a break, as little as two to three days with no dancing,no dance music, and no dance obsessive thoughts..:) I find that when I get stuck it is because I am thinking about dance too much, and not dancing fully from my heart. When I step back it reminds me of what an organic dance this is, and how after practicing, and learning, it is time to let our hearts and bodies take over.

By: Na'la

Na'la — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:07:50 +0000

I do exactly what you are doing. Hit museums, take a non belly dance class, volunteer, take walks, breathe and relax.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:32:38 +0000

Whenever I’m in a rut with dance, I try to find something else I feel halfway decent at and do that. Gives a bit of an ego boost and is a great way to just let it out. I generally go sing when that happens. I’m not amazing but I’m not bad either. I also go dance when I feel like I’m singing crappy. Lol.

I think it also helps going and watching other people dance and not just within bellydance. Reminds you why the dance is so special to begin with.

By: josefine

josefine — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:45:01 +0000

I think its important to remenber that if you didn’t feel stuck or uninspired, you’d probably not appreciate the times when you feel really inspired and creative, after all… you have to have the “down” to experience the “up”, otherwise it would all just be … ok.. and not FANTASTIC!!:D
I try to think about that when I get stuck=)

By: Genevieve C.

Genevieve C. — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:10:44 +0000

I’m a dance clothing designer, and sometimes, I have to check myself from constantly looking at the dance scene and look somewhere else. I know my brain have a particular way of making creative association when totally out the dance clothing topic. So I go elsewhere, and try something else for some days, and usually it come back very fast with brand new idea. I even get back to an old cinema job one evening a week, just to be able to change the role for a night and be somebody else. It totally work for me! I usually take note on scraps of paper the whole evening between movies, just looking at the crowd, my mind half on creation, half on the job. I also try to work on two project at the time, so if I get bored with one, I jump to the other. Forcing myself too much in a project is a sure way to kick out my muse far away.
Anyway, a interesting topic to share Thanks!