Melika's Adventures In Belly Dance

So...went to an AMAZING workshop the weekend of February 10/11 this year by the fabulous Ashley Rhianne out of Vancouver. It felt SO great to just drill like crazy and learn some fresh new moves. Ashley was not only an amazing dancer, she was an amazingly fabulous, open and giving person. I truly was inspired about dance again. I hadn't been able to attend the show Friday night because Monkey was sick and had had a fever for days. After the workshop I was still feeling off, but thought it was because I had not been getting any sleep because I had been looking after our sick Monkey. Yeah. No. Went to doctor. Turns out I had a fever and Strep Throat. <eyeroll> so I went on antibiotics. Twice. The first time I didn't work after 10 days and still had it, so a few days after they put me on stronger antibiotics. Also shortly after the workshop, I slipped on some ice and was holding Monkey up so he wouldn't fall and two of my upper back ribs popped out. So was in some...

Well, I didn't realize when I deleted my website it would have deleted a number of my blogs, but there you go. Can't remember all I posted, but I guess I will just move forward. I deleted my website last year as I have not been professionally dancing or teaching for awhile. I forward a lot of requests on to other dancers because I preferred to spend time with my family and our growing son. But I had a chance meeting when I ran into the owner of Soul Connexion last summer during events in our community and we got to chatting. She asked if I was still dancing and I said yes. She asked if I was still teaching and I said "no, but I'd like to get back to teaching"...and there you go! I began teaching again at Soul Connexion in September 2017 (after a 2-year hiatus) for a 12-week class and very happily am back for another 12-week session in January. So excited to be back teaching - I didn't realize just how much I had missed it! Hoping it continues in April with...

I tell ya...there is nothing cooler for a teacher than seeing your students perform for the very first time, on a stage, with ear-to-ear grins on their faces and having the time of their lives!!! My girls from Soul Connexion (the studio I teach at) did a short 2:45 choreography I made for them in the Soul Connexion Studios year end student recital.  All but one had never been on a stage in their lives - and they did me proud! (my girls being cheeky - how can you NOT love them!) I could NOT stop grinning (and crying) as they lifted those boobs up, smiled at the audience, and had the time of their lives, even though they were terrified.  I didn't realize till afterward how many of them had "conquered a fear" just by being onstage - that was so cool!!! They didn't LOOK nervous - but yeah, apparently most were ;-) The best part of the day for me was the surprise awaiting one of my students - Margaret Giers (yes honey, I'm putting your name in my blog - love y...