Zen Run

This morning I overslept my alarm clock for the second day in a row. The funny thing is I don't even remember turning it off -- hmm.

So I was left with the question, to run my long run or to put it off by somehow sandwiching it in somewhere else.

After a cup of coffee and my pre-run "breaky" of balance bar I looked at the clock and realized I had time and it wasn't too late. Even better, there would be no school traffic since yesterday was the last day of school -- bonus! So I went for it and off I went!

I wore no watch and merely let the music and my muscles propel me down the street. Once I was warmed up (like after a few miles) I picked up the pace to a good song and by then I was in the zone. Not once did I try to "rush" the feeling. I wanted to be in tune with my body and run how it felt like running.

Funny thing is I didn't get tired at all during the run. There was no "slowing down" point. Each step felt strong in its own way. I did start to get a little hungry during the run so I may have to start carrying gels again.

Ok, now to BLOG what I have learned this week in BD class before I forget.
Yesterday the Thurs instructor was there (finally!). Her style is definitely different than the others. I kept up with most of the class, but there were a couple points when she added arms to the hip movements when everything fell apart for me.

Her maya steps are different than my beloved Wed night instructors. The heals are supposed to be on the ground for hers and the hips should look like they are sliding out and down, alternating in a figure 8 pattern like a waterfall. My hips don't do that. The Wed night instructor has us lifting our heals off the ground which makes for an easier maya, but the effect is more "roundy" than "slidey" if that makes sense. I keep practicing the Thurs version hoping eventually I will get it.

I notice different bodies are capable of different things. I am short with a short torso and roundy, yet small hips so the slide moves are kind of lost on me. Anything where I am sticking my hips up or out works better. Give me the roundy moves. I think angular moves work better on other bodies. Don't worry, I will continue to practice everything and hope for the best.

This brings to mind Axel Rose of Guns and Roses. He does a "reverse maya" to get that snake like move going on (see, guys can bellydance too!). He is tall and lanky so that works for him, more real estate for the moves to flow.

So Thurs' combination was
hips slide: RLRLRL (arms swaying in opposite direction, but moving up a little each time)
fast hip drop on 7&8: down up down (hands above head)
upward chest circlesx3 while dipping down, standing at R angle
reverse ub undulation on 7&8
same thing on L

Wed night beginner 1 class:
Sara, our senior member at 80, did her dance for us. She's got guts. It was great!
Warm-up
Shimmies, slow, fast, travelling fbLR
Hip Lifts and drops and while travelling
Improv Circle (everyone gets a turn in the middle)
Simon Says (we follow the teacher, my favorite part because I really feel like I am dancing)

The annoying loud gum-smacking ladies were not there so the vibe was different and friendly than the last two sessions (I am a veteran now). So I made some new aquaintances. One is a WW member from another class and we got on well. She will be getting an email from me on where to get hip scarves, BD classes, etc. Nice people all in all.

No news on our choreography class yet. The Community Center Director keeps making lame mistakes and continues to "fight" us on getting the class going when all we want to do is dance and follow the rules so we can continue to dance there. Who knows if it will be happening tonight!

Beginner 2:
I arrived in time for hips circles and to learn a "new" move I learned only in Yatoki's Advanced class on Sunday, the arabic, I think. Walking forward doing a half hip circle forward while shifting weight from foot to foot. I have seen bellydancers do this walk while showing off their fancy zill work. Ansuya comes to mind. Now I can do it!

We also played with our veils and zills. BTW, did I mention how much I love my silk veil? The teacher isn't too keen on them because they are hard to predict their flow and fall, but I am determined to become an expert at mine.

BD tally: 3 classes in two days (one back to back and wasn't strenuous)
ET with arms :30 minutes
9 mile run today -- yeah me!

Ok, MK out.