Good dance advice: “tighten your holes!”

Posted on by Cathy Vandewater

The girls and I are prepping for a show next Sunday, so we’re rehearsing on our own (this is one third of us, haha).

Our turns are looking pretty tight (heh) which is shocking to me because I distinctly remember thinking I would NEVER get them.

It didn’t help that our teach Maki (who’s only been in the US straight from Japan for like 2 years off and on) kept yelling the same line that cracked everybody up: “TIGHTEN ALL YOUR….. HOLES!” while gesticulating around the butt area.

It’s funny because she’s very proper I don’t think she meant it to come out as vulgar as it did, but, whatever, she’s right!

To stop a turn on a dime, you have to tighten EVERYTHING… holes included. (can’t even type that without laughing, haha)

Wish us luck!

PoleFreaks has free routines???

Posted on by Cathy Vandewater

Today in Things Everybody But Me Probably Knows About: PoleFreaks.com has routines (with breakdowns!) that you can download for free after signing up for their newsletter. This is a pretty awesome alternative to pole choreo classes that many people might not have access to. It’s super fun to work on a routine at home, if you have a pole. And most of the moves appear to be beginner level, at first glance. Get on that!

They also have workouts that cost a small amount ($3.99) which is something I might look into when my class cards run out and Christmas shopping has got me hella poor.

Sorry if this came off as an advertisement–I genuinely just found out this existed and thought it seemed like an awesome resource. The blog looks interesting too!

Anyway, I know I’m being really naughty about writing pole posts, so here’s a party favor for stopping by:

SONGS I AM CURRENTLY DESPERATE TO POLE TO:

Again, this is kinda-sorta a half ass attempt at blog hopping. I need to get on that…

1. TeeFLii feat. 2 Chainz, 24 Hours

This is sexy, but upbeat enough to keep me choosing the cute creative moves over endless hairflips and body rolls.

2. James Blake, Retrograde

I saw one of my (belly dance) teachers perform to this recently and it actually brought tears to my eyes. Understated but gorgeous song.

3. Tinashe, 2 On

Yes this is all over the radio, but it’s so. fucking. smooth.

4. Jeremih, All the Time

Another one all over the radio, and yes, it’s filthy. Sorry. This is a good rolling on the floor jam.

5. Misery, Maroon 5

Okay clearly this one is as old as the hills, but it popped up on my ipod the other day and I realized it would be for some really dynamic, story-telling choreo.

OMG and one last thing–can we talk talk about Nicki Minaj’s chair choreo at the VMAs? I know everybody was all about Beyonce, but I’m way more into the moves from the Anaconda set. She was CRISP LIKE CELERY on those tick-tocks. Love it.

Here’s the video a couple of scrolls down on Jezebel because Amtrak thinks MTV.com will be porn.

<3<3<3

“Too late to back out now!”

Posted on by Cathy Vandewater

Oy, first big belly dance show coming up since the spring, and also the debut of my New Costume.

,,,which I have not put on since my mom sewed a new back into it (because flashing people is bad, thanks mom!), since I am scared. I’m eyeing it right now. It’s sitting in the corner, bein’ all green and sparkly and mocking me.

Some people in pole and belly dance (actually, scratch that, MOST people) completely live for the costumes. Both are glamorous, girly types of dance, with plenty of sparkles and boob-age allowed (nay, DEMANDED). So naturally, belly and pole alike tend to attract girly-girls who tweak out on that stuff. Cool, fine. Not me.

I am terrorized by it.

I’m always having a blast and totally confident right up until I have to put on the costume, and them I’m all, can’t I just wear what I practice in? Please? PLEAAAAASE?I’m kind of dreading the day where I’ll have to graduate to poling in a sports bra for the extra grip. Ugh.

Anyway, big show is WEDNESDAY. K and I always do a Final Video of where we’re at when we practice, so here is is… minus the dancing, because that ish is top secret! You’ll have to come to the show to see it 😉

How do you guys feel about costumes or cute dance gear altogether? I feel like a lot of girls get a charge from it, like Superwoman in her cape. It’s always kind of startling for me though, because it’s a huge reminder that PEOPLE WILL BE LOOKING AT ME. Ahhh. Spooky.

Okay, g/g ignore my costume and keep the dream alive via ignorance that I will look a certain way in it. Wish me luck for Wednesday!!

HT,

Cathy

Cheating on Pole (I’m SOOOOOORRY pole, I still love you)

Posted on by Cathy Vandewater

So I thought I would be all sneaky and take a break from boring old pole and slip into a Bellyqueen class this week.

HAHAHAHAno.

I was there two relaxing minutes before the worst possible opening words of a class EVER were uttered:

“Today we’re working on improv!”

…

Cue me running screaming from the classroom.

Of course, I didn’t do that. I just shot a death glare at my friend for not warning me ahead of time, BECAUSE I FUCKING HATE MAKING THINGS UP.

IT IS VERY SCARY.

Anyway, luckily, we did this thing first where we made a circle and faced OUTSIDE–as in, no eye contact with anyone! And then we just listened to the music and attempted to dance. With no mirrors! (I cheated though, because I was facing a window).

We did that for three minutes or so, then faced the circle again, sheepishly.

Our (terrific) instructor Natalie then had us do silly stuff like trace the letters of our names with arm or leg movements to help us break out of our usual ruts.

(I take this to mean that while watching everyone, she noticed that we were all just doing variations on “snake arms” for the whole 3 minutes).

An aside: it’s hard to feel like you have permission to try new anything you haven’t done a million times in a class. There’s a lot of self imposed pressure to do the “right” things. But how boring is that?

We turned around again (me furiously avoiding my reflection in that damn window), and this time Natalie called out sections of the body–upper, lower, everything. I thought I would run out of ideas, but really focusing just on one part, even one movement, like a bump or drop, or figure eight, was really freeing and I started coming up with moves I haven’t tried in years. The pressure to do ALL THE THINGS at once was lifted. I found myself popping out new really pretty hand gestures or foot movements, and even layering facial expressions (!!!). I don’t usually have the confidence to commit to just one movement, but having permission–wow, it was great. Sloooooowing down felt amazing.

We turned around and Natalie did a winky sort of smile and said, “Less is more, isn’t it?”

Ugh, yes Natalie, you know-it-all bitch! (Just kidding, she was great, I just hate having to learn really simple lessons and feel like a dummy).

Anyway she must have known I was thinking smug thoughts because she immediately paired us off FOR MY WORST NIGHTMARE: unbroken eye contact with a partner while improv-ing for half of an INFINITE song.

I died several deaths in that minute and a half, but, I survived, and my friend K and I are now closer friends. I, I guess we had dance sex?

Anyway.

I think I’ll be much more comfortable making the minimal eye contact (that I always avoid) in any kind of dance now. And wow, what a lesson in having confidence in doing LESS… this validates my theory on Lindsay Lohan!!!

New four week course!!!! Starting this Thursday!!!! (AKA tomorrow), SO SIGN YOUR ASS UP.

Happy Twirls,

Cathy