Okay, I am on a posting jag today. I am spending my final week of my winter holiday thinking about what I want to do dance-wise in the next year.

How often do you practice? What are your practice sessions like?

While I try to dance every day, and usually succeed in doing so, I tend to have more focused practice sessions when I have a gig coming up or am working on new choreography and combinations. I count teaching as a form of practice, as well.

I would like to formalize my practice sessions a bit more. I have never been one to work along with instructional videos, but I might try to use Aziza'a practice companion. I am more likely to put on a Fifi Abdo video or a Naima Akef movie and copy what they do to try to feel it in my own body. Do any of you use videos in that way? In another way?

I also just bought a shemadan! By the end of the year I would like to be comfortable dancing with it and would like to be able to do the splits. How many dance forms allow you to have a flaming candelabra on your head while dancing? How can I not take the opportunity to do that! My wedding gigs will be augmented. Hopefully everyone's fire permits will be in order... :)

I also put money aside to take more workshops this year. I miss regular classes as well. I think I will start attending Lorna Zilba's class on Sunday afternoons again, will continue with flamenco classes with Yaelisa, and may take some private lessons with Nanna Candelaria. I also hope to start doing yoga or pilates regularly again. I want to dance through my 30s and need to whip myself into shape to do so with stamina and style! I am learning that 33 ain't 23.

If any of you want to share your practice goals for 2007 here I would love to read about them!