Sooo...Sharon Kihara is coming to the Netherlands and she's giving 4 workshops of which I'm wanting to attend 3. However, there's a very big 'but' involved here. I've been taking classes for (only?) about a year and it's been in egyptian-influenced style for the most part. I've been interested in tribal style bellydance for about the same year but haven't been seriously pursuing it, if that makes any sense. My knowledge of (and skill in) tribal bellydancing is thus quite limited (but you gotta start somewhere, right?). Next to that: I have about zero experience in Yoga (asides from what I got from bellydancer's DVDs), my teacher incorporates yoga movements and postures in our classes but it's still different from, for example, the yoga warmup Sharon gives on her DVD. I already have a hard time keeping up with that!

I know it's a bit silly, but to me it can get quite frustrating if I feel like I'm so far behind on the others that I'm spending more time trying not to trip over my own feet than actually enjoy what I'm doing. I don't mind working hard(er) to keep up but I don't want to half-ass the movements and learn it the wrong way.
One of the workshops states that it's for 'all levels', the other two 'encouraged to give it a try'. So those of you that have been to her workshops: how doable and awesome are they for someone like me? I'm curious to hear your experiences. :-)


(sorry that this turned into a wall of text!)
posted by:
Iris
offline Iris
Netherlands
8 friends
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  • Valeria
    Valeria
    online 7

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Tue, February 26, 2008 - 1:58 PM
    Hi Iris,

    I think you don´t have to worry.

    I joined one of Sharon´s WS´s when she was in Germany last year. It was the one for all levels and me and my sister had no problems with the choreography and the yoga. We were absolute tribal beginners at that time. It was fun! The choreography was nice and easy to learn.

    I´ll join one of the other WS´s this year and I think it will also be fun even if I´m not so good like some of the other girls.
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    • Iris
      Iris
      offline 8

      Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

      Tue, February 26, 2008 - 2:21 PM
      ugh, just noticed that I messed up a sentence it's that those other to WS state that '-beginners- are encouraged to try'.

      Thanks for your reply Valeria. :-)
      My main reason for wanting to go is because I want to have fun and it's a new experience to add to the list. I'm not too bummed if the other ladies at the WS are more skilled, at my previous (and also first) WS experience everyone was nice to each other so so they didn't make me feel like a complete newbie, I guess. I know my own history and I'm already a bit proud that I got to the point I'm at (seeing how I have no prior dance experience and am a major nerd that would take her computer to bed and hug it i.e. someone that often rather sits on a deskchair than shake the booty). I'm more worried about whether I'm so far 'behind' that I (and my body) don't understand it.
      btw, you shouldn't be thinking you're not so good like the other girls like you mentioned, they may have a lot more experience under their belts. In time, you'll get there too.

      Aaaanyway, did you (and your sister) have any yoga experience before the WS?
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      • Zuleika
        Zuleika
        offline 89

        Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

        Tue, February 26, 2008 - 6:10 PM
        There's a lot of Suhaila Salimpour technique. I would prepare as if you were going to Suhaila's workshop. (Seewww.therealsuhaila.com; she has recommendations on how to prepare.) If you do yoga also, it will help. Sharon is super-nice. I took one of hers in Newport News, VA a year or two ago. I think you'll be fine. You can take notes, too. I still go back and review mine. I know they don't allow videotaping.

        Zuleika
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      • Valeria
        Valeria
        online 7

        Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

        Wed, February 27, 2008 - 11:23 AM
        No, me and my sister did not have any yoga experiences but I trained a little bit with Sharon´s DVD before. I think the yoga was o.k. for me. My sister had more problems. She laughed all the time because she was not able to stretch her body so much :)

        By the way I don´t think that I´m so bad in tribal but I´m so busy since a few month (my job is taking all my time) that I don´t have any time in the moment to dance. That is really frustrating.

        I hope that I can dance more in the future.
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        • .:amy:.
          .:amy:.
          online 7

          Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

          Wed, February 27, 2008 - 12:30 PM
          This is a great question... Sharon Kihara is doing a workshop here in Fort COllins, Colorado in two weeks and I was curious about the beginner-friendliness as well, since I've only been dancing since about September. Now I'm not so worried - I'm glad someone got around to asking because I would have forgotten to! ;)
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  • Kiki
    Kiki
    offline 35

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Wed, February 27, 2008 - 10:17 PM
    Hello Iris, you dont have to worry! I danced for 3 years when I attended Sharons WS but had never ever taken any yoga lessons at all and guess what..I had a friend with me who never had a bellydance or yoga lesson before but she just wanted to come along so she did and allthough we were tired, it was GREAT!! And Sharon is such a sweetheart and explains everything so many times and focuses on individuals...I mean, I was in the back and there were more than 50 women and she noticed that I had my arms wrong...so dont worry she is a very very good teacher!
    You are so lucky to take 3 WS´s with her!! Just enjoy....oh and take loads of water with you!!!
    Best Regards
    Kiki
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  • m'ch...
    m'chelle
    offline 158

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Thu, February 28, 2008 - 10:53 AM
    I may reapeat a bit of what otehrs have said, but...

    Definetly go!

    My first Sharon workshop was a weekend long grueling thing when I was getting over the flu, and I'd only been dancing for a year at that point (with no tribal experience). It was definetly a challenge, but more than worth it. Bring snacks, pay attention, and have fun. She's got the most welcoming joyful energy.
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    • Fiol...
      Fioletta
      offline 63

      Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

      Tue, March 18, 2008 - 6:44 AM
      Thanks, Iris...this is a great question. I've been dancing less than a year and I always write the instructor *before* I register to make sure it is kosher for a green dancer to attend...so far, I've been accepted to all of them, including Zoe Jakes (sweet gal, BTW...super patient and encouraging).

      I would *love* to attend Sharon's workshop!
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      • .:amy:.
        .:amy:.
        online 7

        Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

        Tue, March 18, 2008 - 4:15 PM
        Well, I posted a reply earlier, but now that I've actually ATTENDED a Sharon Kihara workshop as a beginner (I've only been dancing since September) I can definitely say...

        YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD GO!!! :D

        The yoga part hurts. Oh yes. But it hurts so good!
        Honestly, the only *very* challenging thing for me was the choreography that Sharon taught at the end of the workshop. I've never taken any dance my entire life until belly dance, so some of the dance terms (particularly the ballet ones) I didn't grasp well the first few tries. Other than that, it was definitely beginner-friendly, so go if you have the chance!

        Sharon is a fantastic teacher and hilarious to listen to. She's great, don't miss out!
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        • Kiki
          Kiki
          offline 35

          Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

          Wed, March 19, 2008 - 3:23 AM
          Yes, I had difficulties with the ballet stuff too but then it was ok. Did u learn the "Darshan" choreo?
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          • Nari
            Nari
            offline 485

            Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

            Wed, March 19, 2008 - 7:11 AM
            My two cents-
            Sharon Kihara Workshop= MUST GO!

            I use Sharon's DVD and have taken workshops from her in the past.
            Even if you think you can't keep up, you should go and try. Sharon is patient and always willing to provide individual attention if she can. The first time I took a workshop from her, she stood in front of me and drilled a movement with me until I got it. She's gracious, she's tough, and she's worth it. You will walk away with a better understanding of some things you already know and have a few new tricks in your bellydance bag as well.
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          • .:amy:.
            .:amy:.
            online 7

            Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

            Wed, March 19, 2008 - 9:42 AM
            Er, it was an Egyptian choreography.... she gave us the option between a more gothic belly dance and an Egyptian one, and performed both of them for us and then we got to pick. I wanted to do the gothic one, but the Egyptian got more votes, so meh! Still fun though! :-D
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            • Joanna
              Joanna
              offline 126

              Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

              Wed, March 19, 2008 - 10:35 AM
              The song name for the egyptian choreo was Darshan by DJinn. I voted for the gothic choreo too, oh well. The egyptian ended up being more fun to learn than I thought though. So that was nice. The balet stuff completely tripped me up also, never having taken a single balet class in my life *shrug* Definitely a new way to look at things and an experience I'll never forget.
              ~J~
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  • Khalida
    Khalida
    offline 140

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Thu, March 20, 2008 - 9:03 AM
    Hi Iris,

    I'd say go for it, she's absolutely worth it, no matter which level you're at!
    Take a notebook and water, yogamat and a towel, try to absorb what you can and you should be fine ;-)

    The combos and choreo WS can be challenging, but its also a lot of fun!
    Sharon is a patient and attentive teacher, and if you've been practising with her DVD then even better, most techniques she uses will be at least familiar.

    She will be in Belgium as well the weekend after Utrecht!

    Best wishes and see you there :-)
    Khalida
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  • Chia...
    ChiaLynn
    offline 85

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Thu, March 27, 2008 - 12:07 PM
    I think everyone's pretty well covered it, but I'll pile on anyway - I did my first Sharon workshop when I'd only been dancing about a year (I think - dang, when was that?), with minimal yoga experience, and yes, I was fine. Occasionally confused, but fine. I've done a couple more since, and I wouldn't say I get more out of them now I'm a little farther along the dancing path - I just get different things out of them each time. FWIW, I'm almost entirely a cab dancer (a little Egyptian, but basically old-school, Turkish-flavored AmCab), but I love the control and muscularity of tribal fusion, so a lot of my workshops are with teachers like Sharon (and Rachel, and...).
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  • Iris
    Iris
    offline 8

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Fri, March 28, 2008 - 10:07 AM
    I'm thinking another reply is due. :D

    Thanks so much for all the replies, ladies! You all have been most helpful. :-)
    I sorta messed up by waiting so incredibly long with deciding (I received the flyer a month ago) so now one of the two classes I wanted to attend (the all levels-class) is full. I'm on the waiting-list but I doubt a spot will open up for me. It didn't come as a complete shock though so I registered for the choreo class which is the one that I wanted to attend most badly anyway.
    However, Tjarda from the Uzumé (who are hosting the event) has some weird jedi-mindtricks she uses across the internets so I somehow ended up registering for the Olivia Kissel (from Zafira Dance Company) workshop as well.

    I'm really looking forward to it (albeit in a slightly nervous fashion) and I think that as long as I keep reading all your replies over and over again I'll keep my mind at ease. ;-)
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    • Kaleena
      Kaleena
      offline 34

      Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

      Fri, March 28, 2008 - 9:01 PM
      Don't be nervous, Sharon's classes are fantabulous. You'll have a marvelous time.

      Can I also say how jealous I am that you are getting to take an Olivia Kissel workshop the same weekend? Her and the Zafira gals are amazing. I'm trying to sell a family member or two to go out of state to check them out next August.
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    • Nicky
      Nicky
      offline 93

      Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

      Sat, March 29, 2008 - 3:15 AM
      I laughed alot in the yoga stretching, simply cos I was like 'oh my effing gawd' lol but I had a fab time in her class, yes some of it was really hard for me, especially the layering, but it was challanging in a good way and Sharon was really gr8!

      Im also taking a day's workshop with Olivia when she comes to Cambridge in May :-)))) x
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  • Anyanka
    Anyanka
    offline 49

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Sat, April 5, 2008 - 9:02 AM
    Seriously... DO NOT turn down an opportunity to learn from this woman. My daughter (who had just turned 10 years old) & I had only been dancing for a year & a half (Cabaret style only) when we took her 2 day workshop & we loved it. She did kick our butts with all the yoga that she did (we'd never done yoga before) but it was so worth being sore for the next couple of days. It was a good soreness. Absolutely go! You will not regret it. Sharon is such a fun person. You will have a blast. If my 10 year old can do it, so can you.

    HAVE FUN!!!
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    • Nicky
      Nicky
      offline 93

      Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

      Sat, April 5, 2008 - 3:22 PM
      WOW..your 10 yr old must rock hunnie, my little 6 yr old joins in with me at home when Im doing dvd's and has come to a few classes in half term etc..she loves it :-)
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      • Rosita
        Rosita
        offline 172

        Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

        Mon, April 7, 2008 - 11:37 AM
        I'm there Iris, and I'm the most un -flexible peron alive these days.....( bad sleep, kids etc etc ) so, if whe can't get through te warming up whe can at least drink coffee ;-)
        Remember? at the Unmata? ;-) coffee is comforting ;-)
        No just kidding, I think you'll do fine, It always ends up good, I've been to lots of workshops and still concider myself as a beginner, but I'm just not that flexible person, whe can't all be snakes right? ;-) One person is always a little more flex that the other, so what?
        I'm one of those persons who's happy when the warming up is over and the dancing begins...;-)
        Bad Bad Bad! I know......
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  • Iris
    Iris
    offline 8

    Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

    Mon, April 14, 2008 - 2:14 PM
    Anyanka - I read your girl's bio, she's a real trooper! It's inspiring that at such a young age she decided to start dancing, especially considering it must be most challenging for her. Sounds like she's got enough determination for 10 people! :-D

    Rosita- coffee is my safehaven! <3
    I walked in when the group of the first UNMATA workshop that day was doing the choreo they learned (which looked awesome by the way!) and when I saw the tempo and everything my courage just 'sank into my shoes' hahaha
    I needed just a bit of a kick up the butt and luckily there was caffeine nearby. :-D I'm horrible.


    p.s. you didn't look like a beginner at all when I saw you on stage ;-)
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    • Anyanka
      Anyanka
      offline 49

      Re: SK Workshops - How beginnersfriendly exactly?

      Wed, April 16, 2008 - 10:38 AM
      Hi Iris,

      Like I said, if you saw my daughter walking down the street (or dancing or cheering for that matter), you would never know she has a disability. Many children born with SB are also born with water on the brain affecting their mental capacity. And depending on how high the lesion is on their spine, they can be completely wheelchair bound unable to speak or feed themselves. There are many different levels & affects of SB. She was just really, really lucky that the leasion was so very low on her spine that it does not affect her physical movement or mental capacity at all. It does affect her weight though as well as some other issues. That's why I got her into bellydance. I thought it would be a good thing to do to keep her spine flexible & manage her weight a bit. She is good enough at cheer but that is not something she can really take into adulthood. Now bellydance... with that she can be a bit bigger when she's an adult & be damn good at it.

      Sharon is her idol & she really wants to be able to dance like her. Hopefully she has inspired you to be confident that you can do Sharon's workshops too.

      Happy Dancing!
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