Why do some Belly Dance stars appear to enjoy their performances more than other stars? How is it that some 'superstars' even appear to be in pain while performing?  Is there a unique, complex element that the Westernized dancers are missing?

When I first opened Jalilah’s Rak Sharki Volume 1 CD, I was thrilled to discover a variety of melodies and rhythms.  That week, I toyed with the music and danced variety of ways that capturing the emotions stirred within me.  With so much potential found in the CD, choreographing a routine was expected to be a breeze.  As the week passed, my simple and fun choreography slowly eroded and I increasingly grew frustrated with each practice.  How was it that a dance so fun and exciting could escalate into such a difficult and complex project?

The music was mapped and the routine was defined.  Even though the neurological connections in me knew what was expected, my body continued to test out new moves to the now familiar melodies and rhythms.  I wanted perfection and my body responded with improvisation.  What I saw was trouble was actually the lesson: I had choreographed myself out of the dance! 

My body knew what was right, but my brain would not listen.  Because I did not pay attention to the signals, my heart and soul resigned themselves out of the equation.  Complete perfection with a choreographed solo dance did not come with following the detailed routine; complete perfection blossomed when the dance was loosely outlined and I was freed to express the music and how it made me feel – the freedom I had originally owned when the music was first heard.

So what do these special dancers capture that others overlook?  Their choreography is loosely applied, if at all, and they are simply freed to dance within.  The dance to them is much more than technique and routine -- the dance is about expressing how the music makes you feel and sharing your inner passion with your audience.

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