04.10.08
Teaching at 3rd Coast Tribal in January 09
Okay- so I’m going to go ahead and plug myself for a change 
I’m sooper boffo excited to have been invited to teach a small-ish workshop at the 3rd Coast Tribal event this coming January in Dallas. The event has only been going on for 5 years, but the reviews are always raves and plus I love the organizers; Zymirrah and Sahira of Urban Gypsy in Houston, TX.
I enjoy (and am good at teaching a number of topics, so it was exceptionally difficult to narrow it down, but Zymirrah ulitmately said the Hand Gestures & Eyes workshop would be a better fit for what was already being offered. And there it is; Hand Gestures & Eyes. I really enjoy teaching this particular aspect because as a dancer I can emote excessive amounts of *goosh* with my eyes and hands. I’ve been fortunate enough to study several movement/dance forms which not only teach about the energetic quality of the connection between the eyes and hands, but that also teach exercises and movements that can lead to a trance state with simple focus and attention. I’m not sure what to expect from the class itself (particpants, space, etc) so I will do as I always do and prepare myself backward and forward and allow what will happen to do so. Nevertheless, I find myself giddy as a schoolgirl at Sadie Hawkins - with less than 9 months to prepare…and working like mad to make sure I’m the best I can be when I show up! Cheers!
teaching a number of topics, so it was exceptionally difficult to narrow it down, but Zymirrah ulitmately said the Hand Gestures & Eyes workshop would be a better fit for what was already being offered. And there it is; Hand Gestures & Eyes. I really enjoy teaching this particular aspect because as a dancer I can emote excessive amounts of *goosh* with my eyes and hands. I’ve been fortunate enough to study several movement/dance forms which not only teach about the energetic quality of the connection between the eyes and hands, but that also teach exercises and movements that can lead to a trance state with simple focus and attention. I’m not sure what to expect from the class itself (particpants, space, etc) so I will do as I always do and prepare myself backward and forward and allow what will happen to do so. Nevertheless, I find myself giddy as a schoolgirl at Sadie Hawkins - with less than 9 months to prepare…and working like mad to make sure I’m the best I can be when I show up! Cheers!
And here’s the skinny on the class I’ll be teaching! If you’ve got any questions or would like more details, please feel free to email me at
shamsi@bayoushimmy.comHand Gestures & Eye Focus (2 hours)
“Where the hands go, so go the eyes and where the eyes go, so goes the soul.” ~ Sanskrit Teaching
The power drawn from the attention we give our hands and eyes during dance can draw our audience through the veil and into our worlds; allowing them to experience our journey through our eyes. When we dance alone, the attention paid to our hands can draw us into a powerful union with our deepest selves; transforming us from within.
With simple exercises and visualizations, we will achieve a dance inspired from the love of our eyes for our bodies. Body awareness through Sufi and Bharatanatayam eye exercises, breathing, Tai Chi and Bharatanatayam hand techniques and postural/core exercises will lead to a more connected and engaging dance, whether for an audience or ourselves.
