Articles & Stories
Helena's legacy of Raqs-al-Sharqi - What's in it for me?



By Norma Westover

If you are anything like me, when you approach a new learning experience you’ll have a few preconceived notions about what you expect it to be like. Here’s a little article to help give you an in-depth peek into the heart of Helena’s legacy of Raqs-al-Sharqi, and why she and co-instructor Katayna have something special to offer every dancer.

Before I began to study the dance, I imagined all bellydance to be one and the same thing, not knowing about the wide variances in performance style and costuming throughout the Middle East. With I first began to look into lessons, I quickly learned that there were a multitude of stylistic options to choose from. Raqs-al-Sharqi instruction was the closest available to me travel-wise, so it was there that I began.

Shortly after beginning my lessons, I realized I wanted more in-depth instruction. It was then that my first teacher, Naj of Dancers of the Eclypse, introduced me to her mentor, Helena Vlahos.

I was delighted when Helena took an instant interest in me, and soon I began to take private lessons from her. After just a few lessons of intense one-on-one learning, I came to see that, as Naj had described, with Helena I was in the presence of a master of the Raqs-al-Sharqi form.

Although Helena will humbly tell you that she sometimes has a hard time putting her instructions into words, when you are studying with someone whose performance art has been their life’s work for over thirty years, you are in the presence of a person whose body has become a living textbook. Even when she’s not performing, you can still learn volumes from a master like Helena simply by watching her go about her daily business. The Muse of the Dance has quite literally, and by mutual consent, taken possession of her body’s every move. Because of this dedication, Helena preserves a precious legacy, the legacy of 20th century American Raqs-al-Sharqi bellydance.

Even though observing a master dancer is satisfying in and of itself, students have much more to gain from this wonderful dance form. Raqs-al-Sharqi is very demanding in terms of the amount of control the dancer has over each and every muscle of the body. The movements are precise yet fluid; contained yet lyrical. It’s as if the whole body becomes a musical instrument, capable of following both the rhythm and the melody of the music simultaneously. A hip snap will mesh flawlessly with the sweep of an arm; the hips will circle in an around-the-world, while the zills ring out a staccato flourish. Synchronization of the various body parts into a multi-faceted expression of the music is what it’s all about.

So, dancers who’re just beginning couldn’t find a better point of departure for building a solid foundation, while the experienced dancer will find new insights on old moves watching this very special lady and her protégé Katayna perform. Those of you who feel your style is too loose or sloppy will find the keys to graceful containment; while those suffering from overly mechanical or uptight performance habits will have no option but to relax into the fluidity created by the synchronic moves. Even ladies simply seeking a demanding yet utterly feminine workout form could do no finer than to study with Helena. You will be physically challenged at each class, guaranteed, but you’ll have so much fun doing it that you won’t even think of it as exercise!

There’s truly something for every dancer in the magic of Helena’s world of Raqs-al-Sharqi, a world that she graciously invites each and every of us to share with her.
   




>>> HelenaVlahos.com
[ About Helena   |   Belly Dance   |   Classes   |   Tips & Tricks   |   Students   |   Photos ]
[ Costumes   |   Friends & Family   |   Articles & Stories   |   Appearances   |   Venues   |   Links ]
>>> Contact Helena