Dance: 8 qualities dancers develop

1. Respect

Dancers learn to have respect. Respect for the dance and culture itself, and respect for dancers that have been dedicated for years, have contributed so much to the community, and have been an icon in the dance world. It is necessary to recognize that mastering a skill, in this case, a dance style, it only comes with years of studying, practicing and experience. Dancers also learn to respect people in their community, such as teachers, partners, students, and anyone involved in their development. A dancer understands she shouldn't compare herself to others or be disrespectful with anyone else. Last but not least, dancers learn to respect their own body. You should work with your body, not against your body.

2. Discipline

Confidence comes from discipline and training. Dancing, just as any other performing arts, requires hours and hours of practice, and the only way to achieve so, it's through discipline. It's necessary for dancers to be willing to repeat something over, and over, and over again, until not only you get it right, but until you can't get it wrong anymore. We are always looking for new ways to do something we may have already have done before. It takes focus, concentration and a lot of determination that will not succumb under any obstacle.  

"Dreams are achieved not by luck, but by purpose, passion and discipline."

3. Courage

It takes courage to stand up on stage in front of 10 or 1000 people and perform - whether it's dancing, singing, or acting. Dancers develop the courage necessary to fight anxiety, the fear of not performing well, forgetting the routine or just the fear of being ridiculed by the audience. It also takes courage to ask for help, whether for coaching or just a constructive advice, in order to improve your own dancing. Also, dancers are courageous enough to believe in their own skills and abilities, and their own capacity of improving and developing their technique and expression when performing. 

4. Passion

It is not enough to be slightly curious or attracted to dance to stick with it. You must develop a strong feeling and commitment that will keep you going even when you don't want to continue anymore. A dancer learns how to motivate her/himself despite of being tired, hungry, with "no inspiration", or not having the perfect setting for practicing/performing. It is the passion that we feel for dancing that gets us through the process of learning and growing every single day.

5. Dedication

It takes so much effort and tenacity to become a good professional dancer. It is not enough to just take classes, but to practice on your own as well. Dancers, especially in belly dance, learn that they also have to dedicate to contribute with their own community and support other fellow dancers. You need to go to festivals, workshops, meet teachers, performers, get involved. And that requires time and dedication as well. Dancers' dedication also involves watching and learning from outstanding performers. You spend hours watching videos and live performances. A dancer learns that she needs to understand also the history of the dance, the culture and the language of the songs; and that she needs to take care of her own body since its the vehicle used to express herself when dancing.  

6. Patience

The process of learning any skill in general takes time. One does not become great at something in particular from one day to the other. For dancing, one must learn how to be patient with himself. A dancer needs to understand her/his own body, be patient and strongly believe that whether it takes you less or more time to get where you want to go, you will get there if you are determined enough. Do not try to rush the process of learning and developing. Dancers need to understand their own process and ways of learning, and be patient with themselves.

7. Persistence 

Persistence takes you through those longs hours of rehearsing. Persistence will get you where you want to go, and more. Persistence will make you master that particular step or choreography, even if you don't get it right the first 20 times. If someone criticizes your work, you will stay strong and continue to believe in yourself thanks to persistence as well.

8. Humility

Dancers need to be humble enough to accept they don't know something, and hence, they need help to learn it. This humility should not make you feel less than other people, but stronger. It allows you to receive help and guidance from others that are already further ahead in the path you are just starting now. Humility allows us to take the best out of advices other dancers or teachers give us. It also permits us to learn from our mistakes, and grow better every time. Dancers that learn to be humble, will recognize that even when they have achieved so much in their dance career, they can always learn something from others, and that there is always room for improvement. 

Belleza: Mis top 4 productos de cabello

* English version below
  

Como mujer y bailarina, me encanta darle el mejor tratamiento y cuidado a mi piel, cuerpo, y cabello. Si tienes cabello largo, como yo, estoy segura que sabes que NO es fácil mantener un cabello largo y SALUDABLE.

Me han preguntado varias veces qué productos uso en mi cabello, así que decidí compartir hoy contigo los que yo prefiero usar! 

1.  VIBRANT SHINE, Suave Professionals

Cuándo lo uso?          En las mañanas

Cómo usarlo?            Me lo hecho en el cabello desde la mitad hasta las puntas (no en las raíces!)

Mi experiencia         Absolutamente lo AMO. Le da muchísima vitalidad a mi cabello! El brillo es muy natural, y el olor es suavesísimo y muy bueno. No lo uso más de una vez al día para evitar que el cabello se vea aceitoso.

2.  WONDER WAVES, Garnier Fructis

Cuándo lo uso?        Después de ducharme, una vez que mi cabello está seco (ya sea antes de dormir, o en las mañanas)

Cómo usarlo?           Las instrucciones sugieren que lo rocíes en el cabello como cualquier otro spray, pero esta es la manera en la que yo prefiero usarlo. Una vez que mi cabello está seco, lo rocío desde el medio hasta las puntas. Luego me hago un moño o una cola de caballo. Lo dejó así durante la noche, o por al menos 40 minutos-1 hora en las mañanas. Después, al soltarte el cabello vas a notar qué tan ondulado se ve!

Mi experiencia         Es un producto EXCELENTE. Refuerza las ondas naturales del cabello. Lo uso casi todos los días! No le agrega brillo al cabello (como el producto número 1 de arriba lo hace) pero definitivamente le da forma.

3. ULTRA GLOSS , Professional

 

Cuándo lo uso?         Después de plancharme o rizarme el cabello

Cómo usarlo?          Lo rocío desde la mitad de mi cabello hasta las puntas, a una distancia de 20 cm apróx.

Mi experiencia         Le da un brillo hermoso al cabello! El aroma es muy suave y muy bueno. Yo lo uso sólo después de haberme planchado o rizado el cabello.

4. THERMAL CREATIONS, TRESemmé

Cuándo lo uso?        Antes de usar cualquier herramienta de cabello (plancha, rizador, secadora)

Cómo usarlo?          Rocía de manera normal sobre el cabello antes de usar cualquier de los instrumentos que mencioné arriba. Evita echar en las raíces.
  

Mi experiencia        Hay muchísimos sprays protectores de calor para el cabello, sin embargo, yo prefiero este en particular ya que no tiene fragancia y no deja el cabello duro ni pegajoso. Nunca subestimes usar un spray protector! Marca la diferencia con el pasar del tiempo, independiente de si usas herramientos de cabello (plancha, rizador, secadora) constantemente o no.

PS. No uso ningún tinte de cabello, extensión, o tratamiento permanente en general. Por lo tanto, no sé si los resultados serán similares o iguales si es que ese es tu caso.

Beauty: My top 4 hair products!

As a woman and as a dancer I love taking great care of my skin, body and hair. If you have long hair, like me, you know it is NOT an easy task to keep HEALTHY long hair.

I have been asked around several times what hair products do I use and so I decided to share with you the ones I love the most! 

1.  VIBRANT SHINE (Styling Spray), Suave Professionals

When do I use it?       In the mornings

How to use it?           I spray it to my hair from the middle to the ends (not the roots!)

My experience          I ABSOLUTELY love this one. It gives my hair vitality! The shine is very natural, and the scent is very soft and nice.I don't use it more than once a day to avoid an oily look.


2.  WONDER WAVES (Styling Spray), Garnier Fructis

When do I use it?      After showering, once my hair has dried (either before sleeping, or in the mornings)

How to use it?          The instructions suggest to just spray it on your hair like any other styling spray, but this is how I prefer to use it. Once my hair is dry, I spray it once (from the middle to the ends), and then I put my hair in a bun, or in a pony tail. I leave it like that either over night, or for at least 40 minutes-1 hour in the mornings. After that, whenever you put your hair down, you will notice how wavy it looks!

My experience         It's an EXCELLENT product. It completely enhances my natural hair waves. I use it at a regular basis! It doesn't add shine like number 1 above does, but definitely helps to give great shape.


3. ULTRA GLOSS (Styling Spray), Professional

When do I use it?      After using a hair straightener or curling iron only.

How to use it?          I spray it from at least 20 cm apart, and mainly from the middle to the ends.

My experience         It adds beautiful shine to the hair! The scent is very nice and soft as well. I use it only when I have used a straightener or curling iron. Don't over spray it to avoid an oily look.


4. THERMAL CREATIONS (Heat Protective Spray), TRESemmé


How to use it?         Spray on your hair right before using any hair tool (avoid roots!)

When do I use it?     Before using a straightener, curling iron or hair dryer


My experience         There are many great heat protective sprays out there, but I particularly like this one because its fragrance free and doesn't leave the hair sticky/hard. Never underestimate a protective spray! It will definitely make a difference over time, regardless you use any hair tool at a constant basis or not.


PS. I do not use any hair dye, extensions, or any permanent treatment in general. Hence, I have no idea if the results will be the similar/equal if that is your case.