Friday, September 30, 2016

Outside, where the magic lies. Find the green.

About one year ago I made an important change.

After re-discovering my home area Eschweiler from an inliner-view last summer, and in trying to hold on as long as possible to the memories of green, green Skye in September, I decided I needed, urgently, to 'go outside' more - or at least once a week - and actively search for the green around me.

And in that year I found something I thought I had lost..  My sense of self.

Apparently my Self.. likes to be outside. Picture by the amazing Elster


Even though it had been years since working in an office full time, I still sensed lately that something had been 'missing'. Getting outside felt deeply counter-intuitive at first. After all, as an entrepreneur/dancer/professional/person, I am supposed to be dancing, training, working, reading, learning, or at least doing something 'productive' with my free time, whenever I have some, yes?

Actually, no.

As dancers, and as humans, we NEED to get outside, and we need regular movement. Actual people movement, that is. And movement variety at that. So not just training, crosstraining, working out, drilling, or even freestyling and/or 'relaxation' once or twice (or thrice) a week. We need to walk, run, climb, hang, carry, crawl, swim, roll around, and above all, get outside.

Our bodies crave it. Our brains light up when we do. Our senses need all that input from going outside, being outside, and moving about. Amidst all this, we relax. And as our body moves, while the mind is restful, creativity soars. Whatever we search, see, hear and do.. Dictates what we will perceive. Find the green.

So how to go about all that? Slowly, at first.

Find some green.

Try going there once.

Then, another time.

At first once a week.

Then maybe twice.

First walk, then run.

Then walk or run again.

Every now and then maybe, ride a bike (with helmet please!)

And after that.. walk some more.

To nearby places you used to go to by car.

Whenever the mood strikes, and you can, go.

When you can't go outside, look out a window, find the green.


Find the green.

Eat outside, if weather permits

Read outside, if you can find a space

When meeting friends, go for a walk

On a holiday.. plan for the green.

Hike, bike, jump, run, swim, or walk.

Walk some more

Then maybe run, or bike.

Or climb. Or crawl.

And while you do, sense. See, hear, smell, feel, listen.

Try it.

Try it today. And tomorrow.

Find the green.


Pictures of our tiny (but beautiful) Eschweiler wald:











And that was just last spring, summer, and fall. 
I can't wait to re-find it in winter.


See you soon too, I hope.

xx Khalida

PS: See the updated (dance) website with more pictures from our outdoor shoot:
www.khalidadance.com

And check out www.inspirationnation.de/forest for more of my 'find the green' photos.


PSPS: What I'm reading right now: The secret life of trees. 

And another great read (blog post) on going outside: Biomechanist Katy Bowman's Exercise less.


Now that your eyes (and mind) are primed.. Find the green.

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Numbers and moments

While looking back and counting the days (as one does during tax return season) I just found out that by the end of this year I will have taught 125 workshops in 5 years. That makes an average of about 250 hours of dance, or 15 000 minutes, which makes 900 000 seconds :)
 
Multiply that by the number of dancers I've been able to share these seconds with, and you get millions of moments, filled with shared laughter, movement, dancing, learning, teaching, breathing, but also experimentation, inspiration, perspiration, and joy <3

Post-teaching 'glow' ^^

A huge thank you you to all who I have been lucky enough to share these moments with, to all the students I have met (and will still meet) and to all the dancers/host(esse)s who I have been lucky enough to work with (and for) during the past 5 years. Without your trust, love and effort these moments would have not been possible.

I am ready for some more :)
 
Also: Dear Ana Danst, that 125th workshop will be yours in Eindhoven this November, so we will have to build in a collective happy dance during my veil workshop at some point :D <3

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. (and hips!)

The next moments of dance will be happening here: http://khalidadance.com/schedule


Life is better with double veils

Edited to add: Get yourself a FREE 30-minute downloadable double veil class via this link: www.gumroad.com/l/dveil/kdanceonline or at the KDanceOnline FB Group. For adding at-home dance moments :)

xx Khalida
www.khalidadance.com

Friday, September 16, 2016

Goodbye, grandma.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Grandma 'Bomma' Celine. She was a gem. A true, loving, giving, generous, funny, strong, honest, and warmhearted person. She lived with an open heart for life, an inspiration to the whole family, and to everyone she met.

The sweetest Bomma

What I've learned from yesterday is this: Whether life is long or short, live it fully. Time is precious.

Be grateful for the people you love, and who love you. Get outside, any time you can. Move your body. See, smell, taste, feel, connect, love, and listen. Because the alternative is to not.

Goodbye to you grandma, I'll meet you again. I am thankful for the time we've had. You will live on in our hearts wherever we go.


The things I've seen, I'll share them here.

Yesterday's bright red sunrise
Bomma's 'hello' from the skies <3
Enchanted woods, Croatia
Fairy ponds, Croatia
Walking the earth with Mr E, Croatia
The 'green corner', Croatia
Flying fish at Krka park
The lake of Goats at Plitvice
Stalagmites and Stalagtites, Barac Cave
Paklenica National Park
Sjeverni Velebit
Sjeverni Velebit (spot the outhouse on the ridge)
Plitvice lakes
Plitvice lakes and waterfalls
Our 'housed' companion
The swans of Lake
Krka waterfalls
Plitvice waterfalls
Roots and rivers
Crocus in the Wild
Winnetou was here, Paklenica

Until next time,
Khalida/Kim
www.khalidadance.com