Additional information
by Leyla Najma (Author)
More often then not I have found that dancers get to a place within the intermediate stage of dance and they find that choreography is a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. The movements of dance can feel effortless and if you look at the completed picture of the puzzle, what seems simple enough to put together, isn't. In many ways hearing music and becoming inspired and impassioned with the sound is like seeing the finished dance before it is created. This can become a problem for some choreographers. Standing before the mirror and thinking of what goes with what part of the music is an entirely different story then the mind created finished piece. With this in mind I decided to create this book for you and construct it in a format that hopefully makes sense but also helps peel away the outer layers of difficulty in understanding choreography. I will be sharing with you many of my combinations and cosmically inspired ideas that I consider real gems and I am confident that with the way I chapter and organize everything that you will get the help you need or at least feel free to take from my ideas.
Author Biography
Leyla Najma has been performing Egyptian Cabaret for almost 30 years. Her curriculum is a modern and ancient mix of basic foundation movements called, "Hip Phylosophy." Her curriculum was established 12 years ago, based on Leyla's vast training and dance experience from traveling and performing in the US and abroad. Leyla's accomplishments include working with the singing sensation Sparx and creating dance combinations for their shows. Dancing for her favorite band, The Gypsy Kings in Dallas as well as for dignitaries from Jordan, Egypt, Iran and the Saudi royal family. Leyla is proud to have produced 3 great shows, An Evening of Love and Romance in Word and Dance, Cleopatra's Court and The Pearl Fantasy. All three shows were show stopper events in Albuquerque. Leyla was a member of the Albuquerque Chapter of ARCE, performing for such notable Egyptologists such as, Bob Brier (Mr. Mummy), Aidan Dodson, Kara Cooney and Salima Ikram (History Channel, National Geographic, Discovery Channel). Leyla is a published writer for notable Belly Dance magazines such as, The Belly Dance Chronicles, Zaghareet and Jareeda. Leyla was one of the first belly dancers to start an on-line belly dance instructional business on the internet with other notable dancers following suite. Leyla has a vast line of on-line instructional videos starting from beginner, intermediate levels through advanced. Leyla has written two books, "The Divine Unrest-My Stories and Views on Belly Dance," and "Leyla Najma's Belly Dance Choreography and Combos for the Perplexed Choreographer." Both books were a labor of love and a must have for any belly dancers library. Leyla Najma's blog www.leyla-najma.net is a blunt and to the point roller coaster of ideas and thoughts on topics pertaining to belly dance, women issues, body image and anything that tickles Leyla's fancy. For more information contact Leyla at: leyla@leyla-najma.com
