From The Belly of a Traveler

“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.” 
― Rumi

In March I was lucky enough to have my travels take me to the middle of the world; Quito, Ecuador, and I found belly dancers there. 

Cristina Hidalgo, world traveler, international teacher, and all around great gal caught me as I was heading south and her perfect timing made it so I could share my love of ATS®.

ATS® isn't something you'll really find in Ecuador, but it is a growing scene and with someone as enthusiastic as Cristina is the future looks bright for my favorite dance form.

Even though Quito was a last minute stop the class was packed, the students eager, and by the end of the day ATS® had been achieved! Dancers interacting with each other, communicating in a improvised setting.

Here are my adorable students that came from all over Ecuador.

I couldn't have done it without the wonder quartet below, myself, Esteban Ramos translator extraordinaire, Susan Frankovich beautiful dancer and partner in crime, and of course the one and only Cristina Hidalgo the hostest with the mostest, making me vegetarian lasagna and feeding me liquid greens!

The show was a truly fabulous event and I ventured into the realm of the fast ATS® solo. 

I love dancing slow, I don't know why that is but I just love it, so I've been challenging myself to change, going deeper into the places that scare me.

And solo definitely scare me, they are a mind trip, and the whole question of what is the ATS® solo races around and around in my head. 

Okay so if it is a solo it is automatically fusion and not ATS®, but trying to building a solo that keeps the movements and spirit of ATS® apparent. If you can't be true to the guidelines at least be true to the intent.

Fortunately with ATS® I'm rarely dancing alone, and with ladies like Cristina and Susan to share the stage with me the world is a happy place.