Page 6 - June/June HER 2020

6 JUNE HER
HER Fitness
T astefully Elegant
D ining.
In
H o t S p ri n g s &
L i ttl e R o c k
Story by Cassidy Kendall, photography by Grace Brown
6 JUNE/JULY 2020 ¯ HER MAGAZINE
The pandemic may just be “prime time” to pick up a new, fun hobby like belly dancing, and local instructor Cassandra Parks is here to help beginners delve into this pastime that can help anyone stay “focused, centered and present” even during uncertain times.
Personally, this “health pick-me-up” provides Parks with “confidence and physical connection,” and she rec- ommends it to anyone; noting that “anyone” includes women, men and children. The art of belly dancing doesn’t discriminate and can be modified to “accommodate any physical limitations.”
How does belly dancing work?
Cassandra Parks: Physically, belly dance is a balance between muscle memory, coordination and isolation; style and transitions come after you have mastered these.
I always tell my students the first day of class that learning to belly dance is like going on a first date with your own body. It is a little awkward at first, but exciting! There will be things that come easily and then there will be things that you struggle to understand and must stum- ble through.
In class, I also refer to “The Little Book of Talent” by
Daniel Coyle when he says, “Be willing to be stupid.” “Feeling stupid is no fun but being willing to risk the emotional pain of making mistakes is absolutely essential because reaching and failing and reaching again is the way
your brain grows and forms new connections,” she says. In class we are doing just that: Forming connections. I may look polished and graceful, but there is always a great deal of misses before the hits start coming and that is OK! Muscle memory is really the major key to all of this and that comes with practice. My teacher, Rachel Brice, employs what is known as interval training to help build muscle memory quickly and strongly, and I incorporate that into my classes. “Interval” is a term for alternating two
or more types of work during one practice.
In my classes and personal practice, I use what is known
as the 30-20-10 method that was pioneered by Jens Bangs- bo, which I was introduced to by Rachel in my 8 Elements training. In class, interval training alternates between fast and slow movements working those muscles and building the muscle memory. Because it is done in smaller time in- crements, it also helps keep you engaged, and you can also build your own intervals to keep things fresh.