<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> The Alay'nya Studio Community in McLean, VA
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Alay'nya!

Alay'nya - Founder and Artistic Director of Troupe Seraband
Alay’nya doing floorwork - a nearly lost art! Photo Credit: Crystal Barnes, used with permission

Alay'nya, Founder and Chief Instructor for the Alay'nya Studio and Artistic Director of Troupe Seraband, performs extensively throughout the NoVA area. She recently premiered "Phoenix," a dance with multiple veils.

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Alay'nya's performances emphasize the nearly lost arts of zils, veil, and floorwork. Alay'nya is currently teaching in McLean, VA.

 

Unveiling: The Inner Journey

Unveiling: The Inner Journey - your personal roadmap:

  • Can you find out what you really want from life?
  • Is there a simple, straightforward pathway for body/mind/psyche (emotion)/energy integration? (And will this help you get what you want?)
  • Is there really a Fountain of Youth? (And if so, can you "get some"?)

The answers these questions are: yes, Yes, and YES!

To obtain an autographed, dated, and early-numbered (collector's item!) copy of Unveiling: The Inner Journey, contact cleoscloset@cox.net.

Unveiling: The Inner Journey. Cover Art: Katerina Merezhinsky
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Unveiling will be available from Amazon.com starting in March, 2011.

To learn more about Unveiling, visit the "Unveiling Blog "

 

The Latest Letter to my "Goddess Daughter(s)":
February, 2011 Imholc - New Beginnings;

For who we are, and why we're doing what we're doing, read:
October, 2008 "The Grail King Serves the Holy Grail"

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Archives

Other Letters in the Series

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Banned Books

We love to read. And watch movies. Sometimes, what we like the most isn't always what others say is good for us:

This Month's Most-Recommended Fav Read:

Jackie O did it in the White House!
What Would Jackie Do?

Who'd have thought it? Jackie O., back when she was Jackie K., doing shimmies in the White House! (Could not begin to imagine Barbara following suit.)

What Would Jackie Do

Book nominated by Alay'nya.

If you have a fav read, send a copy to Alay'nya -- or even write a review yourself! (Note though -- I have to read it myself and agree in order to publish your review here.)

  • Miss Kitty has her own collection of "banned books," visit Miss Kitty to learn about her fav reads.
  • Our own "banned books" listing will be coming up soon.

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Bulletin Board

Community networking and interaction: Do you have a skill or service that you want to share?

  • List yourself here! - must be a regular and active member to post a listing
  • Or list a friend's service, if you've had personal experience in working with them - you must also be active to do this.

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(The) Cat House

It all started when, once upon a time, Alay'nya simply had too many cats. Someone in her family suggested that she answer the phone "Alay'nya's belly dance school and cat house." The idea, regrettably, stuck.

But perhaps not a regret. There is a long-standing association between belly dancers and cats. Something about their grace, their sensuality, their self-possession.

Alay'nya with Miss Kitty, Unofficial Mascot of Troupe Seraband
Alay’nya with

There are drug addicts, and there are Dior addicts. Miss Kitty is a confirmed tuna addict. Her motto for life is "More." "More NOW." Actually, we can all learn something from this.

Miss Kitty has the right idea. More is always better. And she'll be happy to tell you how to get "more." Think of this as your divine birthright, and email: misskitty@alaynya.com

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  • "Kitty of the Month," coming soon
  • Other regular "kitty" members appearing soon on a regular basis
  • Look for advice from Miss Kitty!

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Contact Us

E-mail:

  • alaynya@alaynya.com
  • nancy_alaynyastudio@yahoo.com

Phone:

  • Sorry - we're just never home. Please try email.

Mailing Address:

  • P.O. Box 943, McLean, VA 22101

Costumes and Customs

Costumes and Customs are on their own page - we're accepting recommendations from active members - feel free to pass on any good links, sources, and ideas!

"How to make a circle skirt" - yardage and directions -- has its very own page.

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Dialogues - Ongoing Conversations

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Dramatis Personae

About the "regulars" - and some of our more interesting people!

Maha Najeeb
Maha Najeeb! Photo Credit: Lisa Whalen, used with permission

Maha Najeeb, aka "Miss Wabbit," Senior Soloist and Founding Member of Troupe Seraband, performs extensively throughout the NoVA area. "I'm not really bad," she says, "I'm just photo'd that way!"

Visit Maha at her website to learn more about Maha, her art, her dance, and her rabbit.

(Photo Credit: Lisa Whalen, used with permission. CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE)

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Letters from Alay'nya

With luck, fortune, and the grace of the Goddess, an ongoing series ....



Letters in the Series

First Year ("Level 1") Studies

  • March - "The Season of the Diva"
  • April - "Deep Cleaning Our Lives"
  • May - "Good Orderly Direction"
  • June - "Diva Consciousness"
  • July - "Creating Personal Style"
  • September - "Fantasy Requires Determination"
  • November - "Gathering In"
  • December - "Contraction is as Important as Expansion"

Second Year ("Level 2") Studies

  • January - "Coming Through Our Dark Side"
  • June - "Journal of a Fast"
  • July - "He's Doing the Best He Can"
  • December - "Transitioning to Level Three"

Level 3 Studies


A Little Bit About These "Levels" ...

Levels give us clarity about our use of dance as a personal path, as part of our inner evolution. The understanding of these Levels draws from our esoteric Western tradition. Because this approach is a combined body/energy/psyche pathway, the practices supporting our evolution from one Level to another draw from Chinese Taoist energy practices and yoga, as well as traditional women's multicultural dance.

At each Level, we deal with a different aspect of energy work, forming the foundation for our "esoteric dance practice."

Level 1 - "Grounding"

Level 2 - "Releasing Resistance"

Level 3 - "Building, Circulating, and Directing Internal Energy (Ching)"

Level 4 - "Cosmic Dancing: Creating through Intention"

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Links We Like

People, places, things ... and sometimes, just friends ... (and Studio members - feel free to recommend your favs!)

Helpful People

  • Our personal fave for hair in the McLean area is Nadar Rafigh's Figuroe's Hair Salon right here in downtown McLean. Alay'nya and some of her McLean-resident students have been seeing him for years, with ultra-happy results!

Educational Links

  • Shira has a wonderful site full of all sorts of factual, educational, and cultural articles that she has written. I recommend taking the time to peruse this site often; there is more than is easy to read at virst visit. Well worth your time!
  • A beautiful site with lots of links on Egyptian Belly Dance - worth the visit, for artistic quality and more!

Fashionistas

  • Check out Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring Fashions to see his skirts modeled on both Turkish gypsy ("Rom") as well as classic belly dance skirts. Those of us who've loved these looks for years are style setters this spring!

Friends

  • If you're visiting New York soon, Stella has a wonderful site all about belly dance in New York City that she keeps up-to-date. It includes links to the NYC teachers, belly dance events, good shopping sources, and even to page for belly dancers and their cats!

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Resources

Fun Things to Do - Around and About the Metro DC Area

  • Hot in the City: "DCist" the best DC blog has tidbits of political and cultural events around the town.
  • The Best of DC: "The Washingtonian" publishes a select guide to the best theater, music, dance, art, and special events that the city has to offer.
  • The "Town and Country" approach to DC: "Washington Life" for DC "high society." You'll need to sign up for access to their site.
  • The "dinner party" way to meet new people: "DC Dinner in the City" carefully arranges "dinners out" (and other lovely events) carefully orchestrated to help you mix and mingle.
  • For more: Washington DC Mettro Area Resources contains links to all sorts of cultural, artistic, and just plain fun opportunities right here in town.

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Teachers, Guides, and Mentors

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Unveiling - The Book

"I always have a book [in progress]," says Karl Pribram, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and currently with the Georgetown University. So do we - but we're not as prolific, nor as dutiful in getting them published. Here - as there is time to do the posting - will be some excerpts from the one[s] in progress.

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(The) "Usual Suspects"

... for some of the more outrageous goings-on. And those who are likely to be involved.

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Tiraz and WAMEDA

Tiraz Dance Network is a Northern Virginia Mid-Eastern Dance affiliation group sponsoring and supporting educational and community events; good listing of area workshops and events!

"WAMEDA" is a labor of love from leading area dancers and dance aficionados; best guide to DC-area Mediterranean, Mid-Eastern, North African, and Central European dance events -- sponsors events, workshops, and maintains a good area events calendar and teacher's directory!

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