Fitness, Fusion, and Fun
(a review of Michelle's Tribal Fusion Workshop February 2006)

by Karen Cericola of www.bellydancenow.org

Michelle Morrison and Farfesha taught with womanly power and attitude, an URBAN TRIBAL workshop at Amaya’s annual Oriental Potpourri which was in Albuquerque New Mexico this past February.

She began with a brief warm up, consisting of the standard smorgasbord of stretches which she then slowly morphed into basic tribal bellydance movements. Aware that most students in her workshop had previously participated in a variety classes that day, this necessary and important component of dance was kept brief, which instilled her sense of respect for everyone’s economical use of time and energy.

Following this short warm up, Michelle moved onto techniques specific to tribal style and her artistic interpretation of what she has coined Tribal Fusion. She expertly combined these techniques seamlessly into a 2 minute choreography (notes were provided) while reminding us of three basic components distinctive to her sizzling style:

1. make your moves muscular instead of skeletal
2. think of “oranges” and make your moves “juicy”
3. take those oranges and “squeeze” your moves to make them powerful

Being to several workshops myself, I was cognizant of the fact that, Michelle observed each student with a watchful eye and yet was conscientious enough not to identify individuals to praise them or “correct” them. It is in my opinion, that a workshop is not the place to put a student on the spot in front of other dancers, as most dancers do not fully grasp the knowledge imparted to them at the time, (technique/choreography), to demonstrate with confidence in front of their peers, which can be a destructive instead of constructive.

Michelle easily blended technique with a high dose of “girlfriend” fun. I found her engaging and approachable, the type of teacher you feel comfortable asking questions at anytime without her considering an interruption.

Her workshop was structured very similarly to her highly attended classes which vary from beginning and intermediate cabaret to tribal and tribal fusion, as well her instructional videos, Joyous Laughter Volume I, and Joyous Laughter Volume II both of these are available for purchase on her web.site www.farfesha.com.
The attendees were excited to leave this workshop with their new found ability to experience the power and fun, this new blazing hot spinoff of Tribal..

As in the case of all of her workshops that I have attended, Michelle’s in depth explanations and breakdowns make it possible for a wide range of dancers to learn at their own pace without being overwhelmed as newcomers or frustrated as more experienced dancers.

She has a gift of being able to share her knowledge with zealous and contagious joy while exuding grace, strength, and creativity.

Farfesha Belly Dance © 2004