Sophie Mei

TIME TO GET MOVING this week as celebrity sports personalities are amongst the thousands of people participating in physical activities to improve their mental well-being for Mind’s annual initiative.

Whether you’re a sports fanatic or a couch queen, statistically, you have a 1 in 4 chance of developing a mental illness in any one year. As a consequence of having a mental illness, you have over 50% a chance of not finding a date or flatmate due to mental health discrimination.

Jo Flemingway, a Sheffield-based youth worker, who suffers from Bipolar disorder said;

“When applying for a job I decided to be open about my mental illness and I was consequently dubbed ‘unsuitable’ for the role. I now find that regular physical activity can help me each day, such as gardening and walking.”

Around 80,000 people are expected to follow in Jo’s footsteps this week at sporting events across England.

Cricketer Marcus Trescothick said:

“I know first hand how difficult it can be to open up about your mental health experience. I’m hoping to go along to my local event. Together we can show the world that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed about and help end mental health discrimination.”

The events are part of Time to Change, England’s biggest campaign to end mental health stigma, and will see people run, box and dance their way to better mental health.

Seb kane, a Sheffield-based personal trainer and fitness coach to the stars, said:

“Exercise releases natural endorphins that can help you to having a better mental health. We need exercise for our holistic health. Boost your body to boost your mind. ”

One man who has leapt ahead with the campaign is world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu, who led a walk last Sunday across London as part of World Mental Health Day, Phillips said;

“I hope that people from across England will come together to take part in the Time to Get Moving campaign, get active and help raise awareness of mental health problems.”

so yes, i am getting a late start on talking about this past years’ AWESOME experience, but i’m getting around to it NONE THE LESS!  This year was my BY FAR my favorite Raqs Britannia! It was a new location in Sheffield which the windy “snake pass” road’s beauty DID NOT disappoint! I started off with a quick TV spot with Issam, Stefanya, myself and Sohpie Mae from Britains’ Got Talent. We performed OUTSIDE with a London Eye look alike as our backdrop! (Pictures to follow) and lots of enthusiastic participants to help kick off the excitement! the classes i taught for the weekend were: Double Veil and Simplified Spinning, Emotional Release (a single veil choreo class filled with tips on how to tap into your emotions and use them in your dancing), and a Body Conditioning class that kicked my own butt BUT, was so worth it. The event was organized brilliantly and showcased artists and teachers from all over the world. I attended the Friday Night Show and watched the amazing Tamalyn Dalal dancing an intense and moving single veil piece which was really special to watch. Roland and Leyla Jouvana performed a medley of routines filled with their charming and infectiously happy energy, as usual. Uzume dutch tribal group was innovative and chilling as always. Hilde makes me smile from ear to ear with her classic beauty, amazing body and unique musical interpretation! I was totally diggin on the Slumdog Millionaire mix that bollywood dancer Lopa Sarkar was grooving to! LOVED IT really enjoyable evening! I unfortunately, could not take part in the auditions as 2 of my classes were offered during the audition times, BUT I WAS THERE IN SPIRIT routing everyone on and wishing for the best! I mat some new friends and met up with some old one’s, one of my favorite parts about the Raqs events. Such a joy to see my friend Sabrynah again and meet her bestie, Reana. Had a mini 2010 Castle Retreat Re-Union with Romy and Kasia. I got to hang out with Taca from Colorado for a good while at the fun after party’s. Loved listening to DJ Phil Meadley drop some science for us to boogie to which was a blast! And loved the Arab League as great entertainment too! The classes were fabulous and the bizarre, i think, the best ever!  I bought an amazing 1940’s pill box style black feather hat with an italian laze overlay that melted my heart on first sight, HAD to get it! So great shopping, great people, awesome classes, my favorite show ever, STARBUCKS nearby, what more can Petite Jamilla ask for??  and at our Bellydance Superstars show Saturday evening of The Art of Bellydance, i was moved to tears because i felt so close to that theme! I felt the most attached to The Art of Bellydance over any other BDS show we’ve ever performed, so it was bittersweet to me to be presenting it to England for the first time and for it to also be the last time that we perform it!  All things come to an end though, and new bright shiny things always glitter in the horizon to re-inspire! And with the dawn of Bombay Bellywood just around the corner, IT’S CRUNCH TIME to put all the pieces together to create the best show we can for you all in the Fall of 2010!!

London Love

I never thought I’d say It but I feel a slight love for our capital – London. This month seems to have been London centric with the launch of the Olympics – London 2012 Open Weekend, the famous closure of ‘democracy village’ and I worked down south to get my dance teaching qualification.

Open weekend

We had our very own London 2012 Open Weekend launch in Leeds. The national theme was to ‘take on a challenge’ and be active. So in true Yorkshire style myself and several over performers gathered in Trinity Square to launch Yorkshire’s Open weekend. I was joined by cricketers doing Tai Chi, a Bollywood flashmob and Fellow Britain’s Got Talent finalist – Christopher Stone.

The event was organized by Yorkshire Gold who worked with LOCOG to organize the lovely carnival style event.

My favourite moment was when the head of Yorkshire Gold was introducing Christopher Stone: “this man to my right, has done so well for himself and for Yorkshire…” at this point a drunken man scuttled on to the stage shouting “what’s going on?”

Personally, two years too long – I cannot wait to host the games I think it’s going to be one of the most exciting events in the UK in this decade. Although, I’m sure Champion Jessica Ennis and other athletes are in no hurry.

Step to London

Reluctantly, I had to go to London to take my Exercise to Music teaching course. The latter I was pleased about as I have always wante an official qualification in sport but I’m not a big fan of staying in the Capital for more than one weekend.

Nontheless, I managed the tube, buses and crowds for the week and really enjoyed it. It helped staying with my sister who’s a fashion designer, so I spent the week borrowing her clothes and jewellery as well as training in the dance studio everyday.

Step up to Sheffield

I then spent my usual busy week in Sheffield – teaching dance, practicing in studio, running, radio and general admin bits.

Although, on thing I did do is see Step Up in 3d – so cheesy but you got to love it – we love falling for the dream from rags to riches and love… and with the advancement with 3d technology you feel as if you can live in these movies too!

Shake it like Shakira

When travelling BACK down South to complete my Studio Instructor course I came across this article in Look Magazine on Shakira… and low and behold… she thanks her toned abs to BELLYDANCE!

22^nd April marked my business ‘Sophie Mei’ now trading as ‘Sophie Mei Schools’ first birthday – so what did we do to celebrate? We made a DVD so those of you who don’t currently attend one of our schools can learn th art of bellydance at home.

Our first DVD is on ‘Bellydance Basics’ as our current classes are bellydance ones but eventually we hope to provide interactive culture and language learning

It’s killing me as I’m not allowed to say much about the DVD but… It will be out this Summer and will be a great opportunity for beginners to get a taster of the Art of Bellydance.

Sophie Mei Schools

http://sophie-mei.net/schools

BellyBar: Tuesdays @ Bar 360, West One, Sheffield – 18.30-19.30

BellyBasics: Saturdays @ Greens Gym, Sheffield – 9am-10am

BellyJam: Sundays @ Polish Club, Ecclesall Rd, Sheffield – 14.30 –15.30

Learn the Bellydance Basics

Come learn the drills and frills of bellydance with international bellydance star – Sophie Mei.

BellyBar

Tuesdays @ Bar 360, West One, Sheffield

18.30 – 19.30

BellyJam

Sundays @ Polish Club, Ecclesall Rd, Sheffield

14.30 – 15.30

All classes:£5/£4

schools@sophiemei.net

T: 07810172417

sophie-mei.net/schools

Bellydance is a powerful Middle Eastern art form that is one of the fastest growing forms of dance and is older than ballet!

All classes/workshops are women-only. Performances are open to everyone.