Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Spam and scam
Sigh. I’m getting tired of getting so may scam emails from ‘foreigners wanting dance classes’. I’ve been getting two or three a week recently.
How to spot a scam
Someone out of the blue emails asking for a place for some dancing classes. Usually for a group, usually for a month worth of classes of 4-5 hours per day. Usually there is some bizarre story about how they have to prepare for a performance for some event or wedding. One of the funniest I ever had was from a group of “Oil rig workers off the coast of Afghanistan who wanted to come to Australia to learn to belly dance.” Funny for so many reasons!!!
The email often appears to come from someone in England but the IP address indicates that it originates from another country. They usually have a generic yahoo or hotmail email address and usually provide you with a phone number that starts with +4470 or +44(0)70. 44 is the country code for the UK but the (0)70 part indicates that it can be redirected to another country. These numbers are only used by people wishing to hide their location, and no honest person has any need to use one.
This is often a scam in which a scammer will try to pay with a stolen credit card. He will either want to pay above the amount and have you remit the surplus to another party (also played by himself) or he will cancel and ask for a refund paid to him. If he does agree to your request to be paid by check the check will be fraudulent or forged on a stolen account.
How to spot a scam
Someone out of the blue emails asking for a place for some dancing classes. Usually for a group, usually for a month worth of classes of 4-5 hours per day. Usually there is some bizarre story about how they have to prepare for a performance for some event or wedding. One of the funniest I ever had was from a group of “Oil rig workers off the coast of Afghanistan who wanted to come to Australia to learn to belly dance.” Funny for so many reasons!!!
The email often appears to come from someone in England but the IP address indicates that it originates from another country. They usually have a generic yahoo or hotmail email address and usually provide you with a phone number that starts with +4470 or +44(0)70. 44 is the country code for the UK but the (0)70 part indicates that it can be redirected to another country. These numbers are only used by people wishing to hide their location, and no honest person has any need to use one.
This is often a scam in which a scammer will try to pay with a stolen credit card. He will either want to pay above the amount and have you remit the surplus to another party (also played by himself) or he will cancel and ask for a refund paid to him. If he does agree to your request to be paid by check the check will be fraudulent or forged on a stolen account.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Kismetisms emporium of the old: "Egyptian Ella"
Kismetisms emporium of the old: "Egyptian Ella": "This video which I share with you is from the weekend just gone. It is of my teacher Azura dancing to the Cairo Club Orchestra 's 'Egypt..."
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Homework Saturday 11 JUne
Things to practice this week:
Posture and alignment.
Drills from previous weeks.
Hand floreos
Body waves
Shimmy drills:
Part 1: Begin with single-time, relaxed/soft shimmies using modern Egyptian knee driven technique. Increase to double-time.
Part 2: Progress to a loose jelly like wobble. These are shimmies in which your knees are working double-time, but your quads, gluts, and torso are relaxed and soft — allow them to jiggle like jelly. It takes a while to embrace the extreme movement, but once you do, you’ll own the move. Remember to maintain the abdominal support and pelvic lift and to lift your ribs/upper body.
Part 3: Now, maintaining that wobble shimmy, shift your weight onto the balls of your feet. You’ll probably notice that your shimmy changes, becoming smaller, a little tighter and sharper. Do you feel it in your thighs? Now shift your weight back to center and then shift the weight back to your heels. The shimmy becomes earthier, more bottom-centered, even bigger. Come back to center. Play with texture and music interpretation. Work out where your weight needs to be to get a particular level of reverb.
Part 4: Center your weight, sliding your hips to the right, then left. Keep the shimmy going. From the center, push forward, now back, side to side. Push forward, side, back, side. Smooth it off into a circle. KEEP SHIMMYING!
Part 5: Mastered that? Now shimmy through a horizontal figure 8. Still want more? Add a an undulation, or a belly roll. Can you shimmy an omi? Can you shimmy a vertical 8? Can you walk with a shimmy? Can you shimmy one leg?
Posture and alignment.
Drills from previous weeks.
Hand floreos
Body waves
Shimmy drills:
Part 1: Begin with single-time, relaxed/soft shimmies using modern Egyptian knee driven technique. Increase to double-time.
Part 2: Progress to a loose jelly like wobble. These are shimmies in which your knees are working double-time, but your quads, gluts, and torso are relaxed and soft — allow them to jiggle like jelly. It takes a while to embrace the extreme movement, but once you do, you’ll own the move. Remember to maintain the abdominal support and pelvic lift and to lift your ribs/upper body.
Part 3: Now, maintaining that wobble shimmy, shift your weight onto the balls of your feet. You’ll probably notice that your shimmy changes, becoming smaller, a little tighter and sharper. Do you feel it in your thighs? Now shift your weight back to center and then shift the weight back to your heels. The shimmy becomes earthier, more bottom-centered, even bigger. Come back to center. Play with texture and music interpretation. Work out where your weight needs to be to get a particular level of reverb.
Part 4: Center your weight, sliding your hips to the right, then left. Keep the shimmy going. From the center, push forward, now back, side to side. Push forward, side, back, side. Smooth it off into a circle. KEEP SHIMMYING!
Part 5: Mastered that? Now shimmy through a horizontal figure 8. Still want more? Add a an undulation, or a belly roll. Can you shimmy an omi? Can you shimmy a vertical 8? Can you walk with a shimmy? Can you shimmy one leg?
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Hip openers
Beginner Hip Opening Vinyasa flow: (Use commonsense and good body awareness and work within your limits)
If you are an experienced yogini you might enjoy the following clips: (not suitable for beginners -use commonsense and good body awareness and work within your limits):
If you are an experienced yogini you might enjoy the following clips: (not suitable for beginners -use commonsense and good body awareness and work within your limits):
Feel good stretches
One of my all time favourite master instructors is Kit Laughlin who has an excellent series of DVDs and books. Kit's website
He's also got some useful clips on youtube.
He's also got some useful clips on youtube.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Floreo Hand Drills
Here are some great drills for improving your ability to do the flamenco inspired hands of tribal fusion dance:
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Saturday 4 June 2011 - Class Homework
Homework for this week:
Floreo hands
Chest Circles
Hip Circles
Ommis
Mayas
Body waves
Snake arms
Setanu Turns
Bolero walk
Tango step
Body snaps
R lift hip up down up, L hip up down with ball change.
Try the song PINK PANTHER as a maya drill song. Play with expression and timing!
Try some shimmy drills to I WANNA SEE YOU BELLYDANCE and HANNA DRUMZILLZIA
Floreo hands
Chest Circles
Hip Circles
Ommis
Mayas
Body waves
Snake arms
Setanu Turns
Bolero walk
Tango step
Body snaps
R lift hip up down up, L hip up down with ball change.
Try the song PINK PANTHER as a maya drill song. Play with expression and timing!
Try some shimmy drills to I WANNA SEE YOU BELLYDANCE and HANNA DRUMZILLZIA
Friday, June 03, 2011
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Homework Saturday 28 May
Homework for this week:
Chest Circles
Hip Circles
Ommis
Mayas
Body waves
Snake arms
Setanu Turns
Bolero walk
Tango step
Body snaps
R lift hip up down up, L hip up down with ball change.
Drills:
Try the song Percumania as a shimmy drill song. Try to drill your standard egyptian shimmy for the whole 8 minutes!
Try the Pink Panther for drilling your mayas! Lots of texture and variation possible!
Listen to the song Arabian Spices
Chest Circles
Hip Circles
Ommis
Mayas
Body waves
Snake arms
Setanu Turns
Bolero walk
Tango step
Body snaps
R lift hip up down up, L hip up down with ball change.
Drills:
Try the song Percumania as a shimmy drill song. Try to drill your standard egyptian shimmy for the whole 8 minutes!
Try the Pink Panther for drilling your mayas! Lots of texture and variation possible!
Listen to the song Arabian Spices
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Homework Saturday 21 May
Hi Folks
Practice the basics from last weeks list.
New things to practice:
Hip Drops
Belly Dancing Hip Lifts & Drops | eHow.com
Belly Dancing Drill: Hip Lift Drop | eHow.com
Stomach Pop
Stomach Locks
Extension work:
Shimmy Layering
Mayas with 3/4
Practice the basics from last weeks list.
New things to practice:
Hip Drops
Belly Dancing Hip Lifts & Drops | eHow.com
Belly Dancing Drill: Hip Lift Drop | eHow.com
Stomach Pop
Stomach Locks
Extension work:
Shimmy Layering
Mayas with 3/4
Friday, May 20, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Class Music List for This Term
This term we have a very eclectic mix. Some tribal, some old school!
Arabian Spices - DJ Kambo - Arabian Spices
Sahirrnee (Bewitched) - George Abdo - The Magic of Belly Dancing
Hanna Drumzilzia - Eddie The Sheik Kochak- Strictly Belly Dancing Volume 5
Percumania - Body Shock - The Bellydance Project
Wanna See You Bellydance -The Red Elvises - I Wanna See You Belly Dance
Chicky - Oojami - Bellydance Superstars
More to come!!! Check back!!
Arabian Spices - DJ Kambo - Arabian Spices
Sahirrnee (Bewitched) - George Abdo - The Magic of Belly Dancing
Hanna Drumzilzia - Eddie The Sheik Kochak- Strictly Belly Dancing Volume 5
Percumania - Body Shock - The Bellydance Project
Wanna See You Bellydance -The Red Elvises - I Wanna See You Belly Dance
Chicky - Oojami - Bellydance Superstars
More to come!!! Check back!!
Homework Saturday 14 May
Happy World Bellydance Day!!!
Remember to start your practice session with at least a 5 minute whole body warm up.
Start with walking and traveling steps and then progress to limbering and warming up the major muscle groups from head to toe. Work progressively, starting out slowly and gently and then gradually increasing intensity. When you are warm then you can begin to drill the moves that we worked with this week. Remember to have a 5-10 minute cool down and stretch at the end of your practice session. For maximum progress aim to have 1 -2 30 minute practice sessions a week, but even 15 minutes is beneficial.
Things to practice this week:
[R = right; L= left]
Posture drill
Horizontal Egyptian hip circles - small, large (keep abs and pelvic floor engaged)
Chest circles - small and large
Hip circles
Setanu turn
Omi hip circle - tilting or polynesian/african hip circle (engage pelvic floor, don't crunch into lower back!)
Lotus hands sequence - Draw hands down, offer right (look R), offer left (look LO), cross wrists (start left in front) take up then swap right to front, bring hands down, soften and flatten hands, circle with thumbs (looking right), end with hand in prayer.
Mayas - downward/outward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Egyptian figure 8 - inward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Snake arms
Camels - basic, traveling camels, flat ball, ball, ball with level change.
DANCER ALERT: Be very mindful when learning undulations and body waves. ALWAYS WARM UP FULLY. Remember to engage your pelvic floor and core/abdominal muscles fully to protect your lower back. Using your core muscles improves the look of the move. Lengthen and elongate the spine. Don't crunch into the lower back. Don't over do it. DON'T work to the point of fatigue. A couple of minutes when you are learning is PLENTY! Allow time to develop your strength and flexibility. Working when fatigued can lead to injury. Remember to stretch fully (while still warm) at the end of your practice session.
Undulations
Forwards body wave up
Forwards body wave down
Important exercises that help to build strength and flexibility for working with your back:
Pelvic tilts lying on the back.
Bridge pose
Cat cow pose
More advanced moves:
Plank
Pilates Roll down
Have a great week!
Remember to start your practice session with at least a 5 minute whole body warm up.
Start with walking and traveling steps and then progress to limbering and warming up the major muscle groups from head to toe. Work progressively, starting out slowly and gently and then gradually increasing intensity. When you are warm then you can begin to drill the moves that we worked with this week. Remember to have a 5-10 minute cool down and stretch at the end of your practice session. For maximum progress aim to have 1 -2 30 minute practice sessions a week, but even 15 minutes is beneficial.
Things to practice this week:
[R = right; L= left]
Posture drill
Horizontal Egyptian hip circles - small, large (keep abs and pelvic floor engaged)
Chest circles - small and large
Hip circles
Setanu turn
Omi hip circle - tilting or polynesian/african hip circle (engage pelvic floor, don't crunch into lower back!)
Lotus hands sequence - Draw hands down, offer right (look R), offer left (look LO), cross wrists (start left in front) take up then swap right to front, bring hands down, soften and flatten hands, circle with thumbs (looking right), end with hand in prayer.
Mayas - downward/outward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Egyptian figure 8 - inward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Snake arms
Camels - basic, traveling camels, flat ball, ball, ball with level change.
DANCER ALERT: Be very mindful when learning undulations and body waves. ALWAYS WARM UP FULLY. Remember to engage your pelvic floor and core/abdominal muscles fully to protect your lower back. Using your core muscles improves the look of the move. Lengthen and elongate the spine. Don't crunch into the lower back. Don't over do it. DON'T work to the point of fatigue. A couple of minutes when you are learning is PLENTY! Allow time to develop your strength and flexibility. Working when fatigued can lead to injury. Remember to stretch fully (while still warm) at the end of your practice session.
Undulations
Forwards body wave up
Forwards body wave down
Important exercises that help to build strength and flexibility for working with your back:
Pelvic tilts lying on the back.
Bridge pose
Cat cow pose
More advanced moves:
Plank
Pilates Roll down
Have a great week!
Understanding Arabic Lyrics
It is really important to understand the lyrics of the music that you dance to. Not only does it prevent offending your audience, or embarrassing yourself, but it increases the emotional depth of your dancing. There are now some great internet sites which have the lyrics of songs written in Arabic, transliterated and translated. Some even have video clips too.
Some of my favorites include:
Arabic Music Translations
Arabic Song Lyrics
Asra
Lyrics for dancers on Shira's site
A few years ago, one of my friends was hired to perform at an Arabic-Turkish wedding. She found a song which she loved and put it into her playlist. She danced to it at the wedding, and couldn't understand why the crowd didn't seem to be enjoying it, as it was a very lively and energetic song. As she was packing up, the bride's grand mother came up to her and said: "A nice girl like you shouldn't be dancing to a song like that." It turns out it was a very ribald drinking song, and the lyrics basically said that "all the women here are for sale". Fortunately the bride's family had a good sense of humor and didn't make a major incident out of it, but my friend was absolutely mortified!
Some of my favorites include:
Arabic Music Translations
Arabic Song Lyrics
Asra
Lyrics for dancers on Shira's site
A few years ago, one of my friends was hired to perform at an Arabic-Turkish wedding. She found a song which she loved and put it into her playlist. She danced to it at the wedding, and couldn't understand why the crowd didn't seem to be enjoying it, as it was a very lively and energetic song. As she was packing up, the bride's grand mother came up to her and said: "A nice girl like you shouldn't be dancing to a song like that." It turns out it was a very ribald drinking song, and the lyrics basically said that "all the women here are for sale". Fortunately the bride's family had a good sense of humor and didn't make a major incident out of it, but my friend was absolutely mortified!
Monday, May 09, 2011
Modi of Lebanon
The delightful Modi of Lebanon who I had the pleasure of taking a couple of classes with a few years ago. He is a master teacher who is renowned for his energy - as you can see from the following clips.
Arabian Spices - Sahira
Great Choreography DVD - Highly Recommended!
Have a look at youtube - there are a number of interpretations of the choreography around. For example:
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Saturday 7 May 2011 - Class Homework
Things to practice this week:
[R = right; L= left]
Horizontal Egyptian hip circles - small, large (keep abs and pelvic floor engaged)
Chest circles - small large
Setanu turn
Omi hip circle - tilting or polynesian/african hip circle (engage pelvic floor, don't crunch into lower back!)
Lotus hands sequence - Draw hands down, offer right (look R), offer left (look LO), cross wrists (start left in front) take up then swap right to front, bring hands down, soften and flatten hands, circle with thumbs (looking right), end with hand in prayer.
Mayas - downward/outward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Egyptian figure 8 - inward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Mahmoud Reda sequence: Cross right over left, cross left over right, weight change R, weight change L, walk in a small personal circle RLRL, walk forward RLR touch L, walk back LRL touch R ending in ready position.
Snake arms
Grapevines
Chasse step
Shimmy
Have a great week!
[R = right; L= left]
Horizontal Egyptian hip circles - small, large (keep abs and pelvic floor engaged)
Chest circles - small large
Setanu turn
Omi hip circle - tilting or polynesian/african hip circle (engage pelvic floor, don't crunch into lower back!)
Lotus hands sequence - Draw hands down, offer right (look R), offer left (look LO), cross wrists (start left in front) take up then swap right to front, bring hands down, soften and flatten hands, circle with thumbs (looking right), end with hand in prayer.
Mayas - downward/outward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Egyptian figure 8 - inward horizontal figure 8 of the hips.
Mahmoud Reda sequence: Cross right over left, cross left over right, weight change R, weight change L, walk in a small personal circle RLRL, walk forward RLR touch L, walk back LRL touch R ending in ready position.
Snake arms
Grapevines
Chasse step
Shimmy
Have a great week!
Friday, May 06, 2011
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Nawal El Saghera
A clip from the Golden Age Egyptian film “ Ana Al Dacteur” (“I’m A Doctor”) released in 1953.
The dancer is Nawal El Saghera - very baladi. The four Mazin sisters (Banat Mazin - Ghawazee) are also featured. You can also see male dancers performing tahtib.
The sInger is Fatma Serhan. Known as “The Queen Of Balady”, she still performs with contemporary dancers such as Dina.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Saturday 2 April
This week we worked more deeply on improvisation and interpretation - particularly stage presence.
• Arm paths
• Abdominal locks and pops & Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body slides
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles and semicircles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks, lifts and drops
• Camels
• Mayas
• Souhair Zaki hips
• Hip drop variations
• Horizontal 8s and Jewels
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
• Arm paths
• Abdominal locks and pops & Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body slides
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles and semicircles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks, lifts and drops
• Camels
• Mayas
• Souhair Zaki hips
• Hip drop variations
• Horizontal 8s and Jewels
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
Improvisation, Stage Presence and Expression Tips
ENTER LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Even if you don't yet feel confident enter like a star. Enter boldly. Claim your dance space. Pause. Greet your audience. Allow them time to appreciate you. You have one chance to make a first impression. It will take approximately 30 seconds for your audience to make up their minds about you. Inexperienced performers often inadvertently send out the message that they don't feel entitled to be on stage. They sidle on stage looking worried and taking up as little space as possible. Just as nervous or inexperienced speakers gabble or mumble their words in an effort to deliver their speech as quickly and inconspicuously as possible, uncertain dancers will rush their music and steps and make themselves appear to shrink in front of their audience by cutting off the movements, and looking tense and self absorbed. Rushing breaks the energy and the dancer and music are no longer one entity. Relax back into the music and allow it to carry you. Allow a little languidness into your movements.
CELEBRATE YOUR BODY
So often we learn to make our bodies as inconspicuous as possible, to take up as little space as possible, to not attract attention. While one may start dancing feeling awkward, shy, and self conscious, it does not take long for the dance to awaken and connect a woman with her own strength. The body is the dancer's instrument. Celebrate that you have ears that hear the music clearly and a brain that translates it into movement. Rejoice in hips that can execute a crisp snap or a languid circle, a soft tummy that can show a belly roll clearly, boobs that show a chest lift clearly, and thighs that shimmy spectacularly. Celebrate the architecture of your skeleton, the amazing complexity of your nervous system, the strength, flexibility and coordination of your muscles. The body that you inhabit is to precious not to love.
LISTEN TO ARABIC, MIDDLE EASTERN, NORTH AFRICAN, TURKISH MUSIC CONSTANTLY
There is no better way to learn song structure. If you want to dance to this music, it is imperative that you learn about the structure of the music, which is very different from western style song structure. You must immerse yourself in the music you want to dance to. Learn every little nuance and phrase. Read about music. Invest in some of the great resources that teach dancers about music.
KEEP YOUR EYES AND FACE ALIVE
Have a little story line running in your head. "Hello, welcome, I'm so glad you came!" works much better than "I should be smiling". "I have a secret! Can you guess it?" can add a nice twinkle to your eyes.
Use your eyes and head to direct the audiences gaze to the part of the body you want them to pay attention to. Nothing says beginner dancer like 'zombie deer in the headlight' rigor mortis of the neck which locks you into gazing fearfully straight ahead at the audience the whole time.
USE YOUR PERFORMANCE SPACE FULLY
Often we get rooted to a spot on stage, because it feels like a safe and comfortable place. Be bold. Explore the stage. Own it. Think in spatial terms- moving across the stage circumference, as well as going backwards and forwards, on diagonals, and in circles. Use level changes in your movement as well- letting your body go from high to low or vice-versa.
REPEAT MOVEMENTS FOR CONTINUITY
Allow yourself to become bored with a movement. Repeat movements. Use movements within the same family to create unity. Pick a couple of key movements and aim to explore them fully. Sometimes during improvisation, we might tend to jump from step to step, never repeating any movement out of fear we will bore the audience... but nothing says "nervous dancer" like a series of frantically paced, jumbled steps. Try to relax into the music. Repetition can be a way of unifying what you are doing technique-wise.
Onstage time will pass differently for you than it does for the audience. I call it treacle time. You may think you are appearing boring or repetitive, but it takes at least eight counts for the audience's eye to fully absorb almost any movement you are performing. You can stay on the same movement, but vary its appearance by level changes, turning slowly, or traveling with it, or layering a shimmy on top of it. Try turning your back to the audience and repeating the sam move - it will look totally different. Different arm positions or attitude of the head will add variety to your movements. Your body looks different from every angle and sight line, so your movements will, too.
USE COMBINATIONS
Mind gone blank? Have a back up plan. Have a couple of sets of safety moves. Make good use of the combinations that you have drilled extensively in class or put together yourself. Using combinations makes a dance look polished and adds flow through fluid transitions. You may also want to use a combination for a chorus or certain musical phrase and then use spontaneous moves for the rest of your piece.
BLOCK OUT YOUR SONG
To allow room for improv, "block out" sections of your song instead of choreographing the entire piece. Decide when and how you will do certain movements or combinations, and then improvise the rest. For example, you may have a series of movements you like to do for the opening of your piece, or during a bridge or the chorus. Keep these "locked in", but experiment with what you will do with the rest of the song.
Even if you don't yet feel confident enter like a star. Enter boldly. Claim your dance space. Pause. Greet your audience. Allow them time to appreciate you. You have one chance to make a first impression. It will take approximately 30 seconds for your audience to make up their minds about you. Inexperienced performers often inadvertently send out the message that they don't feel entitled to be on stage. They sidle on stage looking worried and taking up as little space as possible. Just as nervous or inexperienced speakers gabble or mumble their words in an effort to deliver their speech as quickly and inconspicuously as possible, uncertain dancers will rush their music and steps and make themselves appear to shrink in front of their audience by cutting off the movements, and looking tense and self absorbed. Rushing breaks the energy and the dancer and music are no longer one entity. Relax back into the music and allow it to carry you. Allow a little languidness into your movements.
CELEBRATE YOUR BODY
So often we learn to make our bodies as inconspicuous as possible, to take up as little space as possible, to not attract attention. While one may start dancing feeling awkward, shy, and self conscious, it does not take long for the dance to awaken and connect a woman with her own strength. The body is the dancer's instrument. Celebrate that you have ears that hear the music clearly and a brain that translates it into movement. Rejoice in hips that can execute a crisp snap or a languid circle, a soft tummy that can show a belly roll clearly, boobs that show a chest lift clearly, and thighs that shimmy spectacularly. Celebrate the architecture of your skeleton, the amazing complexity of your nervous system, the strength, flexibility and coordination of your muscles. The body that you inhabit is to precious not to love.
LISTEN TO ARABIC, MIDDLE EASTERN, NORTH AFRICAN, TURKISH MUSIC CONSTANTLY
There is no better way to learn song structure. If you want to dance to this music, it is imperative that you learn about the structure of the music, which is very different from western style song structure. You must immerse yourself in the music you want to dance to. Learn every little nuance and phrase. Read about music. Invest in some of the great resources that teach dancers about music.
KEEP YOUR EYES AND FACE ALIVE
Have a little story line running in your head. "Hello, welcome, I'm so glad you came!" works much better than "I should be smiling". "I have a secret! Can you guess it?" can add a nice twinkle to your eyes.
Use your eyes and head to direct the audiences gaze to the part of the body you want them to pay attention to. Nothing says beginner dancer like 'zombie deer in the headlight' rigor mortis of the neck which locks you into gazing fearfully straight ahead at the audience the whole time.
USE YOUR PERFORMANCE SPACE FULLY
Often we get rooted to a spot on stage, because it feels like a safe and comfortable place. Be bold. Explore the stage. Own it. Think in spatial terms- moving across the stage circumference, as well as going backwards and forwards, on diagonals, and in circles. Use level changes in your movement as well- letting your body go from high to low or vice-versa.
REPEAT MOVEMENTS FOR CONTINUITY
Allow yourself to become bored with a movement. Repeat movements. Use movements within the same family to create unity. Pick a couple of key movements and aim to explore them fully. Sometimes during improvisation, we might tend to jump from step to step, never repeating any movement out of fear we will bore the audience... but nothing says "nervous dancer" like a series of frantically paced, jumbled steps. Try to relax into the music. Repetition can be a way of unifying what you are doing technique-wise.
Onstage time will pass differently for you than it does for the audience. I call it treacle time. You may think you are appearing boring or repetitive, but it takes at least eight counts for the audience's eye to fully absorb almost any movement you are performing. You can stay on the same movement, but vary its appearance by level changes, turning slowly, or traveling with it, or layering a shimmy on top of it. Try turning your back to the audience and repeating the sam move - it will look totally different. Different arm positions or attitude of the head will add variety to your movements. Your body looks different from every angle and sight line, so your movements will, too.
USE COMBINATIONS
Mind gone blank? Have a back up plan. Have a couple of sets of safety moves. Make good use of the combinations that you have drilled extensively in class or put together yourself. Using combinations makes a dance look polished and adds flow through fluid transitions. You may also want to use a combination for a chorus or certain musical phrase and then use spontaneous moves for the rest of your piece.
BLOCK OUT YOUR SONG
To allow room for improv, "block out" sections of your song instead of choreographing the entire piece. Decide when and how you will do certain movements or combinations, and then improvise the rest. For example, you may have a series of movements you like to do for the opening of your piece, or during a bridge or the chorus. Keep these "locked in", but experiment with what you will do with the rest of the song.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Homework Saturday 27 March
Hi folks
Hope that you had a great week! Hope everyone who was sick feels better now. Continue on with with practicing the steps in the last classes' homework list.
Improvisation skills:
Check out the Taktaba video podcast on itunes or from Nadira's website. Three great free video classes on improvisation. Her DVDs are fantastic too!
Don't forget that next week is the last class.
Hope that you had a great week! Hope everyone who was sick feels better now. Continue on with with practicing the steps in the last classes' homework list.
Improvisation skills:
Check out the Taktaba video podcast on itunes or from Nadira's website. Three great free video classes on improvisation. Her DVDs are fantastic too!
Don't forget that next week is the last class.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday 12 March
This week we worked more deeply in sekkat and Q& A interpretation.
We worked extensively on hands and percussive movements
We did some more core strength work and some hip stabilization work.
We looked at light and shade in taqasim.
Beginners
• Arm paths
• Abdominal locks and pops & Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body slides
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles and semicircles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks, lifts and drops
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
New moves:
• Souhair Zaki Hips
• Hip drop variations
• Horizontal 8s and Jewels
We worked extensively on hands and percussive movements
We did some more core strength work and some hip stabilization work.
We looked at light and shade in taqasim.
Beginners
• Arm paths
• Abdominal locks and pops & Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body slides
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles and semicircles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks, lifts and drops
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
New moves:
• Souhair Zaki Hips
• Hip drop variations
• Horizontal 8s and Jewels
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Homework Saturday 5 March
This week we worked more deeply in taqsim interpretation and sekkat and Q& A interpretation.
We worked extensively on shimmies and accents.
We did some core strength work and some hip stabilization work.
Beginners
• Arm paths
• Abdominal locks and pops & Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body slides
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles and semicircles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks, lifts and drops
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
Advanced dancers:
• Hip up and in oblique lock
• Hip down lock
• The three different abdominal locks and pops - lower, navel and upper.
• Modern egyptian hip shimmy with chest accents up and down.
• Modern egyptian hip shimmy with belly roll
We worked extensively on shimmies and accents.
We did some core strength work and some hip stabilization work.
Beginners
• Arm paths
• Abdominal locks and pops & Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body slides
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles and semicircles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks, lifts and drops
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
Advanced dancers:
• Hip up and in oblique lock
• Hip down lock
• The three different abdominal locks and pops - lower, navel and upper.
• Modern egyptian hip shimmy with chest accents up and down.
• Modern egyptian hip shimmy with belly roll
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Ranya Renee - Taqasim Improvisation Skills and Drills - Now Shipping
I'm so excited!!! Ranya Renee's LONG awaited taqsim DVD is now shipping. I am really looking forward to this one! Her Baladi DVD is one of my all time favourite technique DVDs.
Ranya's shop
Ranya's shop
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Homework Saturday 27 February
This week we worked more deeply in taqsim interpretation and sekkat and Q& A interpretation.
We worked extensively on shimmies and accents.
We did some core strength work and some hip stabilization work.
Beginners
• Circles and semicircles
• Arm paths
• Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body
• Chest and ribcage movements Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Abdominal pops and locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks
• Shoulder accents
• Floor accents
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
Advanced dancers:
• Hip up and in oblique lock
• The three different abdominal locks and pops - lower, navel and upper.
• Modern egyptian hip shimmy with chest accents up and down.
We worked extensively on shimmies and accents.
We did some core strength work and some hip stabilization work.
Beginners
• Circles and semicircles
• Arm paths
• Belly rolls
• Figure 8 – horizontal, vertical and maya
• Upper body
• Chest and ribcage movements Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles
• Shoulder shimmy
• Shimmy
• Hip lift, hip drop
• Side hip locks
• Up and down hip locks
• Abdominal pops and locks
• Hip with kick
• Chest locks
• Shoulder accents
• Floor accents
Stretches
• Calf stretch sequence
• Quadriceps stretch
• Pirifomis stretch
• IT band stretch
Advanced dancers:
• Hip up and in oblique lock
• The three different abdominal locks and pops - lower, navel and upper.
• Modern egyptian hip shimmy with chest accents up and down.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Randa Kamel and Tito Seif Egyptian Belly dance Nile Maxim Boat Cairo, Egypt
Spontaneous Modern Baladi with Randa and Tito
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday Dance Class 19 Feb 2011 Homework
Homework for my Saturday Class on Raqs Baladi
• Listen to music.
• Watch taqsim and baladi clips on blog.
• Posture: Practice your posture all through your daily activities. Take moments out to see how tall you can become. Think about lifting your ribcage with a each inhale and pulling in your core with each exhale, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Think about what direction your pelvic triangle points, and use your deep, low abdominal muscles to adjust your pelvic alignment when you walk, stand or dance to shoot for a neutral alignment. Be aware of how this may differ from how you normally align.
• Arm path drills
• Shoulder shimmy
• Hip lifts
• Hip slides
• Hip circles - Remember to keep the abs engaged throughout the movement. Using the glutes to push through to the front and the abs to pull back.
• Hip hits
• Stomach pop
• Shimmy drills - We used Hanna Drumzilzia - Strictly Bellydancing Vol 5 - Eddie 'the Sheik' Kochak in class.
• Vertical Figure 8 - Maya and Egyptian (Note that this move was named after Maya Medwar - Mayan is not the correct name...)
• Undulations
• Bellyrolls
Extension work for advanced dancers
• Taqsim practice! 1. Find an instrumental piece of music and practice taqsim movements. 2. Practice taqsim movements to a baladi progression.
• Listen to music.
• Watch taqsim and baladi clips on blog.
• Posture: Practice your posture all through your daily activities. Take moments out to see how tall you can become. Think about lifting your ribcage with a each inhale and pulling in your core with each exhale, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Think about what direction your pelvic triangle points, and use your deep, low abdominal muscles to adjust your pelvic alignment when you walk, stand or dance to shoot for a neutral alignment. Be aware of how this may differ from how you normally align.
• Arm path drills
• Shoulder shimmy
• Hip lifts
• Hip slides
• Hip circles - Remember to keep the abs engaged throughout the movement. Using the glutes to push through to the front and the abs to pull back.
• Hip hits
• Stomach pop
• Shimmy drills - We used Hanna Drumzilzia - Strictly Bellydancing Vol 5 - Eddie 'the Sheik' Kochak in class.
• Vertical Figure 8 - Maya and Egyptian (Note that this move was named after Maya Medwar - Mayan is not the correct name...)
• Undulations
• Bellyrolls
Extension work for advanced dancers
• Taqsim practice! 1. Find an instrumental piece of music and practice taqsim movements. 2. Practice taqsim movements to a baladi progression.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Some Baladi videos for my Saturday Class
Souhair Zaki was famous for her baladi performances. She often used them as the second number in her set after the mergence or entrance.
Souhair Zaki dances to Hassan Ya Khouli
Souhair dances a baladi taqsim (c 1::20 into show).
Taqsim starts about 42 second into the clip:
The very famous song Shik Shak Skok has a taqsim in the middle:
There are a couple of nice articles on baladi by two teachers I have studied with:
Hadia of Canada on Baladi
(I took several long dance and teacher training workshops with Hadia in Canada. Hadia actually become my husband's cousin's main teacher after I introduced her to the dance. )
Hossam Ramzy on Baladi
(When I was a brand new baby dancer I was fortunate enough to take a weekend workshop with Hossam. It was amazing to have the opportunity to dance to such a well known musician. I learned so much from him! My love for Baladi stems from those early days.)
Souhair Zaki dances to Hassan Ya Khouli
Souhair dances a baladi taqsim (c 1::20 into show).
Taqsim starts about 42 second into the clip:
The very famous song Shik Shak Skok has a taqsim in the middle:
There are a couple of nice articles on baladi by two teachers I have studied with:
Hadia of Canada on Baladi
(I took several long dance and teacher training workshops with Hadia in Canada. Hadia actually become my husband's cousin's main teacher after I introduced her to the dance. )
Hossam Ramzy on Baladi
(When I was a brand new baby dancer I was fortunate enough to take a weekend workshop with Hossam. It was amazing to have the opportunity to dance to such a well known musician. I learned so much from him! My love for Baladi stems from those early days.)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Music for Saturday Baladi Class
Music we are using in class:
Taxim Beledi (Improvisation) Yousry Sharif - Wash Ya Wash Vol 1 - This is the piece of music that we will look at in depth. Unfortunately the CD has been recently removed from itunes. It is available in mp3 format from Maqam - Wash Ya Wash Vol 1 (Track 10)
I highly recommend this whole album! One of the most useful ones you will buy.
Baladi Taxsim - Yousry Sharif - Wash Ya Wash Vol 3 (Track 4) Also from Maqam. Another great Album.
Sax Taxim (Saxophone Solo) - Baladi Blues- Guy Schalom
Miasia's Beladi - Dancing With Genies- Henkesh Brothers.
I highly recommend this whole album!
Move Your Belly - Electric Oasis- Louie
Maqsoum - Basic - Rhythms and Thoughts - Scott Gardner
Maqsoum Sareea - Pulse of the Sphinx - Henkesh Brothers
Maqsoum Qaid - Pulse of the Sphinx - Henkesh Brothers
Souher Zaki Fi Balady - Cairo Plus- Samir Srour
Accordion Balady - Belly Dance Classics With Fifi Abdo- Cairo Orchestra
Taxim Beledi (Improvisation) Yousry Sharif - Wash Ya Wash Vol 1 - This is the piece of music that we will look at in depth. Unfortunately the CD has been recently removed from itunes. It is available in mp3 format from Maqam - Wash Ya Wash Vol 1 (Track 10)
I highly recommend this whole album! One of the most useful ones you will buy.
Baladi Taxsim - Yousry Sharif - Wash Ya Wash Vol 3 (Track 4) Also from Maqam. Another great Album.
Sax Taxim (Saxophone Solo) - Baladi Blues- Guy Schalom
Miasia's Beladi - Dancing With Genies- Henkesh Brothers.
I highly recommend this whole album!
Move Your Belly - Electric Oasis- Louie
Maqsoum - Basic - Rhythms and Thoughts - Scott Gardner
Maqsoum Sareea - Pulse of the Sphinx - Henkesh Brothers
Maqsoum Qaid - Pulse of the Sphinx - Henkesh Brothers
Souher Zaki Fi Balady - Cairo Plus- Samir Srour
Accordion Balady - Belly Dance Classics With Fifi Abdo- Cairo Orchestra
Saturday Dance Class 13 Feb 2011 Homework
Yesterday I was privileged to start a new term of dance classes with a very talented group of women - some new dancers, some returning students and some old troupe mates. I had a blast teaching them - a class full of people who rhythm and have an intuitive understanding of the music is a rare and beautiful thing.
Homework for this week:
Everyone:
• Listen to music.
• Watch taqsim and baladi clips on blog.
• Posture: Practice your posture all through your daily activities. Take moments out to see how tall you can become. Think about lifting your ribcage with a each inhale and pulling in your core with each exhale, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Think about what direction your pelvic triangle points, and use your deep, low abdominal muscles to adjust your pelvic alignment when you walk, stand or dance to shoot for a neutral alignment. Be aware of how this may differ from how you normally align.
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles - Remember to keep the abs engaged throughout the movement. Using the glutes to push through to the front and the abs to pull back.
• Shoulder shimmy
• Hip hits
• Stomach pop
• Shimmy drills
For example:
Advanced students only:
• Belly rolls.
• Layered shimmies.
• 3/4 shimmies on the up.
Homework for this week:
Everyone:
• Listen to music.
• Watch taqsim and baladi clips on blog.
• Posture: Practice your posture all through your daily activities. Take moments out to see how tall you can become. Think about lifting your ribcage with a each inhale and pulling in your core with each exhale, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Think about what direction your pelvic triangle points, and use your deep, low abdominal muscles to adjust your pelvic alignment when you walk, stand or dance to shoot for a neutral alignment. Be aware of how this may differ from how you normally align.
• Shoulder rolls
• Hip slides
• Hip circles - Remember to keep the abs engaged throughout the movement. Using the glutes to push through to the front and the abs to pull back.
• Shoulder shimmy
• Hip hits
• Stomach pop
• Shimmy drills
For example:
Advanced students only:
• Belly rolls.
• Layered shimmies.
• 3/4 shimmies on the up.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Daily Bellydance Quickies
Looking for a fun addition to your daily drilling? Check out Mahin's Daily Bellydance Quickies! She's got hips!
Here is an example:
Here is an example:
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friends in Cairo
I'm sitting here thinking of my friends who live and work in Cairo. Even if many of them are physically safe at the moment this political upheaval will likely mean the loss of their livelihood for some time. Times have been very tough and are going to be even tougher. My thoughts go out to all those affected by this crisis, particularly those who have lost loved ones.
السلام عليكم
As-Salamu Alaikum - Peace unto you.
السلام عليكم
As-Salamu Alaikum - Peace unto you.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
New Video Downloads available from Bhuz
While I was surfing this morning I noticed that BHUZ has launched a video down load service. (No affiliation, and I've never used them, but there is some great stuff there including an old favorite - Suzanna Del Vecchio's Precision Motion Workout! I'd be interested to hear any feedback!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Project Belly Dance
Project Belly Dance New free web based tv show from Michelle Joyce! Episode one is up now. Don't miss the uncut performances either! Really fun!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)