A Brief History of Bellydance Top - Next Topic
The origins of this ancient art form are ambiguous and the subject of much debate. Bellydance is commonly accepted as the most ancient form of worship; since before recorded time women have used the primal, intrinsic movement of their bodies to give thanks and praise. Over time, bellydance became associated with preparation of a young wife for copulation and childbirth, and became synonymous with courtesans and slaves, who used the dance for enticement.
Bellydance found its way into palaces and entertainment venues during the Ottoman Empire, as it spread out of the deserts of the Middle East, through Turkey, and into Greece and Northern Europe.
The modern form of bellydance was born in the 1950's, at the infamous Casino Opera owned by (the even more infamous) Badia Masabni. Masabni took bellydance out of side street cafes and harems and offered it as entertainment alongside comedians, musicians, and actors. The two-piece beaded costume, props such as veils and candleabra, and the modern five-section show format were adopted by Masabni's dancers. Though a few Middle Eastern dancers (such as Little Egypt in 1893) had performed in America, bellydance did not become popular in the West until the World War II soldiers who frequented the Casino Opera went back to their homes with tales of the sensual dance they had witnessed. It wasn't long before bellydance began to take America by storm!
Today, bellydance is participated in by millions of women (and men) all over the world, from every stage and walk of life. Today women dance for fun, profession, or fitness, for prayer, for joy, and for celebration. We dance because it is what we have always done!
Learn more at
Shira.net
Mychelle's Dance Philosophy:
To me, bellydance is a celebration of woman, of the hips and the breasts and the love that allows us to be an integral part of the life cycle. Bellydance allows us to reach deep inside, to express the energy and power that makes us woman, and to offer thanks and praise for the gifts that we alone have been given. Bellydance is about self-acceptance, empowerment, and celebration, about knowledge, life, and about being a woman!
Some Styles Of Bellydance Top - Next Topic
Cabaret/ Classical: The style most often associated with the term bellydance, and featured in movies and media. This style is performed in the two-piece beaded costume, and usually performed in a restaurant, nightclub, or party setting.
Egyptian Cabaret: refers to a soft, controlled, ballet-influenced style performed in upscale restaurants and hotels.
American Cabaret: is very similar to Egyptian but with the incorporation of jazz and modern dance techniques in terms of muscle isolation and poise. Jillina and Aziza dance an American Cabaret style
Turkish: known for large, jumping movements, fast pace, and unusual drum rhythms, such as the 9/8 kashlimar. Eva Cernick and Artemis Mourat have mastered the Turkish style
Lebanese: similar to Egyptian and American Cabaret, but incorporates a lot of energy and leg kicks. Amani is perhaps the most well-known Lebanese style dancer.
Tribal/Fusion: Tribal, also known as American Tribal Style (ATS) often use "improvised choreography," which has a leader who relies on a series of hand signals to dictate which moves are to follow. This is a much heavier, Earthy style than Cabaret. Fusion refers to a variety of movement styles incorporating the base of belly dance. Often these styles are a blend of classical, flamenco/gypsy fusion, folk, modern, and many other dance styles. Tribal & Fusion dancers often employ costuming which incorporates many layers, tassels, coins, headdresses, and henna or real tattooing, etc. Fat Chance Bellydance are considered the founders of ATS, while Unmata continues to take fusion in new & exciting directions.
Folk: Middle Eastern folk dances range from the beledi dance of the Egyptian Fellahin (or country people), to the Dubke of the Lebanese and Jordanians, to the Sudani style of Northern Africa, and much, much more.
"American": There is no particular American style, rather American bellydance draws on every form of the dance. In America we find more use of props such as veils and snakes, and the use of styles and rhythms (beledi, for example) traditionally reserved for folk dancing in other parts of the world. Every form of bellydance is blended to create Modern American bellydance.
Basic Movements & Tips for Practice Top - Next Topic
Posture and Breath: Feet comfortable width apart, pelvis tucked in (belly button towards the spine), chest is lifted, shoulders roll up/back/down into shoulder blades. Every movement is supported and powered through the core: whether moving fast or slow, our abs and glutes are tight and supported. Remember to breathe through your movement so the body does not stiffen or exhaust!
Arms and Shoulders:
- Snake Arms- up through shoulder/elbow/wrist, release it down through shoulder blades
- Shoulder Roll - shoulder pushes forward/up/down through shoulder blades
- Shoulder Shimmy - bumps forward with R then L, speed into shimmy
Chest:
- Lifts and Drops - lift/drop straight up & down, powered through ribs
- Chest Circles (horizontal) - side/forward/side/neutral, roll it through
Hips:
- Basic bumps - bump R then L one each side, then two each side - speed into shimmy
- Twist - pull back to twist forward R then L, then both - speed into shimmy
- Staccato Up/Down Hips - straight up/down alternating hips - speed into shimmy
Walks:
- Step/Hip - step with R bump with L, then step with L bump with R
- 3-count with Accent - walk RLR bump with L, then LRL bump with R
Shimmies:
- Egyptian/ Leg Shimmy - alternating knees quickly, glutes relaxed, hips moved by legs
- Hip Shimmy - sped up back/forth hips, glute tight, legs moved by hips
- Shoulder Shimmy
Turns:
- Pivot Turn - pivot around with one foot, pivoting at half-circle or quarter-circle points
- 3-count with Accent - same as walk, but turning
Hints and Tips for Practice:
-Practice chest moves in your car, or anywhere you can stabilize shoulders and lower body to focus on chest & rib cage.
-Hold on to dresser or anything shoulder height to stabilize upper body while practicing shimmies.
-Practice shimmy for 30 sec. of your favorite song, then for 1 min., then 2 min, until you can shimmy the whole song-now try two songs! (Now try the whole CD!)
-Focus on the feeling and the fun; don't look in a mirror until you feel comfortable with a new move, then correct for aesthetics.
-Shimmy at the kitchen sink, whil you brush your teeth, while you clean, etc., and watch your body change shape!
-Walk through your life knowing that you are a bellydancer, even if this is you first lesson! It will change your self-perception, and the way others perceive you!
Music Guide Top - Next Topic
Beginner Staples
-The Goddess Workout Series
-Solace: Sha'waza & The Gathering Season
-Hossam Ramzy: Secret of The Eye and Best of
-Fat Chance Bellydance & Helm: Tribal Dance Tribal Drums
Faster Beats and Mixes
-Belly Licious
-Said Mrad Remixes: 1001 Nights
-Oojami: Bellydancing Breakbeats
Meditative
-Moroccan Spirit
-Tarka
-Mantra Girl: Truth
-Karma Circle (Arabic & Celtic influences)
Video Guide
Instructional
- The Goddess Workout Series with Dolphina
- Dalilah's Visionary Dance Series
- Jillina's Instructional Series (Levels 1-3, Pop, & Drum Solo)
Performance
- IAMED Awards Series
- Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris
- Lights, Camera, Bellydance & Showtime (featuring local legend & dear friend Zaheea)
Practice
- Aziza's Ultimate Practice Companion
- Tribal Fusion Belly Dance; Yoga, Isolations, & Drills w/ Rachel Brice
- Keti Sharif's A-Z Advanced Stage Routines
Find these & other titles at
Peko Records
Dahlal International
Remember that finding music and videos is an adventure that is often frustrating, but always rewarding!
Class Protocol Top
- Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to prepare, sign-up, etc. We want to make the most of our hour together!
- Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move comfortably. Everything from sweatpants to choli tops & skirts are welcome, as long as you feel comfortable! Baring your belly is not required, but you might find rolloing up your top to peek at your belly is helpful.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions, voice concerns, or ask to repeat a sequence. This is your class & I want you to have the most positive experience possible.
- Always listen to your own body! Everyone is different, and many of us have injuries or limitations that make our range of motion different from the person next to us. This is not a competition; I'll offer modifications for many of our movements, and please do what is comfortable for you!
- Right/left same thing, everything shakes, & even your teacher gets confused sometimes! I want you to have fun, laugh when we get mixed up, & not worry about being perfect. Our focus is how the movement feels, not how perfectly it is executed!
- Most importantly, we want to leave class feeling good about ourselves! We put pressure and worries on ourselves all day long; let's leave our anxiety at the door & allow ourselves to simply enjoy the movement!
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