Bellydance Movements's topics - tribe.net

Does this happen to anyone else?

Mayra — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:18:42 GMT

Sometimes when I do the maya, I feel like something grips my left side. It's sharp almost like a hand actually grabs me and sends a jolt of electricity through my side. I'm in good shape and warm up before dancing. It seems to happen more often when I'm bending my knees, which looks graceful. I can catch myself so no one else notices but it's kind of spooky. Has anyone experienced this kind of pain before?

I'm new to the tribe. Hello everyone. Thanks!

M

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

yr fave movement

Eugenia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:11:53 GMT

mine is the big hip circle (close, open and full)....oh and the folk side camel

posted in Bellydance Movements - 9 replies

Found my learning deficit in belly dance!!!

Farasha — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:54:42 GMT

I cannot for the life of me get the head slides down while poppin and lockin. My tongue moves inside of my mouth while I am doing head slides normally. LOL I am cracking up as I write this. Oh, I must sound like a goof. This is such a dilemma right now for me. I went to a workshop today and couldn't do it, and I am learning a new choreo that I am getting down pat except for this!!! It is embarrassing. I guess I just need to keep drilling it. If anyone has any tips, please post!!!! This is a weird one I know.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 6 replies

Shimmy...

Nefert — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:03:11 GMT

Hey!!

I'm new in the tribe..so first of all, salutes to everyone!

Recently, I have started my class of bellydance...and I can not do the shimmy! When I start doing slow, ok..but if I want do it more quickly my legs don't move..., in other words, my legs block! I can't move them so long because they seem to have life, and at the end all my body block! I seem a rock!

Thank you so much for your help and for reading it!!

My English is not very good...I am Spanish and I have study it, but I am so lazy and not do so much to improve it....

Agur...as we say at my land..Greetings!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 17 replies

Head 8s?

Nuria — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:26:20 GMT

Hi,
is there something like a head eight? I believe there is, it doesn't look entirely like a head slide. In saidi sometimes, the dancers stop and do that slide or eight and it looks really cute and funny. I want to learn it and I find I have to do something like a tiny vertical figure eight.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 7 replies

Twist shimmy layering

Nuria — Thu, 22 May 2008 12:41:33 GMT

I see a twist in clips and in my class mostly as an accent. I heard the twist shimmy was a bit folkloric? Jenna the sweetheart, I just bought her dvd "next level" (groovy stripe-pants, I so like that outfit). During her exercise she proposes a twist shimmy during a full undulation where the task/main difficulty is to keep the twist shimmy in the hips. That is difficult for me for I never cared about practising to layer the twist shimmy while I can do it with the Egyptian shimmy. So, all training is good but I wonder since I have never seen it: do I need this or where can I apply it? Or did she compose this move simply for training isolation-abilites?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 11 replies

exercises to strengthen for floorwork/laybacks

Margaret — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:31:51 GMT

My troupe and I are getting better at the laybacks and floorwork- one can do a turkish drop already. Some of us can now get to the floor- not a full turkish drop, we lay back, drop to the knees first, then lay back to the floor in another beat or so....maybe we're just too chicken to let ourselves go straight to the floor, hence, we named the move that stops first at the knees as the "Turkish chicken"...anyway, some of us can get to the layback position on the floor but we can't get up. We had a discussion as to whether it's the upper or lower abs that does most of the work for lifting up, or is it the thighs?
What exercises should we do to help build the strength up so we can do this? Thanks
Margaret

posted in Bellydance Movements - 17 replies

snake arms

angie — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:51:15 GMT

Anyone care to give me a breakdown of snakearms? How are the various styles different from each other? I can't seem to get the movements right at all and I guess dumbing it down for me would help a little lol thanks :)

angie

posted in Bellydance Movements - 11 replies

New to the Tribe :)

Amber — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:17:07 GMT

Greetings Everyone!

My name is Amber,
I'm a native born So Cal girl. Currently I'm in the Navy (I am a Weather Forecaster, been in 10 yrs, Love it, plan to make it a career), and I'm engaged to a wonderful man (Albert).
I've lived all over the world, but my favorite areas have been the different countries in the Middle East (Lived out there for quite a few years, I learned a lot about Bedouin/Nomadic style Belly Dancing while I was out there).
I'm in the Society for Creative Anachronism, and I love going to events and talking with people who have similar interests in beading, cooking, garbing, and anything music or dance related.
I absolutely love Dancing, talking about dance, hunting for jewelry and clothing for dance, and just sharing a love of the dance with fellow sisters anywhere and everywhere.

I hope that wasn't too long of a summary, if there is anything more you would like to know, please, ask away. : )

Happy Dancing,
Amber

posted in Bellydance Movements - 8 replies

A question and a rant

Yame — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:48:25 GMT

Hi, everybody! I don't think I've ever posted here, so nice to "meet" you all. I am sorry that this topic does not fit exactly into the theme of the forum, as I'm not speaking about any specific belly dance movement here, but I do think it is a related topic, so I hope you all read on and help clear some things out for me.

As a quick background; I have been belly dancing for roughly a year and a half now. I started last year on my own learning isolations with videos, then I did ATS classes for a few months but the place was too far for me. For the remainder of the year I was back to solely practicing on my own, but this January I found an Egyptian style teacher with whom I've been ever since.

So far, so good. I am happy with her teaching, but I feel something is lacking. That something is quantity. You see, I wish I could go to dance class everyday... or at least a couple days a week. Instead, she only offers classes once a week. Same with my previous teacher. I began to do some research, and I realized that almost every teacher I could find anywhere in the US only teaches through some kind of once-a-week method!

I find this very odd. How can one be expected to learn how to dance by only practicing once a week? Of course, I have been able to improve, because I love it so much and I am constantly watching new videos, and practicing on my own. But it's not the same as going to class. And I am beginning to feel overwhelmed. There is so much to belly dancing... there is technique in isolations and steps, expression, there is floorwork, there are so many props I haven't even touched! I want to learn it all. Plus, what about the people who don't have motivation to teach themselves, but also want to learn? I mean, what's the point of teaching belly dance if no one in your class is actually ever going to become good at it (unless they practice a lot on their own)? How does this reflect on the teacher?

I talked to a friend from Brazil (where I was born and raised) who also bellydances. She takes classes 6 times a week. She says it's commonplace there for dancers to take 2-5 classes a week. So why not here? My husband started Mixed Martial arts, and he could easily find a gym with "unlimited class" packages for the month. Why not belly dance? Athletes are created through regular practice and training. Of course, personal effort is required, but a professional is there to guide them along a large part of the way. What about belly dancers?

So I did some more research, and I did find one or two studios somewhere in the US (unfortunately, not where I live) that offer reasonable unlimited class packages for the month. Basically, the purpose of this post is to ask everybody's opinion on the matter and to find out why more studios don't offer similar deals. I really want to understand this, because it doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe someday if I ever become very good and experienced, I can open up my own studio and actually care about the improvement of my students by offering such packages, so that everybody has the opportunity to really learn. But at this pace, I doubt that'll ever happen :P

Also, if anybody wishes to list some belly dance studios that do offer more regular classes, that would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 13 replies

sword dance preparation- soreness part 2

Astrid_Seftali — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:15:44 GMT

Last night we did balancing exercises in class, putting objects on our heads and doing floorwork while balancing them. Later our teacher asked if we felt sore in the neck and shoulders. I didn't but about 7 hours later, after sitting at the computer for a while, I was in for a surprise. Ever since the vertebra between the area above my shoulder blades up to the low end of my neck feel like they are all jammed into each other and boy, I have not hurt like this since I danced flamenco. Any advice what to do for loosening up, or other preparatory exercises for easiing my body into sword dance/tea tray etc. moves?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 1 reply

Soreness from dancing

Tisha Leigh — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:55:16 GMT

Are there certain moves that you find make you particularly sore after you do them? I used to find that doing flat figure eights would make the muscles in my lower back pretty sore. I used to worry that I wasn't doing them right, but my teacher checked my position and said that it looked fine. This was around when I was first seriously getting into the dancing, so I guess I just wasn't used to the movement yet. But I find that with this move in particular, I really have to stretch and do it on a regular basis to keep my muscles in shape for it. Does anyone else find that certain moves make you more sore than other ones, and if so, what have you found that helps with this? I figure belly dancing is like anything else-- it's normal to get a little sore if you haven't done it in awhile, just like with any type of exercise. I don't seem to really get sore from any other movement, though. I think it's just that twisting action.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 7 replies

How hands should be

Nuria — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:58:15 GMT

like leaves in the wind, like grass in the water, floating with the current?
Moves lead only from the wrists, never any tension on the hands? It is complicated! I did flamenco and tend to USE my hands: not automatic continuous circling of course, but I mean I often have a slight tension on them. One of my teachers has her hands always floating and corrects me so I almost don't dare to do a circle because it would be a conscious move, but on accents and such, when there's tension on my body, tension also on the hands is a natural expression of the overall moment.
????????????
Are there general rules for orientation? Ok, in case there are differences: my focus is Egyptian.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 19 replies

Flutters: How????

Indotari — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:12:17 GMT

Hi every one!

I've tried to practice the flutters, but it's imposible. How do I do this? Any tip?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 21 replies

question about a name

Fariha — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:32:09 GMT

does anyone know what the name of this move is? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa4_tsC4NaI the hip move at 2.30.
i was going to start calling it bicycle hip figure 8, or veil sweep with hip (like the veil sweep they taught on shimmy) but i'm thinking i'll just end up confusing myself if there is already a name for it.
help please?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

spastic shimmies

Nuria — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:31:00 GMT

My Yoga teacher so wrecked my thighs this week that I can't get an even hip shimmy going because my thighs get stuck and move like in spasms...I did a warm-up...just I am a little annoyed! I'll just continue, but aaargh, this becomes a mix of Egyptian shimmy with bouncing shimmy and vibrations anywhere...

posted in Bellydance Movements - 11 replies

Flat footed Maya

Angelia_R — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:53:01 GMT

I was taught doing the maya by lifting heel with hip and no matter how hard I seem to try, I cannot get rid of that habit. (very bad teacher)

Who has tips to help with a flat footed maya?

Does moving feet out a bit more help with this?
I can stand and lift my hip with my oblique (no weight on foot) but for some reason it just dosnt move into that maya movement without my heel up.

*sigh*

posted in Bellydance Movements - 18 replies

taffy pull? what??

angie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:57:45 GMT

okay, there's this arm movement... if i can describe it... arms up over your head and then.. sortof.. pop to the side.... i saw it called taffy pulls but i'm not sure if that's the technical name.. i can find a video.. anybody know any instructional vids on how to properly do it?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 5 replies

Downward Miahs (SP) ??

Liana — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:52:18 GMT

When I am doing downward miahs...am I suppose to be using my feet to lift up my hips...or my stomach mucsles??
And I sometimes get a slight pain on the top of my left side leg. Not sure of the mucsle I am talking about. Any suggestions to stop the pain??

posted in Bellydance Movements - 12 replies

how to do chest lifts correctly

Juniper — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:20:58 GMT

My teacher told me that I'm doing chest lifts wrong--that I'm using my back muscles when I should be using my diaphragm. I tried to do what she said, but my head just kind of exploded. Please help me put it back together:

1. Is the movement truly 100% from the diaphragm? What other muscles are involved?
2. Is there some easy way to tell if my lift is coming from the right place? Or some way to force myself to do the lift correctly (like doing hip lifts with your foot off the ground to keep from using your leg)?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 23 replies

Help with belly roll, please?

deena — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:27:15 GMT

Can someone give me advice on belly roll movement , i can't seem to give the belly button part a rolling effect on relaxtion.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 1 reply

belly roll, If I can call it one!

deena — Mon, 26 May 2008 06:24:31 GMT

Hello to all! I am new to this site, come from the middle east but sadly have no professionals to teach me so am trying to self teach from internet videos and articles ,boo hoo! Thought i can get some tips from you guys out there on how to smooth out my belly roll. My problem (as i see it) seems to be the transition from relaxation of upper muscles then belly button area, it doesn't have the "roll" effect on relaxation like the upper muscles, belly button doesn't protrude like how i see the pro's do it. I keep trying to do it slow to teach lower ab muscles to relax at belly button first then fully to lower region but am starting to doubt if i am doing the right technique. I'd be grateful for advice.

Deena

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

Troubles with Spotting

Zana — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:57:36 GMT

So I tried to see if there was a previous topic about spotting on here and there was only one and it didn't really help me much. The post had suggestions for when traveling while spinning but I'm interested in just spinning in one place a bunch of times. I am familiar with the technique of spotting (find a spot on the wall and look until you can't anymore and then quickly look back at it again) and can see when it's happening in a performance. However, I can do this maybe once without feeling dizzy but not consecutively. I don't know if it's because I might not be focused enough or if it's something that takes practice but there is definently something going wrong.

Any advice?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 8 replies

Hip circle with a step out?

Zafira — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:47:15 GMT

Learned a new step last night, make a hip circle, then step out to the side about 45 degree angle, then use this to push off and start the hip circle in the opposite direction.
When doing this move fast, with small hip circles, and alternating the step out on each side, it looked very Tahia Carioca-ish.

Has anyone heard of a name for it?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 8 replies

i have a vision

Fariha — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:02:32 GMT

and sometimes i dream about it ^_~
I would love to create a website that is essentially a database of belly dance moves. a website that everyone can contribute to to include what a move it called, how it is done, what style it is common in, a list of common variations on it, and a video of the move. the video would be only that move, filmed in-front of a mirror when possible, and in-front of a plain background (hang a sheet on a door and stand in-front or something) when no mirror is available.
the site would NOT say which name is "right" or advocate any style over any other, only list the moves according to: geometry, alphabetically, style(moves common to a particular style and what that style calls them), synonyms(ex:interior hip circle, umie), and homonyms(ex: camel walk, ats camel walk). all linking to an individual moves' page.

the moves' page would have:
a video (uploaded by the submitter to youtube) looped on the top of the page
the move's name
description of how the move is created in the body/performed
style(s) in which it is common (linked to the page listing that styles ear-mark moves)
other names used for it (linked to their pages)
variations on it (described)

my brother (a graphic design student at cazenovia) will be creating the site, and showing me how to upkeep/ link everything. he won't be ready to start until December-January ish. so this is just to put out feelers, get feedback, and find a more experienced partner.
obviously, the site would take a while before it began to include most moves (due to them being submitted by outside sources, then processed, linked, and organized by me) and would be growing and changing forever, just as the dance it, perpetually a work in progress.

so! what i'm asking is, would anyone be willing to submit moves? would a more experienced dancer be willing to check my organizing/concise-making? is here already a site like this?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 9 replies

Classifying Bellydance Styles?

Chenum — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:31:28 GMT

I'm wondering how you would classify the various forms of bellydance today? What name would you give them, and how many of them are there? I'll start off with the ones I know, and feel free to add on to these as subcategories, and add yours that you know, please. Thank you!

Classical Egyptian (Dina, Tito, Lucy)
Turkish (Pinar Elice is a good example of old-school Turkish cabaret-YES, it IS quite risque!)
American Tribal or ATS (Salimpours, Mascha Archer, Carolena Nericcio)
Greek, Uzbeki, Iranian, some broken down here: http://www.avazinternationaldance.org/intldances.htm

posted in Bellydance Movements - 25 replies

Workshop cancelled!

Chandra — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:15:05 GMT

Fire fan workshop cancelled!
( http://tampa.tribe.net/event/BellyFire-Fusion/dunedin-fl-34698/c98ca5f4-d8cb-4b28-99a7-4d94b1f3e6c9

I'm very sorry to have to announce the cancellation of this event.
I've just been informed that one of the presentors (the one who was to instruct the choreography portion of the workshop) has accepted a conflicting engagement.

I will be refunding the workshop fee to those of you that have paid already. Please contact me if you have already purchased your fire fans from Riz, and we will see what can be done there as well.

Deepest apologies
~ Chandra ~

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

anyone heard of 'chonks'?!

Emma — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:53:24 GMT

Hi! there's a move my teacher does which she refers to as a 'chonk' - not quite sure where she got this term, i forget now, it may have been at a workshop she attended. however, i don't necessarily like this term, as the word doesn't reflect to dancers what movement it is, and so i want to try & use a better term for it when i'm teaching.

its basically, instead of moving the hip side to side, its a sharp up & down of the hips alternately- it looks a lot more effective if done on the toes/balls of feet, but she tries to get us to make the movement come from the hips rather than the lifting of the heels.

any ideas/comments appreciated!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 18 replies

Spotting techniques

DuckAmuck — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:08:48 GMT

I'm fairly new at bellydancing. I've had, in my lifetime, 2 years of ballet and 4 years of jazz dancing as well. In all that time, I've never gotten the standard "look at a spot on the wall, watch it, watch it, watch it, flip your head around" spotting technique to work. I either overshoot or undershoot what I'm supposed to be spotting to. (Usually, I overshoot the first time, then I undershoot the second time, and so on.)

What other techniques are there?

I'm not so concerned with fighting dizziness… I want to be able to do several turns across the floor in a mostly straight line. I don't want to creep up or down the stage just because I'm doing a few turns.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 1 reply

the infamous "Pee Pee" step

Sakari — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:24:41 GMT

Oh, please, help me discover the true name of this one, 'cause I really don't want to put it on my class handout that way! :-)

The move in question: you present mostly sideways to the audience, back arm up, front arm down and out from the moving hip. Drop the hip inward (as if you need to pee and are pushing your thighs together to hold it in--hence the name), then sweep that leg out and around, pivoting until your other side faces the audience. Repeat the sequence. It's a backwards traveling move. You can also jazz it up by doing more than one hip drop.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Does anyone have a more dignified name for the this move??? :-)

posted in Bellydance Movements - 41 replies

Mohammed Shahin/Greek/Turkish/Khaleegi Workshop June 21, 22

Norma — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:26:51 GMT

Please check the events tab for details on both the workshop and the dance showcase in Chicago.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

Are there names for all the different arm positions?

cindy — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:19:56 GMT

Hi All! Are there names for all the different arm positions? I know this will be different for cabaret and tribal, but just wondering if anyone has a list or a good website link to obtain this information?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 10 replies

The Egyptian Knee Shimmy

Pandora — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:02:47 GMT

I have always had trouble with this move. Is the head supposed to be completely still or does it move a little with the knee shimmy?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

Lotus hand help, please!

Suzy (Suzanne) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:04:59 GMT

Nobody's responded to my whining on the Drills and Choreography tribe, so I'll try for help here. I'm having trouble with the lotus hands movement....I've done the youtube search thing and I think I could use more info. Anybody know of other places on the net that could give me a hand (pardon the baaaad pun!)?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 4 replies

Ghawazee step, lame duck, and sameeha(spelling?)

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:24:03 GMT

Sorry if this is a stupid question but is the Ghawazee step, lame duck, and sameeha(spelling?) the same moves or a variation on a theme?
Thanks.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 6 replies

Bicycle Shimmy--I need help!

Qamar_al-Shefaa — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:09:15 GMT

I'm new to Tribal style, and am having a devil of time getting a handle on the bicycle shimmy. My right hip cooperates in a rough sort of way, but my left is hopeless. Forget layering a regular shimmy on top for now...I need tips on breaking it down and getting my left hip to behave. It does seem easier done on releve rather than flat footed.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 14 replies

Big Beautiful Bellydancer calendar--announcing the women of 2008!

Qamars_Treasures — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:50:46 GMT

Greetings from the BBBD Calendar Committee!

It was a tough choice as we had so many lovely entries to choose from, but we are happy to announce the list names of women as well as 2 groups who will appear in the BBBD 2008 Calendar! Congratulations to our lucky winners:

Bela Zephyre, Diana, Donaleah, Hippy Chix, House of Inanna, Petra, Qamar, Sanura, Sapphire, Shayna, Sherazade, Xenia.

Many thanks to all who applied! Look for future postings about when the calendar will be available for purchase.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

Egyptian Dance Code (EDC) Workshop with Sausan in Newark, CA

sausan — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:26:30 GMT

Shayna will be sponsoring yours truly (Sausan) in a 2 hour workshop on February 3, 2008 in Newark, CA.

Come learn "The Secret to the Egyptian Dance Code!". If you are the least bit intrigued, now is your chance to find out what it all means.

I will also be teaching a short choreography. I will also be bringing my Dancing in Egyptian Film Series for sale.

Workshop is from 12:00 - 200 PM at Steps Styles and Spotlights, 40983 Encyclopedia Circle, Newark, CA.

To sign up on line... go to shaynaz.com/sausan.html

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

Why ballet terms in belly dance?

sausan — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:25:58 GMT

Why do we take ballet arm movements and their terms as well as ballet position terms in belly dance?
Isn't belly dance older than ballet? Why put ballet names on a dance that was born eons before ballet was ever invented?

-Sausan

posted in Bellydance Movements - 13 replies

Hoda Shams El Din...NEW DVD!!

sausan — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 19:31:34 GMT

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Hoda Shams El Din now on DVD.
Be the first to own it!!

Hoda Shams El Din was a dancer who appeared in Egyptian film during the 50s and 60s.
She performed mostly in the Mena House Hotel located across form the Pyramids.

-Sausan

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

pop quiz for dance class

Terri — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 18:13:36 GMT

In my troupe, we are doing a pop quiz on belly dance history, moves and the like. So I've got some questions if you guys wouldn't mind helping me out.:) I've found most of them on my own, but am stumped on these last four. Any help would be great appreciated!

1.True or false: Horizontal & Vertical rib circles orginated in the US?
2. What are the 3 traditional Arabic upper body movements?
3. Known as an "Ululation" which means cry of encouragement or approval made my women, often in response to a gifted dancer.
4. What ME country banned foreign belly dancers from performing Raks Sharki in major hotels & resturants in 2003?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 10 replies

Egyptian 1/2/3 question

Jaziri — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:35:26 GMT

Hello, I think this name/movement goes back to the Salimpours but I can't remember the specific differences. Egyptian 1 is what I refer to as hip lift walk. Lift hip, step onto that foot, lift other hip, step forward onto that foot.

I recall there being a 2 and 3 but can't figure out what those were (step back? step out?). Can anyone help? Thanks.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 24 replies

2008 Big Beautiful Bellydancer Calendar is here!

Qamar_al-Shefaa — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:50:49 GMT

We’ve talked about it on many, many tribes, received submissions, poured through photos, and after many hours of decision-making and hard work, it’s finally done – the Big Beautiful Belly Dancer 2008 calendar is here!

Calendars are $14.99 each and are available at www.cafepress.com/bbbdcalendar. These will make excellent gifts for the holidays! There’s no limit to the number you can purchase, so get ‘em while they’re hot!!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

Arabic Three

rabia — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:08:01 GMT

Could someone explain the proper way to perform the arabic 3? Do you know of any video clips that show this being executed properly?

I'm getting conflicting reports on how to do this correctly.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 9 replies

newbie with movement descriptions

Ursula /Cybella — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 16:10:36 GMT

Hi everyone, I am new to this tribe! There is a great website that explains in detail many, many standard belly dance movements! The address is www.venusbellydance.com/vocabulary.htm#intermediate
It goes from beginning moves to advance and they plan on adding lots more.Very easy to understand the written details in the pop-ups. Ursula

posted in Bellydance Movements - 1 reply

Camel-terminology, once again

Nuria — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:08:53 GMT

Actually what I used to hear was "upper camel" as a wave up-down with the breastcage, "lower camel" as a front/back wave with the hips.
Now I have a teacher that says: breastcage wave, hipwave and, a third thing in between: bellywave. And the "camel" being only a combination of hipwave and then a breastcage wave.
The funny thing is actually that once I got used to her terminology I started to see why it is called a "camel": because you look like the back of a camel when you do it, with those "horns" going up and down alternately as the camel is walking.
I like it so much when things start making sense, I had to share this.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

can you list and describe all the Shimmies you know?

Jamil — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:05:18 GMT

Egyptian shimmy/Vibration shimmy/Glute shimmy : knees slightly bent with a shimmy generated by glutes and thighs tensening.

Lebanese shimmy/Knee shimmy/straight legged shimmy: legs straightened, feet flat on floor. each knee bends forward then back to origional position individually. (almost as though running with straight legs, but not lifting feet up off the floor.)

Turkish shimmy/ vertical shimmy: knees slightly bent, lift Right hip up, keeping left hip at origional level or dipping it down, and then swapping movement so that Left hip is lifted up, keeping left hip at origional level or dipping it down

Saaidi shimmy/ 'The Washing Machine': Feet flat on floor, twist waist to left so that left hip is diagonally in front and right hip is diagonally behind. then do the opposite motion so that Right hip is diagonally in front and left hip is diagonally behind.

chest shimmy: Repeating step above, but with shoulders rather then Hips.

Forward One legged shimmy/pronounced shimmy : weight on one leg [Leg A], other leg is on ball of foot out on front [Leg B] (the stance needed to do a hip drop) Using ball of foot on leg B, generate a small Egyptian shimmy/Vibration shimmy/Glute shimmy.

Back one legged shimmy: same position as above, but generate a Lebanese shimmy/Knee shimmy/straight legged shimmy with Leg A.

any others?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 17 replies

new

Indogo — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:54:36 GMT

hi all,new here,love the idea of this tribe,its a pleasure to join

smiles

ind
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

posted in Bellydance Movements - 11 replies

Naming Bellydance Moves?

Chenum — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:38:29 GMT

I'm wondering if a consensus can be met in regards to naming the moves in bellydance? I know in this small forum we may not reach many dancers, but maybe it's a start? I think if we can give universal names to the moves, then at least we'll all know what move a dancer is asking about when they have a question.

I'll begin with the arm movements, you add on or alter the names of the moves you know. Then, if there's disagreement, we can maybe reach an accord regarding a name for the move? Am I asking too much...most likely. lol

Arm Movements:
Snake Arms
Bird Arms
Picking Fruit Arms

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

costumes for sale

bellydancecostumesbytc — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 14:57:38 GMT

I have costumes for sale on my website email me for more info on anything you like tcsdance@aol.com
buy anything befor Oct 1st and will ship for free (US only)
thanks
TC
www.bellydancecostumesbytc.com
or check the pics in my profile

posted in Bellydance Movements - 1 reply

Amar Gamal Workshop in Nasvhille,TN

monica — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:44:02 GMT

Hello all-Amar Gamal of the BellyDance Superstars& BellyQueen will be in Nashville,TN October 27-28,2007. Go to www.kemetdance.com for more details.

Have a great day!
Monica

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

my favourite move

Nuria — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:17:24 GMT

it's got to be the omi. A well done omi looks sooo intriguing, it looks as if the hips were a loose ball rolling around in the belt. But my abs have to be stronger so I can pull in better...

which one is yours right now?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 6 replies

Progression

cindy — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 21:49:08 GMT

Hi! What is the average length of time to progress from one level to the next? I know that everyone is different and this is not a question that can be answered with 100% accuracy, but I am really feeling demotivated by the time it is taking me to progress....I have been taking classes on and off for almost two years now. I have to admit that I have not been consistent. The usual ten week session - one class a week that I enroll in, usually turns out to be 5-6 classes that I make and then I skip an entrie session or two and then start up again a few months later. I have switched between a few teachers as well, trying to find someone close to home without having to travel an hour away from home. Some people say it is good to have several teachers as you can learn something new from each one of them...But, when you are just learning, is this a good idea? My experience is that one teacher will teach me to do something and then the next will say I am doing it incorrectly or teach it differently. I have had one teacher put me in an intermediate level upon assessment recently and another at a basic beginner level (or at least group me in this level for a workshop)....It can be so confusing and demotivating. I have really tried to stay positive and put it all in perspective, but I have been questionning that perhaps I just won't get it....I am naturally unco-ordinated - have been since I was a kid. I have one teacher who jokes about how I have two lefts! I am also overly detailed oriented. So, I tend to have to mentally understand and break a move down in order to physically do it rather than just letting go and doing it! However, I am stubborn, so although perhps slower to initally get it, I will put mind over matter to learn what I need to do - most of the time :-) So, the easy answer would be to just practice right? Well, there is my other obstacle so to speak. I have three boys at home - actually count that four including my husband..LOL...Their needs and activities are a difficult balance to my need to practice this dance. Also, despite my investment in numerous belly dancing videos, I never seem to have a chance to practice at home. It is difficult for me to go the washroom on my own, let alone try to practice a video without an interruption! So, now two years later, I am at a level where I am somewhere between a beginner and an intermediate - not really fitting in either one. I know my lack of consistency and practice has influenced my progression. I just really love this dance and I really want to learn to be good at it. However, i also want to be realistic enough to know if and when it just ain't going to happen! Please help Demotivated but trying to be Positive :-)

posted in Bellydance Movements - 2 replies

Locks, Pops, Bumps

Tina — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:15:50 GMT

Okay.... Please overlook my ignorance, and remember that I am still fairly new at this. could someone please explain/define what a hip "lock" , "pop", and "bump" is? Knowing that there are many terms for the same movement, I'll probably find out that this is the case, but I'd just like to see it explained, please! Thanks in advance, all you experienced people!!!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 2 replies

progression of movements

Sue — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:44:03 GMT

I just thought this was an interesting question. What do you think is the natural progression of movements?
I remember in my very first class I was taught proper posture first, of course, then the very first movement I learned was a hip bump. The second move was basic Egyptian walk, then hip drop, hip lift, and snake arms. After that, I can't remember exactly the order in which I learned basic movements.
What were the first few movements you learned and did you feel they progressed in a logical order?
Hope this question makes sense.
:0)

posted in Bellydance Movements - 4 replies

Tribal posture?

Crazy_Red — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:51:07 GMT

Hi everyone!

I've just got my first Tribal instruction DVD and within the first ten minutes I was totally confused!!

It is FCBD Vol. 1. and in the posture section I am told to 'release the pelvis' - to me this means release it back (as in pelvic tuck and release) but i'm sure that's not what is meant is it?

I'm assuming that dance posture for Tribal is also to keep the tailbone down (slightly tucked) to protect the lower back?

The backs of the three ladies look very curved but I thought that was due to the chest being lifted using the back muscles.

Help and advice, please?

Rachel

posted in Bellydance Movements - 2 replies

Belly Dance hits delivery room.

Norma — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:51:40 GMT

Didn't quite know which tribe to post this on but this seemed as good a place as any!

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118618710665287942-lMyQjAxMDE3ODA2NDEwODQ3Wj.html

posted in Bellydance Movements - 6 replies

head swings

Wendy — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 03:20:01 GMT

What is the safest way to swing your head around without injury?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 2 replies

My Camel Is Not Your Camel

Valizan — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:11:56 GMT

This name seemingly gets more abuse than any other I've seen. :)

In American Tribal Style (ATS) The Camel is a very specific move that starts with the dancer stepping empathically up onto the right foot before sliding the left foot down and out sideways. I tell people it is like how a camel gently tries to sit its spindly legs down onto the ground.

However, I know that in Cabaret (Egyptian Cab?) a Camel is a vertical circle with the hips rotating from back upwards to front. Almost like a scooping motion with the hips.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 22 replies

What is this Tribal Fusion move?

Petra — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 19:50:09 GMT

OK, peeps, I have been trying to figure out this move and it's drivin' me crazy!

It's a Tribal Fusion move, I do not have a link to a video althought I am still looking for one and will post one if I can find it. I have seen this move done in TF duets and groups.

I'll describe it as best I can.

OK, you are standing in place. You lean all the way to your right side, with your right arm extended. Still bent to the side, you "roll" your body to the left, waist bent, so that you are now standing with your right arm extended but you are now bent at the waist, looking at the floor. (Or same scenario to the left side with left arm extended.)

I would like to know what this move is called and how to transition into/out of the move. Thanks!!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 4 replies

X-post: Big Beautiful Belly Dancer 2008 Calendar call for photos

Qamar_al-Shefaa — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 03:30:44 GMT

Greetings all belly dancing beauties!

Last winter, an idea was brought up to create a calendar featuring our big, beautiful, belly-dancer (BBBD) sisters and there was such a huge, positive response that this idea has become a reality!

The creative mindset behind this idea, BBBD Meghan, asked BBBD Kamala Devi to chair this project, and with the help of some very motivated BBBD sisters, we are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications from other BBBD sisters for the BBBD 2008 Calendar!

Click on the following link for additional information:

http://totallynortherntribal.com/BBBD.Calendar.htm

Please read all the information carefully and follow the instructions. If you have any questions, please send a Tribe PM to Calendar chairperson Kamala Devi.

The deadline for your application is July 31, 2008.

We are all looking forward to this project and are eager to see how the calendar turns out. We hope that this is successful enough to become an annual calendar.

Thanks everyone!

Kamala Devi and the BBBD 2008 Calendar Committee

DISCLAIMER: there is no connection between Totally Northern Tribal (TNT) and the BBBD 2008 Calendar. Calendar chairperson Kamala Devi, a member of TNT, linked off her TNT Member’s Page.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 2 replies

Basic Movements?

Jamil — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:43:02 GMT

What do most in this forum consider to be the most basic of bellydance steps?
as in, what movements would you expect to be taught in your first few beginners Bellydance classes?

-=Jamil=-

posted in Bellydance Movements - 16 replies

Walking and shimmying

cindy — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:23:39 GMT

Hi All. I am new to tribe! I can shimmy on the spot fairly well, but once I start walking, it just doesn't feel natural anymore. Every time I take a step, my movements become inconsistent and akward feeling. Any advice? Thanks!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 7 replies

You are travelling through time and space at knee level...

Valizan — Wed, 30 May 2007 01:52:07 GMT

You are on stage.
You dance.
At some point, you get down to the floor.

1. Left leg is kneeled, right leg is up, foot flat on the floor.

2. You lean and pull with the right leg, dragging the left leg behind you.

3. Your right leg lightly grazes the floor, your left leg pulls forward to the starting position of the right leg in #1.

What do *YOU* call this move?

Valizan
Who won't share what he calls it until he hears what you say.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 20 replies

Shimmy question?

Crazy_Red — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:54:59 GMT

Hi there!

Could someone please explain what the difference is between an 'articulated', as a pose to an 'unarticulated' shimmy?

Thank you!

Rachel x

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

How do I master the Berber Walk?

Amanda Hugnkiss — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 03:31:57 GMT

Hm, my dance partner has suggested we include this move in a performance we are doing in December. Eeekk! Any clues on mastering this walk?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 7 replies

Floor head drop

Norma — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 18:51:13 GMT

In a different post I remembered I used to do a variation of the berber walk. This takes a lot of practice and is tough on the knees so wear knee pads to practice. Here it is:

1. Start in Berber knee walk position with right knee forward on the floor.

2. Slide left leg to the rear in a straight position. You'll have to lift your body slightly to move leg.

3. Bend top of body forward so head touches the floor, arms in front of head.

4. Lift up torso, hands to the side.

5. Keep arms to the side and roll the right hip to the floor.

6. Bring the right leg next to the left leg, so both legs are straight out in front of you. Now turn and bend the left leg into the body.

7. Put the weight on your left leg, and lift the body onto the leg. The right leg is now straight to the back.

8. Slide the right leg forward, lifting the entire body into a kneeling postion. Torso straight up.

You can either repeat sequence again, go into a berber walk or do knee slides or other floor movement.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 6 replies

Teaching Zills (x post)

Fearless Leader — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:13:00 GMT

My class has requested that I teach zills during our next session (June). So I have a couple of questions for teachers and students.

Teachers~ do you teach one rhythm pattern per session/month should be taught? Or do you teach your students a different pattern every week? Or do you go gung-ho and teach them several patterns in an evening and revisit them during your session?

Students~ what has been beneficial in your zill learning experience. What do you think were key elements that lead to your mastery of zills?

Since zills are often thought of as a “decretive element” or a “prop” I really want to focus on the importance of them as a musical instrument. In the past I have taught a simple R/L pattern and got them moving as soon as possible as I have found that (moving with the zills) to be the biggest challenge to students. But now I also want to focus on teaching them a pattern or patterns that they can easily comprehend/master so that they feel much more accomplished and that they can carry with them in the months/classes to follow.
Thanks for your input!!! ;)

posted in Bellydance Movements - 6 replies

Push back w/ reverse undulation?

Aracenia — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 05:19:50 GMT

Okay, so I'm wandering through youtube and I stumble upon this incredible dancer. I've got no idea who she is, but I'm totally in love with her technique, stage prescence and style. So I'm watching this video of her and then she does the coolest thing that I've never seen before in my short viewing life. It's like she steps back while doing a reverse undulation. It's like a sharp backwards reverse camel with a hair toss or something. It's totally cool!!
Here are some links to the move
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vFY-HDXZM4E
she does it around 4:42
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fCk92QohxD0
1:13 This is a different dancer, but she's also incredible.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what it was and how do I do it. It's too cool!!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 7 replies

foot placement on turns

hopefalling — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:43:30 GMT

I'm curious to know---the turns that are so fast, i can do them easily in my ballet shoes but can't seem to make them fast at all in my bare feet. There must be a way to put your feet so that you can go really fast----what is it?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

Visual learner needs help!

AetherVeina — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:22:21 GMT

Okay, I am stuck here, I can guestimate that what I am doing is right for these moves, but either the way the moves are worded, or my learning ability is impedding me. Could anyone refer me to clips or more descriptive breakdowns of these moves I would be elated!

Reach and sit corkscrew, Pivot Arc, Arabic twist, Half turn (tribal style?) Torso twist, circle step, camel walk, Arc turn

Oh, and these are tribal movements!

Thanks ladies!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 2 replies

Clips, anyone????????

Deede — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 12:29:48 GMT

I am sure there are many others, besides myself who would love to actually see what is being described in action. I really appreciate the clips from Jamil, Valizan demonstrating the movements. I am very computer challenged, so I understand if many members are in the same predicament.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

What is "basic arabic"?

Zafira — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:58:30 GMT

I've heard dancers call a step forward and step back, "basic arabic".
Is that what it is?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 12 replies

Invitation to BellyWiki.com

Sesame — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 22:50:23 GMT

Hello -

For the past couple of weeks my friend Kris & I have been putting together the beginnings of a belly dance wiki called BellyWiki. BellyWiki (http://www.bellywiki.com) is a Wikipedia-style website intended to suppliment the already vast online community of belly dancers and belly dance enthusiasts.

BellyWiki came about because I'd noticed that lots of folks were asking around if there were a big list of moves/drills anywhere online. There didn't seem to be any centralized open-source place for that kind of thing. I thought a wiki would be a great format for this kind of thing because all of the knowledge would be written by the community. This allows for all the 7-bazillion names for each move to be recorded in one place.

I also think it will be a great place to gather all the wonderful linkies to the dancers, musicians, costume makers, etc. so we can all find each other. It can also provide a place where people can learn the history of belly dance and other kinds of information about our beloved art.

I extend participation in this wiki to any and all performers, instructors, students and afficianados of belly dance of all kinds.

I just got the site up on Monday, April 2nd. There's only a few articles so far, all written by volunteers. There's a big list of articles that need to be written and I'd like YOU to start writing them. Please don't be shy! Just follow the Articles WIsh List link from the main page of BellyWIki to get started.

If you have any questions about how to work a wiki, or if you run into any technical problems, please message me on Tribe or visit the BellyWiki Tribe http://tribes.tribe.net/bellywiki You'll be able to give feedback there as well as see what's going on with the wiki.

This is the first wiki I've worked with so if you have any suggestions or comments, please feel free to share. I've made this site out of love and respect for the community and I hope you like it! If you have critiques for me, I'm open to hearing them. Just be gentle!

Thanks! Hope to see you on the wiki!

Sesame

posted in Bellydance Movements - 0 replies

side movement with opposite hip lift/drop

Zafira — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:57:26 GMT

I have heard this movement called a "Samiha", but I have also seen another instructor call another move a "Samiha".

Example of move:
You are moving to the right sideways. Your right foot is flat, left is on the ball. Arms are posed to the right, and as you move right, your left hip lifts and drops. You can also layer a shimmy on the lift & drop.
Often you look back over your left shoulder at the working hip.

Movement can also go left with the right hip working.

Any idea what this is called?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 12 replies

Ansuya's Travelling Shimmy... What's it called?

Valizan — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:13:59 GMT

Since it was the move that inspired this tribe, I thought I'd ask it here!

If it is the move she does on the BDSS first DVD with the tiny dragging steps, I'd call that a Scooting Shimmy.

I've heard people call that a Choo Choo, but to me a Choo Choo is a Tribal move involving the hips.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 21 replies

What's a sidewinder?

taraneh — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:32:17 GMT

is it when you lead with half a large vertical ribcage figure 8 into half a vertical figure 8 with the same hip, then the other half of the rib figure 8 followed by the other half of the hip 8 (did that make any sense?) the general effect is a side to side undulation created by alternating the rib & hip figure 8s. one of my teachers called this a "snake". is it the same thing?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 16 replies

Main pic on this tribe.

Margaret — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:22:44 GMT

I love it. But the skirt, is it in parts? A wrap-around??
Margaret

posted in Bellydance Movements - 1 reply

3/4 Shimmy

dancersdreamland — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:59:31 GMT

3/4 Shimmy (on the up) - basic version
Step forward onto right foot (put all weight on the right)
- Lift right hip up, drop to center, lift up
Step forward onto left foot (pull all weight on the left)
- Lift left hip up, drop to center, lift up

3/4 Shimmy (on the down) - basic version
Step forward onto right foot (put all weight on the right)
- Drop right hip down, lift to center, drop down
Step forward onto left foot (pull all weight on the left)
- Drop right hip down, lift to center, drop down

3/4 Shimmy - with shimmy
While shimmying, step forward right-left-right
Point left toe and lift left hip
While shimmying, step forward left-right-left
Point right toe and lift right hip

Of course, this could also be done with a drop.

posted in Bellydance Movements - 19 replies

Another video, get the names:)

Eugenia — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:44:14 GMT

start to 00.02 : cross
00.02 - 00.07 : in the place, camel plus foot small kick to the front
00.07 - 00.10: bum pushes backwards with head joining the cuts
00.10 - 00.12: hip drop to the front and side
00.12-00.13: cross
00.13-00.16 walk around with shoulder shimmy
00.16-00.19 hip drops front and side again
repeats

http://youtube.com/watch?v=g5A5HA9lLTQ

posted in Bellydance Movements - 3 replies

lets name the steps in this Basic choreo.

Jamil — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 08:32:58 GMT

Here is a short choreo, that has a couple of the basic steps of bellydance.

ill name the steps here as they appear in the clip, and feel free to discuss the names or your own interpretation of the step.

0.00 - 0.07: Basic Hip drop
0.07 - 0.20: left and right Vertical Hip Bumps
0.20 - 0.23 : shoulder shimmy
0.23 - 0.28 : downward stomach roll (or ripple)
repeat 0.20 - 0.28 till end

posted in Bellydance Movements - 13 replies

please post clips if possible!

Nina_Nazir — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:45:27 GMT

since we are trying to help eachouther out in naming moves could it be possible to post clips of the move in question? I think it might help those of us who may be more visual than technical in our discriptions. Thanks!

posted in Bellydance Movements - 5 replies

Belly movements

Jamil — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:21:06 GMT

Belly rolls and stomach ripples are the main terms given to the rolling of the stomach here in Australia....

is this universal?

posted in Bellydance Movements - 14 replies

Inspiration

Jamil — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 01:13:49 GMT

I decided to start this tribe after reading a post where a few where confused what the name of Anuyas travelling shimmy was called:
http://tribaret.tribe.net/thread/ed25d98d-2173-42c8-8233-de5e936e3d15

i realised that all around the world, there are different names for most belly dance movements, which can get confusing.

so here is the place we can hear others, and listen to what people all around the world call specific steps.
im sure it will help us generally and in our professional lives.

-=Jamil=-

posted in Bellydance Movements - 10 replies