Tribal Fusion Bellydance Class 3 Notes

Hi ladies! How do you feel after yesterday's class?

Here are the class notes...
1. Review:

• Arms
• Basic Egyptian
• Egyptian Half turn
• Arabic
• Arabic twist
• Choo Choo
• Choo Choo Pivot turn
• Taxeem (a.k.a. down-to-up figure 8)

2. Warm-up conditioning exercises

3. Jumana Points (this is in the Aziza Ultimate Bellydance Practice Companion DVD) are the 6 points in which you slide your hips.

• Right front corner
• Right side
• Right back corner
• then repeat Right side
• Left front corner
• Left side
• Left back corner
• then repeat Left side

Practice these hip slides to help you increase your range of motion and muscle memory!

4. Hip work!

• Piston Hips - start with legs hip width apart. Hips, alternating, move directly up and down.
• Pelvic Locks - pelvis tilting back and forward. By contracting the lower abdominal, the pelvis tilts back. By contracting the lower back, the pelvis tilts forward.
• Reverse Taxeem (a.k.a. up-to-down figure 8) or "Maya" - starting with the right hip pushing up, to the far right, bringing it down and moving the weight from the right foot to the left as you bring the left hip up, to the far left, bringing it down and back to center.
• Box - combining the Piston Hips with Pelvic Locks. In the clockwise direction: lower ab contraction, right hip up, lower back contracting, left hip up.
• Interior Hip Circle (or "Omi") - Smoothing out the sides of the Box into one continuous motion; we get a circular motion similar to that of water swishing around in a bowl.

5. Choreography to "Heretic" by Solace.

Here is the first minute...

• Basic Egyptian - 16 counts
• Egyptian half turns - 16 counts
• Torso rotations (4) - 32 counts
• Arabic - 8 counts
• Reverse figure 8 - 8 counts
• Arabic - 8 counts
• Reverse figure 8 - 8 counts

The music is on my iTunes iMix. Check previous blog for the link.

Thanks for a great class. Have a great weekend!

Lily

Recommendation: Instructional DVD

Hi there,

A few people in class asked about any instructional DVD's that I could recommend. If you've looked around, there are A L O T of instructional DVD's out there.

My favorite one is called Aziza's Ultimate Bellydance Practice Companion. You can see a clip of it here:


The DVD covers technique and training for dance. It is not a DVD that will teach you to "dance". You can read the reviews for it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Azizas-Ultimate-Bellydance-Pratice-Companion/dp/B000OE3I7O


If you are looking for tribal style specific instruction, turn to the source: Fat Chance Belly Dance. They have a series of tribal style specific instructional DVD's. The main ones that are movements specific are Volume 1 and 4. http://www.fcbd.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=231



Hope that helps!
Lily

Tribal Fusion Bellydance Class 2 Notes

Hi ladies,



Here are the notes from yesterday's class...



Review first week's class movements:

• Egyptian Basic: Arms are straight up, twisting at the hip, slightly lower the same elbow as that side hip twists up.


• Basic Arabic: Technically, this movement is a shifting of your weight forward and back. Make comes from your legs, the pelvis/hips following along swaying back and forth.


• Choo Choo: Continuing from the "Hip Bump" position and traveling to the right, every time your right hip is up, your weight is on the right foot in releve. When your right hip is down, your weight is on the left foot. By transferring the weight between your feet you can shuffle your feet towards the right.


• Taxeem: It's a vertical figure 8 without any horizontal twist at all. Drop the hip down first, then push it out and draw it up using your obliques, before switching to the other side. The movement is based on the natural movement of the hips as you walk.

A more robust stretch and tone warm-up.

More tribal style belly dance movements covered:

1. Egyptian half-turn: Start with regular Basic Egyptian, the right hip is forward on count 1, right foot steps back on count 2, then left hip is forward on count 3; then turn by stepping back with the left foot on 4 and pivoting to the left, ending with the right foot ready for 1. Continue the movement facing back, then turning back to the front.

2. Arabic hip-twist: 4-count step. 1-2 is an Arabic basic; on 3-4, step on the right and twist the hips to the right and back to the left. Arms are curved out slightly front. On 1-2, add hand floreos, turning into the center. On 3-4, the arms should stay in place, framing the torso, as the hips twist.

3. Choo choo arc turn: Choo-choo to the front 2 counts, bring left arm down to meet right arm in front 2 counts. Slightly raising both wrists, then pivot around to the left, bringing both hands to the left hip as you turn to the back. Sweep arms around and overhead to complete, ending with arms in starting position.

4. Torso rotation : imagine a heart shape on the floor. Starting center with arms out, upper body leans forward and to the left, round out to the back, then to the right and rounds out leaning forward and to the right, finally pull back to center. Arms remain in classic tribal position, elbows up and pointing out. There is a gentle bend/flex in the arms as your torso moves around.

5. Snake arms or arm undulations: Arms at classic tribal position, gently push the right hand away and the head tils left, eyes looking to the right hand, left forearm slowly pulls in. Then left hand pushes away towards left side, head tils right, eyes looking to the left hand, right forearm slowly pulls in towards body. As you get comfortable, incorporate a subtle chest fig-8. In tribal fusion style, these arms are done slowly and controlled, incorporating shoulder rolls and extention of the finger tips. Try to keep the height of which your elbow moves at a minimum.

We will review these again next week and start to put some movements together to start a choreography.

Here is another video for inspiration .... although old, it is the Ultra Gypsy (San Francisco) tribal belly dance troupe back in the day. You may recognize Jill Parker and Rachel Brice.

Have a great weekend!
Lily

Tribal Fusion class reminder

Hi ladies,

Make sure you arrive to the studio on time on Thursday (7:45). I plan to lock the front door once most everyone has arrived. Email me or call me if you think you will be late.

I will manage the class time better so that you are out before 9.

We will quickly review all the movements from last week at the very beginning of class.

See you all tomorrow!
Lily

The lovely Sharon Kihara

I'm really bummed I didn't get to see Sharon this year at 3rd Coast Tribal festival this year. Here is a fantastic clip of her dancing!



You may have noticed that I've removed my blog posts about my personal yoga practice. You are interested, those posts have been removed to: http://lilyoga.blogspot.com

Tribal Fusion Bellydance Class 1

Thanks for class today. We had a really great time teaching and meeting you. Here is a recap of what we did in class today. Feel free to email me with questions.

Preparation:
1. Seated inhalation, drawing the arms up.
2. Seated side stretches.
3. Repetitive motion from hands and knees to child's pose.
4. Repetitive motion of "Rajvasana": kneeling arms draw up, exhale down to child's pose.
5. Plank
6. Cobra, pulsing up and down with the breath.
7. Downward facing dog
8. lunge
9. warrior I (repeat inhaling with arms/elbow drawing back, exhald to release arms)
10. repetitive motion from warrior II to triangle pose
11. lunge
12. cobra (repeat starting at 7, lunge into the other leg)
13. Downward facing dog
14. forward bend
15. standing
16. forward bend
17. cobra
18. Downward facing dog
19. one-legged king pigeon
20. Downward facing dog
21. one-legged king pigeon (other leg)
22. Downward facing dog
23. forward bend
24. standing
25. garland pose (aka "china man squat")
26. forward bend
27. standing


Posture:
- head stacked on top
- Chest lifted
- Shoulders and elbows back
- Pelvis slightly tucked, abdominals engaged
- In proper American Tribal Style (ATS), the elbows are lifted to the height of shoulders. Forearms are perpedicular. Energy from shoulders through the finger tips.
- Resting position for the arms: hands at hips, top of hand is facing forward, energy remain through out the arms. The arms is soft yet strong. Elbows are pointing directly out to the sides.


Movements:

1. Egyptian Basic: Arms are straight up, twisting at the hip, slightly lower the same elbow as that side hip twists up.

2. Basic Arabic: Technically, this movement is a shifting of your weight forward and back. Make comes from your legs, the pelvis/hips following along swaying back and forth.

3. Choo Choo: Continuing from the "Hip Bump" position and traveling to the right, every time your right hip is up, your weight is on the right foot in

releve. When your right hip is down, your weight is on the left foot. By transferring the weight between your feet you can shuffle your feet towards the right.

4. Taxeem: It's a vertical figure 8 without any horizontal twist at all. Drop the hip down first, then push it out and draw it up using your obliques, before switching to the other side. The movement is based on the natural movement of the hips as you walk.



Combination:
- 8 Choo Choos to the right (4 counts), then 8 Choo Choos (4 counts) circling around over the right shoulder
- 4 Egyptian Basics (RLRL) towards your partner (4 counts)
- 4 Basic Arabics in a circle (4 counts)



Cool down:
- inhale and exhale in to grand plie
- Split leg forward bend
- Triangular forward bend
(transition on the back)
- twist: pulling both legs to chest, exhale legs to one side, bring to center, then exhale to the other side
- apanasana: exhale draw knees to chest, inhale push knees away; repeating


We will move through the Stretching and Preparation faster in the next class to allow for more Movement and Drilling time.
Thanks for all your hard work! Well done everyone!
Lily

Tribal Fusion Bellydance with Lily starts tomorrow!

Just a reminder to those signed up for my 8-week tribal fusion style bellydance session starting tomorrow, January 15th. Here are the details again:

Tribal Fusion style Bellydance with Lily
starting January 15, 2009 - March 5, 2009
Thursdays 7:45-8:45 PM at Cafe Dance, located at 3307 B Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 (near the intersection of Balcones Drive and Hancock Drive, next to Russell's Bakery and Coffee Bar)
map:

Remember to wear comfortable, fitted clothing to dance in. Form fitting clothing helps you see your movements. Bring water.

There is a bathroom on site. Cafe Dance has just one studio. There is a yoga class before our class, so please keep the volume down if you arrive early.

$88 for the session.

Please let me know if you have any injuries or conditions I should know about before class.

Thank you and see you all tomorrow!
Lily
http://www.LilyBellydance.com
http://www.TribalKinesis.com

iTunes iMix for Tribal Fusion Bellydance class

Hello Tribal Fusion Bellydance class people!
I've created an iTunes iMix of music that I recommend and personally enjoy. We will most likely use these in class. Have fun listening to them!

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=302053758

See you in class Thursday!
Lily

Sahara Nights at Copa

Those of you who couldn't make it to Sahara Nights last night... well
not only did you miss a great bellydance show by Sabaya, but you also
missed the live DJ set with JSunRay on tabla and Indrajit on sitar.

Next Sahara Nights is February 14th Valentine's Day!

Sweating Buckets

This is how I felt today at Sanieh's Hatha Flow class. She turned up the heat, but only to 83. I was sweating profusely. I wish I had a towel to wipe off the sweat dripping down my face, almost blinding me! At times like these, I turn my head to look at my shoulder, see sweat bubbles, and then get happy. It's totally superficial, but I do get satisfaction out of seeing those sweat bubbles (or really just sweat out of my pores).

Sanieh is my yoga mentor, she also keeps a blog. In a recent post, she shared the first two verses of Hanuman Chalisa, which I found beautiful:

"We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment, but it is transient. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. If we share with caring, lightheartedness, and love, we will create abundance and joy for each other. And then this moment will have been worthwhile." -Deepak Chopra

This is what I believe too and is how I would like my dance classes to be, a time and space that encourages sharing which results in joy.

Welcome!

My intention is to share belly dance, tribal fusion bellydance, and yoga related inspirations here.

I find myself a perpetual student. I think everyone should be, even teachers. There is always something new to learn. The best is when you learn from your friends, family, and students. I also believe that people learn differently. Some learn by watching; some learn by doing. As a teacher, the process of learning is continual topic of discussion.

For me, I learn by watching. Here is a video clip of Zoe Jakes that I find inspirational:




Let's not forget my all time favorite, Mardi and Rachel's duet to "Tsiftetelli" by The Toids.




Feel free to comment. You can also find me at:
http://www.LilyBellydance.com and http://www.TribalKinesis.com
Love, Live, and Liberation,
Lily