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Thursday, August 27, 2009

TFBD Fall 2009 series - Class 1 Notes

Thanks for a great start to a new 6-class series. We covered a lot and moved fast. Thanks for sticking in there. Here is a recap of what we covered.

Undulations: start with contraction in the upper back (count 1), contraction in the upper abs (count 2), contraction in the lower abs (count 3), and release/relax (count 4). Note that the contractions are isolated, however, in an undulation, the contractions smoothly transfer from one to the next. Think smooth contractions.
1. in place
2. walking flat foot
3. walking on releve (balls of the feet)
4 walking with arms (start with arms extended over head, press hands down to hip on count one, then raise up for 8 counts )
5. walking Right flat foot on count 1, then on releve for LRL (4 counts) with arms extended out to the side.

In general, walking on releve with undulations is called "Arabic" in the American Tribal Style (ATS) repertoire. So, you may hear me use that term frequently.

Chest circles: these are interior circles consisting of an upper back contraction, then tilt the right side of the chest up, upper ab contraction (or chest to neutral position), then tilt the left side of the chest up. Keep going and there is a continuous cycle of circles. Note that the circles can start at any of the 4 points and can go either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Combination: Chest circle starting right counterclockwise while walking to the left starting with the right foot (4 counts). Continue the foot and the chest circle turning to the back by pivoting on the left foot on count 4 and stepping on the right foot facing back on count 1. Repeat this half turn to face front.

Figure 8 hips, starting right hip back to front: with knees soft, slide the right hip back, and pull the right hip outward and forward to the right front diagonal; then slide the left hip back , and pull the left hip outward and forward to the left front diagonal. Keep going and you have a continuous Figure 8 back to front hip or an infinity sign.

Movement: From the ATS repertoire, by combining the Arabic and the right side of the Figure 8 back to front hip, we have the Arabic Hip Twist. Execute the Arabic for counts 1 (right foot) and 2 (left foot), then right hip circles back to front on counts 3 (right foot) and 4 (left foot).


The music we are using in class for this choreography is called "Azure" by Solace from the album "Iman". You can find it on iTunes.

We have class next Thursday, September 3rd.


I'll be dancing at Red Fez on Friday, August 28th. Two performances between 8:30 and 10:30PM. Hope to see you there!

Lily

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

New series starts August 27th, 2009

I've had to take a two week break from teaching my classes because of two belly dance events I attended:
  • Ya Halla Y'all - put on by the good folks in Dallas, Isis Productions. The big weekend festival was packed with classes and shows in the evening. http://www.isisandthestardancers.com/
  • Mira Betz Performance Intensive - put on by Mira Betz herself. She is an amazing dancer, performer and teacher. I have seen her performances, but she has put herself in the forefront on the performance aspect of the dance and has created a transformational course. http://www.miramania.com/

This is my favorite video clip of her to date:



Enjoy... and see you Thursday!
lily

Friday, August 7, 2009

Tribal Fusion Bellydance July/Aug Series - Class 6 Notes

We added a new step to the choreography. It is from the American Tribal Style repertoire called "Double Back" step, however, since we are not actually performing a hip double back, we are calling it "Triangle Step".

Triangle Step - Image yourself standing at the tip of an up-side down triangle with an upper right corner and upper left corner.

On count 1, step on the right ball of the foot on the upper right corner. On count 2, step on the left ball of the foot on the upper left corner. On count 3, step the right foot flat back to the starting point (bottom tip of the up-side down triangle). On counts 1,2,3, the hip is up on the same foot that steps. Hold count 4. Let your torso pivot with your foot.

On count 1, step on the left ball of the foot on the upper left corner. On count 2, step on the right ball of the foot on the upper right corner. On count 3, step the left foot flat back to the starting point (bottom tip of the up-side down triangle). On counts 1,2,3, the hip is up on the same foot that steps. Hold count 4. Let your torso pivot with your foot.


Thank you for a great 6 weeks!


The next (and last one for the year) 6-class series is spread out over a few months. The dates are: Aug 27, Sept 3, Sept 24, Oct 1, Oct 8, Oct 15.

Class info is now available on my website: http://www.lilybellydance.com/instruction/

Register now as class size is kept small: http://www.lilybellydance.com/registerAug.shtml

See you on August 27th!
Lily

Performances this weekend!


Friday, August 7, 2009 - Alborz Persian Cuisine. 7:45 - 9:30 PM. Performances by Lily.


Saturday, August 8, 2009 - Sahara Nights with Sabaya Bellydance Collective and ATASH!

See you this weekend!
- Lily