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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Bellydance Basics: Class 5 Notes

Big thanks to those who could make it to our last class of the series. We finished this 5-week series with the quintessential bellydance movement: undulations! I've always loved undulations. However, it is quite a complicated movement and could take a while to get. So be patient with yourself.

Undulations could be broken down to these steps:
- contraction in the upper back
- contraction in the upper abs
- contraction in the mid abs
- contraction in the low abs
Be sure to release before you start over again. As a matter of fact, release the muscle prior the one you are contracting and flow from one to the next in a consistent smooth pace.

As for the "Mandatory Dance Party", well... it was really a review of all that we've done these 5 weeks.

Thank you for dancing with me. I really enjoyed it, and I hope you did too!


The next session starts next Wednesday at Flamencura Dance Studio. We'll be working towards a dance for 7 weeks.
See you there!
Lily

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

TFBD: September series: Class 5 notes

Ok Folks! Here is the last bit of the choreo to Special Kae:

2:02 Corn on the Cob
2:15 Shimmy Locks combo:(Ayoub rhythm)

- Head slide right, center
- Chest lock up, down
- Shoulder lock right front (left back), right back (left front)
*Omi ¼ turn.

- Head slide left, center
- Chest lock up, down
- Shoulder lock left front (right back), left back (right front)
*Cross turn.

- Head slide right, center
- Chest lock up, down
- Shoulder lock right front (left back), right back (left front)
*Shoulder shimmy.

- Head slide left, center
- Chest lock up, down
- Shoulder lock left front (right back), left back (right front)
*Singles.

2:38 Gawazi shimmy (Malfouf rhythm)
- Right arm draws down and to shoulder height, left arm up – 4 counts.
- Turn over left shoulder – 4 counts.

FINALE Begin by facing right corner
- Shoulder roll forward, undulate up to down, Left hip drop. Singles.
- Left cross turn. Arms up – Pose.


As I was saying in class, this piece is HARD! It's super technical and somewhat appropriate because this song is really a drum solo. Perfect time to exhibit your skills. Keep in mind though, we still kept it cool. There was at least one "resting" section. Can you guess which one?

I hope to put together a little video clip for this along with a full break down of the choreo.

The next Tribal Fusion series starts next THURSDAY at Cafe Dance, 7:45pm. We'll be working on a fun and upbeat dance, inspired by Mardi Love and Rachel Brice. Hope to see you there!!!
Lily

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bellydance Basics: Class 4 Notes

Shoulder shimmies, snake arms, and some fun combos!

Giving a little more focus to our upper bodies today, we touched upon shoulder shimmies and snake arms. I noticed some of you were "feeling the burn" in the middle of class as we practiced the snake arms. Note that "snake arms" are also called "arm waves".

Shoulder shimmies - the shoulders move in opposite directions forward and back. Keep the movement small. The shoulder should remain pressed down, moving forward and back. Lifting the shoulders would be a different movement!

We walked with the shoulder shimmy. We also used it as a transition between the hip drops on the left and right sides.


Snake arms / Arm waves - There are four parts to an arm wave: shoulder, elbow, wrist, finger tips. If we are starting on our right arms, the parts of the arm lift upward while the same part on the left arm presses downward. Again, it's this concept of opposition! Remember that when lifting the arm up, lead with the top of the wrist, but when lowering the arm, lead with the inside of the wrist. Practice just alternating the wrists in both left and right. Meaning, right wrist up (fingers down) and left wrist down (fingers up); then right wrist down (fingers up) and left wrist up (fingers down). What we find is that we can do each of these items just fine on its own, but when we put them together is where we have troubles. Practice each segment of the arm wave in opposites.

We walked across the room with the arm waves. We also used the foot pattern "cross touch" with the arm waves.

Figure 8 Arms - Paired with the horizontal figure 8 hip from front to back, we copied this shape with arms by drawing the figure 8 horizontally in front of us as if we were drawing it on the floor.

Then we put together a quick combination across the floor:
- Figure 8 Arms with horizontal figure 8 hips (8 counts)
- Full hip circle (4 counts)
- Arm waves while walking [optional cross touch feet] (4 counts)

Finally, we brought back two movements we learned in the previous classes:
Hip circle and Hip twists

Exaggerating the hip circle by stepping the right foot out to the right to initiate the movement, twists on the right hip as your shoulders remain over the left hip and your gaze is on your right hip. Round the hips back for a half circle over to the left side, so that now your shoulders are over the right hip and your gaze is on your left hip. Hip twists on the left. Round the hips front for a half circle. Pull the left foot in to meet the right to finish.

What fun and sassy ladies you are!
Thanks for a great class!


Remember that next week is our last class of the series. We will cover some new material and review all of which we have learned the past few weeks. We'll finish with a "Mandatory Dance Party!"


Lastly, registration for the next series is open. Bellydance Basics Classes will be held at
Flamencura Music and Dance Studio
7113 Burnet Rd. # 111, Austin, Texas 78757 (Behind Dallas Nite Club)
Cost: $84
Wednesdays, October 6 - November 17 (7 weeks)
http://www.lilybellydance.com/registerBB.shtml

We'll put together a fun little dance.
Hope to see you there!
Lily

Video of Lily dancing to "Leilet Hob"

Here is the video clip of me dancig to the song "Leilet Hob". Music by Atash.



It's a long one... My favorite part is towards the end after the exciting drums. One of the spectators told me how amazing it was for me to be dancing for that long, to live music and improvised. It does help, however, to know the song "Leilet Hob". Everyone should know it! But you just don't know how Atash will play it. Every time they play it live, it's just a little different. I like it because it keeps me on my toes! Thank you, Atash, for a great night. Thanks, Carol, for the video!

Thanks for watching!
Lily

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

TFBD: September series: Class 4 notes

After a quick warmup, we went right to business! We covered 3 combinations today:

1. The "Diamond" Combo
- right hip up
- chest lock up
- left hip up
- chest lock down
(repeat in a continuous cycle)
For the choreography, we mimic the accents in the music with the four points of this "Diamond" combo.

2. The "Retreat" Combo
- swing left arm from down to back and up while stepping the left foot back.
- with the right hip in front, drop right hip down big/small/small, big/small/small.
(repeat on right side, then left, then right)

3. "Pushed Four Corners" Combo
- walking to the left diagonal, end with weight on left foot, body angled slightly forward. Quarter-note feet. 4 counts.
- pushed chest circle starting left, accenting on the first count with a shoulder shimmy. 4 counts.
- pushed chest circle starting right, accenting on the first count with a shoulder shimmy. 4 counts.
- hip singles starting left (right down). Lock them in place to mimic the hard dums of the music. Eighth-note hips. 4 counts.
(repeat walking to right front corner, back left corner, then back right corner)

Fun stuff! Of course, we reviewed the choreography and was able to run it from beginning to end. Good work everyone!

Next week, we're going to finish this. 'Til then, practice!
Lily

Monday, September 20, 2010

Sahara Nights and Dancing with Atash

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
For making this past Saturday such a wonderful night of dancing. I forgot to mention that I won't be at the October Sahara Nights, so hope I danced enough for ya! It's a special and rare opportunity for me to have two shows in one night, and I appreciate all the friends who came out to support. It's always comforting to know you've got friends out there in the audience.





This was my first time dancing to the entire song of Leilet Hob with Atash. For those who know Atash, their songs are LONG when they play live. This was almost an endurance test for me!

Much love,
Lily

Friday, September 17, 2010

Newsletters!

For your viewing pleasure, I have two newsletters to share!
Sabaya Bellydance Collective: September Update: Sabaya Bellydance Collective Events 2010
Lily Bellydance: October 2010 Newsletter from Lily Bellydance

See ya soon!
Lily

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bellydance Basics: Class 3 Notes

In class 3, we covered horizontal figure 8's. There are so many options, let's see if we can vocalize them here.

Standing in place:
1. Back to front figure 8's, starting on the right.
2. Back to front figure 8's, starting on the left.
3. Front to back figure 8's, starting on the right.
4. Front to back figure 8's, starting on the left.

Of course, now, we can also walk with them. Take the 4 above and add feet:
1. starting on the right foot.
2. starting on the left foot.

Then in releve, walk!

Practice with both feet flat first, in place. Once you get comfortable, take one foot off of the floor and continue with your figure 8. Then change feet.

Then go back to your starting foot and continue with the next figure 8 listed. Then change feet.

... and on and on and on... I hope you found this as challenging as it was fun!


In class, we explored the figure 8's standing in place and walking forward and back. We also played with timing. So, the first figure 8 is slow, then two fast ones. Believe it or not, we could have gone even faster!


We also explored transitioning from a back to front figure 8 to a front to back figure 8 using a half circle. So, the chain of commands would go:

1. Start right hip back, round right hip to front, slide back left, round left hip to front.
2. With that left hip pushed front, even out the hips to slide the hips forward and round over to the right for a half circle.
3. With the hips already at the top of the right side, continue to round out to the back, pull in through center, so now the left hip slides front. Round out the left hip out and to the back.
4. With the left hip back, even out the hips to slide the hips back and round over the right side for a half circle.

So essentially the shape we're making is:
- back to front figure 8 starting right.
- half circle front starting left.
- front to back figure 8 starting right.
- half circle back staring left.

Fun! Fun! Fun! Tough! Tough! Tough!
Thanks for bringing your thinking caps.
See you next week!
Lily
www.LilyBellydance.com

TFBD: September series: Class 3 notes

So we had some fun combos today. I have to admit, this piece is hard. With the human beat-box and funky beats, I'm so wanting to just play, but no, we have work to do!

Corn on the Cob Combo:

Pelvic lock front (count 1)
Hip Slide R (count 2)
Pelvic lock back/front (8th notes) and slide L back to center

Chest lock down (count 1)
Chest slide R (count 2)
Chest lock up/down (8th notes) and slide L back to center

Pelvic lock front (count 1)
Hip Slide L (count 2)
Pelvic lock back/front (8th notes) and slide R back to center (counts 3-8)

Chest lock down (count 1)
Chest slide L (count 2)
Pause (counts 3,4)
Chest square (8th notes) and slide R back to center starting on counts (5-8)


Water Tower Combo:

Start in Diagonal sit pose (standing back leg is left, right foot front in releve)

Undulate down (count 1), R hip drop (count 2)
Hip Singles (8th notes) with chest circle R to L(counts 3-8)

Undulate down (count 1), L hip drop (count 2)
Hip Singles (8th notes) with chest circle L to R(counts 3-8)

Undulate down (count 1), R hip drop (count 2)
Hip Singles (8th notes) with chest circle R to L(counts 3-8)

Undulate down (count 1), R hip drop L to R(count 2)
Undulate up (counts 5-8)


What can I say, I'm a visual person. Hope these imageries help!
See you at Sahara Nights this Saturday!
Lily
www.LilyBellydance.com

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Bellydance Basics: Class 2 Notes

In this second class, we covered "Hip twists"! Keeping your torso facing forward, knees soft, twist the right hip forward (left hip back), then reverse it so that left hip is forward (right hip back).

What we find is that standing in place, you can repeat this movement and it's just a continuous motion. We also started to talk about the downbeat or where you movement starts with the beat of the music. We can start with the right hip forward or with the left hip forward. When standing, this looks pretty much the same. It is much more obivous when you start to walk with this hip movement or when you have one heel up.

Hip Twists with:
- Right heel up. Twist right hip forward on the downbeat. The motion on the right hip is "up, up, up..."
- Right heel up. Twist left hip forward on the downbeat. The motion on the right hip is "down, down, down..."
- Left heel up. Twist left hip forward on the downbeat. The motion on the left hip is "up, up, up..."
- Left heel up. Twist right hip forward on the downbeat. The mtion on the left hip is "down, down, down..."

We also traveled with the hip twist with the Step Touch:
- Step right, then touch with ball of the left foot and twist the left hip forward at the same time.
- Step left, then touch the floor with the ball of the right foot and twist the right hip forward at the same time.
- continue.

Hope you had fun!
See you Thursday,
Lily

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

TFBD: September series: Class 2 notes

We worked A LOT on our lower abs today. It's tough because it's one of those neglected muscles. To have control over this muscle will do wonders for your pelvic locks. We didn't even get to exploring the different degrees of contraction. Another time!

In addition to drilling the lower abdominal contractions for a front pelvic lock, we also used this contraction to initiate our "Down to Up" undulations (or what some people call "reverse undulation").

We added a new combination "Roll Up Combo":
Right shoulder roll forward and Right hip forward drop (count 1)
Right shoulder roll back and Right hip back drop (count 2)
Undulation up (counts 3-8)

Left shoulder roll forward and Left hip forward drop (count 1)
Left shoulder roll back and Left hip back drop (count 2)
Undulation up (counts 3-8)


And now, with shimmy!
Hip roll up Combo with shimmy (on the undulation down to up):

Right shoulder roll forward and Right hip forward drop (count 1) – to left diagonal
Right shoulder roll back and Right hip back drop (count 2)
Undulation up (counts 3-8) with shimmy

R shoulder roll forward and Right hip forward drop (count 1) – to left diagonal
R shoulder roll back and Right hip back drop (count 2)
Undulation up (counts 3-6) with shimmy
Chest Lock up down up (count 7,+, 8)

Left shoulder roll forward and Left hip forward drop (count 1) – to right diagonal
Left shoulder roll back and Left hip back drop (count 2)
Undulation up (counts 3-8) with shimmy

Left shoulder roll forward and Left hip forward drop (count 1) – to right diagonal
Left shoulder roll back and Left hip back drop (count 2)
Undulation up (counts 3-6) with shimmy
Chest Lock up down up (count 7,+, 8)

Practice this! We'll put all of the combos together in Class 3.
See you soon!
Lily

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Bellydance Basics: Class 1 Notes

It was so nice to meet everyone on Thursday night. For most, this was the first bellydance class. For a couple of you, this was a good introduction to how we'll work together and a good review of some basic belly dance movements.

What we covered in this first class:
1. POSTURE!
2. Hip singles (a.k.a. hip ups or hip lifts)
3. Hip circles
4. Hip half circles
5. Step Touch foot pattern

We put a few of these movements together:
1. Walking with the hip singles. The hip that lifts is the same side as the foot that steps onto the ground.
2. Walking with hip doubles. Two hip lifts on the same side as the foot that steps on the ground.
3. Step touch with hip singles. The hip lifts on the side of the foot with the heel up (the "touch"). We vary the arms over head or alternating one hand behind head and the other reaching forward.
4. Step touch with Hip half circles. Step right foot, start hip half circle from left (slide left) and round to right. Stop the hip half circle on the right hip and touch the left foot. Alternate: step the left foot, start the hip half circle on the right hip (slide right) and round to the left. Stop the hip half cirlce on the left hip and touch the right foot. Just think opposite hip to opposite foot.

Hope you had fun! See you next Thursday at Cafe Dance!
Lily

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

TFBD: September series: Class 1 notes

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for a great first class. I hope you had as much fun drilling and dancing as I did!

Some basic concepts to keep in mind when we drill with layers:
1. Speed - If you are having a difficult time keeping up with the tempo we're going, you always have the option of slowing it down. Cut the speed in half and go slow. Once you get comfortable at that speed, try going full speed once, go back to the slow speed. Then try going full speed twice, go back to slow speed. Three times at full speed, etc. etc. When you get to a stopping point, say, four continuous times at full speed, then you lose it. Alternate four times full speed, four times slow speed. Gradually build up.
2. Foundation - When layering two movements together, often we have difficulties with one of the two. Perhaps you feel you can't do the movements together. Determine which one of the two movements you are having difficulties with. Let's say you are attempting to do a hip circle with shimmy. Do you lose the shimmy at some point during the hip circle? If so, go back to the shimmy. Start with the shimmy, work on free movement of the hips while shimmying. Then put your shimmy on auto-pilot. Focus then, on your hip circle. Maybe start with a smaller hip circle, then gradually increase the size of your hip circle. Determine where in the circle you're having a difficult time with your shimmy. Focus on that part of the circle with the shimmy.

We can all just "do the move" or attempt to do the move... and hope one day it'll click. But if we actively diagnose our own problems, then we can better are own dancing and technique. Sometimes, however, it helps to have the assistance or coaching of a teacher!

Prior to drilling, take each layer and reviewed them, then begin to add another movement.

Here are the combinations we ended up with at the end of the class:
1. Chest circle with shoulder shimmy. Starting down, alternating directions.
2. Shoulder roll down combo:
- Right shoulder roll (back, up, forward, down), chest lock up [Count 1]
- Chest lock down [Count 2]
- Undulation from upper back down, finish at release [Counts 3-8]
... then left side
3. Shoulder roll down combo with shimmy:
- Right shoulder roll (back, up, forward, down), chest lock up [Count 1]
- Chest lock down [Count 2]
- Undulation with shimmy from upper back down, finish at release [Counts 3-8]
... then left side

All that with the music "Special Kae". Time: 0:00-0:26

Thanks for a great start of the series!
Lily