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