Tribal Fusion Bellydance July/Aug Series - Class 2 Notes

In Class 2, we focused on locks. What are locks? Conceptually, locks are muscle contractions that are held. This is in contrast to pops, which are quick muscle contractions that are released.

We covered:

Hips
1. Pelvic locks front (lower ab contraction)
2. Pelvic locks back (lower back contraction)
3. Pelvic locks forward, center, back, center
4. Pelvic locks forward and back
5. Right hip up
6. Left hip up
7. Alternating right/left hip up
8. Pelvic lock forward, right hip up, pelvic lock back, left hip up (clockwise) - also known as "Internal hip squares"
9. Pelvic lock forward, left hip up, pelvic lock back, right hip up (counterclockwise)
For all of these hip articulations, be sure to keep your weight centered (no shifting weight as you go from one side to the other).

Chest
1. Chest up (upper back contraction)
2. Chest down (upper ab contraction)
3. Chest up, down
4. Right chest tilt up (left oblique contraction)
5. Left chest tilt up (right oblique contraction)
6. Right, left tilt
7. Chest up, right tilt, chest down, left tilt (clockwise) - also known as "Internal Chest Squares".
8. Chest up, left tilt, chest down, right tilt (counterclockwise)

For both the hip and chest movements today, think of the energy as "internal". Your body movements are not moving outward. Instead, direct the energy inward. Additionally, the movements are compact and precise. There is some level of finesse here as you are not throwing your all into it. It's definitely not about how "far" you can go, but gauging where you need to stop the movement and contract the muscle.

We added the Internal hip squares and Internal chest squares to the choreography.

We also modified the Pivot Hip Doubles to so that we do a 1/4 turn on count 4, pivoting on the back leg. The Choo Choos are performed facing forward for 16 counts.

Here is the Rakataka choreography so far...
(wait the initial "Rakataka" drum section)
Choo Choos (front, right hip) - 16 counts
Pivot Hip Doubles (1/4 turns to the left, right hip) - 16 counts
[Rakataka] Fast hip singles (articulating rhythm) - 16 counts
Choo Choos (front, left hip) - 16 counts
Pivot Hip Doubles (1/4 turns to the right, left hip) - 16 counts
Internal hip squares (6 counts) + Internal chest squares (5 counts) - Repeat 4 times


Hope this helps!
See you next Thursday!
Lily