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