Pages

Thursday, April 29, 2010

TFBD Mar-Apr 2010 Series: Class 6 Notes

Hi there!
Thanks for a great last class of the series. We added a few more movements and combos and finished out the choreography.

1. Double-time hip singles (or choo choo shimmy)

2. Lock Combo 2:
  • Slowly lift arms to flamenco position. Facing left corner, right hip double-down on count 4 (+).
  • Pelvic lock back on count 7, pelvic lock back (+), chest lift on count 8, chest neutral (+).
  • Facing center, right shoulder presses forward on count 4, left shoulder press (+), right hip up on count 7, left hip up on (+), pelvic lock front on count 8, pelvic lock back on count (+).
  • Slowly lift arms to flamenco position. Facing right corner, left hip double-down on count 4 (+).
  • Pelvic lock back on count 7, pelvic lock back (+), chest lift on count 8, chest neutral (+).
  • Facing center, right shoulder presses forward on count 4, left shoulder press (+), right hip up on count 7, left hip up on (+), pelvic lock front on count 8, pelvic lock back on count (+).

    3. Liquid Walk Back - Start by bending the right knee and dropping the right hip forward, lift the right hip up and in towards the body as you lift your right heel; while still making contact with the floor with your right big toe, slide the leg back as you drop your right hip back. Your left hip will now be forward. Bend the left knee and drop the left hip forward, lift the left hip up and in towards the body as you lift your left heel; while still making contact with the floor with your left big toe, slide the leg back as you drop your left hip back. Now your right hip will be forward. The arms are open and parallel to the floor; the shoulder roll forward, up, and back, mimicking the motion of the hips (same side shoulder as the hips).

    As promised, here is the video of the rest of the choreography.




    I'm off to Tribal Fest in May. I'll be coming back with lots of new ideas for us to play with.

    The next session starts May 20. We'll be covering Arabic rhythms and dancing a new drum piece! Registration is here: http://www.lilybellydance.com/registerMay.shtml

    Hope to see you soon!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com
  • Wednesday, April 28, 2010

    April 2010 - LilyBellydance Newsletter

    Hi there!
    Just in case you are not on my mailing list, click here for the April 2010 Newsletter.

    REMINDER: Our last class of the session is this Thursday, April 29!

    Enjoy!
    Lily

    Tuesday, April 20, 2010

    TFBD Mar-Apr 2010 Series: Class 5 Notes

    A couple of new movements were introduced in Class 5:
    ATS Propeller Turn:
    Start with both arms overhead. Drop the right arm to shoulder height, with hand floreos, and raise it again. Then do the same with the left arm. Drop the right arm again to shoulder height, and cue the turn with a slight raise of the wrist. Cross your right foot over your left and pivot in place, dropping the right arm and crossing your arms at chest level as you turn to the back. As you come around to the front again, end with the right foot in front of the left and pull the arms apart to create a dramatic pose (right arm behind your ear, left arm in front). Body faces left diagonal.

    Lateral Body Wave:
    Not an ATS movement, but a fusion movement. Starting in dance posture, step the right foot out just past hip distance, while sliding and tilting the right shoulder down and to the right. Then, lift just the heel of the left foot. Press the ball of the left foot into the ground as you pull the left hip in towards you. Slowly control the lift of the heel until the toe of the left foot lifts off the ground. Bring the left foot into center and realign just for a split second before the left foot steps out to the left to start the wave towards the left. You can think of this movement as if you were kelp in the calm sea. Deeply rooted in the ground, yet you can still move with the slow and smooth oceanic current. I hope that is a good visual for you!

    Choo Choo Shimmy:
    These are essentially double-time hip singles done on demipointe (super fast hip shimmies done on the ball of the feet). Start in dance posture and come onto releve. As you step on the right ball of the foot, the right hip lifts; as you step on the left ball of the foot, the left hip lefts. Continuing alternating and walking... Once comfortable, then speed up. Remember to keep the knees bent and pelvic neutral. There should not be any bounce or height change. Keep the feet movement small and not noticeable (or audible!).


    Practice these at home... Remember that our next class (and last one of the series) is April 29!

    No class on April 22!
    It's Earth Day, and I will be in Toronto for the International Belly Dance Conference of Canada.

    Don't forget to sign up for the next series:
    May 20 - June 24 (6-weeks)

    Happy Dancing!
    Lily

    Monday, April 12, 2010

    Next Series: Rhythms and a Drum Solo

    Hi there! The sign up for the next series is up! http://www.lilybellydance.com/registerMay.shtml

    We'll be learning Arabic rhythms and putting a few moves together for a drum solo... of course, with a touch of tribal fusion stylization!

    See you soon,
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com

    Sunday, April 11, 2010

    TFBD Mar-Apr 2010 Series: Class 4 Notes

    In this fourth class of the series, we covered 3 movements:
    1. (ATS) Camel Walk - Step with the right foot onto the balls of the feet as you press down with the right hand and raise the left hand overhead. Keeping all your weight on the right foot, bend your right knee and extend the left foot to the side. Right arm goes up and left hand reaches toward extended left foot. Straighten your right leg as you draw the left foot in, and layer an arm undulation over a small torso rotation to bring you back to center. For long lengths of time, manage your arm movement so that the hands flow gradually to their full extension.

    2. (ATS) Turkish Shimmy - also known as "Arabic 4" - Facing forward, step the right foot in front of the left; at the same time arms swing over to the right side (This is count 1). Left foot steps in place on count 2. Right foot steps back to starting position as arms swing over to the left side (This is count 3). Left foot steps in place on count 4. Note that although arms are moving horizontally, keep the torso open.

    3. "Cross touch circles" - Alternating interior chest circles, starting down & clockwise; with (feet) cross touch, starting right foot.

    We also reviewed the choreography...
    Looking forward to Class 5!

    Monday, April 5, 2010

    BellyFusions 2010 Montage

    Hello!

    I am so honored to have been a part of this year's BellyFusions Festival in Paris. Not only were there talented instructors from all over the world teaching, but there was also a very inspirational and eye-opening show. Here is a montage of the performances:



    Expand the possibilities!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com

    Saturday, April 3, 2010

    TFBD Mar-Apr 2010 Series: Class 3 Notes

    We did a lot of dancing in Class 3. Thank you for staying in there. For some, what we're doing in class is a piece of cake... for others, this is some tough stuff. So, for those beginners, hang in there... practice and be patient. You shouldn't expect to get it the first time, the second time... Give it a go and keep going!


    The "new movements" in Class 3 are:
    - Walking on releve with hips on the down
    - shoulder shimmy
    - interior chest circle
    - ATS Arabic Hip Twist


    The long-awaited video clip is here! As promised, here is the video clip of the choreography so far... Enjoy!




    Practice makes permanent!
    See you Thursday!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com