Bellydance Basics Mar/Apr Class 2 Notes

Hello Ladies!
For this second class of the series, we covered Circles! Exterior circles on the horizontal plane.

Exterior Hip Half Circle

So before we even go into a full circle, let's take a look at a half circle.
1. If we start on the right, going counterclockwise, we slide our hips to the right, the round up to the front, then round over the left. You should end up on your left hip slide.
2. If we start on the

Exterior Hip Circle

1. Options for your starting side or "downbeat": front, right, left, or back. Remember that each of the sides is actually a slide and that this hip circle is like the hoola hoop around your hips. It's super important to keep your knees soft. Any time you straighten or lock your knees, there is tension in the areas that would be counterproductive to what we want to achieve.

2. Options for your timing or speed: quarter time (slow), half time (medium), and full time (fast).

3. Options for directions: clockwise or counterclockwise.

4. Options for your feet (This isn't all the options, but these are what we explored in class): One foot steps per circle, two feet per circle. Then challenge yourself by stepping on the foot opposite the hip that starts.

Then we take the circle to the chest or ribcage. The same concepts mentioned above applies to the ribcage too. Remember to keep the movements horizontal.


Here are the combinations we covered:

1. Arm waves + Step touch
The right arm waves for 4 counts as you step right foot over left. The left arm waves for 4 counts as you extend the left foot out to the left. The right arm waves for 4 counts as you step the left foot over the right. The left arm waves for 4 counts as you extend the right foot out to the right.

Repeat!

2. Hip Slide + Hip Circles
Slide the hips to the right for 4 counts, the slide the hips to the left for 4 counts.
Exterior hip circle starting left, front, right, back for 4 counts; then two faster hip circles for 4 counts.

3. Chest circle + Arm wave
Exterior chest circle starting front, right, back left with a quarter turn to the right for 8 counts. Repeat.
Arm wave right for 4 counts, arm wave left for 4 counts.


Practice these and we will work on actually pairing these movements to the phrases in the music next week!

Lily