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Thursday, May 26, 2011

TFBD May Series: Class 4

Hello Dancers!

Today we focused more on finishing up the choreography. What's the rush you ask? We have one more class left. But we're going to use that class for polishing and personalizing!

Here are the drills we worked on:

  • Lateral Body Wave
  • Camel Walk with undulations
  • Torso Rotation with shimmy
  • Undulation U2D with shimmy
  • Undulation D2U with shimmy



    Choreography to The Lantern

    From the CD “Tribal Derivations” by Beats Antique

    Length: 3:59




















    Time

    Movement

    Music

    Bars

    0:00

    Wait on stage

    Intro

    0:10

    Improvised Movement

    Slow

    3 x 8

    0:27

    Hip slides and hip singles

    Feet: Walk forward QT dbR

    Hips: Hip slides QT (whole notes/4 counts) dbR with hip singles FT (eighth notes) dbR.

    2 x 8

    0:38

    Accent 1 - Hip Slide R + Chest Slide L

    Accent 2 - Hip Slide L + Chest Slide R

    Accent 3 - Upper ab + Low ab locks

    Accent 4 -  Back turn R

    Accents

    8

    0:43

    ATS Torso Rotation (16 counts) with hip singles FT (eighth notes) dbR. Repeat

    Theme

    4 x 8

    1:05

    Hip singles with:

    accents:

    * head slide right, left (cts 1+)

    * shoulder press right, left (cts 2+)

    * chest lock up, down (cts 3+)

    ab roll down (cts 4-8)

    body wave (8 cts)

    Theme with breaks

    2 x 8

    1:16

    Hip Squares (HT, 2 counts for one square)for 7 counts clockwise, dbF.

    Repeat ccw, dbF.

    interlude

    8

    1:25

    Pelvic Locks dbB (eighth notes, FT) with chest circles (whole notes, QT). Feet cross touch (whole notes, QT).

    Theme 2

    4 x 8

    1:45


    Break 1: Flamenco arms to the right with right hip hook, right leg steps out, and head turns right.

    Break 2: Head locks front

    Break 3: Chest down, up

    Break 4: Gentle R hip drops as arms float down next to hips

    Percussion

    2 x 8

    1:57


    Break 1: Torso bends down 45 degree to left diagonal + 2 undulations

    Break 2: Keeping 45 degree bend, torso pivots to right diagonal + 2 undulations

    Break 3: Torso lifts to vertical + 2 undulations

    Break 4: Walk to front right corner (8 counts)
    Break 5: Shimmy with exterior hip circle dbL ccw (6 counts) + Step L foot out left w/L hip, half turn over L shoulder, step right w/ R hip, back turn over L shoulder, step L foot w/L hip.

    Build Up

    4 x 8

    2:20


    Undulations (HT, half notes) with Figure 8 Front to Back (8 counts per side)

    Theme

    4 x 8

    2:42


  • R Hip up, Chest lock up, L Hip up
  • Lateral Body Wave

  • Theme w/breaks

    2 x 8

    2:53


    Camel Walk with

    - Undulation for the first 8 cts

    - Shimmy for the second 8 cts

    Violin

    2 x 8

    3:05


  • Undulation Up to Down with shimmy (4 counts)
  • Undulation down to up with shimmy; chest lock up/down on last two counts. (4 counts)

  • interlude

    8

    3:10


    Camel Walk with Undulation and body pivots

    Violin

    2 x 8

    3:22


    FINALE

    Pivot Turn (ala RB style)

    Pose 4 cts

    Free-movement Transition 8 cts

    Pivot Turn (ala RB style)

    Pose 4 cts

    Free-movement Transition 8 cts

    Free-movement Transition 8 cts

    Free-movement Transition 8 cts

    POSE

    Finale to Fade

    6 x 8




    Partner Improv exercise:
    In your group or with your partner, select 3 poses and figure out how to start facing back and transition to the front in 24 counts. However, this time, work it out so that no one is doing the same movement AND incorporate level or depth change.


    Next week is our last week!

    Enjoy!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com
  • Wednesday, May 25, 2011

    Bellydance Basics May Series: Class 4

    Hello Ladies,

    Today's main focus was on the American Tribal Style movement "Arabic". We explored the different variations, but focused mainly on the Arabic Basic and Arabic Hip Twist. Essentially, the "arabic" movement is an undulation at the torso with weight change between the feet, thus making this movement perfect for traveling.

    CHOREOGRAPHY to NAGA


    0:13
    Wait 8 counts
    Camel Walk (16 counts)
    Torso Rotation starting right (8 counts)

    0:39
    Taxeem with tribal arm undulation (2 counts each side, 16 counts total)
    add traveling/walking, same foot and hip.

    0:53
    Bodywave (16 counts total)
    facing left diagonal. 8 counts each.
    first 8 counts with arms at shoulder height.
    last 4 counts with arms travel down the sides of the body.


    1:05
    Maya
    add traveling/walking, same foot and hip.
    arms travel slowly up the sides of the body.


    1:19
    Propeller Turn (1 turn, 16 counts total)
    both arms up, lower right arm (cts 1,2), then raise (cts 3,4), lower left arm (cts 5,6), then raise (cts 7,8); lower right arm (cts 1,2), raise just the wrist (cts 3.4), then plunge the right hand down as you step the right foot over the left to do a full turn (ct 5). Stop facing left diagonal with a pose (cts 6,7,8), right arm straight up and left arm curve in front of your body; weight in the back leg (left).


    1:33
    Hip Bumps (8 counts)
    Pivot Bump Doubles (8 counts)

    1:43
    Choo Choo ArcTurn (8 counts)
    repeat

    1:53
    Hip Slide right with Flamenco arms facing right (4 counts) + Maya left (4 counts)
    Hip Slide left with Flamenco arms facing left (4 counts) + Maya right (4 counts)


    2:04
    Choo Choo right, traveling clockwise (8 counts)
    Choo Choo left, traveling ccw (8 counts)

    New this week:

    2:15
    Hip Slide right with Flamenco arms facing right (4 counts) + Hip Circle ccw (4 counts)
    Hip Slide left with Flamenco arms facing left (4 counts) + Hip Circle cw (4 counts)


    2:25
    Hip Singles 2 right, 2 left - while walking(8 counts)
    repeat

    2:36
    Arabic (4 counts)
    Arabic Hip Twist (4 counts)
    repeat

    2:47
    Camel Walk with body pivots (16 counts)




    Enjoy!
    See you next week... our last class of the series!
    Lily

    Sunday, May 22, 2011

    TFBD May Series: Class 3

    Hello Dancers!

    Today was more exploratory and showing you that there are just so many options you could play with! Here are the drills we worked on:

  • Undulations (HT, half notes) with Fig. 8 front to back (16 counts per fig8)
  • Undulations with interior hip circles clockwise
  • Undulations with interior hip circle counter clockwise
  • Undulations with exterior hip circle counter clockwise
  • Shimmy with exterior hip circle counter clockwise



    Choreography to The Lantern

    From the CD “Tribal Derivations” by Beats Antique

    Length: 3:59









    Time

    Movement

    Music

    Bars

    0:00

    Wait on stage

    Intro

    0:10

    Improvised Movement

    Slow

    3 x 8

    0:27

    Hip slides and hip singles

    Feet: Walk forward QT dbR

    Hips: Hip slides QT (whole notes/4 counts) dbR with hip singles FT (eighth notes) dbR.

    2 x 8

    0:38

    Accent 1 - Hip Slide R + Chest Slide L

    Accent 2 - Hip Slide L + Chest Slide R

    Accent 3 - Upper ab + Low ab locks

    Accent 4 -  Back turn R

    Accents

    8

    0:43

    ATS Torso Rotation (16 counts) with hip singles FT (eighth notes) dbR. Repeat

    Theme

    4 x 8

    1:05

    Hip singles with:

    accents:

    * head slide right, left (cts 1+)

    * shoulder press right, left (cts 2+)

    * chest lock up, down (cts 3+)

    ab roll down (cts 4-8)

    body wave (8 cts)

    Theme with breaks

    2 x 8

    1:16

    Hip Squares (HT, 2 counts for one square)for 7 counts clockwise, dbF.

    Repeat ccw, dbF.

    interlude

    8

    1:25

    Pelvic Locks dbB (eighth notes, FT) with chest circles (whole notes, QT). Feet cross touch (whole notes, QT).

    Theme 2

    4 x 8

    1:45


    Break 1: Flamenco arms to the right with right hip hook, right leg steps out, and head turns right.

    Break 2: Head locks front

    Break 3: Chest down, up

    Break 4: Gentle R hip drops as arms float down next to hips

    Percussion

    2 x 8

    1:57


    Break 1: Torso bends down 45 degree to left diagonal + 2 undulations

    Break 2: Keeping 45 degree bend, torso pivots to right diagonal + 2 undulations

    Break 3: Torso lifts to vertical + 2 undulations

    Break 4: Walk to front right corner (8 counts)
    Break 5: Shimmy with exterior hip circle dbL ccw (6 counts) + Step L foot out left w/L hip, half turn over L shoulder, step right w/ R hip, back turn over L shoulder, step L foot w/L hip.

    Build Up

    4 x 8

    2:20


    Undulations (HT, half notes) with Figure 8 Front to Back (8 counts per side)

    Theme

    4 x 8




    Partner Improv exercise:
    In your group or with your partner, select 3 poses and figure out how to start facing back and transition to the front in 24 counts. However, this time, work it out so that no one is doing the same movement.


    Next week, we'll focus more on partner/group improv with more choreography practice!

    Enjoy!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com
  • Wednesday, May 18, 2011

    Bellydance Basics May Series: Class 3

    Hello Ladies!

    We just got finished with some fun Choo Choo movements! In the ATS world, the Choo Choo is essentially hip singles or hip ups with the right foot on the ball, Flamenco arms, and traveling.

    NEW FOR THIS WEEK

    - Hip Bumps: These are hip singles with the right foot on the ball, in place.

    - Pivot Bump Singles: Taking the Hip Bump, but step the right foot on the ball front, then back while the right hip lifts up.

    - Pivot Bump Doubles: Taking the Pivot Bump Singles, except two hip ups when the right foot is front and two hip ups when the right foot is back.

    - Choo Choo: Taking the Hip Bumps, but travel in the direction of the leading hip.

    - Flamenco Arms: With open and broad chest and shoulders, raise the left arm over head and the right arm extends out to the right. Arms are strong, yet there is a subtle bend. The wrists are in floreo, strong and intense.


    CHOREOGRAPHY to NAGA


    0:13
    Wait 8 counts
    Camel Walk (16 counts)
    Torso Rotation starting right (8 counts)

    0:39
    Taxeem with tribal arm undulation (2 counts each side, 16 counts total)
    add traveling/walking, same foot and hip.

    0:53
    Bodywave (16 counts total)
    facing left diagonal. 8 counts each.
    first 8 counts with arms at shoulder height.
    last 4 counts with arms travel down the sides of the body.


    1:05
    Maya
    add traveling/walking, same foot and hip.
    arms travel slowly up the sides of the body.


    1:19
    Propeller Turn (1 turn, 16 counts total)
    both arms up, lower right arm (cts 1,2), then raise (cts 3,4), lower left arm (cts 5,6), then raise (cts 7,8); lower right arm (cts 1,2), raise just the wrist (cts 3.4), then plunge the right hand down as you step the right foot over the left to do a full turn (ct 5). Stop facing left diagonal with a pose (cts 6,7,8), right arm straight up and left arm curve in front of your body; weight in the back leg (left).


    New this week:
    1:33
    Hip Bumps (8 counts)
    Pivot Bump Doubles (8 counts)

    1:43
    Choo Choo ArcTurn (8 counts)
    repeat

    1:53
    Hip Slide right with Flamenco arms facing right (4 counts) + Maya left (4 counts)
    Hip Slide left with Flamenco arms facing left (4 counts) + Maya right (4 counts)


    2:04
    Choo Choo right, traveling clockwise (8 counts)
    Choo Choo left, traveling ccw (8 counts)


    Enjoy!
    See you next week,
    Lily

    TFBD May Series: Class 2 Notes

    Hello Dancers!
    Sorry for the late post. Here are the drills we worked on in this second class of the five week series:

  • Pelvic Locks dbB in place with ballet tendu legs
  • Pelvic Locks dbB with chest circles
  • Pelvic Locks dbB with cross touch
  • Hip singles with body wave
  • Hip singles with head, shoulder, chest accents


    Choreography to The Lantern

    From the CD “Tribal Derivations” by Beats Antique

    Length: 3:59

    Time

    Movement

    Music

    Bars

    0:00

    Wait on stage

    Intro

    0:10

    Improvised Movement

    Slow

    3 x 8

    0:27

    Hip slides and hip singles

    Feet: Walk forward QT dbR

    Hips: Hip slides QT (whole notes/4 counts) dbR with hip singles FT (eighth notes) dbR.

    2 x 8

    0:38

    Accent 1 - Hip Slide R + Chest Slide L

    Accent 2 - Hip Slide L + Chest Slide R

    Accent 3 - Upper ab + Low ab locks

    Accent 4 -  Back turn R

    Accents

    8

    0:43

    ATS Torso Rotation (8 counts) with hip singles FT (eighth notes) dbR.

    Theme

    4 x 8

    1:05

    Hip singles with:

    accents:

    * head slide right, left (cts 1+)

    * shoulder press right, left (cts 2+)

    * chest lock up, down (cts 3+)

    ab roll down (cts 4-8)

    body wave (8 cts)

    Theme with breaks

    2 x 8

    1:16

    Hip Squares for 6 counts clockwise, dbF.

    Hip Squares for 6 counts ccw, dbF.

    interlude

    8

    1:25

    Pelvic Locks dbB (eighth notes, FT) with chest circles (whole notes, QT). Feet cross touch (whole notes, QT).

    Theme 2

    4 x 8




    Partner Improv exercise:
    In your group or with your partner, select 3 poses and figure out how to start facing back and transition to the front in 24 counts.


    Hope you're enjoying these fun partner improv exercises and this lovely choreography. I know it's challenging at times, but what better way to hone your dance skills than to dance it with pretty song.

    Cheers,
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2011

    Bellydance Basics May Series: Class 2

    Sorry about the late post!

    Here's a review/recap of what we had covered in the second class of the five week series:


    NEW FOR THIS WEEK

    - Body wave. Simply and very briefly put, think about drawing a circle with your chest: forward, rounding up, back, then back to starting posture. An external movement.

    - Maya. Also known as the reverse Taxeem. This is a vertical figure 8 hip movement that starts up, slide out, round down, pull in to center, then the other side hip up, slide out, round down, then pull in to center. Another way of thinking about it is two circles, one on each hip.

    - Propeller Turn. This movement is quite indicative of the ATS (American Tribal Style) movements. Starting with both arms up, lower the right arm, then raise, lower the left arm, then raise; lower the right arm again, raise just the wrist, then plunge the right hand down as you step the right foot over the left to do a full turn. Stop facing left diagonal with a pose, right arm straight up and left arm curve in front of your body; weight in the back leg (left).


    CHOREOGRAPHY to NAGA


    0:13
    Wait 8 counts
    Camel Walk (16 counts)
    Torso Rotation starting right (8 counts)

    0:39
    Taxeem with tribal arm undulation (2 counts each side, 16 counts total)
    add traveling/walking, same foot and hip.

    0:53
    Bodywave (16 counts total)
    facing left diagonal. 8 counts each.
    first 8 counts with arms at shoulder height.
    last 4 counts with arms travel down the sides of the body.


    1:05
    Maya
    add traveling/walking, same foot and hip.
    arms travel slowly up the sides of the body.


    1:19
    Propeller Turn (1 turn, 16 counts total)
    both arms up, lower right arm (cts 1,2), then raise (cts 3,4), lower left arm (cts 5,6), then raise (cts 7,8); lower right arm (cts 1,2), raise just the wrist (cts 3.4), then plunge the right hand down as you step the right foot over the left to do a full turn (ct 5). Stop facing left diagonal with a pose (cts 6,7,8), right arm straight up and left arm curve in front of your body; weight in the back leg (left).


    Remember:
    The music we are dancing to is called "Naga" by Solace, from the album "Nagari".
    You can find this on iTunes, Amazon, or on his website: http://www.empcds.com/solace-nagari.html


    See you soon!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com

    Thursday, May 5, 2011

    TFBD May Series: Class 1

    Hello Dancers!

    Thanks for joining me in my last series before my maternity leave... Think of it as having the summer off. So before then, let's work our butts off!

    Here's a recap of what we did:

    Drills
    - Hip Singles downbeat right eight notes in place with ballet-inspired tendu exercise.

    - Hip slides for whole notes ("quarter time", 4 counts) on each side and walking eighth notes ("full time").

    - Hip slides for whole notes ("quarter time", 4 counts) on each side and walking eighth notes ("full time"), now with hip singles downbeat right eighth notes.

    - ATS Torso Rotation with hip singles downbeat right eight notes

    Dance
    * Music: "The Lantern" by Beats Antique. You can find this on iTunes or possibly just google for the song and artist to find a free download somewhere.
    * Partner improvisation work
    * Choreo:
    - Partner improvisation work
    - Hip slides for whole notes ("quarter time", 4 counts) on each side and walking whole notes ("quarter time"), now with hip singles downbeat right eighth notes.
    - Accents
    - ATS Torso Rotation with hip singles downbeat right eight notes


    Whew! That was a tough class. Good work ladies!
    Happy Cinco de Mayo! Happy Mother's Day! See you next week!
    Lily

    Wednesday, May 4, 2011

    Bellydance Basics May Series: Class 1

    Greetings!

    I really enjoyed this first class of this 5-week series. It's the first time that I'm offering a mini intro to tribal fusion style. So thank you for taking it on!

    Here's what we covered today:
    1. Posture
    - Feet are hip socket distance apart or closer
    - Knees soft and not locked
    - Pelvis neutral
    - Chest lifted and neutral
    - Shoulders relaxed and elbows back
    - head stacked on top
    - In proper American Tribal Style (ATS), the elbows are lifted to the height of shoulders. Forearms are perpendicular. Energy from shoulders through the finger tips. Remember, even though the arms and elbows are lifted, the shoulders are relaxed and down.
    - Resting position for the arms: hands at hips, top of hand is facing forward, energy remain through out the arms. The arms is soft yet strong. Elbows are pointing directly out to the sides.

    2. Movements
    The terminology used below is from the American Tribal Style (ATS) movement repertoire by Carolina Nericcio of Fat Chance Belly Dance.

    - Taxeem: It's a vertical figure 8 without any horizontal twist at all. Drop the hip down first, then push it out and draw it up using your obliques, before switching to the other side. The movement is based on the natural movement of the hips as you walk.

    - Arm Undulations (tribal arms): Arms at classic tribal position, gently push the right hand away and the head tils left, eyes looking to the right hand, left forearm slowly pulls in. Then left hand pushes away towards left side, head tils right, eyes looking to the left hand, right forearm slowly pulls in towards body. Try to keep the height of which your elbow moves at a minimum.

    - Torso Rotation: Imagine a heart shape on the floor. Starting center with arms out, upper body leans forward and to the left, round out to the back, then to the right and rounds out leaning forward and to the right, finally pull back to center. Arms remain in classic tribal position, elbows up and pointing out. There is a gentle bend/flex in the arms as your torso moves around.

    - 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.

    The music we are dancing to is called "Naga" by Solace, from the album "Nagari".
    You can find this on iTunes, Amazon, or on his website: http://www.empcds.com/solace-nagari.html

    Here is what we have so far for the song:
  • Camel Walk
  • Torso Rotation (right)
  • Taxeem and Arm Undulations (slow, then quick)

    More details next time!

    We'll add more movements to our dance repertoire next week.
    Thanks for a fantastic class!
    Lily
    www.LilyBellydance.com