Bellydance Basics Class 6

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks to all of you who came to class to spend your Valentine's evening with some hip action. In a nutshell, here is what we covered:

1. Review Class 5 material
2. Hip shimmy - start with hip singles slowly, then double it, then double it again. Keeping feet flat on the floor, weight evening distributed throughout the feet. This is essentially double-time hips!
3. Hip twist - twist the hip forward, keeping the knees pointed forward and directly over the ankles. Be aware that the ankles should be aligned.
4. New combo:

• Hip shimmy for 4 counts
• On count 5, step right foot on the ball and twist the right hip forward.
• On counts 6,7,8, take a three-step turn to the right starting on the right foot.
• Repeat on the left side.

Then we add arms to this combo!

Here is our dance so far...

0:10 Theme
4 x 8 counts: Arm waves & Cross touch

• Right arm wave and right foot cross - 4 counts
• Left arm wave and left foot extends - 4 counts
• Right arm wave and left foot cross - 4 counts
• Left arm wave and right foot extends - 4 counts
• repeat

0:30 Vocal
4 x 8 counts: Hip Slides & Hip Circle

• Hip slide right - 4 counts
• Hip slide left - 4 counts
• Hip circle downbeat left clockwise - 8 counts
• repeat

4 x 8 counts: Figure 8 U2D (maya) combo

• Right hip up to down - 4 counts
• Left hip up to down, Right, Left, Right  while walking half turn - 4 counts
• Left hip up to down - 4 counts
• Right hip up to down, Left, Right, Left while walking half turn - 4 counts
• repeat

1:09 Theme
4 x 8 counts: Arm waves & Cross touch

1:29 Vocal
8 x 8 counts: Figure 8 D2U ¾ & Chest circle

• Arms next to hips for Figure 8. Hands come together at chest  (elbows lifted) and open for chest circle.
• Figure 8 D2U ¾ Half Time (8 counts: RLR, LRL)
• Chest circle dbF cw Eight Time

2:09 Theme
4 x 8 counts: Undulation & Grapevine

• Grapevine dbR travel L Quarter Time
• Undulation dbF Quarter Time

2:29 Build Up
4 x 8 counts: Shimmy & Hip twist to turn

• Standing in place shimmy. Arms start over head and gradually fall to hip level - 4 counts
• Step right foot on ball for hip twist on right. Left hand by left ear, right arm extends forward.
• 3-step turn to the right. Arms in 2nd position.
• Standing in place shimmy. Arms start over head and gradually fall to hip level  - 4 counts
• Step left foot on ball for hip twist on left. Right hand at right ear, left arm extends forward.
• 3-step turn to the left. Arms in 2nd position.

Thank you and see you next week!

Lily