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dancerjodiLast night was probably one of the best bellydance classes I've had in terms of choreography. There were only 3 students to show up (and 2 teachers) so it was an intimate setting, perfect for learning and lots of room to run around.
Our warmup was basically us dancing around like maniacs, doing our own thing to a techno remix of an Elvis song. Yep, Elvis. It was just to get us moving and get the heart rate going (which it did). After that we did some small choreography bits to three different styles: Egyptian, Turkish and Tribal.
In the past we've learned the basics behind the movements (the Goddesses describe everything using shapes - circles, crescents, figure 8's and waves/undulations). Everything comes from these basic movements. In addition we've studied the various rhythms, though I always forget what's what (chiftetelli, baladi, etc). Last night we spent a good deal of time listening to different ethnic styles of music, learning about their most common choreography elements, and trying some things out. Class ended with us drilling basic moves over and over again to perfect them (as basic as hip circles, "turkish twist" shimmys, snake arms).
As with any form of dance you need to be able to do the basics before layering moves or doing anything else that's fancy. If the basics are in place everything else will fall into place later.
After a stretching cool down, class ended and we bundled up to brave the falling snow which had begun not long before we headed out. Driving home in the fluffy, white quiet and feeling that my body is again doing SOMETHING was a meditative experience. Seeing the control that its getting again in the mirror has made me feel stronger and more fit than I have in a long time. One can always get better of course, but we've got to start somewhere.
I'm definitely getting into bellydance again (as well as tap, jazz and ballet) and are looking forward to attending workshops, haflis, etc. Who knows, maybe I'll even go to Rakassah East in NJ in October if others in the group are going and want company!
Our warmup was basically us dancing around like maniacs, doing our own thing to a techno remix of an Elvis song. Yep, Elvis. It was just to get us moving and get the heart rate going (which it did). After that we did some small choreography bits to three different styles: Egyptian, Turkish and Tribal.
In the past we've learned the basics behind the movements (the Goddesses describe everything using shapes - circles, crescents, figure 8's and waves/undulations). Everything comes from these basic movements. In addition we've studied the various rhythms, though I always forget what's what (chiftetelli, baladi, etc). Last night we spent a good deal of time listening to different ethnic styles of music, learning about their most common choreography elements, and trying some things out. Class ended with us drilling basic moves over and over again to perfect them (as basic as hip circles, "turkish twist" shimmys, snake arms).
As with any form of dance you need to be able to do the basics before layering moves or doing anything else that's fancy. If the basics are in place everything else will fall into place later.
After a stretching cool down, class ended and we bundled up to brave the falling snow which had begun not long before we headed out. Driving home in the fluffy, white quiet and feeling that my body is again doing SOMETHING was a meditative experience. Seeing the control that its getting again in the mirror has made me feel stronger and more fit than I have in a long time. One can always get better of course, but we've got to start somewhere.
I'm definitely getting into bellydance again (as well as tap, jazz and ballet) and are looking forward to attending workshops, haflis, etc. Who knows, maybe I'll even go to Rakassah East in NJ in October if others in the group are going and want company!
