http://belilah.com A Belly Dancer's Blog Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:24:06 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Breakdown of Basic Isolations - Week Two Start by warming up and reviewing the material from the previous week. We will then add these two moves to our vocabulary: Mayas - Vertical hip figure eights are also called "mayas" or "amayas" depending on where you learn your dance vocabulary. They are done ... http://belilah.com/2008/beginner-bellydance-week-two/ Breakdown of Basic Isolations - Week One Posture - First thing's first: how to stand. Your feet should be planted firmly on the floor pointing forward and slightly apart. Your knees should be slightly bent. Your back should be straight, shoulders relaxed and your pelvis “tucked.” Periodically stop and check ... http://belilah.com/2008/beginner-belly-dance-week-one/ I have been so busy actually dancing lately that my blogging has suffered. Starting next week, I will start posting the moves that I am teaching in my beginner belly dance class.  It is a six-week course and I will post each weeks lesson. I'm working on adding video to my ... http://belilah.com/2008/blogging-about-belly-dance/ This is fairly simple. Belly flutters are done by tightening and releasing the stomach muscles repeatedly and rapidly. The trick is not holding your breath while you are doing them. http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-belly-flutters/ Focus your attention on your abdominal muscles. Try to locate a top set (up near your ribcage), a middle set, and a lower set (just above the pelvis). There are, of course, more than three sets of abdominal muscles, but locating these will be a good start. Tighten and release the ... http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-belly-rolls/ A sweeping hip circle is a huge, exaggerated hip circle that also involves the upper body. Start in your basic stance with your arms held out to the side and do a couple basic hip circles (drawing your circle on the floor) to get in rhythm. As you take the hip ... http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-sweeping-hip-circles/ A body wave is an undulation that is a camel in reverse. Start in your basic stance. Tuck your pelvis forward, roll the move up and drop your ribs (you will be in a slight slouch - please note that this is when someone will decide to take your picture!), and ... http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-the-body-wave/ Sorry to have been away so long. The office is finally moved and I can get back to dancing! I'll try to find something new to post on weekdays. Let's try a camel today. A camel is an undulation that starts at the top. Begin in your basic stance (feet planted ... http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-camels/ The Egyptian hip circle is a little more complicated "traveling" move. I put traveling in quotes because, while you are doing footwork, you essentially stay in the same place. Start with your feet together. Step forward on your right foot. Slide your left foot to the right so it is behind ... http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-egyptian-hip-circles/ A side step is a very simple traveling move. Starting with your right foot, step to the right and then step with your left foot to bring your feet together. Repeat, reverse, try flat footed or demi-pointe, have fun! A down step (to the side) is just a little more complicated. ... http://belilah.com/2008/belly-dance-every-day-side-stepping-the-down-step/