My Blog

Belly Dance Choreo - more for the Pecos Class

zahira — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:39:38 GMT

Shannon's combo Shimmy (8 counts), Hip Lifts, Arabics in a circle, "n"s on the R (x4), "n"s on the L (x4), "o" Hip circle, No way man combo (2 Hips bumps to R, L,repeat & Ns back) Olivia' Combo Omis down, Rib lifts up, "dot the i " bodywave + rib circle, V-pop walking forward, All around hip circle AnnMarie's combo Arms - cloud pushing , down & up; "n"s on the R (x4), "n"s on the L (x4), Mayas, Alternating Arabics, Rib isolations - drops down & lifts up, "e" loops & push - both sides

The thing about Mayas

zahira — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:28:15 GMT

The thing about mayas (also called vertical figure 8s and reverse taxeem) is the shift in weight, and which muscle group is responsible for it. Mayas begin with your weight balanced on both hips/feet. Then the (Right) leading hip lifts up and slides out while shifting the weight to the other (Left) hip. Then the (Right) leading hip takes all the weight for the body and the right quad/ leg muscles hold it there - what I call "push" or "step". This allows the (Left) following hip to lift up, slide out, and step. Both hips will move in an outward direction, away from the body. This move is isolated in the obliques or waist muscles until you shift your weight. Then your leg muscles are responsible for holding your place "in space". As you descend, the exact same rule applies - your leg muscles determine how low you can go without breaking the flow/ direction of the move. Just as your leg muscles lift each foot above a stair before stepping onto it, so do your obliques lift your hip above before setting it down again. The taxeem is very similiar, it moves inward toward the belly button. It begins with your weight balanced on both hips/feet. Then the (Right) leading hip pulls up and in - shifting the weight to the other (Left) hip. Then the (Right) leading hip takes all the weight for the body * it is positioned in the center of the body at that point* and the right quad/ leg muscles hold it there - what I call "push" or "step" . This allows the (Left) following hip to pull up & in, and step. My knees have a tendency to cross or point inward during this step. (It looks very funny in super-slow motion - Kyra thinks it has something to do with potty training). In both cases, it is the obliques that drive the hip and not your weight setting down on them. Travelling moves have different rules - I'll save those for another day.

October's Names Combos

zahira — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:43:27 GMT

Laura (sassy salsa version)* Lifts R, ribs, L, ribs; Arabics with a tuck in front; U's Rhip, Lhip; Rib slide-locks; Around-the-world booty circle Farhana * Figure 8 hips; Add snake arms; Rib slides +twist; Hip arcs to each side; kitty paws for Arms; "n"s; Arabics with soft arms(?) Paula (proud tribal version)* Push turns with steps to alternate feet; Arabics; Undulations; Lift sets; cloud-pushing Arms Ashley * Alternating Arabics; Shoulder Shimmies back; Happy butt dance; Loopy "e" on both sides; Yoga pose (kinda) with kitty paws Alexis * Around the world hip circle; Lift-kicks; Egyptian +sassy poses; choo-choo boX; undulation + dot the "i"; Shoulder-to-hip shimmies Brooke (snakey) * Bodywave doubled; Rolled shoulders; "O" circle sets counter- & clockwise; Kicks + twist; snakey Egyptian Kelly * Undulation/bodywave/loopy thing + 123 ribs; Lift set; Lifting arcs 123 each side; Yummy omi set (4point locks, omi, omi shimmy) EXCELLENT IDEAS LADIES!!!!! Hugs!!

For the Pecos belly Dance Class

zahira — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:41:09 GMT

Introductions until :48 MELODY * Hip Drops (then TicTocTic, Rib lift); Hip Lifts (then 4 chest pops); Hip Slides (then shimmy top to hips); Hor'shoes or "n"s (then shimmy hips to shoulders) *BRIDGE*@1:20 in the music* Swing hips R (shoulders - tikka tikka) & swing hips L (tikka tikka ) Repeat; Dip R (accent- snake hands); Repeat MELODY Repeat * @1:36* Berber shimmy & Choo Choo shimmy to new positions SMOOTH Section * @1:52* Mayas down & up; circle set hips & ribs; reverse direction SAIIDI* @2:08* TicTocTicToc repeat; Shoulders; 4point locs x2; slow omi or hip circle; 2 fast omis TRIBAL* @2:27* Fig 8 hips + arms down & up; Arabic circle; snake arms + torso rotation; Repeat all 3; (MELODY@2:58) Berber twist; choo-choo-box; Egyptian + 1/2 turn; Turkish alternate sides, shimmy undulation up & POSE!

Name Combos 2

zahira — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:56:04 GMT

Kyra - Kitty Paws into the Yoga Pose, both sides; Rib lifts; "Around the world" hip circle Diana - Drop hip, ribs, other hip and ribs again; "I" - a bodywave up & dot the i; Arms like seaweed all the way down; "n" hip drops to the front & back - alternating; Alternating Arabic - two slow, forward-moving bodywaves

Alpha & Name Combos

zahira — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:12:37 GMT

Habibi - Half-turn Egyptian (x4) ; Snake Arms + Backbend at an angle ; "I" an undulation down & up, then a chest circle to dot the i ; Berber walk or berber/twist shimmy ; Isolated belly flutters Julie-"j" dip & tuck to the side, then up & twist (4 counts total) Undulation from the bottom up Lifts- 2 each - R hip, ribs, L hip, ribs i - bellyroll + chest lift (lower case i) Egyptian step with poses (AM Cab style) Marlene- Mayas, Alternating Arabics, Rib circles, Lifts (see above), Egyptian (or half-turn Egyptian), 'n" - hip drop to front, then lift & arc to the back, alternating hips, "e" - *from an angle* push to the front, lift & loop, push to the back then switch hips Zahira- Zig-zag rib slides/locks, Alternating Arabic, Half-turn Egyptian, (little i) bellyroll & rib lift, torso rotation, exaggerated snake arms Kessa (ATS) - Drop-Kicks, Egyptian Basic with 1/2 turn, Shoulder shimmy & Undulation layers, Arabic box

Plus 1 Combos

zahira — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 05:51:39 GMT

These are done in multiples plus one of something extra . Think of the +1 as a transition measure or "fill". Happy Dancing! Shoulder Rolls/ Kitty Paws +1 Hip Circle on the side Figure 8 ribs +1 Undulation up Maya down & up +1 Rib circle Snake arms +1 Torso rotation Floreos down & open +1 Spin Seaweed arms +1 Toss (hair or veil) Omi (small) hip circles +1 wide hip circle/turn

Alternating Combos

zahira — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 05:45:38 GMT

***alternate - 1, 2, or 3 on each side*** for those of you who asked! Happy Dancing! Alternating Arabic - drag your toe Camel Walk - arms "like pulling taffy" & tuck your tummy Double Maya – hip drop & circle step forward 3-point turn with a snake arm out Arabic “Box” - travel all 4 directions...twice Grapevine with a kick- flounce on 6,7,8 Grapevine with a spin - on 5,6,7 - kick on 8