Renees Magical Belly Dancing
PROFESSIONAL BELLY DANCER and TEACHER
"Bringing this ancient art to modern life"
Copyright 1996-2001 (all rights reserved)
EXTRA HELPFUL HINTS and IDEAS
Please observe copyright as this is my way of earning a living. Do
not copy the videos. If you need more copies for your friends, e-mail
me to arrange payment and delivery. All the videos are reasonably
prices. Discount for multiple volumes ordered is available.
www.bellydancing.com.au
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Volume 1
For Beginners
(Most of the instructions are on the video)
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Students and Teachers
For all who follow my elegant and artistic style of Belly Dance.If
you enjoy the dancing and wish to use my choreography, I give you my
permission to do so, for your own use or for professional
entertainment. However do not copy the videos to give away, sell, rent
or any other reason. The music comes from the ARC label - as listed on
the videos.
You may use the terminology of techniques in your teachings.
This video is designed for the beginner. It demonstrates in easy
to follow & easy to understand language, simple basic belly
dancing technique.
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Extra hints - Firstly watch the whole video to understand the layout.
Start by doing some simple worm up exercises that you have learned in
your life time -
Most western ladies are stiff in the area of shoulders and ribs, some
in the hips. In my class I always say to students if it hurts stop
doing it than find out why it hurts. Some time its just adjusting your
posture or doing the movements smaller and slower. Always dance with
bent or soft knees. If the pain persists than you must stop and seek
advice from a medical practitioner.
If everything is OK then simply follow the techniques as shown. To
get the best benefit of learning, I suggest you practice 30 min (or
longer) every second day or more if you wish. The movements are basic
dancing techniques well suited for the beginner. The movements are low
impact. As you learn this dance you will experience some trimming and
toning, not instantly but gradually over timedepending on your body
shape.
However to loose weight you need combine it with a sensible eating
program ( e.g. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Karen Daly "Fats
& Figures", Oprahs life style suggestions etc). Stick
to your comfort and fitness level at all times. And most important
enjoy the journey of learning this beautiful dance. Yoga and Tai
Chi stretches are recommended at the end of your dancing practice.
Remember I cannot guarantee anything. Ive given you ideas and
tools to work with and the rest is up to you entirely.
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Bent Knee Posture
It is very important to keep your knees bent at all time as this will
save your lower back from pain & discomfort. All belly dance is
executed in a bent knee posture of some sort.
1. Place your feet shoulder or hip width apart (or what feels
comfortable).
2. Angle your toes & knees. Right foot 1pm - Left foot 11 am.
3. Pull in lightly your middle (waist line area) abdominal/stomach
muscle.
4. This will lightly tuck your bottom under & tilt your pelvis
forward.
5. Bend your knees.
6. Lift your upper body out of the waist line. Than roll your
shoulders to find a comfortable position. Frame arms & relax. To
refine your dancing posture, add a slight rib lift, learned in Volume
3. You will eventually get used to this posture & find it easy. It
takes most students 8 to 10 lessons to get comfortable & familiar
with the bent knee posture.
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As you are learning these techniques you have to remember to breath, as if you are going for a walk. Most students concentrate so intensely that they hold their breath. This again will take time to learn. Breathing correctly will give you the energy to dance effortlessly for a lengthy time.
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Side Hips - Bent knees with flat feet or earthen feet. Tuck bottom under & tilt pelvic forward. Keep your knees bent & push down on one heel to activate one hip to the side & repeat for the other side, push down on the other heel to activate the other hip to the side. Keeping knees soft or bent at all times. You can put your hands on your hips to feel the hip movements.
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Pelvic Rock - is a basic pelvic floor exercise & the movement is used in dancing as the pelvic tilt ( mentioned in other volumes) The pelvic floor exercise is basically used to tone & strengthen your pelvic floor muscles - before & after child birth.. It is also a good movement in becoming flexible to help with the pelvic scoop & lower undulations (Volume 2). Also to ease period pain or lower back discomforts. The movement is used in dance to create variation , combined with beneficial qualities. And lets face it, exercise on there own are boring.
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Good arm & hand movements makes the dance an overall pleasure to
watch, also creating interest & are an artistic expression. Learn
them on their own & than add them to the dancing If you are
uncoordinated than it is very important for you to learn every
technique separately first, than gradually add them one at a time to
your dancing. Or simply leave out what you cant manage. However
have fun trying.
Arm & Shoulder movements - keep your bent knee posture. If your
legs get tired, give them a shake out. As you become more familiar
with the bent knee posture, try to relax your toes, ankles &
knees.
Figure eights & stepping around are all danced with bent knees.
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Pelvic Circles - are the combinations of the side hips & pelvic
rock or tilt - bent knees are a must.
All the movements are low impact & ideal for a gentle dancing
work out.
Music - Hossam Ramzy "Source of Fire" is readily available
at most good music stores.
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contact Renee by Email or phone (02) 4325 4593
Renee's Magical Belly Dancing Gosford, NSW 2250. Australia
Happy learning
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