announcements
curriculum
Your teacher may vary the lessons plan according to the skill and interest of the dancers in class. This list is simply a guide of goals.
Syllabus
- Welcome, introductions, etc.
- Posture (weight fwd vs bwd)
- Walking “Casual” vs “Dancer”
- Stage facing angles (DSR vs DSL)
- Arm Position: Low 2nd
- Foot Position: Bevel (“Showgirl”)
- Hip Lift
- Arm Undulations
- shoulder lift using deltoids vs trapezius
- elbow rotation up with wrist stabilization
- wrist pull up
- relax and settle down
Combo
- 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 = R bevel facing DSR with full time R-hip lifts x7
- 8 = pivot
- 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 = L bevel facing DSL with full time L-hip lifts x7
- 8 = pivot
- 1-2-3-4 = R arm undulation
- 5-6-7-8 = L arm undulation up
- 1-2 = R arm undulation
- 3-4 = L arm undulation
- 5-6-7-8 = freestyle with shoulder shimmy or hip shimmy
Syllabus
- Review Week 1
- Chest lift
- Chest drop
- Pelvic tuck
- Pelvic drop
- 3 point undulation
- clarification against body wave (F/B balance shift), camel (Split weight shift), and belly roll (abdominals only)
- “smooth” vs “hard” contractions in isolations
Combo
- 1-2 = Chest lift
- 3-4 = Chest drop
- & = release to neutral chest
- 5-6 = Pelvic tuck
- 7-8 = Pelvic drop (or release to neutral hips)
- & = release to neutral hips
Syllabus
- TBD
Combo
- TBD
Syllabus
- TBD
Combo
- TBD
Syllabus
- TBD
Combo
- TBD
Syllabus
- TBD
Combo
- TBD
additional resources
This is a list of suggested readings that would supplement your studies each week. These are optional and not reviewed in classes.
- “11 Reasons Taking an Adult Dance Class is a Great Idea” by Christa T/Patch.
- “Apply Your Dance Teachers Corrections” by Abigail Keyes.
- “Why Do We Call Middle Eastern Dance ‘Belly Dance‘” by Ainsley Hawthorn.
- “Am I Too Old To Belly Dance” by Shira.
- “Introduction to Belly Dance Styles” by Jen Belly Dance.
- “Adult Dancers: You Are Making Progress” by Abigail Keyes.
- “How to Practise at Home” by Shira.
- “It’s Not Just a Dance” by Donna Mejia.
- “Using Ritual to Anchor your Dance Practise” by Jen Belly Dance.
If you want to read a fun fiction novel, try “Snake Hips: Belly Dancing and How I Found True Love” by Anne Thomas Soffee.
This is a playlist of some examples of belly dance, and a variety of styles, dancers, and eras. Enjoy!
Here’s a running playlist of some music you’ll hear used in class. Your teacher may use other music of course, but this should get you started!