Bellydance Basics
My philosophy is this: you're curious. Your reasons for seeking out a bellydance teacher and class
could be one or more of many things:
No matter what your motivation is for seeking me out, an OVERVIEW class will quickly tell you if and at
what level you want to proceed.
Will you master any of these movements/isolations with just one overview class? Well, that
really depends on how much and how seriously you practice. For the average person, MASTERING a
given technique could take anywhere from months to years of practice and study.
An overview class is really intended just to expose you to the fundamentals, to give you a glimpse into
the depth, breadth and variety of the many forms this genre of dance encompasses. Each week will
include new material in addition to a review of the technique covered in previous classes. So, if you
WANT to master a movement, that's up to you.
Will you have FUN each and every class? Absolutely! I'm a bellydance geek who isn't afraid to let my
geekiness and quirkiness shine through. And it's somewhat contagious. It's okay to be a little silly in
class. THIS is YOUR time to have fun and make new friends.
Will you walk out of your FIRST class feeling alive and empowered and better educated about
the world of Middle Eastern Dance? Yes. I make a packet available to my students that contains
resources, internet links, handouts I've created or found over the last 6 years, and articles from
respected experts in the field of dance, fitness and middle eastern music and culture. In subsequent
classes we'll slip in video clips and dance to music from a variety of cultures. The empowerment part
comes from over-coming whatever fears, hesitancies or obstacles that may have previously prevented
or delayed you from getting to my class. You are to be congratulated for bravely taking the leap and
pushing your own envelope!
Week 1. Overview – Diving right in to the fun stuff
• Basic Body posture, framing
• Egyptian Shimmy
• Taqsim (Vertical 8) and Maya
• Snake Arms
________________________________________________________________
Week 2. Upper Body Isolations
• Head slides/circles
• Shoulder circles/shimmies
• Rib cage slides/lifts/circles
• Undulations
________________________________________________________________
Week 3. Arms/Hands
• Floreos
• Snake arms
• Seaweed
• Kali arms
• Rolling pin
• Pharonic arms
• Candle arms
• Cloud pushing
• Horizontal snake arms
• Angel arms
________________________________________________________________
Week 4. Lower Body Isolations
• Hip Slides
• Hip Circles
• Hip Lifts
• Hip Drops
• Omis
• Figure 8s (Horizontal, vertical & Mayas)
• Cane Combination
________________________________________________________________
Week 5. Shimmies and Intro to Zils
• Egyptian shimmy
• Hip
• Choo-Choo
• Twists
• Shoulder
• Freeze
• Bounce
• Zil talk
______________________________________________________________________
Week 6. Traveling Steps and Intro to Zils cont.
• Sexy walk
• Basic (Camel)(Arabic)
• Tush push
• Grapevine
• Double hip bump
• ¾ shimmy walk
• Zil Triplets and 3,3,5
• Hip Circle walks
• Twist walks
• Hip lift/drop walks
________________________________________________________________
Week 7. Turns, Tummy tricks, and Intro to Zils continued
• Pivot/Paddle
• Compass
• 3-point
• Chaînés (2-point)
• Soutenu
• Flutters
• Rolls
• Pops
• More Zil patterns and baby steps
______________________________________________________________________
Week 8. Course Review using Combinations, Zils and Class
Photo!
My philosophy is this: you're curious. Your reasons for seeking out a bellydance teacher and class
could be one or more of many things:
- socialization/fun!!!
- it's your karma
- exercise/stress reduction/relief
- fascination with discovering, exploring, nurturing your natural, sensual "inner-dancer"
- you've got performing in your blood and on the brain and think you could earn a living doing this
dance!
No matter what your motivation is for seeking me out, an OVERVIEW class will quickly tell you if and at
what level you want to proceed.
Will you master any of these movements/isolations with just one overview class? Well, that
really depends on how much and how seriously you practice. For the average person, MASTERING a
given technique could take anywhere from months to years of practice and study.
An overview class is really intended just to expose you to the fundamentals, to give you a glimpse into
the depth, breadth and variety of the many forms this genre of dance encompasses. Each week will
include new material in addition to a review of the technique covered in previous classes. So, if you
WANT to master a movement, that's up to you.
Will you have FUN each and every class? Absolutely! I'm a bellydance geek who isn't afraid to let my
geekiness and quirkiness shine through. And it's somewhat contagious. It's okay to be a little silly in
class. THIS is YOUR time to have fun and make new friends.
Will you walk out of your FIRST class feeling alive and empowered and better educated about
the world of Middle Eastern Dance? Yes. I make a packet available to my students that contains
resources, internet links, handouts I've created or found over the last 6 years, and articles from
respected experts in the field of dance, fitness and middle eastern music and culture. In subsequent
classes we'll slip in video clips and dance to music from a variety of cultures. The empowerment part
comes from over-coming whatever fears, hesitancies or obstacles that may have previously prevented
or delayed you from getting to my class. You are to be congratulated for bravely taking the leap and
pushing your own envelope!
Week 1. Overview – Diving right in to the fun stuff
• Basic Body posture, framing
• Egyptian Shimmy
• Taqsim (Vertical 8) and Maya
• Snake Arms
________________________________________________________________
Week 2. Upper Body Isolations
• Head slides/circles
• Shoulder circles/shimmies
• Rib cage slides/lifts/circles
• Undulations
________________________________________________________________
Week 3. Arms/Hands
• Floreos
• Snake arms
• Seaweed
• Kali arms
• Rolling pin
• Pharonic arms
• Candle arms
• Cloud pushing
• Horizontal snake arms
• Angel arms
________________________________________________________________
Week 4. Lower Body Isolations
• Hip Slides
• Hip Circles
• Hip Lifts
• Hip Drops
• Omis
• Figure 8s (Horizontal, vertical & Mayas)
• Cane Combination
________________________________________________________________
Week 5. Shimmies and Intro to Zils
• Egyptian shimmy
• Hip
• Choo-Choo
• Twists
• Shoulder
• Freeze
• Bounce
• Zil talk
______________________________________________________________________
Week 6. Traveling Steps and Intro to Zils cont.
• Sexy walk
• Basic (Camel)(Arabic)
• Tush push
• Grapevine
• Double hip bump
• ¾ shimmy walk
• Zil Triplets and 3,3,5
• Hip Circle walks
• Twist walks
• Hip lift/drop walks
________________________________________________________________
Week 7. Turns, Tummy tricks, and Intro to Zils continued
• Pivot/Paddle
• Compass
• 3-point
• Chaînés (2-point)
• Soutenu
• Flutters
• Rolls
• Pops
• More Zil patterns and baby steps
______________________________________________________________________
Week 8. Course Review using Combinations, Zils and Class
Photo!
