Last weeks classes

I've been without internet at home since Thursday night (fingers crossed it will be fixed by the time I get home tonight) so the update is running a bit behind, however, here is what was covered in class last week.

Beginner

We discussed some of the many different styles of belly dance found around the world today. We then went over Middle Eastern rhythms in general and the maqsoum rhythm in particular. After warming up with glute squeezes, plies releves and tummy pushes we reviewed hip and rib cage slides and then learned pelvic tuck and drop, rib cage lift and drop, hip lifts, omi (vertical hip circles) and vertical rib cage circles.

Intermediate

We discussed belly dance ethics – belly dance as a valid art form and then reviewed the beginner level rhythms (falahi, maqsoum and masmoudi). We then did our glute squeezes single time and ¾ time and did our arm and leg warm up series. We then did beginner level moves with 3s and the accent drill with 3s. Next we practiced ¾ shimmy on the up and on the down. We then learned vertical rib cage figure 8s in both directions, boxy and smooth and vertical hip figure 8s in both directions.

Advanced

After glute squeezes, arm exercises and warm up we worked on equality of motion between the left and right hand when working with flutter fans and fan veils. We discussed why it is important and ways to strengthen the non-dominant hand so that its movements will be equally powerful to the movements by the dominant hand. We then worked on Dream and finished learning the choreography, though the timing on the end still needs some tweaking.

Troupe notes will be posted to the HH yahoo group.