Sounds great!

We have the Dalia Carella show and workshop coming up less than two weeks...and in a week (Monday night) I am starting a belly dance conditioning class-isolations, form, flexibility training-that sort of thing. We have a workshop in October for duvani gypsy styled belly dance...and in November we are getting Laylia of Ohio to do a sword and audience interaction workshop for us. I am giddy with excitement over all the new stuff coming around the bend with it all-lots of new things and styles to learn.

Is anyone here familiar with duvani gypsy belly dance? It sort of looks like a combination of traditional with some earthy moves and flamenco moves thrown in there...very kewl!!!!

Wow- that duvani style sounds really cool! :)

Yeah it is...they utilize a lot of the really full circle skirts or huge tribal yardage skirts that you can pull the hem out equal to your hips on both sides or higher...TONS of skirt. :)

Hey Aphil! Someone in my area has started offering beginner's classes for tribal and another two have started gypsy style classes. The tribal is too far for me to attend but the gypsy style classes are closer so I may go and check them out.

I am going to class tonight - I am going back to one of my previous teachers as she is now offering a special choreography class - she wants to start a troupe and me and one of my friends are thinking of joining :D I would love to be able to perform more and this would be a great opportunity to do so!

I just got a costume idea while going through my closet last night :idea:
I have a bridesmaid dress from a couple of years ago that is quite pretty. It has a creamy coffee coloured underskirt and a pale copper coloured organza overlay. The bodice is fitted and the skirt is A-line and floor length. I really love the material but the dress is too fancy to wear except to a formal Christmas party or something like that.

I was thinking of going to a seamstress, since I am not that good at sewing that I feel comfortable altering an organza dress, and having the dress made into a skirt and top ensemble. The top would be cropped enough to show my belly button and I would then trim the top and skirt with a few coppery sequins and coins to add some flash.

Ooh....that sounds pretty! All you would need to do is have the seamstress redo the waist so it is elastic if possible...and then have her hem it so it is to the top of the foot when you wear it at "belly dance" level on your upper hips. The top should be pretty easy to crop and decorate!
I am going to be in a wedding next year-hopefully I can recycle my dress as well. :lol:
I hope you try the gypsy class and enjoy it! I am getting my costume and all my junk (circle skirt, veil, zils, clothes, makeup) and all that together today/tonight. I have to leave at the crack of dawn in the morning to drive to the workshop and show!

aphil, how did your workshop/show go?

I found a couple of other outfits that I can take apart and use the sequins and trims from too :)

All I can say is...if any of you ever get the chance to watch Dalia Carella perform...or take a workshop from her...it is a MUST DO. I have taken a lot of workshops...and this was by far the best and most fun. She taught a very flirty almost on the vulgar side duvani gypsy...and a wonderful section on traditional Indian dance. I am in awe of her and want to follow her around like the Grateful Dead. :lol:
I got to chat with her a couple times over the course of the day and evening-and she is a wonderful woman. She is a diva-but it's like she doesn't know it. Her personality is wonderful. She puts everyone around her at ease instantly. When she performed at the end of the show I was a little teary eyed. I could only hope to ever be as good as her technically, and to have her astounding stage presence. She also did the most fabulous Turkish Drop...it was amazing.
I was really pumped up...when we were in the dressing room (which we shared with her!) she commented on our costumes-and I felt so good when she said that. We performed our sword piece a couple numbers before Dalia...and at the end of our piece we got great cheers and applause and yells...and as we were walking off stage Dalia was in the wings awaiting her turn-and she said our piece was beautiful. That meant the world to me to hear that from someone of her status. :love: :love: :love:

I found a great quote from British comedian Victoria Wood ~

in fact I think that's gonna be part of my sig ;)

Love the quote clarrie! :lol:

Aphil that sounds awesome! :)

I signed up for the class that is duvani style - first class was an awesome workout! We are jsut doing review for the first 2 classes but will be starting the duvani moves during the 3 class - I can't wait! :cb:

I was vending at another beginning class last night...and I have noticed something. In the beginning class-you get all these tiny, tan, Barbie doll women in their thinking they are hot stuff-not really interested in the ME dance as an art form or fomr of expression-they want to be in their to learn some dance for their husband or boyfriend.
What I have noticed is that they flip their hair around and buy some fancy hip scarf-and they are the WORST DANCERS. They are so stiff and uncoordinated-and all of the women who are not so "perfect" or who carry a few extra pounds are the ones who turn out to be great dancers. Yes-it is the "normal woman's revenge!" :lol: I have also noticed that the Barbie women never sign up for the next level class...once they find out it is actually "work".

Aphil

This is something I'd love to try, just from hearing about it I think it'd be fun, but there aren't any classes near me that I know of, and I don't want to fork over so much money for the DVD's if I end up not liking it. Where can I get the DVD's to try them out?

Hi ali_cat.

Belly dance classes aren't advertised as much as others-more "word of mouth". Go to www.shira.net and check her instructor directory-there just may be one near you, and you not even know about it!

You can try the video section of the local library and see if they have any to lend out to try...or try www.deepdiscountdvd.com-they have low prices and free shipping specials. It takes a little longer for them to ship-about a week before you get it-but it is worth saving money if you are patient. ;)

Aphil

I had a great class last night - we incorporated some Flamenco moves into our bellydancing - it was great! :D

At a recent bazaar my friend and I bought matching circle veils that came with arm bands in the same fabric. She has an orange velvet belt so I bought one too. We now have matching outfits for a duet performance - yippee! We are also in the middle of writing our first choreography - I am so hyped up! :cp:

The Turkish Rom (gyspy) workshop I went to last weekend ROCKED! I burned about a zillion calories-it is very "high energy". We did a lot of work with the karshlima rhythm. I can zill it actually very well now after that workshop. She had some great tips on getting that down.

Your matching costumes sound so nice! It is fun to have matching stuff!

I have a sword workshop next month with Laylia of Ohio. I am vending there, so I just placed a huge order of dance stuff!

Hello all! I am interested in trying belly dancing. I was wondering if you guys could offer some insight into the benefits have been for you. I did some research and there are classes in my area, but before I jump in I would love to hear from those who are doing it and on a weight loss mission. I'm a bit curious because of the performers and instructors on the websites, everyone had a bit of a tummy. Now, I absolutely have no room ot talk about anyone's ab area, but I would like to have a more defined area. I would like to add some form of dance classes to my more traditional workout of walking and weight training. I hope someone can give me a bit more insight. Thanks!

txlawchic-
I have PLENTY of insight for you! ;)

The first thing I want to adress is the tummy issue that you mentioned. Just like with any exercise-to lose weight you have to eat right as well as exercise. There are many wonderful belly dancers that are of all shapes and sizes-from way too thin-to very heavy. A lot of this depends on their diet. You can do 30 minutes on the treadmill every single day-but if you eat more than you burn-you will still be overweight. This is with any exercise.

Second-up until the past couple of years-before the "low rise" pants fad-most women's pants/skirts were made to hit at the natural waistline-at around the naval area. This for most women (with exception of apple shapes) is the narrowest part of the waist. Even the most fit abdominals are the flattest from the ribcage area to the naval-and almost all-even tiny tummies-have a slight "pooch" below the naval area. This is the area that holds the uterus...so it will pooch slightly anyhow-and is the hardest part to "get back in" after having a child/children.

Belly dance costumes are not worn at the natural waist. They are traditionally worn lower-close to the hipbone area-so the "pooch" from the uterus is visible. It may seem strange at first-but you will soon get used to the look. :lol: Almost everyone who I have seen wearing "belly shirts" and low rise jeans-even 15 year olds-have the little place there where the uterus is.

The toning and sculpting benefits of belly dance are numerous-and it really depends on what you are doing. Doing veilwork, snake arms and shoulder shimmies are great arm and shoulder exercise...there are a zillion things such as Egyptians, hip shimmies, and hip lifts and drops-just tons of things that provide cardio benefits and tone the legs and hips. Ribcage slides, hip figure 8's and such do great oblique/waistline work.

The abdominal work depends on what you are doing. Most movements in belly dance move "through" the belly...rather than focusing on the belly alone. When you do ribcage work-you belly moves in reaction to that...when you do hip circles-your belly moves in reaction to that...there IS some ab only work-but most of it is learned in more advanced belly dance training-such as belly rolls, Turkish Folds (belly dance backbends) and so on.

I do it as one of my exercise forms-but I am truly in love with it. I have completely dove into learning all I can...whether it be about Middle Eastern music and its various regions and rhythms-to the different forms of belly dancing-I am trained in cabaret, American Tribal Style, and now learning Turkish Rom as well. Mauvais started with cabaret and is now learning Turkish as well.
Swords...finger cymbals...candles...veil...double veil...there are just SOOO many things you can learn if you find that you love it enough to do so.

Most professional belly dancers are not doing it for "exercise". It is wonderful exercise-but it is also an ancient art form-with many, many things to study and learn.

One thing I think that it is important to stress-is the attitude that you will find with women in the belly ance community. It embraces the beauty in every woman-women of all shapes and sizes look wonderful belly dancing and are welcomed! It is something that I actually find refreshing-because the women have "real" bodies. Some have spectacular figures...while others have a flaw here and there (like most of us) and it is refreshing to see. You can concentrate on your workout, or what you are learning that day-and forget about your stretch marks or tummy pooch for a little while. Belly dance is an excellent exercise...but those who end up being serious about belly dancing do it because we love it-and sort of forget that it is exercise. :lol:

For me personally-I have found that belly dancing shapes your body-but in a more feminine way.
I have lost inches and become shaped differently in the past two years...I have slimmed in some very feminine areas-my ankles have gotten thinner for one...yes, it sounds strange-but they have. They look much prettier in sandals than the tree trunks I used to have. :dizzy:
I have had two children-and still have a touch of "pooch" in my lower abs...but I have lost 7 inches off my waist in the past 2 1/2 years. (I have lost a lot of weight in that time-but my inches lost everywhere else has been 1-5 inches...my waist being slimmed the most by far!) Even though I have a touch of pooch-I have gained massive abdominal strength-and have the definition lines running down my ab area-from my ribcage to below my naval area. My shoulders and neck have slimmed and gotten a lot more shapely...and I have (for the first time ever in my life) achieved a muscle definition line on the sides of my thighs. *Belly dancing is done with the knees bent slightly-so the whole time you are dancing it is like you are doing a slight squat like in strength training.* But-I have a feminine shape-because my butt has lifted and toned, but my buns and thighs have stayed full/rounded...as have my breasts.

Basically-you achieve a more feminine "hourglass" shape over time if you do it enough...you thin out in areas but don't become a "stick". It is a nice sillhouette. ;)

Aphil

Aphil,

Thank you so much for your insight! I have had an hourglass figure, plus a little to a lot extra since I was three! I am all about being toned, yet maintaining shapeliness. I am on a mission to do something that adds fluidity to my movement and makes me comfortable in my skin. I definitely feel that dance, especially belly dancing will do this. I am so excited and I look forward to starting. I am doing the WW CORE porgram and as my 10% loss, 20lbs. loss, I have decided that instead of treating myself with material items, which I do anyway ; ), I will begin to do something good for me and my development. This should happen after the holidays, however, as the big researcher that I am, I am on rooting around now. I will be checking in for more insight as my research unearths more questions and I need real people's perspectives. Thank you again!!!

Video Review: Flex Appeal by Kathy Smith
 

Hi everyone! :)

I recently aquired the Flex Appeal Bellydance Workout with Kathy Smith-and thought I would tell you all about it here-so you know what you are getting if you decide to buy.

The first thing that I wanted to stress-is that this video was not put out by a belly dancer. It was put out by fitness instructor Kathy Smith-who usually specializes in strength training and step aerobics type of videos. She enlisted the help of dancer Ansuya to teach her belly dance so that she could put out this video.

It is a 53 minute workout. The first 20 minutes is a slow overview of some belly dance moves-led by fitness instructor Kathy Smith. Kathy and the background dancers (including Ansuya in the back) all wear practice scarves and workout attire. There is a 3 minute "dance along" segment that is led by Ansuya. The second 20 minute workout is a faster belly dance segment in which Kathy, Ansuya, and the dancers wear full bedlah costumes. (bra and belt costumes with skirts) The video ends with a 10 minute stretching/yoga cool-down.

*What I Liked*

*The set is gorgeous-fabric draping, Kathy and the background dancers are each dancing on pretty rugs, and their practice attire and costumes are very attractive.

*The cool down is very nice and thorough-and focuses on areas that are traditionally worked in Middle Eastern Dance.

*The three minute dance along segment led by Ansuya was very nice-by far the best part of the video. You get to see a real belly dancer perform...and it is a simple enough routine that you can follow right along.

*What I DIDN'T LIKE*

*The entire concept of Kathy Smith teaching a belly dance video...when she is not a belly dancer. Mauvais and I are both more experienced than Kathy Smith in belly dance-and we are not putting out videos. :lol: She is way too inexperienced to "teach" a video. Other than a few moves shown to her by Ansuya-she knows absolutely nothing about it. I feel like she saw the popularity in belly dance and in the popular videos by Veena/Neena and Rania...and jumped on the bandwagon-only forgetting that they are actually dancers.

*Kathy Smith's "performance" in this video. She displays bad form in many of the belly dance moves...when she is teaching the chest circles (up-side-down-side like a clock) and is showing them slowly-she lets her chest collapse back to center between all of the moves-so instead of drawing a circle, she is tracing a "cross" shape. Ansuya and the background dancers do NOT do this. Kathy is also often "off rhythm". All of the background dancers are nice and together-and Kathy is off doing her own rhythm. I finally stopped watching her and started following the ladies in the back. She also performs a slight flaw in doing snake arms...and many other moves. If you are going to teach a belly dance video-you should know how to belly dance. :lol:

*The video did not go into proper posture in the beginning of the video-a short 1 minute explanation would have been wonderful.

*I did not like Kathy's persona. She was doing a Middle Eastern dance video with the same "aerobics instructor" persona...yelling out "Lookin' Good!" and "Ooow!" :rolleyes: Ummm...we are not doing step aerobics honey. :lol:

All in all...I feel that you can't put out a video on something you don't know anything about-and you can't cover up lack of knowledge and technique with pretty sets and costumes.

Two thumbs down...
Aphil

Oh yeah - totally agree with you about the "Kathy Smith is not a belly dancer". I saw this in the store and just rolled my eyes. I felt like she was just cashing in on a trend but hey, she is out there to make money - but I would never pick this video up!

I think I get enough of exercise out of belly dance that I don't need an aerobics teacher to show me how to do the moves badly and cheer me on. :p

If you are interested in belly dance I would recommend getting a tape/DVD by someone who is a dancer and will show you how to do the moves properly. I have the Neena and Veena bellydance for fitness tapes and I really enjoy doing them.

Thanks for the breakdown Aphil! :)

Love your thread. I would like to buy a bellydance DVD. Do you have some recommendations? :)

Great Cardio Workout?
 

Belly dance can be either a cardio workout, or a toning workout, or BOTH. It really depends on what you are doing exactly. It is an art form, not an aerobics class-so there are many more aspects to the dance than just saying it is cardio or toning.
For instance, when I perform, one piece might be a slow piece using moves that require a lot of physical strength (doing one move for a long time or doing a very difficult move), balance (doing sword or basket balancing), and flexibility (difficult floorwork moves)-and the next piece might be a fast song where I dance fast for the entire piece, which would definitely be cardio.
Since there are so many different moves in belly dance that can be learned, and so many music tempos-it can be either, or both depending on what you are doing.

I am so excited to have found this thread, I have just started taking belly dancing classes, for the dance not necessarily for the exercise, (however the veil routine is hard on the arms, holding that up for so long) and I am in love! We are learning a serpentine veil routine in this class, for the next 8 weeks. I would love to hear what everyone else thinks about it, and how they are progressing with it. :D