Bellydance terminology, unlike other dance forms such as ballet and ballroom dance, is not standarized throughout the world. Most of the terms are descriptive ("hip circle"), or named after a dancer who popularized step ("Sohar Zaki hip" = "down hips"), an area ("Saidi" step), or musical term or rhythm ("Karsilama step"). Naturally this is confusing and leads to all sorts of discussion, panels, "Should our dance terms be standardized?" etc. *See link below
Since the majority of terms are self-descriptive, we can usually manage to understand one another. Most teachers use a collection of similiar terms.
Most of our moves are based on isolations. This means one body part (ex. hips) moves while the others remain seemingly still (ex. chest). We can isolate hips, chest (rib cage), stomach, shoulders, arms, hands/fingers, head.
In fact, the non-moving part is actually using contra or alternative movement to creative the illusion of stillness. For example, if your hip is moving to the right side, you will imperceptiblly push your rib cage to the left. This is a concept that needs to be demonstrated by your teacher. DVDs are useful only as supplemental to your classes!
The body parts can only move 3 ways:
Up/down
Front/back
Side-to-side
All the movements are based on moving in these directions; complicated moves combine directions.
Since the majority of terms are self-descriptive, we can usually manage to understand one another. Most teachers use a collection of similiar terms.
Most of our moves are based on isolations. This means one body part (ex. hips) moves while the others remain seemingly still (ex. chest). We can isolate hips, chest (rib cage), stomach, shoulders, arms, hands/fingers, head.
In fact, the non-moving part is actually using contra or alternative movement to creative the illusion of stillness. For example, if your hip is moving to the right side, you will imperceptiblly push your rib cage to the left. This is a concept that needs to be demonstrated by your teacher. DVDs are useful only as supplemental to your classes!
The body parts can only move 3 ways:
Up/down
Front/back
Side-to-side
All the movements are based on moving in these directions; complicated moves combine directions.
Your arms should always gracefully frame your body. Imagine that they are suspended in water - use resistance to create a graceful line. As you lift & lower them, imagine they are resting on big soft clouds.
In basic practice, a low relaxed Vee with slightly flexed hands is fine. Other arm positions include diagonal arms, right angle or "L", overhead Vee, hands at hips,some of the ballet/jazz positions as well.
Arms & hands create patterns through space as well. Popular movements are: snake arms, wavy arms, wind arms, classic arms
hand presses, waves, or circles, finger ripples
These movements use muscle contraction & release, resistance (pressing against "imaginary" substance i.e. water) & imagery ("imagine that your elbows are floating", etc ) to produce circular movements.
ARTICLES RE: STANDARDIZATION OF TERMS:
One side of the coin:great food for thought!
NearEastDance "Textbook"
In basic practice, a low relaxed Vee with slightly flexed hands is fine. Other arm positions include diagonal arms, right angle or "L", overhead Vee, hands at hips,some of the ballet/jazz positions as well.
Arms & hands create patterns through space as well. Popular movements are: snake arms, wavy arms, wind arms, classic arms
hand presses, waves, or circles, finger ripples
These movements use muscle contraction & release, resistance (pressing against "imaginary" substance i.e. water) & imagery ("imagine that your elbows are floating", etc ) to produce circular movements.
ARTICLES RE: STANDARDIZATION OF TERMS:
One side of the coin:great food for thought!
NearEastDance "Textbook"