Bodywave

In this workshop we will focus on belly dance’s most classic prop, the veil. You will get clear and concise breakdowns of veil posture, technique, and 20 unique movements and variations. All of the movements can stand on their or own or seam together to create a lovely 20 part veil choreography. The workshop includes a warm-up specifically targeting arms, hands, wrists, upper back, shoulders and ribcage as well as commentary on using your veil as a theatrical prop and recovering from veil snafus.

Get your daily dose! The daily dose is a short, efficient practice that has what you need to keep your technique strong, even if you have a crazy schedule: yoga, drills, a short phrase combination, a focus, and a cool down. This daily dose is part of the "Arabic Shimmy" Series.

This workshop will introduce the intermediate student to two technique phrases called “scales.” These phrases can be used for improvisation or choreography, as well as being strong technique drills. They are introduced individually, then practiced together in a combination. You will drill undulations, rib cage circles, maya, side to side undulations, a simple lock pattern, and a more complex isolation pattern. The class begins and ends with a brief warm up and cool down.

The infamous Sidewinder! A classic figure 8 movement in the rib cage with a lateral focus; a fundamental movement for any Tribal Fusion dancer. To do this one well takes lots of practice, and continued practice at that, so get warmed up and work with this one often. This spotlight is from Rachel's workshop, "Sinuous and Smoky Phrases".

This spotlight will introduce the intermediate student to a technique concept called “scales”, through breaking down and drilling the Sugar scale. Scales are phrases that can be used for improvisation or choreography, as well as being strong technique drills. The Sugar scale combines a series of locks and undulations that travel up and down the body. This spotlight is taken from Rachel's "Serpentine Scales" workshop, which features a combination using both the Pinball and Sugar scales.

Get your daily dose! These concise belly dance practices include what you need to keep your technique strong when you’re short on time: yoga, conditioning, technique drills, a short belly dance phrase called "Pinball", and a cool down. Pinball #2 has a more gentle yoga practice and focus on arms. Daily doses are made in pairs so you can alternate practices for an all-over conditioning over the course of several days. This practice highlights the beautiful and complex phrase: Pinball.

A brief yoga cool down to stretch out the hips, legs, sides, and back. Have a yoga mat handy. This spotlight is from Ashley's "The 3/4 Shimmy" workshop.

Zoe's unique approach to belly rolls: "The 4 Part Roll" breaks down this classic move for any style of belly dance, emphasizing each muscle group, and moving the abdomen independent of the spine.

Tribal Style belly dance is known for its uplifted posture, which supports and carries the body and results in a strong, confident presentation.  These pointers breakdown the specifics of posture and explain how great posture can improve dance technique and presentation. 

This workshop is a 3-part workout focusing on the torso. Class will begin with a Pilates and fitness routine designed to strengthen the major muscles of the trunk of the body: the upper and lower back, abdominals, and pectorals. Part two of this class is a 20-minute drill sequence focusing on movements of the torso. Part three focuses on spinal flexibility, side bends, and twists to increase flexibility and range of motion in the torso.

Get your daily dose! The daily dose is a short, concise practice that has what you need to keep you strong, even if you have a crazy schedule: yoga, drills, a short phrase combination, a focus, and a cool down. This daily dose video is part of the "Arabic Shimmy" series.

In this Belly Dance Basics class the focus will be on very muscular internal body movements and external traveling moves. After a short full body warm-up you will learn up-to-down and down-to-up-undulations as well as down-to-up hip figure 8’s. Basic hip bumps and twists will also be layered on different foot patterns. All the movements will be combined at the end of class into a great drill style combination. The class concludes with a short cool down. An excellent class for a beginning student or advanced dancer looking to keep their basics strong.

An up-tempo combination with a lot of changes, the Hagallah combo gives both your brain and body a bit of work. In addition to the hagallah, enjoy the Arabic Shimmy, optional level changes, and a few surprising transitions.

This basic full yoga practice was designed for belly dancers, but could be useful for anyone. Practicing regularly will improve your posture, increase spinal fluidity and flexibility, promote stability and lubrication in the joints, and cultivate strong legs.

Side-to-side undulations-up-to-down and down-to-up take a bit of coordination and flexibility in the rib cage and lateral muscles. Here, the undulations are paired with foot patterns to make a movement that's great for drilling, improvisation, or choreography. This spotlight is from Rachel's workshop, "Sinuous and Smoky Phrases".

A smooth and flowing combination focusing on fluid transitions, interior isolations, and a floating stylization.

Basic movements provide a strong foundation for any belly dance practice and are the starting point for variations and complex layering. This spotlight focuses on proper technique for three fundamental slow movements in tribal style belly dance,  Taxeem, Reverse Taxeem and Bodywave, to ensure a dramatic  presentation and prepare for advanced variations.

This brief class provides tips and techniques for working on drilling your undulations for greater clarity and ease of execution.

Lesson 2 work includes the technical breakdown and stylizations of upper undulations with all 4 arm positions, floreo poses, and reverse turn. This segment is taken from 'Full Lesson 2: Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS'.

This short but hip-work packed combination focuses on 3/4 shimmies, hip-work on the down, hip bumps, posture, and simple arm placement. It is high energy and can be used in your combinations or choreographies.