Tribal Style

This beginning level ATS® class introduces basic slow moves including posture, taxeem, hand floreo and reverse turn, and presents four fast moves: Arabic, Shimmy Step, Egyptian and Choo-choo. A zill pattern is paired with the fast moves and drilled. We start with a warm up and end with a cool down.

After a quick warm up, slow arm undulations, arm flourishes, and Bodywave are presented in this ATS® basic class. Fast variations, including Egyptian 1⁄2 Turn and Arabic Arm Flourishes are introduced and drilled with zils. We break down and drill duet and trio formations, then finish with a cool down.

This beginning level ATS ® class starts with a warm up, then introduces basic slow moves including Camel Walk, Torso Twist, and the Propeller Turn. Fast movements will include Shimmy Step, and Turkish Shimmy, and adding a 1/4 turn to the Turkish Shimmy. Class finishes with a zil drill that rotates through the common drill patterns used in ATS® followed by a cool down.

After a quick warm up, Corkscrew Turn, Ribcage Rotation and layering Arm Undulations and Taxeem are presented in this ATS® basic class. Ghawazee Shimmy and Arabic Hip-twist are introduced and put into combos to drill with zils. Transitions and lead changes appropriate for duets and trios are broken down and drilled, then class finishes with a cool down.

This is the 4th class in Colette's Beginning ATS® series.

This beginning level ATS® class starts with a warm up then reviews posture. Wrap-around Turn is introduced and slow movements are layered onto level changes. We review Turkish Shimmy then add a 1⁄2 Turn and introduce Reach & Sit. Class finishes with a call and response zil drill which rotates through the common zil pattern used in ATS® and a cool down.

This is class 5 in Colette's Beginner's ATS® Series.

After a quick warm up, the beautiful Sahra Turn is introduced and Reverse Taxeem is layered with Arm Undulations in this ATS® basic class. We review fast foot positions then breakdown Arc-Arm Turn and Shoulder Shimmy. Ghawazee Shimmy and Arabic Hip-twist are introduced and put into combos to drill with zils. Transitions specifically suited for trios and quartets are broken down and drilled, then class finishes with a cool down.

Collapsable Sigil is a yoga based sport flow warm up to get your heart rate up and keep flexibility in your practice.

This class presents fast Tribal Style movements that incorporate classic foot patterns and traditional hip work which look stunning when performed by a group.  We will introduce the movements and flourishes, string them together into combos to drill, then drill them in formation with zils.  This workshop is appropriate for dancers of all levels and the moves are ATS® and/or ITS friendly.

This class is designed to get the dancer moving and sweating with a few combinations that contain a variety of belly dance moves fused with steps from other styles of dance, including hula and jazz. Combo "C" works with big belly dance hips, paddle turns, and undulations for an energetic and fun workout.

Each movement of each combination is first broken down through a series of drills that increase in speed. Once all of the steps of the combination are learned, they are quickly put together as a dance combination and are practiced slowly, then with increasing speed. This video also features a short Pilates-based warm up and cool down.

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.

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.

Swords, zils, and quick shimmys – nothing pleases an audience more! In this Intermediate level class, fast movements for sword balancing are presented and drilled. Based on the ATS® fast vocabulary, but applicable for dancers of all styles, variations for dancing with a sword while wearing zils are introduced and concepts for fast sword presentations are discussed. Arm modifications are demonstrated and exciting combos are explored.

This class presents slow Tribal Style movements, each with a strong Flamenco flavor.  Starting with a short warm-up, we will introduce three movements and their cues, then string them together into a dramatic combo to drill.  This workshop is appropriate for dancers of all levels and the moves are ATS® and/or ITS friendly.

Amy Sigil presents Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson one will cover low, mid, and high taxeems, taxeem transitions, and 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 turns. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body!

Information about where to download the syllabus for Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary is at the end of the video.

Amy Sigil presents Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson two will cover upper undulations, floreo poses, and reverse turn. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body!

Information about where to download the syllabus for Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary is at the end of the video.

Amy Sigil presents lesson 3 of Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson three will cover floreo taxeem, rib circles, and the arm dip. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body!

Amy Sigil presents Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary. Lesson four will cover camel step and spin set up one and two. This class includes a warm up, technique, drill, and an inspiring pep-talk to work out your mind as well as your body! Class 4 is the final lesson in the level 1 Slow ITS vocabulary.

If you put in the work, the words of the critics don't have to hurt. Sigil gives a short peptalk to keep you focused on doing your best and knowing what your best is for the moment.

This segment is taken from 'Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS Full Lesson 3".

Taking content from Unmata's Slow ITS Lesson 1 (low, mid, high taxeems, taxeem transitions, and 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 turns) and drillin' it.

Taxeem work is fundamental to horizontal figure 8s paired with snake arms, an ABC of ITS. This class breaks down the taxeem, illustrates the "how to" in executing seamless transitions of your low, mid, and high taxeems, concepts and rules of turning with the taxeem, moving with your taxeems, and last we will cover the stagger formation and rotation.

The material in this spotlight is from 'Full Lesson 1: Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS'. To drill the material in this class in the stagger or for the warm up, please try the full class or the 'Drill' or "Eagle Shame Warm Up' spotlights.

This drill section puts together your upper undulations, floreo poses, and reverse turn, and includes the work from Unmata's Slow ITS Level 1, Lesson 1.

This segment is taken from 'Full Lesson 2: Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS'.

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'.

Building on the concepts learned in lessons 1 and 2 of level 1 slow ITS, this drill section includes floreo taxeem, rib circles, and the arm dip. Here we put together classes 1,2, and 3.

Lesson 3 includes the technical breakdown and stylization of the floreo taxeem, rib circles, and the arm dip.

Putting the first 4 lessons of Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS Vocabulary together, this drill section includes camel step, spin set up 1 and 2, floreo taxeem, rib circles, arm dip, upper undulations, floreo poses, reverse turn, and all of lesson 1 taxeem work. Lets Dance!

Lesson 4 of Unmata's Level 1 Slow ITS Vocabulary includes the technical breakdown and stylization of the camel step and the spin set up 1 and 2.

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. 

Feeling like you don't have the "free time" you need? Sigil takes you through a different way of looking at "fitting in" those things you "don't have time for" in this 1 minute Sigil style peptalk.

This class starts with a warm up and conditioning segment focusing on arm strength and flexibility. We then cover a quick overview of swords used in belly dance and specific concepts for group improvisation using swords. Starting with the dancers handling the sword, variations of slow ATS® and Scarlet Thistle moves are presented as well as dramatic poses and flourishes that showcase this “dangerous” prop. Sword balancing, both on the hand and on the head is discussed with Tribal Style movements utilized for hand balancing and the ATS® vocabulary is explored for balancing on the head. Class finished with an improvised drill that strings together multiple movements to create combinations appropriate for choreography or for improvisation.

Learn the 5 sections of a balancing routine in this short and simple choreography. This includes level changes, touches briefly on floorwork, gives a few turns to play with, and has a combination or two while balancing your item of choice. Make sure you're warmed up for this one, especially in the legs. Enjoy!

The Eagle's Shame warm up is a yoga based sport flow, designed to bring your heart rate up and add flexibility to your practice.

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.

The Memory Sequence warm up is designed not only to get your body going, it also warms up your mind. Sigil creates an improvised sequence for you, right on the spot. Memory practice is equally as important as getting your heart rate up so the brain and body are ready to work together.

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.

In this Intermediate level class, a choreography featuring the Sword is presented to MWE's song, "Los Biblicos"*. Beginning with an entrance, the piece starts with the presentation of the Sword and dramatic Sword handling. The tension increases as the Sword is balanced and Tribal Style movements and variations are executed. This choreography is applicable to all styles of belly dance and may be utilized by ATS® or ITS groups.

To brush up on Tribal Style Sword Fundamentals, check out Colette's Slow and Fast Tribal Style Sword Classes. *Note: This choreography uses an edited version of the MWE song, "Los Biblicos". The choreography is from 00:47 to 4:06 of the track.

This warm-up will prepare the whole body for movement and focus on the lower body, including conditioning for the legs and feet.  This exercise is appropriate for beginner dancers to advanced dancers wanting to develop strength in their lower body.

Sigil keeps your head in the game and your imagination open with another short "peptalk" about the meaning expressed by movement, the body speaks without making a sound.

This is from "Lesson 2 of Unmata's Level 1 ITS Vocabulary".