Warm Up for Belly Dance

Learn a dynamic drum solo choreography. This high-energy piece features isolations, pop and lock patterns, shimmies, shimmy layers and various traveling movements. A fun and well rounded choreo to practice or perform!

In this class, we explore a simple traveling combination and then add arm movements on top. Basic hip and chest movement will also be drilled, with a focus on clean, strong, muscular articulation. A nice, long arm and shoulder drill is included to build strength and stamina for beautiful and graceful arms. We will warm-up and cool-down with a bit of yoga and Pilates so grab your yoga mat as well!

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.

This Isolations workshop will start with grounding breath work to help you tune in and connect. We will then go head to toe, breaking down and drilling basic belly dance Isolations. Finally, we will mix and match the basic isolations to create interesting and innovative isolation patterns. Learning these challenging isolation combinations will enhance your ability to accent musical cues and expand your drum solo repertoire.

Belly Dance Flow Drillz have been created for the dedicated dancer as a means to drill almost all dance movements for a well-rounded daily practice. In this workshop Zoe will encourage a balance of strength, flexibility, and technique, utilizing sun salutations, Pilates, and good old fashioned belly dance. This practice will make you sweat, so drink lots of water, and you'll need a yoga mat and a towel.

Slovenia Slam! This is a fun "scale" or isolation pattern, that involves chest locks, undulations, and a slight level change. Please be warmed up before doing this video. Enjoy!

Get ready to get your heart rate up and have some fun in this challenging cardio class. Class is divided into two parts, beginning to intermediate dance drills with mini combos, sandwiched between short bursts of more traditional fitness conditioning.

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 is a beginning level Pilates workout designed with the needs of belly dancers in mind. The beginning of this workshop is an introduction to the principles of the method, and guides the student through the main points of stabilization and good form, and includes tips for self-correction. This class focuses on strengthening the abdominals, back muscles while stabilizing the body for belly dance movement. This workout features primarily classic Pilates exercises and offers a variety of modifications for beginners.

Here we will combine the 3/4 shimmy with chest slides, chest circles, the up-to-down body roll, and the down-to-up body roll. This spotlight is from Ashley's workshop, "3/4 Shimmy Variations & Layers."

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 class is designed for the beginning belly dancer or anyone looking to revisit and practice some basic belly dance essentials. In this video, we will start by breaking down belly dance posture. Then we’ll work with some basic footwork and traveling, hip locks, upper body isolations, and snake arms. Have a mat ready as we’ll begin with a short yoga and pilates conditioning sequence.

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.

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.

This is a short lecture highlighting some of the basic information and history behind Pilates, the creator, the form itself, and why its an excellent practice to compliment belly dance.

This workshop will teach you some of the gooeyest fundamental movements in Tribal Fusion vocabulary, and, when done regularly, will increase the strength and flexibility in the upper back and lateral muscles. It includes a warm up, three phrases: Bodywave, Side to Side Undulation, Sidewinder, an improvisation section including those phrases, and a cool down for flexibilty. Enjoy!