Hi fellow bellydancers!

I need some advice.  For one my shoulder shimmeis stink!  I just can't get them to move with out my rear going at the same time ::).  Undualtions are also not going well.  Mine you I am building muscles in the area around my belly, of which are noticeable.  I've been using the Bellytwins instructial DVD"s

Thanks! http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/950/bouquet.gif

Isolating upper body movements is just plain difficult!!  It will take a lot of practice.  One of my teachers says to pretend you're in cement up to your hips so your lower body won't move while you do upper body stuff.  Also, be sure you are moving your shoulder muscles and not your chest-there is a difference!!

I think the best instruction for undulations is Rachael Brice's Tribal Fusion Belly Dance (you can get it from amazon).  She does a very different style of dance than the twins (I've seen her dance live) and her movements are super precise.  This video includes some yoga as a warm up plus other drills and isolations.  I have all of the vhs BellyTwins tapes and a couple of the DVD's so I have some familiarity with those.

Also, I wish to clarify-are you talking about upper body undulations and not lower body?  I am assuming you man upper body.  The lower body ones (audalaise-I know I didn't spell it right) are totally different.

I'm so happy you've found a love of bellydance.  I love it, too.

Sakina wrote on Jun 5^th, 2007 at 11:51am:

Isolating upper body movements is just plain difficult!!  It will take a lot of practice.  One of my teachers says to pretend you're in cement up to your hips so your lower body won't move while you do upper body stuff.  Also, be sure you are moving your shoulder muscles and not your chest-there is a difference!! I think the best instruction for undulations is Rachael Brice's Tribal Fusion Belly Dance (you can get it from amazon).  She does a very different style of dance than the twins (I've seen her dance live) and her movements are super precise.  This video includes some yoga as a warm up plus other drills and isolations.  I have all of the vhs BellyTwins tapes and a couple of the DVD's so I have some familiarity with those. Also, I wish to clarify-are you talking about upper body undulations and not lower body?  I am assuming you man upper body.  The lower body ones (audalaise-I know I didn't spell it right) are totally different. I'm so happy you've found a love of bellydance.  I love it, too.

I really do love bellydance, it makes me feel good and I have lots of fun with it. ;)  The undulations I am having trouble mastering is on the Discover Bellydance, basic dance DVD. I know lots of practice!! ;D  I will try the Rachael Brice DVD when I get some cash.  Thank you so much for your inspiration and help.  I am determined to learn and have even got use to half turns without getting dizzy.  8-)

Glad to help!  I suck at spinning.  I am getting better at it, most of the time I still get dizzy.

Your determination will most certainly pay off, 'cause at this point, its all about repetition-creating new neuropathways for the moves.  

If I could insert a sound here, it would be a zaghareet or some zilling.  ;)

Sakina wrote on Jun 6^th, 2007 at 1:10am:

Glad to help!  I suck at spinning.  I am getting better at it, most of the time I still get dizzy. Your determination will most certainly pay off, 'cause at this point, its all about repetition-creating new neuropathways for the moves.   If I could insert a sound here, it would be a zaghareet or some zilling.  ;)

Your the greatest! http://smilies.sofrayt.com/1/950/polite.gif

Aww, shucks.

Something which I have found to help, is to find music that just makes me feel like I have no choice but to dance to it. The genre changes depending upon my mood - from a New Orleans jazz version of 'When the Saints Go Marching In' to something hip hoppy to bagpipes. The point is in being able to relax your body with music that really makes you want to move, and also your mind so that you're not thinking too much about a move you may find complicated.

Just have fun!

Grrbanzo wrote on Jun 6^th, 2007 at 9:50pm:

Something which I have found to help, is to find music that just makes me feel like I have no choice but to dance to it. The genre changes depending upon my mood - from a New Orleans jazz version of 'When the Saints Go Marching In' to something hip hoppy to bagpipes. The point is in being able to relax your body with music that really makes you want to move, and also your mind so that you're not thinking too much about a move you may find complicated. Just have fun!

Tee Hee!  I know what you man, I do that to Mini Wheats TV ads! ;D :D

Ok, I need to know good videos for someone who cannot dance at all and has NEVER done belly dancing.  Talk to me ladies!!!!

I just got my bellydance skirt! Its is black, five petal skirt with gold coins.  Thing is it is sheer and there is a panel in the front but my bum is not covered! I heard somewhere about wearing pantaloons (sp?) underneath.  Any suggestions?

I have a skirt like that w/o the coins.  I wore it in a show and had one of my fellow dancers pin it to cover de bum.  I usually only wear the harem pants (pantaloons) with hip scarves cause I personally don't like the look of a petal skirt w/pants.

I've gotten nearly all of my harem pants from moondancebellydance.com.  I have some gorgeous black with silver metallic thread-they're my favorites.

I especially like to wear harem pants when I go to a bellydance class.  I have a tendency to trip on my skirts.

Was that at all helpful??

Sakina wrote on Aug 9^th, 2007 at 10:36pm:

I have a skirt like that w/o the coins.  I wore it in a show and had one of my fellow dancers pin it to cover de bum.  I usually only wear the harem pants (pantaloons) with hip scarves cause I personally don't like the look of a petal skirt w/pants. I've gotten nearly all of my harem pants from moondancebellydance.com.  I have some gorgeous black with silver metallic thread-they're my favorites. I especially like to wear harem pants when I go to a bellydance class.  I have a tendency to trip on my skirts. Was that at all helpful??

Thanks!  Yes it was!  I haven't tried dancing in the skirt yet.  I have been to moondance and they do have some nice stuff 8-) I want to get some harem pants too. :)  I was thinking of perhaps a body stocking of which will also shave some off my belly too.

Ok, JD jealous and JD pathetic...been to scared to try the Twin Video...just feel to fat and awful...how pathetic is that

(disclaimer....the REAL Joey Dog says I am being silly so this is just me using his name...and badly so)

JD

I say give it a go!  Just do a small part of the DVD to start, take it in fifteen minute stages and work up to the whole thing over time.  I understand feeling fat, I just thought oh the heck with it and did not look at myself in a full-length mirror for two months!  To me it was like, okay I’m 17 pounds over weight, now is time to fix that, not cry over it.  SSRI’s have the tenancy to make you pack on the pounds.  I was on a MAO for a few years and that helped keep the weight at bay.  But they did not work well for me and I was switched to an SSRI three years ago and gained weight.  :-X  You know what, make the exercise your fun time, that’s what I do.  I put the phone on mute pull the curtains on the window and ignore the doorbell.  When I am done I take a nice bath to sooth my back then have a light lunch.  This is my time and it helps me feel better about myself especially if I’ve had a rough day or just feeling crappy.  

Thanx Lisabelle for the words of encouragement.  I will try that.

JD