My Practice Video

[BellyDance Girl]

I've recorded a few videos of my practice. This one I feel is my best. It incorporates the only moves I learned from my first 8 week beginner's class, without the zills and last two side steps. This is the 'full circle' our instructor taught us. It is certainly different looking at yourself dance, much different than a mirror. However, I feel that the videos are helping me more, as I can critique my posture, fluidity, etc. I still have a long way to go -- but what a fun ride!!!!

Here's the link to the video - in case you can't see what I am trying to post here:

 

[Amanda (was Aziyade)]

Cute!
I'm so jealous -- having a video record like that is SUCH a cool thing. I kept a journal, but I wish I'd had more video.

One comment: You have a right hip. Use it periodically. No seriously, when you practice you might want to practice using both sides of your body. You don't want one side getting strong and the other getting weak. One side of your body will ALWAYS be stronger, but you don't want there to be a serious imbalance.

What's the second movement you're doing -- like a shoulder push or shoulder shimmy? It seems you do it while stepping to the side?

 

[BellyDance Girl]

Cute!
I'm so jealous -- having a video record like that is SUCH a cool thing. I kept a journal, but I wish I'd had more video.

One comment: You have a right hip. Use it periodically. No seriously, when you practice you might want to practice using both sides of your body. You don't want one side getting strong and the other getting weak. One side of your body will ALWAYS be stronger, but you don't want there to be a serious imbalance.

What's the second movement you're doing -- like a shoulder push or shoulder shimmy? It seems you do it while stepping to the side?

For the past few days I've been obsessed with recording my practicing then re-watching it. I feel it is helping me, as I see improvements after each one.

Yes, you are right - I do need to move my right hip!!! lol! I asked about this in class. The instructor said that Lebanese Cabaret is usually with the left hip, Egyptian usually starts and emphasizes the right hip. Because the class was only limited to 8 one hour lessons for beginners, there was only so much she could show us, and she wanted us to walk away with at least one minor routine. She said I of course do the routine with my right hip as well. I have done it with my right hip - but I haven't posted those videos More work needs to be done! And, still haven't posted a video with the zills

Let me just say how even more impressed I am at seasoned and/or professional dancers. After two months of doing the same few steps over and over, I still look like a beginner. I know Rome wasn't built in a day, but I somehow thought I'd be more fluid by now. I am realizing and admiring the extreme talent and dedication it takes to become a true dancer. Perhaps I will get to that level in the next 5-10 years. I have a lot of (fun) work to do

I don't remember the name of the move I was doing with the side step. She had us doing half-rotations with the shoulders and shoulder blades. She said we can practice it while driving - push your shoulder blades into the seat alternately. I can do it better if I'm not moving side to side. So far this is a challenge for me when side-stepping. It's like patting your head, rubbing your stomach, chewing gum and walking backwards at the same time . More work on that as well.

Thanks so much for watching and your constructive feedback!

 

[Ravenhairedbellydancer]

Hi,, can i ask you what music u used in that "3rd practice" video,, it makes me almost cry lol Thanxx

 

[BellyDance Girl]

Hi,, can i ask you what music u used in that "3rd practice" video,, it makes me almost cry lol Thanxx

I wish I knew! It's a mixed cd, burned by the instructor's daughter for one dollar. It was the cd that was played during our classes, complete with Steve Martin's "King Tut," a 'dance mix' of "Walk Like an Egyptian" and the theme from "I Dream of Genie." Not the best mix for sure!!!! I guess they tried to keep it a bit 'light' for novices.

I'd be happy to try to email the song to you. I've never emailed a song - but I'm guessing you can do it. If you would like to give it a go you can send me a private message with your email and I'll be glad to try to send it to you.

 

[Chani]

Hi Belly Dance Girl,

I've been reading your blog and watching your practice videos.

You are doing so well.

I love your outfit - really pretty and suits you well.

I have just finished my 10 week beginners course. I've only taped myself once and just with my husband's mobile phone. I found it really helpful. I too felt like I was dancing more fluidly than I was and I could see some areas that REALLY need improvement that I might not have noticed so well in the mirror...but I was also pleasantly surprised at how nice some of the moves I do look that actually feel a bit awkward still. I am still working on my outfit and have skirt but have been trying different styles of tops. I could see much better in the video how each top looked and got a good back view so it's helping me with costuming too. Like you I have realised that becoming accomplished at belly dance at even a low level is going to take many years (and many $$).

Do you start another course of classes in the New Year?

Chani

 

[BellyDance Girl]

Hi Chani!!!! Thank you so much for your comments. I love that we both started dancing and joined this forum at the same time! Yes, the back view of yourself on video is invaluable, isn't it? And, like you, I was happy to also see beauty in what I was doing, regardless of my level.

I cannot wait for YOUR photos and videos when you get your costume together!

 

[Ravenhairedbellydancer]

Hi,, i am sorry to hijack this thread:lol:,, but that song!!! Does anyone here know the name of it or the singer? Thanx

 

[PriscillaAdum]

The cat completely startled me. :lol: At first I thought it was a black garment neatly folded up on your night table, suddenly the garment was gone and there was a cat in it's place. I had to go back and watch that segment again as the garment unfolded itself and turned into a cat. That was too cute.

Taping oneself is a great idea. I wish I'd had a video camera early on. It would have helped enormously. Out of curiosity, does your instructor teach you to lean back that far? I noticed it in your three practice clips..

Regards
Priscilla

 

[Fire Lily]

Okay. Looks like you're a little stiff, in some areas. But the fluidity and ability to 'lock' the hip moves will come with time, PRACTICE (I can't stress this enough...) and confidence.
Also...Well done on taping yourself and posting/asking for opinions! :clap::dance: And it will help with you watching where you need to improve.
Remember. We all started somewhere.:lol:
Keep up the good work:clap:

 

[nightdancer]

You are so going to laugh at this. I have the same lamp, and the same cat. Seriously. My cat, Lilliput, is the same size, the same color and the same... stature. *whispers* We dont call her fat. She gets mad.


Keep up the good work. I wish I had a video camera, this is an excellent idea.

 

[BellyDance Girl]

Hi,, i am sorry to hijack this thread:lol:,, but that song!!! Does anyone here know the name of it or the singer? Thanx

did you get the email I sent you?

 

[BellyDance Girl]

The cat completely startled me. :lol: At first I thought it was a black garment neatly folded up on your night table, suddenly the garment was gone and there was a cat in it's place. I had to go back and watch that segment again as the garment unfolded itself and turned into a cat. That was too cute.

Taping oneself is a great idea. I wish I'd had a video camera early on. It would have helped enormously. Out of curiosity, does your instructor teach you to lean back that far? I noticed it in your three practice clips..

Regards
Priscilla

That's funny aobut my surprise cat - yes, I also noticed that on the video. That was my lady cat Maya - I actually have a pair of two gray cats who are blind in one eye - they are not related! I found the second on petfinder and thought -'great! I can have a pair of two gray half-blind cats.'

And yes, our instructor had us lean back for the first step and the turn. She empahasised the need to visually change level from going from the hip move to the shoulder move.

Perhaps I am leaning back too much. In my first few classes they physically leaned me back a bit more. Perhaps I am over-compensating at home? It has been a few weeks since my last professional lesson.

 

[BellyDance Girl]

You are so going to laugh at this. I have the same lamp, and the same cat. Seriously. My cat, Lilliput, is the same size, the same color and the same... stature. *whispers* We dont call her fat. She gets mad.


Keep up the good work. I wish I had a video camera, this is an excellent idea.

Thanks so much! That's CRAZY that you have the same lamp! do you have the larger, longer one as well? That's on the other side of my bedroom.

Yes, we don't tell the lady cat Maya that she is fat - we just tell her she is cuddly! I moved Maya and myself to my grandma's house 7 years ago to be her live-in caretaker. Grandma LOVED Maya and fed her anything and everything she asked for when I was not there. Now at 8 years old, two litters, and living in a shoebox of an apartment right now - the poor girl will never be able to get back into her prom dress The only workout she gets when I'm not here is running from the younger half-blind male cat who ALWAYS wants to play 'attack cat." Since I've been living in such a smll place, Winkie (the younger one) is starting to pack on the pounds as well now that he is past 3.

 

[BellyDance Girl]

Okay. Looks like you're a little stiff, in some areas. But the fluidity and ability to 'lock' the hip moves will come with time, PRACTICE (I can't stress this enough...) and confidence.
Also...Well done on taping yourself and posting/asking for opinions! :clap::dance: And it will help with you watching where you need to improve.
Remember. We all started somewhere.:lol:
Keep up the good work:clap:

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes, I am still counting too much in my head. One thing that was confusing to me though, was that I was told NOT to lock the hips so much. I was told to keep my hip direct, as well as fluid. I guess it's just a part of learinng the craft.

 

[BellyDance Girl]

You are so going to laugh at this. I have the same lamp, and the same cat. Seriously. My cat, Lilliput, is the same size, the same color and the same... stature. *whispers* We dont call her fat. She gets mad.


Keep up the good work. I wish I had a video camera, this is an excellent idea.

Lilliput - I love that name!

 

[nightdancer]

No prom dresses for Lil either, lol. They ought to make aerobics classes for cats.


I dont have the longer one, no, just that one by my bed as well.

Have a good night