Turkish Drop - how to do?
- Thread starter Tesap
- Start date
LeylaLanty
New member
Yes, it is dangerous, but the very first thing you must do in order to know if you can actually do the move in the safest way is:
Sit on the floor, bend your right leg at the knee, then place that foot next to the hip to which that leg is attached. Your foot should be on the right side of your right hip. Do the same thing for the other leg and foot. Are both knees on the ground? If not, find out how to loosen up your hip joints so that your knees are on the ground or just stop here. I wouldn't advise trying T.D. if you are not able to loosen up for this sitting position.
Now lay back until your shoulders are on the floor. Are both knees on the ground? If not, I wouldn't advise doing the Turkish Drop until you've been able to get into this position with both knees on the floor. This is the position into which you drop. I've never done the move because it is impossible for me to get in this position.
I do not know of DVDs which teach this, although I'm sure they exist.
Sit on the floor, bend your right leg at the knee, then place that foot next to the hip to which that leg is attached. Your foot should be on the right side of your right hip. Do the same thing for the other leg and foot. Are both knees on the ground? If not, find out how to loosen up your hip joints so that your knees are on the ground or just stop here. I wouldn't advise trying T.D. if you are not able to loosen up for this sitting position.
Now lay back until your shoulders are on the floor. Are both knees on the ground? If not, I wouldn't advise doing the Turkish Drop until you've been able to get into this position with both knees on the floor. This is the position into which you drop. I've never done the move because it is impossible for me to get in this position.
I do not know of DVDs which teach this, although I'm sure they exist.
Last edited:
Zorba
"The Veiled Male"
I lack the flexibility to do the Drop. I do know that they're VERY dangerous, and I personally would want personal instruction. My instructor did them for many years as part of her show - she says its one of those situations that you have to commit 100% to - in other words don't do it until you're sure, then DO IT 100%.
She did fine until one night when she didn't commit 100%, she hesitated. "This one's gonna hurt" was her thought as she was in mid-air. Blew out her knee, instant trip to the hospital - I've seen the surgical scar. She's lucky she can still dance - and she doesn't do the Drop anymore.
They *are* spectacular when done well, but don't second guess ANYTHING and get personal instruction from someone who knows it well!
Your BDPD Safety officer:
She did fine until one night when she didn't commit 100%, she hesitated. "This one's gonna hurt" was her thought as she was in mid-air. Blew out her knee, instant trip to the hospital - I've seen the surgical scar. She's lucky she can still dance - and she doesn't do the Drop anymore.
They *are* spectacular when done well, but don't second guess ANYTHING and get personal instruction from someone who knows it well!
Your BDPD Safety officer:
Amanda (was Aziyade)
Well-known member
OKay, isn't there a difference between the big old flying "spin round and round and leap UP in the air and drop" like Cory Zamora and Shabnam Pena do, and the "doing a backbend and gently dropping to the floor" like some Tribal dancers do, or this at about 3:40:
YouTube - Ruric-Amari performs her Sword Dance
Cause THIS is cool, and I think my body could handle doing this.
What's the second drop called, so I know what to look for?
YouTube - Ruric-Amari performs her Sword Dance
Cause THIS is cool, and I think my body could handle doing this.
What's the second drop called, so I know what to look for?
Michelle A
New member
Moon, I think it's the dramatic spin and flop at the end of a dance. I found this, it's not the best video but it's short.
YouTube - Erzulie's Turkish Drop
I prefer the more graceful backbend descent to the floor on the video Aziyade found. Very nice
YouTube - Erzulie's Turkish Drop
I prefer the more graceful backbend descent to the floor on the video Aziyade found. Very nice
Mark_Balahadia
New member
I love how we make up all these funny names for moves! The "Turkish drop" is also done in Lebanon by some of the more flexible dancers there. I've seen a simple drop from a backbend. A good variation if you don't want to screw your knees up is a slow descent instead of a fast one from a backbend. The spin and drop which is quite impressive but also leaves quite a bit of room for error. I prefer the drop from a backbend
julia37
New member
Moon, I think it's the dramatic spin and flop at the end of a dance. I found this, it's not the best video but it's short.
YouTube - Erzulie's Turkish Drop
I prefer the more graceful backbend descent to the floor on the video Aziyade found. Very nice
it amazes me how some people can just make things soooo darn'd easy. :clap:
Yasmine Bint Al Nubia
Moderator
Hi, Turkish drops are very dramatic and all...but why do something that is potentially damaging?
Yasmine
Yasmine
Aniseteph
New member
I'd be worried about the knees. You wouldn't be trying it if you thought you'd bash your head, and you'd think about what you'll put your back through, but it's easy to take your knees for granted and let them get into bad positions where you damage something. Save Your Knees!
da Sage
New member
To the original poster:
I hope you are an advanced or solid intermediate dancer, because if someone does a turkish drop or a to-floor backbend/drop, it increases my general expectation of them. If the rest of their dancing is not up to par, it looks like they are trying to compensate with trick moves (with exceptions for the rare dancer who just has natural backbend ability and likes to use it).
Take my advice with a grain of salt...I might just be bitter that I don't think I'll ever be in proper shape to do backbends/drops.
In general, people have to work on thigh, back, and abdominal strength and flexibility to prepare their bodies for that kind of move. Yoga, pilates, weight work, and stretching are all good for that. As for how...it looks like foot and ankle positioning is very important, but you'd have to ask someone who does it for the specifics.
I hope you are an advanced or solid intermediate dancer, because if someone does a turkish drop or a to-floor backbend/drop, it increases my general expectation of them. If the rest of their dancing is not up to par, it looks like they are trying to compensate with trick moves (with exceptions for the rare dancer who just has natural backbend ability and likes to use it).
Take my advice with a grain of salt...I might just be bitter that I don't think I'll ever be in proper shape to do backbends/drops.
In general, people have to work on thigh, back, and abdominal strength and flexibility to prepare their bodies for that kind of move. Yoga, pilates, weight work, and stretching are all good for that. As for how...it looks like foot and ankle positioning is very important, but you'd have to ask someone who does it for the specifics.
Lydia
New member
Turkish drops .....i have done i think more than 5000 because i do them in every show and i have done more han 5000 shows
Untill now i did not teach anybody in class how to do it because i am worried that someone will hurt herself even when i stand next to them i am worried that it go,s wrong
If i drop i realy concentrate otherwise it can go wrong...i hurt my upperback a few times when i landed wrong,many times my knee,s are bleeding because the dancefloor is not smooth and you scrape the skin off when you come up...i am not worried about my head so much because you keep it strait when you jump and dont let it drop back,but even i think i did bang it ones or twice when i did not concentrate properly
I know some people say why you do it it is dangerous,but its cool and people are amazed when you do it and it needs a lot of strenght to come out of it in a beautiful way ,not just yellah up and go... so to drop and to get up correct and looking gracefull is a big job and for sure not for a beginner dancer...if you want to do this make sure you get a good teacher that is doing it herself not someone that saw it on youtube or from another dancer she will not know how to explane it correctly and you can hurt yourself badly,when i did it for the first time i felt its ok to do because i was doing selfdefence training already for some years and have a strong back and strong legs and i am flexable ...and even do you do this for years you still have to be carefull every time and concentrate otherwise it can still go wrong...remember the body has not realy been made for this crazy things that we do to it :lol:I am one of those crazy person,s that is pushing it to much on a daily base...so carefull sweetys out there ...ooooooo BDW for backbends is the same ,GET A GOOD TEACHER !! I teach that only if girls are longer in class i know then very well and passed level 4 happy dancing everybody Lydia
Untill now i did not teach anybody in class how to do it because i am worried that someone will hurt herself even when i stand next to them i am worried that it go,s wrong
If i drop i realy concentrate otherwise it can go wrong...i hurt my upperback a few times when i landed wrong,many times my knee,s are bleeding because the dancefloor is not smooth and you scrape the skin off when you come up...i am not worried about my head so much because you keep it strait when you jump and dont let it drop back,but even i think i did bang it ones or twice when i did not concentrate properly
I know some people say why you do it it is dangerous,but its cool and people are amazed when you do it and it needs a lot of strenght to come out of it in a beautiful way ,not just yellah up and go... so to drop and to get up correct and looking gracefull is a big job and for sure not for a beginner dancer...if you want to do this make sure you get a good teacher that is doing it herself not someone that saw it on youtube or from another dancer she will not know how to explane it correctly and you can hurt yourself badly,when i did it for the first time i felt its ok to do because i was doing selfdefence training already for some years and have a strong back and strong legs and i am flexable ...and even do you do this for years you still have to be carefull every time and concentrate otherwise it can still go wrong...remember the body has not realy been made for this crazy things that we do to it :lol:I am one of those crazy person,s that is pushing it to much on a daily base...so carefull sweetys out there ...ooooooo BDW for backbends is the same ,GET A GOOD TEACHER !! I teach that only if girls are longer in class i know then very well and passed level 4 happy dancing everybody Lydia
Hi Girls,
thank´s for all your replys!!
Now I think I became better and I actually can do the turkish drop on a carpet I was practising myself on a mattress. I am a ballett-dancer for many years and so I think for me it´s a little bit easier because my muscles are very strong and also streched.
It´s such a nice movement and an exciting element for every show. I will work on it.
But now I´m also worried about my knees, my back, my head... my hole body. I don´t wanna crash myself. Because of this I will visit my doctor (he is specialist for dancers) and ask him.
I´ll tell you what he´s saying. ok?
Have a nice Christmastime!!
thank´s for all your replys!!
Now I think I became better and I actually can do the turkish drop on a carpet
I was practising myself on a mattress. I am a ballett-dancer for many years and so I think for me it´s a little bit easier because my muscles are very strong and also streched.It´s such a nice movement and an exciting element for every show. I will work on it.
But now I´m also worried about my knees, my back, my head... my hole body. I don´t wanna crash myself. Because of this I will visit my doctor (he is specialist for dancers) and ask him.
I´ll tell you what he´s saying. ok?
Have a nice Christmastime!!