My full training routine is composed of musicality and music interpretation exercises. As well as technique up to the level I need in order to portray my communication. And practice and consideration of postures, body language and strength.
Hello!
I will be sharing with how do I get myself ready to dance. How I prepare myself in physical terms and musical as well. So, let’s just dive into it!
Get ready to Belly Dance
Due to the nature of the dance and the culture, many dancers are self-taught and self-trained, especially if they are “naturals”.
This is something that does not happen often in “traditional western dances” such as Ballet, Contemporary, Ballroom, etc. This is even if a dancer is a “natural”.
I feel, as a dancer and a teacher, that a good, basic foundation and understanding of the standard subject of dance can be of great benefit to all dancers, naturals or taught.
A basic knowledge of how to carry YOUR body frame elegantly, distribute your weight and how to stand is essential. It’s elementary to approaching the art form and getting ready to dance.
I do not mean that belly dancers should or must have a balletic posture. I mean, we should have the same level of understanding of how one should be holding themselves while dancing.
Just as a ballerina knows how to hold herself while she dances.
Not standing elegantly and not keeping an excellent and appropriate posture while dancing is depriving the dancer from presenting a high level of aesthetics. It can reduce the quality of the communication with her public.
The important bits...
A vital part of a dancer’s training and to get oneself ready to dance is to learn how to place their body appropriately and correctly while doing any movement in the music.
Time given to drilling a posture is time well spent; more so that just drilling a movement by itself.
In my own training, I like to keep it diverse. I study Ballet, Hip Hop, Latin Ballroom, Flamenco, Kathak, Bangra. In addition, I regularly reinforce my Brazilian dance and Cultural roots to keep it up to scratch!
Now, I am not a professional in any of these styles, but the understanding of their basics gives me a vast amount of inspiration and control over what I can do.
It maximizes flexibility in terms of what my body is able to produce as movement as well as the FEEL of a movement.
I also discovered that different muscle groups are worked in each style, developing according to the geographical and anthropological origin.
For example, people from the mountains dance differently from the people of the planes.
Technique
For technique, once I know what I need to interpret in the music. I find what can be done and what would make the music come alive.
I choose from the basics and increasing the level of complexity and variety of each movement as needed for that piece.
Posture
For posture and strength, I find that ballet bar work is fabulous. I know it is not everyone’s cup of tea (favourite choice)! Alternatively, a dancer could use Pilates, yoga and other methods.
There is something to suit everyone’s taste.
Ballet is a double agent in my opinion! It hits 2 birds with one stone – posture & strength as well as musicality.
Furthermore, I run every other day for 20-30 minutes to keep the cardio workout present. However, for those that find running difficult or not possible, there are various alternative cardio workouts available to choose from.
The ideal scene...
You see, when a dancer has musicality, technique, posture and endurance she is in pretty good position to begin with. Addinng cultural understanding, emotional empathy, individuality and full GINGA (Brazilian word for feel of rhythm) … you have a truly appealing dancer.
The above is only my daily warm up technique to get ready; after that I start dancing the music!
Let’s get ready to dance!
Much love,
Serena
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