MODERN BELLY DANCE

I just completed teaching modern belly dance course. This is lot of fun. Yesterday we did a couples rounds practice in the class. Every courses I taught I made sure my dancers learn something new and exciting, I can see my dancers getting better and better which I’m happy to say I finally love to create choreographies.

For one thing, I communicate to students about the technique, the music and the expression of the dance as it is done where it began. Secondly, in the early days there was little available on the market in the way of music. Now there is almost too much to choose from, including traditional and modern Arabic music and fusion music. The music has become a rich field from which to select teaching and performance pieces. Thirdly, I’m teaching more on technique. I remember it took me three months in a studio practicing by myself to figure out how to do a "3/4 shimmy" walk, after seeing someone do it. In my classes, some of the students get it and by the eighth week and most of them can do it. We’ve had years to learn and refine teaching methods, so better dancers can be developed more efficiently.

Also, I don't mind if you use my choreography, either in a performance or to teach your students, but please credit me. Do send me a video of your performance! Thanks!

Raqs Sharqi Movement

I’m teaching belly dancing by levels. Level I, II & III from beginner to intermediate. There are two main topics that I tried to explain to my students: the development of a teaching method for Raqs Sharqi (bellydancing)--what it is and how it changed the dance-and an explanation of how one might define Raqs Sharqi. My discussion of these topics is strictly an outgrowth of my personal experience. I am tracing what I consider to be an important influence in the way that belly dance teaching methods developed in my area and what effect that had on the way that we in the Malaysia perform Raqs Sharqi or Belly Dance.
In Middle Eastern culture Raqs Sharqi is performed by movements primarily of the torso to visually reproduce the rhythmic patterns in the music. In order to teach belly dance, then, we might have a completely different concept about movement, music and dance, the use of pressure points on the floor and the use of the skeletal frame to create torso movements became an important way to coax a reasonable facsimile of raqs sharqi movements.
Usually my classes are small up to 12-15 people max. I give personal attention to everyone’s posture, the way to use muscles, how to learn the technique in basic format, how to develop core muscles. Of course First few classes are usually the hardest ones, if you are patient and consistent, you will see the results in couple weeks. It takes few months to feel really comfortable with the basic belly dance moves and how to put combinations together. Then you will learn the coordination of hips and arms or hips and chest which I also call layering, I introduce basic layering in my beginning classes, but walking/dancing with basic layering takes some time.
You are in the right place if you want to work hard, see results, dance beautifully but strongly, and trim those unwanted fat. I highly recommend also doing yoga and paying extra attention to your nutrition.

Lovely Ladies, Lets Practice Dance!

How are you over there? Do you do your homework after Nigma Workshop? I’m talking about the dance practice. I hope you practice too, a minimum of three days a week, three or five mini practices a day, or five minutes a day, or better yet both. After so many workshops with Nigma, I’m loving it! I even practicing in my mind when I travel to work, of course I cant lead which foot goes where. I just listen the rhythm of the dance, by tapping out the beat with a finger. Sometime I do finger dancing on tabletop during my office hours. It’s only way to help. But you need to get your legs and body involved often also. Muscle memory helps you remember your dance figures, and remember, practice makes perfect if you practice perfectly. Hurry up, make a quick note for a future practice!!

I’m also very happy and very busy right now working on our upcoming event. I will let you know shortly, but, in the meantime, I just wanted to keep you posted on some important message that Nigma has asked me to send her regards to all of you. She is having difficulties in accessing Internet in Bali. If any one of you has emailed her, she would not be able to read your email, so be patience, once she is able to access the internet, she definitely will reply to you.

Here I want to post some info of ‘MED Professional Training for Dancers & Teachers with Nigma in Bali for year 2009. The date has been postponed roughly in September 2009 and the actual dates will be announce soon. Get yourself plan to join Nigma’s next teacher training in Bali. For those of you lovely ladies who are interested to improve your dancing skills with MED Master Teacher, this is not limited to the mechanics of teaching movements, it includes how to deliver a good time by teaching your student dancing. Ideally you educate them and yourself at the same time. As a dance teacher, if you don't make it fun to your class, you'll lose them. This is my teaching experiences.

My knowledge and spirits have been greatly increased by an amazing time with Nigma, so I’m even more excited about the Teacher Training in Bali.

Belly Dance Teacher With Nothing To Teach??

There has been many dancers bringing in many wonderful artists to teach belly dance. There are also many workshops presented throughout the year. I’ve seen the teacher when she first started teaching, she went to workshops and bringing the choreography back to her troupe then performed all over in the local event, I know she teaches none of her own work! it was cool! They just want to perform without creating their own choreography. They don’t have to spend time creating, and it would be good to perform without giving a credit to the chorographer. Hey! they’ve forgot things like copyright issues.

Ok fine! I even seen one of the teacher B she learnt it from A for a while, and she become a teacher after that. And B is teaching the same choreography that A use in her class routine, and guess what, when you go to the showcase, they are all the same choreographies you will see.

I remember when I first started teaching, I spent a lot of time when creating my choreography. It nearly took me a month to finish the whole music. As I grew in the dance, with the right knowledge and a concise process of creation, choreography can be much easier nowadays. It takes time for me to really learn how to teach well. Besides, my ability to teach also grew and I didn't need other people's work as a crutch anymore.

To create an exciting, dynamic dance, all you need to do is mastery of oriental dance technique, knowledge and acceptance of your capabilities and limits, understanding of the oriental culture and music, a good ear for rhythm and instrumentation, and the ability to visualize the effect and feelings you wish to portray.

Choreography is a talent like dance which can be learned, practiced and improved. However, also like dance, choreography is an art.

Life of Teaching Belly Dance ......

I wrote an article for my belly dance in 2006 regarding my experiences teaching dance. Since then, I never write again. But on and off, I will write my blog.

I am currently busy. It's been quite a long time with not even a update in my blog. Shame on me!!! Lots of things happened and if I tried to tell everything, you would be surely bored to death. So here goes some highlights of teaching days…

Since I started teaching, I'm always curious ... I don’t hand out a printed copy of my class rules, and I just go over them verbally. I've taken many classes with other instructors, and I do not recall receiving written or verbal instructions from any of them. Each time when I teach a new beginenr group, I do have a handout that I give out the first night of class, a kind of general info about Middle Eastern dance and the different kinds of styles and my philosophy. I’ve found that this works well.

Sudent asked me CDs for home practice, Usually I never give or burn to sell. I bought those CDs by independent musicians records copmany, and each time I’ll write a review or email to artist. I’m supporting those artists so in turn can get more music in the future! In this day and age, most music is quite easy to find and purchase. I don’t want to reproduce it, which is not a right in copyright issues.

My job is to actually TEACH DANCE, and along the way I want to make that experience fun, challenging, and gratifying, no matter what level someone is working at! Always, whether in group classes or in private lessons, I bring to my students two things : an extensive knowledge of dance and also my ability to communicate that knowledge with skill, humor, and honesty. And frankly, Sometimes it is the student, and their ability, or willingness, and I try to nudge them where they need to go.

I recently completed my intensive yoga course. I have revised my warm up to more seriously address the core muscle issues. My workout is no more that 5-6 minutes in length, but does warm up. This is important for the person who really wants to learn how to dance, I mailed flyers for publicity and all the belly dancers I knew. I want to start a new class for BellyRobics. I believe that this is beyond the "something fun to do" stage and into the "really want to learn how to dance" stage.

Fell in love with ATS Belly Dance

This is a hot topic for me right now. For as long as I can remember I have always loved to belly dance. This time I fell in love with American Tribal Style Belly Dance (ATS). The very first I attended Nigma’s ATS Tribal Certification Program, I was hooked. And it made me understand what is the different of ATS and Tribal Fusion. ATS describes the FatChance style of bellydance, and that the word "tribal bellydance" encompasses other styles, is the copyrighted Tribal Bellydance style of Carolena Nericcio, founder of Fat Chance Bellydance, based in San Francisco, California.

In this training program, we've all been drilled on the moves with finger cymbal repeatedly. I can really shut my brain off sometimes, because the moves are coming from muscle memory, and it's not dependent on what point the music is at, etc. That's what makes an ATS performance so magical, that silent communication that makes us wheel and move like a flock of birds.

I feel blessed to have belly dance in my life as well as the fabulous friends that this dance has brought to me.

If any one of you want to use the phrase "American Tribal Style" or the term of ATS for your dance style in an official way, there are resources available in the form of certification programs developed by Carolena, as well as teacher certifications and sister schools that are beginning to sprout around the world. I wish All Tribal Bellydancers owe a debt of gratitude to Ms. Nericcio and Fat Chance Bellydance Tribe.

Hosting Belly Dance Workshops

It is not easy hosting belly dance workshops. I always encourage my students to take workshops and seminars when they can afford. Believe it or not, Alor Star doesn’t attract a lot of belly dance workshops. (which I have time to discuss later, in detail).

Finally the 2nd workshops with Nigma – Private, Drumsolo & Shaabi (Part II) was over. Thank you for Jenix & Lisa signed up full day private workshop with Nigma. I’m sure both of you have learnt the typical techquine/movements.

This time the size of the class did not feel excessive. I explained to Nigma that this would probably be a small class and that there would not be a lot of students, therefore I could not pay a big salary. I wasn’t looking to make a lot of money, just to have a good time. But it is good we were all under the watchful eyes of Nigma as she devoted herself to teaching us the choreography and she was always ready to respond to our requests for her to dance or repeat a movement again and again. We really enjoyed very much. Nigma is such a wonderful teacher - I feel better learning from her. Her teaching method and her drills are effective. There is so much to learn from her to improve one's dance posture, style, techniques and overall understanding of our own body to dance better. Her brisk and businesslike teaching woke us all up and we all danced with intensity till the time for the next workshop came. I really appreciated her teaching skill that led us at a fast pace through the workshops.

By the time the final session finished, just before 6PM, I was almost collapsing. Dancing and drilling all day after 3 hour sleep had drained me.

Finally, I'd like to thank Nigma for all the hard works and all the workshop participants for friendships. Special THANK to Mee Mee for helping me sending Nigma to Penang.

Practice makes perfect, and one of the best ways to practice your technique is by drilling!

Back By Demand!! Drumsolo & Private Workshop

Learn The Ancient Art of Belly Dance

Plan ahead and you can look forward to the Professional Teacher Training!!! . 2009 is going to blow everyone's sock :-O

Unfortunately, due to Nigma tight schedule, "Professional Teacher Training by Nigma" has been postponed. Nigma and I are working out the future date in 2009. I want to thank those that sent in your registrations early. I will keep you posted.

I know how hard it is for everyone to attend all workshops that are presented throughout the year. There has been many dancers bringing in many wonderful artists. My feelings are however, that if you are truly interested in the art of middle-eastern dance than picking an artist with the such vast knowledge and experience should be a basis of putting your money toward those workshops. Look at the experiences and the knowledge that they bring. They know how to enhance your knowledge to this beautiful art form.

Belly Dance is a language, a means of self-expression. It offers personal development through dance, rhythm, music & exercise. The music itself reflects thousands of regional customs, practices & celebrations.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that more of you will support me when I can reschedule Nigma in 2009. Nigma have so much to share of her experience and talent.

Lovely dancers, get fit and have fun learning the ancient art of belly dance! ...Thanks everyone for trying.

Nigma Is Coming Back to Alor Star in August 2008

Thank you for all of you attending Nigma Workshop in Alor Star on 4 & 5th July 2008. You were all gorgeous. I’d especially like to THANK those of You who traveled from other state participated in Nigma’s Workshop. I hope that you enjoyed & learned in this workshop.

In the spirit of learning, we seek knowledge, self understanding, physical changes, movement training, beauty, mystery …. So many things we need to learn & explore. And through the journey that we realize that becoming a belly dancer is so much than absorbing belly dance movement into our bodies.

On that note, as some of you requested Nigma to come back, hence she is right here with you in August 2008. I invite you all to join for a weekend with Nigma in exploring the roots of belly dance soon. The workshop are open to all. There will be high energy workouts full of information and tons of shimmies fun to learn.

I wish you’re all healthy, happy and able to come out and share in the shimmying, see you there !!

HURRY UP.....

Sign up NOW for NIGMA'S Oriental Workshops
1. Oriental Technique & Combination
2. Oriental Choreography
3. Shaabi Techinique Choreography

Register for all 3 Workshops, you will receive an Nigma’s Oriental Dance Certificate!
All levels welcome!

****

Pre-register today - SPACE IS LIMITED to 20 participants.

Contact: Annie Ong (+60) 124 895 395 or E-mail: annie_arbq@yahoo.com

FEE & PAYMENT OPTIONS :RM 140/Module, RM 400/full package

RM370 Early Bird discount registration fee by 30th June 2008

Payment Options: Cheque/Cash to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or

EON Bank Account: 0077-10-014645-7

BELLYDANCE WORKSHOPS WITH NIGMA IN ALOR STAR (MALAYSIA) 4-5th July 2008

Studio map

ORIENTAL ROUTINE (RAQS SHARQI) & SHAABI STYLES
4-5th July 2008

Fri. 4 July; 19:00—22:00 MODULE 1: Bellydance Technique for Oriental Routine & Shaabi

Sat. 5 July; 9:30 —12:30 MODULE 2: Oriental Routine Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)
Sat. 5 July; 13:30—16:30 MODULE 3: Shaabi Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)VENUE & CONTACT:

Address: “Music Sistem Imagemart”, 2nd Floor, Nº26, Susuran Shahab Perdana,
Mergong (next to Amanah Saham Bank), Alor Star; Kedah Darul Aman (Malaysia)
Contact: Annie Ong (+60) 124 895 395
E-mail: annie_arbq@yahoo.com

FEE & PATMENT OPTIONS:
Fee: RM 140/Module, RM 400/full package or
RM 370 Early Bird discount registration fee by 30th June 2008
Payment Options: Cheque/Cash to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or EON Bank Account: 0077-10-014645-7

I love my Belly....

Love yourself... and your Belly

Remember to always in every way support

the dance as being SENSUAL, not sexual.

Learning, Practice, Keep Dancing...

I know that we all learn more and more all the time. I am still learning everyday. This is why we need Master Belly Dancers to share their skills and passion with you. Find the best teacher you can, ask for her credentials and observe her class. Check out as many teachers as you can find, and compare to determine who is more professional and artistic and who you can connect with the best.

LEARNING can be empowering, fun, and energizing - or it can be frustrating and discouraging - depending on your skills in learning. But how can we learn how to learn?

Learning is a lifelong process. Especially learn how to belly dance, learn anatomy to protect from injury, and how to tell your student to move their bodies, and learn the Arabic music including an understanding of the instruments and the rhythms. No matter what, dispel the myths that support a false image of the dance as seen by the outside world.

Yes, my only personal wish is that Belly Dance keep some of its traditions. I love tribal, and all kinds and fusions as you know, but I hope that some dancers retain the original roots, because I truly love its beautiful tradition and middle eastern music most of all. To me, that is the main reason I went into Belly Dancing, although I also like to have fun and create crazy stuff
:-)

My niece Ong Wei Xin performed Kiss Kiss in Gala Show

Every dancer should feel she is a unique individual who compares to no other and whose choreography follows her own path of life. Her dance is her symbol, the trademark of her personality.

I attended a week-long workshops in Lotus Dance Retreat in Bali, Indonesia and performed in open restaurant.

Fe! Y@nG Ann!verSaRy DinnEr & Dance Party

Kids Belly Dance to Hak Lil Eyem

Modern Belly Dance

Belly Dance to Khalini Baeed

When I Fell In love with MED......

When I fell in love with Middle Eastern music, I fell in love with the dance. I feel graceful, sensual and wonderfully exciting with my body movement . The authenticity of the instruments, with passion, energy, drive, continuing practice & learning. The process of learning is what inspires me to keep dancing.

BELLYDANCE WORKSHOPS WITH NIGMA, ALOR STAR KEDAH (MALAYSIA) 4-5TH JULY 2008

Updated info about BELLYDANCE WORKSHOPS WITH NIGMA ORIENTAL ROUTINE (RAQS SHARQI) & SHAABI STYLES details as bellows :

Nigma WILL TEACH THE TECHNIQUE WHICH WILL BE APPLIED LATER TO BOTH RAQS SHARQI (M2) & SHAABI (M3) CHOREOGRAPHIES. IT’S IMPORTAN FOR THE STUDENTS TO KNOW SO THAT THEY DON’T MISS MODULE 1 BEFORE ENTERING ANY CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOP.

This is a great opportunity to learn from the master. Don’t miss it.

Fri. 4 July; 19:00—22:00
MODULE 1: Bellydance Technique for Oriental Routine & Shaabi
The Technique Workshop works on teaching & perfecting ‘common core’ Bellydance body technique (positions, orientation in space, footwork patterns and travelling steps, turns, head movement, arm technique, upper and lower body technique, etc.) in common for both the Oriental Routine (Raqs Sharqi) & Shaabi styles.This is an essential workshop to attend Module 2 & 3 Choreography

Workshops. Sat. 5 July; 9:30 —12:30
MODULE 2: Oriental Routine Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)
The Oriental Routine (Raqs Sharqi) Choreography workshop includes amplifying and perfecting the oriental technique (positions, orientation in space, footwork patterns and travelling steps, turns, head movement, arm technique, upper and lower body technique, etc.) according to the selected choreography and the level (specially designed for Intermediate to Advanced students), combinations & movement sequences, transitions and gradually constructed full choreography or its fragment.

Sat. 5 July; 13:30—16:30

MODULE 3: Shaabi Choreography (based on the vocabulary prepared in Module 1)The Shaabi Choreography workshop fucuses on the “urban folklore” variety of Bellydance, closer to Balady style than to Raqs Sharqi in its energy and expression. Not many modern singers have accomplished to create their own style and inspire so many Bellydancers to interpret their songs as the Egyptian artist Hakim has. His musical pieces are very dynamic and groovy, and encourage to create a dance full of energy, but flirty, naughty, rebellious, at the same time. In spite of using the classical Raqs Sharqi vocabulary, the air is more of the urban folklore, the Baladi and Shaabi. It is a perfect addition to a Bellydance performance if you intend to offer variety and authenticity with Egyptian touch, and something you do not see every day.

VENUE & CONTACT:
Address: “Music Sistem Imagemart”
2nd Floor, Nº26, Susuran Shahab Perdana,
Mergong (next to Amanah Saham Bank)
Alor Star, Kedah Darul Aman (Malaysia)
Contact: Annie Ong (+60) 124 895 395

E-mail: annie_arbq@yahoo.com
FEE & PAYMENT OPTIONS :
RM 140/Module, RM 400/full package
RM370 Early Bird discount registration fee by 30th June 2008
Payment Options: Cheque/Cash to ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or EON Bank Account: 0077-10-014645-7

The Basics of ATS First.

The ATS Tribal (Level 1) workshop just completed in last week . I don't really know the excat difference between tribal fusion and tribal before I took up Nigma’s Workshop. Nigma explained is such detail during her workshop. It confirmed alot of what I already knew, but also made other things alot clearer to me.

This was the first time I really learnt & it was hard work but definitely pays off in refining technique for isolations!!! Especialy I know where the movement originates in the body & folkloric techniques. This is a great opportunity to learn from the masters. Thanks to Paola Blaton for organized this.

For all of you belly dancers out there (whether you are tribal, fusionists), in fact,. after spending several years attending workshop, I still recommend to all of you to study traditional forms of “bellydance,” whether it feels relevant to your tribal dance or not. It is great to learn and it is also important in ANY style to start at the beginning and work your way through, with humility and an open mind.

The dance is a living thing, evolving and changing over time. We often learn from each other, and we support one another as well.