sahiracc

It’s time to drill!

 

Did you know that movement and dance is not only good for your health, but it’s good for your mood as well?

Let’s talk math and level up your belly dance technique while breaking a sweat (and a smile!).

 

In this video, I will take you through the details of a well-crafted 3/4 shimmy, the difference between a 3/4 and a triplet (and why that may have messed you up in the past) and how to actually make a true 3/4 shimmy happen cleanly and with control. We will practice and drill the movement slowly, eventually ramping up the speed to work our muscles and our stamina. Are you ready to sweat? Let’s dance!

 

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Like it, love it, want more of it? This class is from my full online Shimmy Intensive Course – learn more exciting shimmies and take your moves to the next level with me here! http://SahiraBellyDances.Teachable.com/p/shimmy

 

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A huge thank you to the amazing Lauren Checchio for the use of her music for this drill. You can purchase the entire awesome album here: https://laurenchecchio.bandcamp.com/releases

Have you heard of the Frill?

 

The fabulous zill sound was brought to my attention by the amazing Lauren Checchio, a percussionist and instructor from Austin, Texas. She just also happens to be one of my finger cymbal inspirations!

 

The frill is a fun and creative way to play a four-stroke pattern on your zills, either slow or fast like a flip. In this video I will take you through a step by step breakdown of how you play it and then we’ll put together a funky pattern you can use to practice and play it!

 

 

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Like it, love it, want more of it? Learn to rock your zills like the zillstar you are meant to be!

 

I offer an online subscription to a constantly growing library of finger cymbal content, much of which cannot be found here on YouTube.

Take your zilling to the next level and check it out! The Finger Cymbal Revolution

It’s time to drill!

Did you know that movement and dance is not only good for your health, but it’s good for your mood as well?

Let’s level up your belly dance technique while breaking a sweat (and a smile!) with this drill from my full online course “Killer Driller”.

Today let’s explore the beauty of the dégagé . A dégagé is a movement of the leg off the floor with a pointed foot and straight leg to the front, side or back. It’s a wonderful workout of the entire leg and helps improve balance to boot.

Are you ready to sweat? Let’s drill!

Like it, love it, want more of it? Get more great drills online at http://SahiraBellyDances.Teachable.com

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A huge thank you to Bahaia for the use of her music for this drill.

You can purchase the entire awesome album at : https://amzn.to/2W3ZxQr

 

In this time of required social distancing, we need our online communities more than ever! That’s why I’m joining you live weekly to connect, share stories of inspiration and explore concrete ways to find grounding, meaning and even joy in these strange times.

 

With all the pandemic news and disruptions to life happening right now it’s easy to find ourselves in a constant place of negativity. And because our thoughts color our perception and even direct our life experience is so very important to have a strategy to handle them.

 

Today we explore: How to handle negative thoughts

 

We’ll talk about identifying the thoughts that hold us back, the importance of thinking accurately (not positively) and how we can reduce negativity and anxiety by learning the difference between real and imagined threats and what we can and cannot control.

 

And then, because moving our bodies every day is so very important, we will end with a shimmy lesson to help you move your way through fear and sadness into a place of joy!

 

Join me weekly for a dose of inspiration and dance.

Tuesday @ 2pm CST on Instagram

Saturday @ 7pm CST on Facebook

@SahiraBellyDances Schedule subject to change.

 

Follow me on these platforms for the most up to date information.

 

** recorded from Facebook live on April 18, 2020

 

In this time of required social distancing, we need our online communities more than ever!

That’s why I’m joining you live weekly to connect, share stories of inspiration and explore concrete ways to find grounding, meaning and even joy in these strange times.

 

As we move through a disrupted normal and the schedule of our days may be difficult to nail down, it’s incredibly important for us to continue to devote time to the things that have deep meaning for us and bring us joy.

 

Today we explore: The importance of your morning routine.

 

We’ll talk about your morning routine before COVID-19, your morning routine now, and what your optimal morning routine for daily success might look like.

 

And then, because moving our bodies every day is so very important, we will end with a shimmy lesson to help you move your way through fear and sadness into a place of joy!

 

Join me weekly for a dose of inspiration and dance.

Tuesday @ 2pm CST on Instagram

Saturday @ 7pm CST on Facebook

@SahiraBellyDances

Schedule subject to change. Follow me on these platforms for the most up to date information.

 

** recorded from Instagram live on April 14, 2020

In this time of required social distancing, we need our online communities more than ever!

 

That’s why I’m joining you live weekly to connect, share stories of inspiration and explore concrete ways to find grounding, meaning and even joy in these strange times.

As we move through a disrupted normal and the schedule of our days may be difficult to nail down, it’s incredibly important for us to continue to devote time to the things that have deep meaning for us and bring us joy.

Today we explore: Do one thing to move the needle forward. (The nitty gritty begins at 5:20)

 

I will take you through some brainstorming to decide what that thing is for you and why that one thing is so incredibly important. And then, because moving our bodies every day is so very important, we will end with a beautiful belly dance combination to help you move your way through fear and sadness into a place of joy!

 

Join me weekly for a dose of inspiration and dance.

Tuesday @ 2pm CST on Instagram

Saturday @ 7pm CST on Facebook

@SahiraBellyDances

Schedule subject to change. Follow me on these platforms for the most up to date information.

 

** recorded from Facebook live on April 11, 2020

 

A few days ago I reached a new level of worry… the stress of this COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the disruptions to life as I knew and loved it were wearing on me and I didn’t know what to do. I almost jumped in my car and drove away (but quickly realized there was no where I could go). Instead, I found myself alone for a brief moment … and I danced.

 

After just a little time on the dance floor, my perspective began to change. I realized that I could use this time gifted to me to worry and mourn… or I could decide to make it an opportunity for massive growth and inspiration unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. I chose the latter. And I’d like to invite you to join me.

 

In this time of increased social distancing, we need our online communities more than ever! So I’m getting online and reaching out to you twice a week for a dose of connection, inspiration, joy and dance!

 

Tuesdays at 2pm CST Instagram Live | 30 to Thrive

Part pep talk, part check in and (of course!) a bit of dance – join me for #30tothrive on Instagram Live every Tuesday at 2pm CST. We will chat about how we are truly feeling and explore concrete ways to not only survive, but thrive in the current climate. Then I’ll share a little belly dance lesson to help you keep moving through your day. http://www.instagram.com/SahiraBellyDances Saturdays

 

Saturday Facebook Live and Zoom Dance Party

Our weekly virtual dance party is growing! I have received so much positive feedback from dancers all over the world that I am expanding the party to include a Facebook live broadcast right before we start the dance jam. We are exploring several fabulous ways to infuse your quarantined days with joy and beauty.

To join the live discussion just like my page on Facebook to get the notification each Saturday. http://www.facebook.com/SahiraBellyDances After we inspire our minds we will feed our bodies and jam out for 60 minutes on Zoom.

To get the Zoom link and dance with us, just 1) Create a free account on my Teachable studio http://SahiraBellyDances.Teachable.com and 2) Join my Sahira Belly Dances Teachable Tribe on Facebook. The link to the dance party is posted each week on Saturday morning. https://www.facebook.com/groups/SahiraTeachableTribe/

 

Now more than ever, we need to reach out and connect with each other. We are in this together and we will dance through it together apart until we can truly be together again.

 

Stay safe and well my friends,

Sahira

 

Dealing with a disrupted normal? Not sure what to do?

In the midst of cancelled events, postponed public gatherings and school closures, it’s easy to start to feel a little lost and maybe even a bit panicked.

✨You are not in this alone.

Let’s talk strategies. Some scientifically-tested and a few simply mother-approved ways to not only keep your sanity but find connection and joy in this sometimes unpredictable world.

 

 

Here are the time stamps for the important details of the recording so you can jump right to the good stuff!

 

14:00 – Know that you are not alone

Research shows that when we expand our focus to others we feel less overwhelm, less depression and more compassion and connection. This connection to a greater whole can make everything feel much more manageable.

 

19:00 – Find your new routine.

Happiness research has discovered that the human mind needs certainty and uncertainty to thrive.  Right now we have a lot of uncertainty, so finding balance by creating certainty will go a long way towards keeping you happy and thriving right now. Children and adults crave routine to give meaning and order to our days.

 

31:30 – Controlled novelty

Finding a way to mix things up in a safe and controlled way can create a much-needed distraction and focus during these next several weeks.

 

41:30 – Get to those things you never have time for

What projects around the house have you been wanting to do but never seem to have the time to tackle? Now is the time!

 

45:00 – Remain connected with family and friends

Physical isolation does not have to mean social and emotional isolation. Plan regular video chats with family and friends.  Video is especially good for allowing you to feel more deeply connected to and understood by the people you are talking to.

 

50:30 – Focus on what you DO have, not on what you DON’T

Our reality is very directed by our focus and what we focus on we manifest more of in our lives. Focus on the good to fill your days with more positivity.

 

58:00 – Keep moving

Turn off the TV, put down your phone and find time to MOVE! Our emotions are inextricably tied to our motion and moving is the fastest way to change your emotional state.

 

1:01 – Here are a few little gifts for you! The mother/daughter class package:

http://SahiraBellyDances.com/FamilyDance

 

1:06 Another gift for you! And an entire month of dance for $19 (discount available until Thursday March 19th)

http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Thrive

 

 

Tell me, what lifts you up and brings you joy?  What are you going to focus on in the coming weeks? What kind of controlled novelty are you going to create in your life?  A fun project, a new skill or creative time with the family all goes a long way to making these days more enjoyable for everyone.

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Links:

And an entire month of dance for $19 (discount available until Thursday March 19th)

http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Thrive

The mother/daughter class package:

http://SahiraBellyDances.com/FamilyDance

 

 

To zill or not to zill? That is the question.

Today I’m asking YOU if you’ve decided whether ’tis nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of consistent zill practice. Or more simply, whether you’ve chosen to play them and why or why not.

Finger cymbals have been around for a very long time (over 5,000 years in fact) and have even been found in tombs in the Middle East they are that important. They have a long history of usage in belly dance from the Ghawazee of Egypt to the beginnings of the American Cabaret scene here in the US when they were pretty much required and every dancer played zills while dancing and then in between sets with the band.

So why have the finger cymbals seemed to have gone out of vogue a bit in the past decade?

I invite you to weigh in on this topic and share with me your zill story.

 

Learn a bit about the history of this ancient instrument and it’s usage in our dance, explore a few reasons why some dancers may choose not to use them and a few reasons why we all should take the time to get to know them.

 

 

Do you play the zills? If so, how did you get started? If not, why not? I want to hear from you!

Share your zill story and let’s continue the conversation. Who knows what fabulous place it may take us!

 

Ready to tackle the finger cymbals and become the ZillStar you were born to be?  I invite you to join me for my in depth beginner zill package that will give you the foundation you need to start confidently zilling today.

 

Episode 4 Video Transcription – To zill or not to zill. 

So I actually once received a phone call from a man asking if I did “the belly button dance”.
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Ummm… excuse me?
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It’s tough to leave me speechless, but this guy managed to do it!
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Luckily I realized in that moment that there was no rational answer that was going to satisfy the true motives behind his call. But while I calmly hung up the phone I did start thinking about the term “belly dance”. Now this is a very hotly debated topic in the community and I understand and respect that many dancers do not like the use of this term. I’m not here to debate whether we should instead use the term raks sharki or arab dance, but rather to ponder why the intense focus on the belly? We all know that we use many more parts of our body when we dance. Calling it “belly dance” seems akin to me to calling flamenco dance “foot dance” or Bharatanatyam “hand dance” or something similarly silly.

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When the term was coined in the late 1890s the dancers that westerners had access to did not expose their midriffs, though they were documented as having performed undulating movements of the torso. But I bet they problably moved their hands and feet as well! Was it just that the abdominal movements were so riveting or shocking to modest western audiences that the terminology took hold?
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Well – I don’t have the answer for that question. (But I will keep digging! And if you have some insight, pleaese let me know!)
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What I’m curious to know right now is – what parts of the body define our dance in your book? Certainly we use our head, shoulders, arms, hands, chest, hips, legs, feet and everything in between – but what is is that makes it belly dance in your opinion? Is there a defining body part, or even a movement of a body part that makes you say “Ah yes! This is belly dance!”? There are no right or wrong answers here – I just want to know your thoughts!
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Let me know what’s your favorite or most important body part when it comes to this dance!

Oh… and let me know if you do “the belly button dance” too! ?