EPIC Acapella Zill Performance! The Shimmy Sirens @ Migrations Dance Festival 2023

 

I wasn’t entire certain this performance was going to happen.
 
I had been threatening (errr…promising) to create an acapella finger cymbal composition for my students for many years.
 
But when the time would come, I would start doubting the process and end up sticking to something more familiar to them.
 
And when I finally decided to take the plunge and started breaking down these zill riffs, I immediately wondered if I had made a mistake. Some of the dancers who were new to my class admitted to not really having played finger cymbals before. And others really struggled with the rhythms.
 
But once we were a couple months into the process and there was no going back I began to see the vision taking shape. And they did too.
 
I am so freaking proud of these amazing dancer-musicians for what they accomplished with this epic number.
 
It just goes to show you…you can do anything you set your mind to.
 
And we don’t need no stinking music.
 
Enjoy!
 
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Want to learn to do what these dancers have done here? Then you’ll definitely want to check out my signature course – “Acapella Finger Cymbal Foundations”, which will teach you the concepts and musical building blocks I use when I create acapella compositions for myself and my students.
 

Belly Dance Spins and Turns | The 3-Step Turn

 

Some of the most exciting and engaging belly dance performances include a variety of spins and turns… so getting a few of these movements under your hip belt is a great way to expand your vocabulary and increase the excitement factor of your dance.

And while some students prefer to avoid spins for fear of dizziness, not every turning movement needs to end with the room swaying around you.

Join me for this tutorial where I’ll teach you one of the most foundational and straight-forward belly dance turns, the 3-Step Turn.

I’ll break the movement down into simple step-by-step concepts that will have you up and turning like a pro in no time!

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If you enjoyed this tutorial and would like to get a jump start on your belly dance lessons, go to Sahira Belly Dances online and sign up now!

http://SahiraBellyDances.com/jumpstart

Get 7 days of free belly dance tutorial videos emailed directly to you today!

Belly Dance Lessons | Intermediate Veil Technique and Combination

 

The 3-yard silk veil is one of belly dance’s most beautiful and flowy props. It teaches grace and builds strength and flow, all while toning the arms in a fabulous way!

In this video I invite you to join me for an entire 20 minute class where I will break down some great veil technique and tricks and then build it into a fabulous combination that you can use in your dance right away!

If you love this and are ready for more, check out this fabulous online course that will teach you an entire choreography that opens with some stunning veil work!

http://learn.sahirabellydances.com/p/ya-helwa

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A huge thank you to Rom Ryan and Moodafaruka for the music used in this video. http://Moodafaruka.com

Sahira Belly Dance Performance Video – Al Amoura and Drum Solo

You know when you hear a song and you just HAVE to dance to it?

That’s how I felt when I heard this one.

(And I’m pretty picky when it comes to performance music.)

This fabulous song, Al Amoura, is such a wonderful mix of sounds, textures and folklore, and so much fun to dance to!

Enjoy this performace of Al Amoura and Hipalicious Drum Solo from a showcase in Houston, Texas.

Acapella Finger Cymbal Technique and Combination – “Flip Riff” – Part 2

There is nothing quite as powerful as dancing to the beat of your own drum… or in this case, your own finger cymbal creation! Belly dancers who play finger cymbals to create music for their dance are total super heroes in my opinion. So get heroic right here. In this video I’m teaching you a sweet little combination to dance with the “Flip Riff” finger cymbal pattern you can find on my channel here.

 

So be sure to learn the zill part first, and then dive into the dance to put it all together with me! Rock on, zillstar! 

 

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If you enjoyed this video I invite you to continue your finger cymbal journey with my FREE finger cymbal jumpstart designed to give you the solid foundation that you need for total raq star zilling! You can find it at sahirabellydances.com/zillstar

 

Acapella Finger Cymbal Technique and Combination – “Flip Riff” – Part 1

Hey, there zill star!

The finger cymbals are an ancient instrument with a time-honored connection to Bellydance. While they have been used by dancers to accompany their dance with music for many years, did you know they can also be used without music as well?

Playing the zills acapella is awesomely empowering and allows you to literally create the music that you dance to!

In this tutorial, I will take you through some acapella finger cymbal basics and help you build an fabulous combination – The Flip Riff.

Watch out for the second video in this series where I will teach you the dance movements to beautifully accompany this fantastic pattern! 

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If you enjoyed this video I invite you to continue your finger cybmal journey with my FREE finger cymbal jumpstart designed to give you the solid foundation that you need for total raq star zilling! You can find it at sahirabellydances.com/zillstar

Top 10 Moves That Every Belly Dancer Should Know | The Maya

 

Welcome to another video in my “Top 10 Moves That Every Belly Dancer Should Know” series.
 
The Maya is a snaky and sensual movement of the hips – an up to down vertical figure 8 typically done while the feet stay planted on the floor.
 
In this video I will give you a clear step-by-step breakdown that will help you dance this movement with confidence and grace.
 
I absolutely love this movement, especially for slow and gooey moments in belly dance. I think you are going to love it too.
 
So tie on your hip scarf and let’s dance!
 
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If you enjoyed this tutorial and would like to get a jump start on your belly dance lessons, go to Sahira Belly Dances online and sign up now!
 
 
Get 7 days of free belly dance tutorial videos emailed directly to you today!
 
Music used in this video is Dreams Of Egypt by the fabulous Miss Thea. Support her online at: https://missthea.bandcamp.com/track/dreams-of-egypt

Sahira performs “Baladi In Crescendo” and Acapella Zills at Fusion Evolution

 

One of my favorite belly dance events is Fusion Evolution in Illinois.

I’ve been attending this amazing conference since the very beginning. It’s in the area where I grew up (just near Chicago) and always the perfect opportunity to mix teaching with family.

This performance video from the 2022 event showcases a bit of two dance ideas I’m totally in love with.

A good beladi.

And some acapella finger cymbals.

Enjoy!

Better Belly Dance Arms and Hands in 3 Easy Steps

 

 

Do you sometimes find it a challenge to keep the arms strong, mindful and elegant when you’re working to create all the other movements and isolations in the dance?

 

Arms and hands are often glossed over or even overlooked in belly dance classes, yet they are the frame for our dance and one of our longest, most expressive limbs!

 

Want stronger, prettier and more fluid arm work? You are in the right place!

 

Today, I will teach you three simple concepts that are easy to implement and guaranteed to quickly improve your arm and hand movements no matter what style of dance you practice or level you are currently at.

 

Ready to level up your arms and hands and your dance? Then dive in and let’s dance!

 

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Ready to find confidence, grace and health through the beautiful art of belly dance?

Join me here for a FREE 7-Day Belly Dance Jumpstarts and begin your journey today! SahiraBellyDances.com/Jumpstart

Sahira Performs Live with FatSauce at Go Live – “Love Song”

 

I’d never heard this band perform before that night.
 
And I didn’t know what song they might decide to play.
 
But then … that is what the Go Live Festival is all about.
 
Dancing to live music and improvising in the moment is at the heart of Middle Eastern dance, and while this music is far from Arabic, the principles are much the same.
 
I figured out pretty quickly into the piece that it was a song that I’d heard on the radio before.
 
And then I was completely swept away by the music. I will never forget the time-standing-still flow and euphoria of this unique experience.
 
Can you tell how much I enjoyed it? I hope you enjoy it too!
 
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Would you like to discover how to improvise to live music with confidence, ease and creativity?
 
GoLive 2023 is just around the corner. I’d love to see you there.
 
 
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Thank you to FatSauce for providing the inspiration for this transformational dance experience. Learn more about them at https://www.fatsauceband.com