Journal

 by sahiracc

Dancing in this style is like coming home…

 
 
 
 
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 by sahiracc

The Hagallah Shimmy Demystified

This is one of those shimmies that really confuse dancers when it’s not explained well. Which is too bad, because it’s a REALLY good one!
 
The Hagallah is a 3/4 shimmy on the down with a twist, stepping on the downbeat (….see how that might be confusing?) and it’s used extensively in a folkloric dance of the same name. It also happens to be one of my favorite traveling shimmies – so you’ll definitely want to learn this one!
 
In this tutorial I will walk you through the movement in step-by-step detail so you can confidently create this sensational shimmy and add it to your dance vocabulary.
 
Are you ready? Grab your hip scarf… Let’s Hagallah!
  
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Now that you’ve had a taste of one of the fabulous variations and textures, the Belly Dance Shimmy world has to offer you are ready to join me for my Sensational Shimmy Intensive, where you will learn how to confidently and gracefully dance 19 of the best belly dance shimmies and variations.
 
As a thank you for joining me here I’ve included a discount code for 20% off the course when you watch to the end of the video!
 
 
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Special thanks for the fabulous Miss Thea for the music used in this video. Support her on Bandcamp here
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 by sahiracc

Top 10 Moves That Every Belly Dance Must Know – The Undulation

 

 

 

 

Welcome to another video in the “Top 10 Moves That Every Belly Dancer Must Know” series!

 

In this video we are exploring one of belly dance’s most quintessential movements so you can learn to belly dance gracefully and confidently, knowing that you are creating and executing the movements safely and beautifully.

 

Today we are exploring the Forward Undulation. A gorgeously gooey movement, the undulation is a snaky movement of the spine from the chest down to the pelvis.

 

I will take you through the foundational isolations you need to create this movement and explain the muscles you’ll use to drive them. Then we will put those isolations together to create this gorgeous movement, drill it with some layers and variations and then dance it with music.

 

So are you ready to belly dance?

Let’s do it!

 

If you like this movement tutorial you are going to LOVE the FREE 7-Day Belly Dance Jumpstart – 7 days of belly dance tutorials designed to help discover health, movement, joy and creativity while learning a few of the most important belly dance movements! Join the fun here:

http://SahiraBellyDances.com/jumpstart

 

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A huge THANK YOU to the fabulous Miss Thea for the use of her music in this video. You can get her fabulous music for yourself here on Band Camp: https://missthea.bandcamp.com

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 by sahiracc

Belly Dance at Any Age Combo Modification

I am a firm believer that Belly Dance is for EVERY BODY.

No matter your age, background, body type or gender identity, this beautiful dance form can help you find health, creativity and grace.

Through my 24 years of dance I have experienced many changes in my body, and I am blessed to teach this dance every single week to people of all ages, sizes and backgrounds. I can confidently say that no matter who you are, this dance can be a beautiful part of your life.

In this video I am going to share with you several ideas that I use on a regular basis to help navigate changes in my body and concepts that have helped my students (who range in age from 10-79) always feel confident, safe and beautiful as they dance.

Learn these concepts and then I’ll teach you a simple and lovely combination showcasing several ways you can adjust it to work for you, no matter what season of life you are in right now.

 

Happy dancing, beautiful dancer!

 

Get an exclusive free belly dance tutorial from me right now here.

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You can now get you very own Sahira t-shirt or tank on my website!

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Special thanks for the fabulous Miss Thea for the music used in this video. Support her on Bandcamp here

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 by sahiracc

We practiced with the recoding for three months and then danced to the music LIVE!!! 🤯

 
For some dancers, it’s an absolute dream come true.
 
For others it makes them break out in a serious sweat.
 
I’m talking about dancing to live music.
 
Belly dance at its core is an improvisational art form that historically was (obviously) always done to live music. The music and the dance were created in the moment, and often there was very little advanced coordination between dancer and musician before getting out onto the stage.
 
Becoming comfortable improvising to live music is a journey that can take a dancer many years to accomplish.
 
This amazing opportunity allowed me to give my students a very unique stepping stone towards finding joy and confidence dancing to live music and creating in the moment.
 
This performance is from Go Live, and amazing dance festival in San Antonio, Texas. Here my dancers and I had the opportunity to share the stage with the incredible Georges Lammam ensemble.
 
What made this performance particularly special was that we were allowed to choose a song to dance to months in advance of the performance. We practiced and choreographed and practiced diligently for three months leading up to this moment.
 
But as you know, the live rendition of a song rarely sounds like its recording, (nor should it, really)! Georges and the ensemble were incredibly gracious in working with us, and even we even had the opportunity for a quick rehearsal with them the evening before… What a luxury!
 
And here is what happened when we took to the stage with them, live and totally in the moment.
 
Enjoy!
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 by sahiracc

Learn this belly dance move! The Moroccan Shimmy

In this tutorial, we are going to dive deep into one of the more nuanced and lesser used shimmies in the bellydance vocabulary.

This is the Moroccan Shimmy… It is part of the triplet shimmy family, but has a slightly different accent that sets it apart and makes it even more delicious and slightly more challenging to perform well.

I will take you step-by-step through this beautiful shimmy, focusing on the weight shifts and muscle contractions needed to create a strong and juicy movement.

Once you have a solid foundation for this movement, we will take it to the next level and dance it with music.

Wondering how the triplet shimmy differs? Check it out here. The more shimmy textures you have in your dance vocabulary, the better!

Learn the Triplet Shimmy 

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Now that you’ve had a taste of some of the fabulous variations and textures the belly dance shimmy world has to offer you are ready to join me for my Sensational Shimmy Intensive and online course where you will learn how to confidently and gracefully dance 19 of the best bellydance shimmies and variations.

As a thank you for joining me here I’ve included a discount code for 20% off the course when you watch to the end of the video!

Get your shimmy on!
http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Shimmy

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Special thanks for the fabulous Miss Thea for the music used in this video. Support her on Bandcamp here: https://missthea.bandcamp.com/track/voxybeat

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Get your very own “Zillin’ Like a Villain” gear here: http://SahiraBellyDances.com/Zillin

 

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 by sahiracc

Is this actually possible after just 10 days of finger cymbal practice?!

 

Every year hundreds of dancers from all over the world come together online for a game-changing, 10-day finger cymbal challenge.
 
They come from all backgrounds and walks of life and are united by a common desire to play their zills with more confidence and creativity. Their experience ranges from brand new to the art form to veteran dancers who have been playing for multiple decades.
 
Together to form an amazing community of accepting and supportive zillers, who spend time every day for 10 days on their zill practice, as they receive support, create new friendships, and have a whole lot of fun playing their zills in a supportive educational environment.
 
This is what last year’s zill challenge participants were able to perform after just 10 days of focused work.
 
This year’s challenge choreography is totally new!
 
Are you ready to find confidence and creativity in your finger cymbal skills while putting the PLAY into your practice?
 
Join now! Registration closes on May 14th.
 
 
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 by sahiracc

Level up your zill skills and confidence in just 10 days!

 

Enhance your finger cymbal skills and boost your confidence with The 2024 Zill Challenge.

This engaging 10-day event invites dancers of all levels to connect and elevate their zill practice. Join a community of passionate dancers from around the world for this exciting learning experience.

TheZillChallenge.com

Over the course of 10 days, you’ll strengthen your technique, explore new rhythms, and improve your timing. By the end of the challenge, you will perform a dynamic short choreography featuring exciting new zill riffs. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your progress inside the exclusive challenge community, receive personal support, and win great prizes!

Whether you’re new to zills or an enthusiast looking to grow, the 2024 Zill Challenge will rejuvenate your practice and spark your creativity.

Ready to embrace the challenge?

Discover or rediscover the fun of finger cymbals and join the 2024 Zill Challenge today at TheZillChallenge.com!

 

The 2024 Zill Challenge: May 14-23

Put the PLAY back to your finger cymbal playing!

Registration open through May 14, 2024.

THEZILLCHALLENGE.COM

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 by sahiracc

Acapella Zill with 5 Finger Cymbals!?!? | JamBallah Performance

 

Anyone who says that the finger cymbals are “just a prop” is flat out wrong.
 
These tiny instruments are capable of so much texture…not only RHYTHM, but MELODY as well!
 
Don’t believe me? Check this out.
 
Shout out to Saroyan Mastercrafts for providing the instruments that make the music that inspire my dance.
 
[I am playing the Grecians in Silver, the Afghanis in Brass and one very fabulous Al Taj in this video]
 
Now that you’re feeling inspired and understand just a bit more about what your finger cymbals are capable of, it’s time for YOU to take your zill game to the next level with the 2024 Zill Challenge.
 
 
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2024 ZILL CHALLENGE IS OPEN!
 
Enhance your finger cymbal skills and boost your confidence with The 2024 Zill Challenge. This engaging 10-day event invites dancers of all levels to connect and elevate their zill practice. Join a community of passionate dancers from around the world for this exciting learning experience.
 
Over the course of 10 days, you’ll strengthen your technique, explore new rhythms, and improve your timing. By the end of the challenge, you will perform a dynamic short choreography featuring exciting new zill riffs.
 
You’ll also have the opportunity to share your progress inside the exclusive challenge community, receive personal support, and win great prizes!
 
Whether you’re new to zills or an enthusiast looking to grow, the 2024 Zill Challenge will rejuvenate your practice and spark your creativity.
 
Ready to embrace the challenge? Discover or rediscover the fun of finger cymbals and join the 2024 Zill Challenge today at TheZillChallenge.com!
 
 
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Video by Amar
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 by sahiracc

Learn to improvise on your finger cymbals with this creative “Zill Call and Response” game!

 

Let’s have a conversation together… without uttering a single word!

Today we are playing a super-fun game that is a time-honored tradition in the music world – Trading 4s! Think of it as part “Simon Says” and part “Telephone Game”. I’ll play a short pattern or riff on my cymbals and you will answer back!

There are several fun ways to play with this and make it your own –
* You can repeat back exactly what I play (with a single sound or with the sounds I use)
* You can change up the sounds
* You can use my riff as inspiration and create something different in response!
* Feel free to take inspiration from any kind of music you enjoy.

And don’t forget to have fun!

These ideas are a fabulous springboard to creating your own zill improvisation… so keep playing with the concepts until you feel comfortable changing them up to make them your own!

Post a practice video and tag me on social media at @SahiraBellyDances so I can cheer you on!

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Get ready for the most game-changing finger cymbal challenge in the world! Put the PLAY back in your finger cymbal practice and become the zillstar you are meant to be!

The Annual 10-day Zill Challenge opens for registration on May 1st and the adventure begins on May 14th.

Register here: http://TheZillChallenge.com

Love this zills I am playing? They are Saroyan Mastercraft’s Turkish Delights in silver. Get your own set at http://SahiraBellyDances.com/SaroyanCymbals

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