How to Bellydance - Essential 'Seed Movements'

'Bellydance for Life' identifies certain movements to be the 'seeds' of all dance movements.

If you want to know how to bellydance, study these seeds until they become natural. Use them with creative variations to 'grow' new combinations in the Garden of Dance!

There are 4 categories of these movements to make it easier to learn how to bellydance. If there are other known names, they are included wherever possible (this is, after all, an oral tradition). Once you have them in the basic form, visit the "Variables" page for creative ways to modify them!

Visit the "Variables" page for creative ways to modify them!

Whenever you encounter a movement that should be included in one of these lists, you can test it to be sure.

A 'Seed Movement' must have the capacity to be adapted to any music.

Please use the contact page to let us know of what you have discovered.

Thinking Moves

"Thinking Moves" are the simplest, but perhaps the most necessary seed movement. They are the automatic response the body uses to allow the mind to think while you dance.

Walking with Style
Side-to-Side Hips
Hip Circles
Wiggle (body doodling)
Shimmy Variety - hip, knee, pelvic drop, shoulder

Sacred Shapes - O,8,~,(((.)))

Hip Circle - large and small
Figure 8 (eternity)
Maya (vertical 8, infinity)
Spine Undulation (wave)
Side-to-Side Hips
Hand Waves
Wrist Circles
Shimmy

For more details of the Sacred Shapes, click here.

Motifs and Combination 'Jewels'

In class (at Bellydance-for-Life), these movements are referred to as 'jewels' or 'gems' because using them is a bit of a treasure hunt. They are challenging and impressive to use. Once you have them in the basic form, you can use them as a 'motif' and make your own variations.

Basic Arabic - with knees together and feet separated (one forward, one back), the action is rocking from the toes of the back foot to the flat front foot.

3/4 Shimmy - with a small walk, the hips goes up, down, up with each step. A teacher is almost essential if you really want to get this one. Persevere! It's worth it!

3-Pt Turn (open turn, 360) - Imagine a line on the floor to the right side. Open the right foot on the line to the right, bring left leg across the right and put it on the line (now you have turned 180 degrees). Swing the right leg behind until it is on the line. Pause with weight on the right foot (left toe is for balance). Repeat to the Left.

Rhythm Signatures

These movements 'blossomed' within the context of a specific rhythm and its cultural origin, however, they are so versatile that they are used as 'seeds'.

Swivel-Kick - signature of the beledi rhythm. The hip swivels forward, as it comes back the foot releases from the floor in a little kick.

Step-Touch - this one is everywhere! 2 counts. Right foot steps, then the left lightly touches before it steps out (weight shift) and the right lightly touches.

Waltz Step - step right, skip left, step right

3-Step Box (also known as Karshlima) - fwd, in place, back, in place.

Chest Pulse - comes from Ayoub. Chest pumps up and down.

Trampoline Bounce (ethnic bounce) - toned down from the Felahi version. The heels lift/drop.

To get more tips on studying the Art of Bellydance, see "Belllydance Instructions"

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