In another thread (I think April goals) RB, you mention stripping down to the basics.
I'm big into foundation. I am trying right now to work on the basics and refining the 360 degrees of that move. Also slowing it down for control (at least in practice). I also am trying to get my basics vocabulary down.
What are your "Basics" recommendations? And for different styles? Of course, Carolena for ATS, but do you have any basic movements from other styles or bits of wisdom from certain mentors that you recommend while in this process of molting?
(of course, I would love insight from any and all indigo ladies!)
I'm big into foundation. I am trying right now to work on the basics and refining the 360 degrees of that move. Also slowing it down for control (at least in practice). I also am trying to get my basics vocabulary down.
What are your "Basics" recommendations? And for different styles? Of course, Carolena for ATS, but do you have any basic movements from other styles or bits of wisdom from certain mentors that you recommend while in this process of molting?
(of course, I would love insight from any and all indigo ladies!)
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Birmingham
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 9:09 AMWell, I am not an indigo girl, but i'm moved to respond to your posting anyway, cuz after being a dancer and performer for many many years, i too am 'getting back to basics' this spring and re-focusing on foundation and technique. and having so much fun doing it!! it's really inspiring me in new ways to 'pick apart' moves and get into the yoga of the dance.. particularly with slow slinky dancing.....
What i call 'basics' and what i am doing, is:
1. Most definitely my yoga practice every day--and a practice that relates to bellydance. Or pilates. focusing a lot on core, and spinal flexibility and articulation.
2. Drills. drills and more drills! i.e. up hips, down hips 100 each. shimmies for 2 songs in a row. starting everything on the Left just to mix it up. chest lifts and drops. chest circles. shoulder hits and circles and shimmies, undulations up to down, and down to up. ARMS and hands!:Basic patterns of movement focusing on nice posture and keeping chest lifted. hand flores. and "performing" very simple arm patterns very slowing using all 8 counts to raise arms up (for example). Snake arms. Sidewinders. etc. etc... Lots of shimmies. to different tempo songs, so you practice different tempo shimmies. Level changes. Focusing on core connection in the level changes. .... things like that. SLowing down all the movements. Taking a movement that you might have been doing for years, and slowing it down, drilling the *#*# out of it, then speed it up, slow it down, speed it up, etc.. always working within your range and keeping core connected.
RB has posted before her recommended daily drills. perhaps you could find that somewhere thru the analogues of tribe...
You have probably heard this before, but what you do in practice will most probably be what you do on stage, minus the nerves and speeding everything up!! So the more controlled and confident you feel in practice, the more you will be able to carry that over on stage. sounds like you are definitely on the right track with slowwwwing everything down .
good luck! hope that helped a bit
happy spring!
xo
deb -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 9:16 AMand p.s. taking with different teachers to broaden your range for drills and their stylistic differences, and movement patterns with increase your skills set and movement vocabulary. In addition to your favorite Indigo ladies, i would also strongly recommend: MIRA BETZ! if she's ever in your neck of the woods. stunning technique. challanging for all levels. Many of the SF dancers and teachers take from her. Also, JILL PARKER technique is unbeatable for a strong, solid tribal fusion foundation. Especially if you're wanting to get back to basics and rebuild your foundation.
:) -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 7:44 PMYay!!!!!
I'm taking workshop with Mira this July!!!
And Liz!!!!
Woo! -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 9:00 PMOne of the best pieces of advice I've been given is to drill to music you would hear in a club! I found that when I went out clubbing, I would just seize up because I drillled to specific pieces of music but now if you put on something that just makes you want to dance period it will feel more natural. Something to try...... And of course, practice! Out of all the workshops I have taken with RB, it all comes down to.....well, practice! Practice makes permanent! Good luck! -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 9:41 AMGreat advice ladies!
Mira is on my to-do for this year, too. (in addition to Rachel and Mardi....Jill and Zoe might have to wait. *sigh*)
Love the idea about doing everything on the left.
And of course, I did not mean to exclude my fellow dancers. Thanks for the input! -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Sun, April 27, 2008 - 4:16 PMthis is great-thankx xx
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Sun, April 27, 2008 - 4:26 PMmira is AWESOME. i got to take workshops from mira, jill, and zoe this past feb, and they were all SOOO GOOOOD.
now just to get into some of those rachel and mardi workshops... -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Sun, April 27, 2008 - 10:45 PMI must say... i have definitely found too that (although nothin beats the live and in person workshop fix from some of your favorite teachers) if the intention is to build up chops and improve technique, nothin beats a daily practice.... even something that you can do on your own, in your own home, even if it's just 20-30 min. a day.. Put on some good tunes, and drill some basics. Even after dancing for many years, I can't tell you how much my technique, articulation, and dance stamina has improved from things like doing 100 down hips, or making up a pop/lock pattern and drilling it 50 times........or doing 50 rib cage slides each direction, etc... increasing muscle memory will lead to your body movin on it's own without you consciously having to think about it, and will awaken new movement pathways in your body and brain.
and yes! i love sooz's suggestion of practicing to non-bellydance music, or music you'd hear in a club. I think that kind of things also helps train your musicality, and hearing different phrasing and beats in different genres of music.
(hi sooz!)
xo
deb -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Mon, April 28, 2008 - 4:56 AMoontz oontz music is great for drilling because there's usually no melody or phrasing to worry about, it's kinda like a metronome.
At home I usually just surf itunes radio until I find something. -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Mon, April 28, 2008 - 1:06 PMspeaking of itunes... just wanted to throw it out there: amazon.com has download-able music!! for 89 cents a song.
I've been having problems with itunes songs i have downloaded not being able to burn them or play them on cd out of my computer, which is drama for performing!!! Turns out itunes has locks on many songs, allowing you to listen to it on your ipod or computer, but not burn them or play them on actual cd players.... so all you performers out there, check out amazon.com or other internet sources for your musical preferences... it will make life a little easier..
xo
deb -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Mon, April 28, 2008 - 1:23 PMEr, why can't you burn them from I-Tunes? I though that, once you've bought from I-Tunes, you can play on any "authorized" computer (with a limit of 5 I think?) and you can burn them. However, I believe there is also a limit on how many times you can burn them. This is all so ridiculously easy to circumvent that I read an interview that Steve Jobs was asking record industry to stop insisting on the useless measures. Once you download, burn it onto a CD. Then, put the CD back in the computer and copy that copy into ITunes. Computer thinks it's a new song from a CD, not an I Tunes download. -
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Re: Question for Rachel about getting back to basics
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 9:26 AMyep thats what I do...
at the moment...my practice is getting back to basics of my ballet training....which is weird...but as always i'm always drilling basics...I mostly like to do my hundreds...in hips, slides, locks, shoulders, chest...increasing and decreasing speed. Its like movement meditation for me. I feel way more chilled out after 30 minutes of this...Love the shimmies gonna add that one too...
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