Level 1 Techniques and Combinations- with The Alay'nya Studio

During your first several weeks with the Alay'nya Studio, you will learn a core vocabulary that will let you start dancing. Although Mid-Eastern dance is a complex art, with many subtleties and overlays, you can learn enough -- fast enough -- to feel that you are starting to express yourself in this art form. The techniques and combinations that you learn will give you:

• A solid foundation for learning full dances: The basic vocabulary of Mid-Eastern dance is consistent across a wide range of styles and specific modes of expression. You will learn enough of the basics, and learn how to connect them, so that you will be able to comfortably take the next step of learning full dances.
• A starting place for building improvisational dance: Some of us love improv, some of us prefer structure -- this is all a personal choice, and there is room for both in this art form. Whichever your preference, it's nice to know that you can go to a dance party, or go out to a club, and "do something" with the music -- whatever the music may be!
• Familiarity and confidence: You will start to find and express your personal style, whether through the excitement of zills (metal finger cymbals) or the allure and mystery of veil work, and more!

LEVEL 1 TECHNIQUES

You will learn several different technique types within a short time:

Percussive Techniques

• Hip Drops and Hip Thrusts: First move you'll learn -- infinately versatile, the foundation for many others.
• Hip Accents Think of shutting a door with your hip -- these simple but sharp movements let you work easily with strong drumbeats.
• Shoulder Accents An easier and lighter way to accent -- go watch "Fiddler on the Roof" -- this is common in a lot of folkloric dance as well!

Circular Pelvic Techniques

• Full Hip Circles: Easy, natural, sensual, graceful
• Single Hip Circles A great way to focus attention -- especially when transitioning to another move.

Undulating Techniques

• Lower Body Undulations:
• Upper Body Undulations:
• Combined Upper and Lower Body Undulations:

"Snaking" Techniques

• Figure Eights (Hips):
• Snake Arms:

LEVEL 1 COMBINATIONS

You will learn several different combinations as well:

In-Place Combinations

• Hip Drops with Transition: Great way to keep the same movement going - but make it more interesting! -- courtesy of Anahid Sofian, NYC.
• Basic Arabic with 1/4 and 3/4 Turns: Like having a little black dress -- you'll use this in a variety of ways, with veil, with zills, with or without shimmy overlays or twists -- the list goes on!
• Hip circle and rib cage circle combinations: Sensual -- a bit more challenging, but something to work on; you'll love how this "integrates" your basic movements into a beautiful expression!

Basic Moving Combinations

• Beledi Drop Back-Step: Beautiful and a great way to add interest when working with a heavy downbeat -- courtesy of Anahid Sofian, NYC.
• Step-Touch with Hip Accents: Elegant way to "move out" from static work -- again courtesy of Anahid Sofian, NYC.

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