Abs Advice?

Razia · 04-24-2008, 03:54 PM

I'm putting this out there for anyone who might have a suggestion.........

It was recommended to me by my teacher, Melissa, NOT to do crunches as it shortens the abdominal muscles. This seems to make sense to me (although I don't know exactly how much truth is in that statement), but belly dance isolations alone aren't going to be enough of a workout for my abs. I often feel like my torso is a block of uncooperative meat anyway, so I would like to find some excersises that strengthen and lengthen (if that's the right word). My long term goal is not to have a rippling 6-pack, but to be able to isolate and use the full range of muscles in my core. I want deeper undulations, sharper contractions, stretchier obliques, and--cue dramatic music--to be able to do a belly roll!

My budget is tight right now, so pilates classes will have to wait, but does anyone have any DVD suggestions?
Thanks!

Shamsa · 04-24-2008, 05:32 PM

mmmmh... it's not to strenghten your muscles, but it helps to isolate:
Sizzlin' Hips by Ava Fleming

Razia · 04-24-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamsa

mmmmh... it's not to strenghten your muscles, but it helps to isolate:
Sizzlin' Hips by Ava Fleming

thanks, I've heard good things about the dvd!

Gia al Qamar · 04-24-2008, 08:42 PM

Hi Razia,
I think that your teacher is misinformed.
Crunches and other ab exercises will help you with your ab work because you'll be strengthening your muscles. If you fear that you may 'over tighten' by doing 100,000,000,000 crunches a day (what...not this many?) you can always add a stretching routine to your exercises...this will keep you limber as well as strong!
Gia

jenc · 04-24-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamsa

mmmmh... it's not to strenghten your muscles, but it helps to isolate:
Sizzlin' Hips by Ava Fleming

Care to do a review. I have sizzlin torso. It goes a bit too far for me. (diagonal camels anyone. you have to learn to separate both sides of your rib cage). I am interested in Sizzlin hips, but would like to know whetther this is also very extremem/advanced

Pop, Lock and Shimmy by Michelle Joyce is also a really good workout which will develop skills as well as strength (I have reviewed this elsewhere in the instructinoal videos thread)

Shamsa · 04-25-2008, 08:43 AM

sizzlin' hips is ok, altough i needed some time to isolate, it's sometimes difficult

jenc · 04-25-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razia

I'm putting this out there for anyone who might have a suggestion.........

It was recommended to me by my teacher, Melissa, NOT to do crunches as it shortens the abdominal muscles. This seems to make sense to me (although I don't know exactly how much truth is in that statement), but belly dance isolations alone aren't going to be enough of a workout for my abs. I often feel like my torso is a block of uncooperative meat anyway, so I would like to find some excersises that strengthen and lengthen (if that's the right word). My long term goal is not to have a rippling 6-pack, but to be able to isolate and use the full range of muscles in my core. I want deeper undulations, sharper contractions, stretchier obliques, and--cue dramatic music--to be able to do a belly roll!

My budget is tight right now, so pilates classes will have to wait, but does anyone have any DVD suggestions?
Thanks!

Contemporary Bellydance and Yoga Conditioning with Ariellah
I can move all 3 sets of abs separately. I got it from here

Bellyrolls Princess Farhana Raks and rolls ( I think it is now called Bellydance Intermediate Workout on Amazon at least- as I reviewed it under 1st title but review now appears under 2nd and 1st has disappeared) Best for Bellyroll, Flutters and even ab weight lifting (joke)

Ranya · 04-25-2008, 06:00 PM

I agree with Gia (I was going to write the exact same thing even before I read her post).
Crunches are good (of course, if exercised in the right way) and try to combine it with stretching - at least for me this works really!!!

Madeline · 05-03-2008, 05:50 AM

I find that doing a lot of abdominal exercises (including crunches) really improves bellydance technique. It not only enhances muscular control, but also helps with endurance when dancing for long periods of time. If you start doing the exercises properly, and stretch out your abs afterwards, you’ll find your torso will be much more cooperative and you’ll be most pleased with your dancing!

And it’s entirely possible to teach yourself Pilates, if you’re careful. I highly recommend this book:

Amazon.com: The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines: Brooke Siler: Books

Reen.Blom · 05-03-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenc

Contemporary Bellydance and Yoga Conditioning with Ariellah
I can move all 3 sets of abs separately. I got it from here

Yes yes yes! Doing chest and hip isolations drills made me feel like I actually got some muscules in my belly.... weirdly enough just was thinking of it today that after working out with this DVD my crooked back feels straighter and hey I got abs!( what a revelation)

04-24-2008, 03:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Razia Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London, UK or Eugene, OR Posts: 56	Abs Advice? I'm putting this out there for anyone who might have a suggestion......... It was recommended to me by my teacher, Melissa, NOT to do crunches as it shortens the abdominal muscles. This seems to make sense to me (although I don't know exactly how much truth is in that statement), but belly dance isolations alone aren't going to be enough of a workout for my abs. I often feel like my torso is a block of uncooperative meat anyway, so I would like to find some excersises that strengthen and lengthen (if that's the right word). My long term goal is not to have a rippling 6-pack, but to be able to isolate and use the full range of muscles in my core. I want deeper undulations, sharper contractions, stretchier obliques, and--cue dramatic music--to be able to do a belly roll! My budget is tight right now, so pilates classes will have to wait, but does anyone have any DVD suggestions? Thanks! __________________ www.raziadance.com

04-24-2008, 05:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shamsa Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: France Posts: 54	mmmmh... it's not to strenghten your muscles, but it helps to isolate: Sizzlin' Hips by Ava Fleming __________________ a belly dancer is a queen, and queens never go on the floor.

04-25-2008, 08:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Shamsa Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: France Posts: 54	sizzlin' hips is ok, altough i needed some time to isolate, it's sometimes difficult __________________ a belly dancer is a queen, and queens never go on the floor.

04-24-2008, 08:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gia al Qamar Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern NJ New Jersey Posts: 437	Hi Razia, I think that your teacher is misinformed. Crunches and other ab exercises will help you with your ab work because you'll be strengthening your muscles. If you fear that you may 'over tighten' by doing 100,000,000,000 crunches a day (what...not this many?) you can always add a stretching routine to your exercises...this will keep you limber as well as strong! Gia

04-25-2008, 06:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ranya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cairo, EGYPT Posts: 535	I agree with Gia (I was going to write the exact same thing even before I read her post). Crunches are good (of course, if exercised in the right way) and try to combine it with stretching - at least for me this works really!!!

05-03-2008, 05:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
Madeline Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 303	I find that doing a lot of abdominal exercises (including crunches) really improves bellydance technique. It not only enhances muscular control, but also helps with endurance when dancing for long periods of time. If you start doing the exercises properly, and stretch out your abs afterwards, you’ll find your torso will be much more cooperative and you’ll be most pleased with your dancing! And it’s entirely possible to teach yourself Pilates, if you’re careful. I highly recommend this book: Amazon.com: The Pilates Body: The Ultimate At-Home Guide to Strengthening, Lengthening, and Toning Your Body--Without Machines: Brooke Siler: Books