Finally

teela · 06-30-2008, 01:38 AM

I took some workshops this weekend and came out finally understanding why it is important to have the basics down so you can do them without thinking. Why I need to do them slowly so I can do them with the various muscles. We learned about layering so that each layer is done smoothly and they are separated. I got some wonderful layering drills that are going to take me a long time to accomplish and manage the layers so they flow and are separate. It makes more sense on why its important to become fluent with the basics when you are beginning. Looking back, yes I could do the moves but didn't have the understanding of the workings of the muscles within the move. It gave me alot to think of.

Aisha Azar · 06-30-2008, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teela

I took some workshops this weekend and came out finally understanding why it is important to have the basics down so you can do them without thinking. Why I need to do them slowly so I can do them with the various muscles. We learned about layering so that each layer is done smoothly and they are separated. I got some wonderful layering drills that are going to take me a long time to accomplish and manage the layers so they flow and are separate. It makes more sense on why its important to become fluent with the basics when you are beginning. Looking back, yes I could do the moves but didn't have the understanding of the workings of the muscles within the move. It gave me alot to think of.

Dear Teela,
It sounds like this workshop was a great experience for you!
I teach from the concept that without a good foundation, good basic movements, you will have one heck of a hard time ever being a competent dancer. Those basic movements are the most important movements you will ever learn. We can never prefect them enough. We should keep working on them our whole dance lives. This is one reason why I continue to teach beginning classes year after year, when it would be easy to pass beginning classes to another dancer. Not only does it keep me in constant touch with fundamental movement, but it also helps me to be a better teacher from the ground up.
I have a basic movement DVD out if you have any interest.
Regards,
A'isha

teela · 06-30-2008, 02:29 AM

My first two instructors never insisted on a good solid foundation but I've always felt it never hurt to go back and practice the basics. I now have a better reason to concentrate on the basics. I also understand what I missed. I am going to go back and work on the basics. I keep wanting to order your basics DVD and just haven't gotten around to it. I'm finding belly dance is more of a journey and enjoying it.

06-30-2008, 01:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
teela Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 277	Finally I took some workshops this weekend and came out finally understanding why it is important to have the basics down so you can do them without thinking. Why I need to do them slowly so I can do them with the various muscles. We learned about layering so that each layer is done smoothly and they are separated. I got some wonderful layering drills that are going to take me a long time to accomplish and manage the layers so they flow and are separate. It makes more sense on why its important to become fluent with the basics when you are beginning. Looking back, yes I could do the moves but didn't have the understanding of the workings of the muscles within the move. It gave me alot to think of.

06-30-2008, 02:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
teela Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 277	My first two instructors never insisted on a good solid foundation but I've always felt it never hurt to go back and practice the basics. I now have a better reason to concentrate on the basics. I also understand what I missed. I am going to go back and work on the basics. I keep wanting to order your basics DVD and just haven't gotten around to it. I'm finding belly dance is more of a journey and enjoying it.