The Art of Persian Dance

The Art of Persian Dance

With fluidity and rhythm, this dance showcases the rich and refined aesthetics of the Persian culture.

A Background Check on Persian Dance

The body positioning, movement, and use of the hands do a great job of conveying what this culture is about. As you can imagine by the name, Persian dance was born in the region that borders the Middle East and Central Asia called Persia. Dance had great social and religious relevance for this ancient culture.

It is the irony of history that ever since the revolution in 1979, this art form has been prohibited in the same country that once upon a time performed a central role for its expansion and advancement.

Source: Iran Chamber

Persian Dance: The Origins

History estimates that the rise of this type of dance was around the same time that Mithraism came to be. This cult is related to the worship of Persia’s god of sun and light, known as Mithra, who sacrifices a bull to promote the vigor of life. Persians held a ritual where they had to get baptized in the blood of a bull, and later, a dance was performed by only men. This act was considered the earliest form of Iranian dance.

Persian Dance Genres

Persian Dance at Bella Diva Dance
Come learn about Persian culture next Oct 5th at Bella Diva Dance School

 

Classical: Also known as the classical court dance. Even when it’s not actually performed at a court, this genre involves solo improvised dances that often use that signature movement of the hands and arms that convey a flirty vibe.

Social: This is a more informal type of dance which is usually performed as part of social celebrations in places where public dance is permitted.

Folk: Regional dances, mostly related to religious or spiritual rituals. It’s not some much about performing for an audience, but for the pleasure of those dancing it.

Join Our Persian Dance Class with Shahrzad Khorsandi

On Thursday, Oct. 5th, Bella Diva Dance School will be offering a Persian dance master workshop with Shahrzad, where students will learn fundamental Persian dance technique and aesthetics that will be staged into a choreography to be performed the following day at the Mercury Café during the weekend showcase with the Farabi Ensemble.

Want to learn all about this captivating style of dance? Register online today!

How Many Belly Dance Props Do You Know?

Using a Sword as a Belly Dance Prop

The use of props adds a little variety to classic belly dance.

Each prop is a different challenge and brings a different learning experience.

The Most Common Props for Belly Dance

Although we’ve already talked a bit about doumbeks and zills, there are other tools that are used to dress up this Middle Eastern dance. Some belly dance props are a little intimidating, but nothing that a little practice and a lot of attitude can’t pull off.

The Use of Veil in Belly DanceVeil

The veil adds some mystery and elegance to the dance. Dancers usually start out fully covered by the veil and eventually reveal themselves. They can use a single veil or a double veil. This prop creates beautiful shapes in the air.

Dance Spoons

The spoons are said to be from Cappadocia in Turkey but were used in many regions of Greece. Spoons are usually wooden and are used to clap out a rhythm that supports the music, not repeat the melody in the foreground, while the dancer’s feet are moving to a different step rhythm. It can be pretty confusing at first, but practice can conquer this, too.

Cane

Egypt is home to a different type of belly dance called Saidi, which incorporates the cane to imitate a dance that men do with a stick. The difference lies in the fact that, for men, the stick represents a weapon, thus making the dance powerful, while women use the cane in a sassier, more delicate way.

Candelabra

The origins of the candelabra dance are not clear to this day. One thing we do know is that, in the past, the candelabra, also called shamadan, was not supported by a headband, which meant dancers had to invest in years of practice to get the technique just right.

Tambourines are most common in tribal style dances

Sword

Using this prop is an impressive balancing act. The sword adds an element of power and control to the dance and it requires a lot of skill; otherwise, it can certainly be dangerous. Sword belly dance is meant to represent the power and strength of a woman, in contrast with her balance and poise.

Tambourine

Another name for this instrument is Deff, which is a kind of circular frame drum. The tambourine is a very common instrument in many cultures. The Egyptians have one called rik and Brazilians have the pandeiro. However, the tambourine is more common in gypsy or tribal style dances.

So, which is your favorite prop? Belly dance is such a captivating style of dance with endless variations. The Middle Eastern culture brings a lot of historical richness that is fascinating to dive into.

Sharing this with you is what we love to do at Bella Diva Dance. Join a class and immerse yourself in the world of dance.

Ever Heard of a Doumbek?

Ever Heard of a Doumbek?

A doumbek is the goblet drum that’s one of the most popular instruments in Middle Eastern drumming. Understanding the history and rhythms of this music can help you become a better dancer.

The Doumbek in Middle Eastern Drumming

Did you ever imagine that becoming familiar with a doumbek could ever improve your ability as a Middle Eastern dancer? Well, it can. Plus, learning how to play is a lot of fun.
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Despite the simplicity of it and all other instruments involved in Middle Eastern music, these drums attain a truly refined complexity.

A doumbek is also known as a darbukam and it’s traditionally made out of clay or wood and covered with goat or fish skin. This instrument started gaining popularity in the middle of the 20th century.
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There are two major styles of doumbeks. The Egyptian style has a rounded edge on the the head which makes for a forgiving playing surface. The Turkish style has a sharp edge which makes it easier to utilize some advanced playing techniques because the playing surface is more accessible.

Source: The Drum Doctor

Popular Middle Eastern Rhythms

The Doumbek in Middle Eastern MusicMiddle Eastern music is made of various elements: rhythm, improvisation, ornamentation, and call and response. There are also several rhythms within the style

  • Baladi: developed from traditional Egyptian music styles in the early 20th century.
  • Masmoudi: This is a more common rhythm. It gives the impression of rushing forward.
  • Malfouf: This fast and exciting rhythm is most commonly used at the start of a routine when the dancers enter the stage.
  • Chiftitelli: Born from Turkish rhythms. It’s generally used for rounded and sensuous movements.

Our Middle Eastern Drumming classes cover the basics of Arabic drumming. You’ll learn how to play basic sounds on the doumbek and drill specific rhythms to continuously improve in speed and sound quality.
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There’s a lot more to learn about this art. Come join our Middle Eastern Drumming classes today!

Zills: The Tiny Little Bells of Belly Dance

Bella Diva Belly Dance

The most identifiable rhythm accessories of belly dance are usually attached to the dancer’s hands. They’re called cymbals. Have you heard of them?

What Are Finger Cymbals?

Noun

(music) A concave plate of brass or bronze that produces a sharp, ringing sound when struck: played either in pairs, by striking them together, or singly by striking with a drumstick or the like.

Source: Wiktionary

Using Cymbals in Belly DanceFrom the Greek word “Kymbala,” cymbals are the little bells or percussion instruments you might have seen on the hands of belly dancers. History tells us that this practice dates back to 300 A.D. These accessories are also known as “sagat” in Arabic or “zills” in Turkish, are usually made of a copper-nickel alloy and tend to be sold in sets of four, so you get two for each hand.

The three most common belly dance rhythms for which zills are used are:

  • Baladi
  • Karatchi or Karachi
  • Fallahi

These staples of the belly dance culture were originally associated with magic and rituals. The sound that is generated by them was intended to help produce a state of trance in those listening, as well as to assist in focusing energy. Cymbals are essential to Middle Eastern music, as they create amazing musical patterns like no other instrument.

The playing of cymbals has a history that spans the world and many cultures. Various versions of this hand-played percussive instrument have been incorporated into music and dance.

Source: Bellydance.One

Like everything else in life, the use of zills is great as long as it’s in moderation. Overusing them in a belly dance choreography will make them lose their appeal. They are normally used at the beginning of a belly dance performance and for a short period of time. Modern dancers will typically attach the cymbals to their thumb and middle fingers, using elastic to secure them in place.

Immerse Yourself in the Magic of Belly Dance

Belly dance is a wonderful style of dance full of cultural richness. At Bella Diva Dance, we are proud to be able to share a little bit of that culture with you. Curious about the use of zills? We’ll teach you all about the use of dance props including the veil, and zills will also be taught throughout the year in our beginner, intermediate, and advanced belly dance classes.

Check out our Bella Diva Belly Dancers performing “Moon Over ala Nar” with zills in the video below. We love this epic finger cymbal piece! If you would like to be part of these great classes and performances, stop by our studio or give us a call and join us.

A Workout in Disguise: Another Bella Diva New Class Offering

Dance like no one is watching

At Bella Diva Dance, we cannot wait to present you with yet another fun and exciting addition to our dance class repertoire. LaBlast! Fitness Powered by Dance Now being offered Thursdays 5:30-6:30 PM. Drop-ins welcome!

LaBlast Sizzle: The Workout You Didn’t See Coming

Ready to have a blast? All the fun and all the calorie burning action packed up into one class.

Bella Diva Dance Instructor Grace Ochs
Grace Ochs, certified LaBlast Bella Diva instructor

LaBlast® is an individual dance fitness workout created by world renowned dancer and fitness expert Louis van Amstel (seen on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars). Designed to be enjoyed by all levels, from complete beginners to experienced dancers, LaBlast leads you through an eclectic mix of classic ballroom dances set to a variety of music genres. It includes moves ranging from Cha Cha Cha, Salsa, and Jive to pop, rock, hip-hop, and country, which ensure you’ll burn fat and blast calories! Whether you want to tone your body, maintain a healthy lifestyle, learn to dance, or just have a great time, LaBlast offers something for everyone. LaBlast®: Dance. Fitness. Lifestyle.

This amazing class is taught by certified LaBlast Bella Diva instructor, Grace Ochs.

Fitness dance classes in DenverLaBlast Highlights

  • LaBlast® is multi-level and partner-free, enabling participants to learn at their own pace
  • Movements relate to a specific style of ballroom dance: Rumba, Salsa, Tango, Waltz, Salsa, Foxtrot, and more!
  • Keeps the mind and body active to help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia

LaBlast Poster - Fitness dance lessons in Denver

Come Have a Blast in Colorado

Learn new dances and improve your skill level while you move to your favorite music. You’ll get some Disco, Cha Cha, Jive, Paso Doble, Foxtrot. Basically, a little bit of every ballroom dance all jammed up into one super fun class that will get your body into a fat-burning mode like none other. Check out the video to get that contagious energy flowing. Give us a call to learn more and join us on this amazing new class!

Come Join Our Newest Class: Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance

Bella Diva World Dance is excited to announce our newest class offering at the studio: Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance on Thursdays from 7:45 PM – 8:45 PM, instructed by Bella Diva Teaching Associate, Amy Becenti.

What is ITS?

ITS stands for Improvisational Tribal Style, a type of tribal belly dance that combines forms of another dance style called Improvisational Tribal Fusion. It is based on shared movements, which are cued in by another distinct movement initiated by the leader, followed by a short, choreographed combination or combo. The combinations can be performed in any order, and the interesting part is that none of the dancers know which moves the leader will cue next!
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Improvisational Tribal Style Belly Dance in Denver

The movements are based on belly dance diaspora, flamenco arm work, Indian Classical dance traditions, and folkloric dances of North Africa and Egypt.
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ITS is defined by the active switching of roles within the group, as every member takes a turn to lead and follow movements within a piece of music or choreography.

Course Description

Students will be exposed to and actively practice the Improvisational Tribal Style Bellydance language of movements that, when learned, can be spoken with fellow dancers to create a vivacious, playful group dance.

General Objectives

  1. Students will experience the thrilling joy of dancing with a group creating dynamic representations of musical expression.
  2. Students will be able to develop and strengthen the following skills: peripheral vision, spatial awareness, reading cues in the environment, meditative movement, leadership, support, and regulating risk.

    ITS classes in Colorado

Content

  • Posture supporting the movement
  • Movements ranging from beginning to intermediate
  • Cues
  • Transitions
  • Braceros – flamenco arm work
  • Finger cymbals
  • Basic formations
  • Leading and following
  • Performance protocol

Goal

To create ephemeral dance art with colleagues, which aides to community bonding. Super duper circle time FUN!

ITS Instructor: Amy Becenti in Denver

Instructor Bio

Amy Becenti has been studying Tribal Style belly dance since 2003. As a lifelong dancer, Amy was gifted with the joy of dancing, performing and community by being a member of Pomegranate Studios student performance troupe, professional performance troupe and Raks Sharki troupe in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Amy went on to study West African dance, began her own performance troupe, apprenticed with Dancing Earth Contemporary Indigenous Dance Creations, as well as began working with Zuleikha Bethalmi and The Storydancer Project.

Amy has had the great honor of studying with Mahmoud Reda, Karim Nagi, Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman, Aziza, Princess Farhana, Leyla Jouvana, Sahra Kent, Moira Chappell, Nana Candelaria, Astryd Farah DeMichele, and Sadie. Amy continues her devotion to dance in Denver studying Odissi, Datura Style belly dance, and being a member of Grupo Tlaloc Danza Azteca de Coloraztlan.

Don’t miss out on learning about this amazing style of dance. Register today and come dance with us!
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What You Need to Know About Veganism for Dancers

What You Need to Know About Veganism for Dancers

For dancers, proper nutrition is essential to keep up with their demanding training. There are so many different diets and nutrition plans for dancers out there that it can be confusing to know what will work best for your body. Many dancers have chosen to lead healthier lifestyles by opting out of eating animal byproducts. Is veganism the best type of nutrition for a dancer?

Should a Dancer Go Vegan?

Veganism requires making major lifestyle changes. If you’re up for it, that’s great, but before you decide to go in that direction, do some research and check with your physician to make sure it’s the right diet for you.
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Just like everything in life, veganism has its pros and cons, especially when your body endures longs periods of intense physical activity.

An important factor of a vegan diet is variety, and a healthy diet should include legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains, leafy greens, vegetables, and fruits.
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Without meat in the diet, it is important for vegans to find other sources of protein, and some foods that can achieve this include tofu, chickpeas, peanut butter, rice, or spinach.
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Source: hipmix.net

The Pros

A plant-based diet can bring great benefits to your overall health. There might be no animal byproducts involved, but if you’re eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans it can be very beneficial to your cardiovascular health, and as a dancer, you need a healthy heart to get through those energy-draining rehearsals and performances. It’s also been shown that this type of diet can decrease inflammation which is great news for your joints. Other benefits include a decreased risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and stroke, and can also help increase your levels of energy.

The Pros and Cons of Veganism for DancersThe Cons

Vegan diets have been associated with lack of essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin B12, which support bone health and cell metabolism, nerve function, and blood production. Low protein intake affects the body’s ability to build and repair muscle and other body tissues. Also, if you’re consuming very few calories, your performance will certainly be affected, as you’ll have less energy.

Most of the cons can be counteracted by making sure you’re eating a well-balanced diet and taking supplements to provide your body of the things your diet cannot, but the question of whether becoming a vegan or not is good for you body should be answered with the help of a professional in the matter. The way you fuel your body directly impacts your dance ability. World dance classes are usually very intense, so be sure to keep your body properly nourished so you can get to class with all the energy you need.

How to Improve Your Balance on the Dance Floor

How to Improve Your Balance on the Dance Floor

For a dancer to be able to move fluidly across the dance floor, balance is essential. If you’re constantly struggling with balance, here as some tips that can help.

The Importance of Balance for Dancers

Control of the body is very important in dance. There are several factors that affect control, and one of them is balance.

Balance is the ability to maintain the center of gravity of the body while minimizing postural sway. It is a state of bodily equilibrium characterized by complete stillness, void of opposing forces on all sides.

Source: ThoughtCo

Balance is also known as a state of equilibrium. This is one of the main components of any dance performance. Why? Well, ideally, dance should be graceful, fluid, and emotional while showcasing a certain level of skill, and balance is the glue that holds all this together. Imagine performing the most amazing choreography to a wonderful song while you’re tripping and falling every five seconds.
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Suddenly, it’s not so pretty anymore, right? Luckily, just as everything else, balance can be improved. Here are some tips that will help you bring a solid state of equilibrium to any performance.

5 Tips to Become a More Balanced and Stable Dancer

Improving your balanceWork on Your Base

Your ankles work as the base of your body. If your base is shaky, your ankles probably require some work. Ask your dance teacher about ankle strengthening exercises. With time, you’ll notice your base becomes steadier.

Develop Core Strength

A strong, engaged core is a game changer in dance and is one of the most important elements for stability, as it keeps your spine in place. Try some yoga as a complement to dance. It is a wonderful way to build core strength.
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Yoga to strengthen the core

Step Away from the Mirror

If you’re used to only practicing in front of a mirror, when you’re on stage without one, you’ll find it hard to keep your balance. Practice without it so you can feel your center of gravity rather than trying to find it in your reflection.

Make It a Challenge

As you see improvement, add a curve ball to your training. Practice on an uneven surface or with your eyes closed or blindfolded. That will force your brain to adapt to different scenarios.

All dancers struggle with different aspects of dance. If balance is a weakness of yours, don’t be discouraged. The most important thing is to stay motivated and work to turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Discover All About the Dances of the Islands

Tahitian Dance Could be Part of the Secret to a Slimmer Waist

From Hawaii to Tahiti, Polynesian dance is known to be the most popular art form on several islands of the world.

The Origins of Polynesian Dance

Polynesian dance was abolished by the British Puritan missionaries in 1820, came back at the beginning of the 20th century and started evolving since 1950 into what we know as modern Polynesian dance today. This type of dance is all about the emotion behind the motion. Across cultures, it started out as a way to act out the traditional stories told in the islands in a very literal way.
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Modern Polynesian dance is still dedicated to telling stories.
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However, over time, the narratives have become more abstract so that the beauty of the dance itself becomes the focal point for the audiences.
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It’s a beautiful expression of dance through hip movements like no others that work together with their hands, feet, and shoulders in perfect unison, to the beat of enchanting music and incredible costumes – truly, a one of a kind island experience.

Polynesian dance formsThe Island Dances

Hula is the Hawaiian dance that is probably the most popular of Polynesian dances. However, there are various others forms of Polynesian dance forms. Each one just as culturally rich as the next.

  • Samoan
  • Tahitian
  • Fijian
  • Maori
  • Tongan

A Polynesian Escape in Denver

You don’t have to travel too far to be part of the mystique that surrounds Polynesian dance. The island breezes and hypnotic beats are closer than you ever imagined. You can work on your coordination, muscle isolation, stronger and leaner legs, and better movement and posture while still enjoying the laid back vibe of island dances with our HOT HULA Fitness® classes. Bella Diva Dance brings you the enchanting energy of the Pacific island dances. Dive into island history and culture while getting a total body workout in 60 minutes. Come join us!