Briana (teen belly dancer)
Does Ballet Make You a Better Belly Dancer?
Written by Na’ama Rose
Ballet technique is the foundation for all traditional forms of dance. Whether you’re a modern dancer or a jazz dancer, ballet class remains an essential part of the dancer’s daily regimen. Why should it be any different for belly dancers? Ballet barre work and center work are designed to assist the dancer in developing muscle strength and flexibility, coordination, balance, grace, fluidity of movement, and a sense of musicality. By developing good technique, the dancer gains greater versatility which, in turn, allows for a broader scope of personal expression. Each dance form has its own style and set of skills that make it unique. Although belly dance does not require a virtuoso display of leaps, fouetté turns, or the use of pointe shoes, good ballet technique serves the belly dancer in numerous ways.
First Off – “Turn Out”
Belly dancers do not work in the 180 degree turn-out position of the feet so desirous of ballet dancers. However, there is a small degree of turn-out that is used in belly dance for walks, turns, some traveling and connecting steps, and poses. Developing turn-out will help the belly dancer:
Secondly – Feet, Feet, Feet!
All movements in belly dance originate in our footwork. More emphasis needs to be placed on the importance of developing our feet and footwork. Our hip work is generally governed by our legs, and our legs are supported by our feet. If you are an instructor of belly dance, you have probably noticed that when your students have difficulty executing steps or choreography, it is usually because the footwork is off. Although our dance focuses a lot on undulations and articulations of the torso, our feet are the foundation of all movement. In ballet, there is a heavy focus on the development of the feet. Specific exercises such as tendus, relevés, and jetés help to develop flexibility and strength in the feet and calf muscles. This, in turn, helps to develop beautifully arched feet.
As belly dancers, we spend a lot of time grooming our feet with pedicures, and adorning them with ankle bracelets and toe rings. All this is for naught if we can’t articulate our feet and they don’t adequately support our bodies or complement the movement. For belly dancers who perform in high heels, the benefit is even greater. Because the weight is shifted forward, balance becomes an important issue. You are essentially dancing in a semi-relevé position from the beginning to the end of your dance. Developing strong calf muscles and correct posture will help you to avoid injury and make your dance look effortless.
Thirdly – Let’s Discuss Turns
There are an abundance of turns in belly dance – chainé turns, piqué turns, paddle turns, pivot turns, and spins. There is nothing more delicious than watching the swirling of sequined skirts and the billow of a silken veil. As belly dancers, we know how difficult it is to make it all look so effortless and graceful. Well… once again (please excuse me if I am beginning to sound like a berating ballet mistress with a Russian accent) we must look to our ballet technique. All turns require spotting, precise foot work, balance, and coordination of the upper and lower body. The body must be compact yet graceful in order to execute a quick turn or a succession of turns.
Written by Na’ama Rose
Ballet technique is the foundation for all traditional forms of dance. Whether you’re a modern dancer or a jazz dancer, ballet class remains an essential part of the dancer’s daily regimen. Why should it be any different for belly dancers? Ballet barre work and center work are designed to assist the dancer in developing muscle strength and flexibility, coordination, balance, grace, fluidity of movement, and a sense of musicality. By developing good technique, the dancer gains greater versatility which, in turn, allows for a broader scope of personal expression. Each dance form has its own style and set of skills that make it unique. Although belly dance does not require a virtuoso display of leaps, fouetté turns, or the use of pointe shoes, good ballet technique serves the belly dancer in numerous ways.
First Off – “Turn Out”
Belly dancers do not work in the 180 degree turn-out position of the feet so desirous of ballet dancers. However, there is a small degree of turn-out that is used in belly dance for walks, turns, some traveling and connecting steps, and poses. Developing turn-out will help the belly dancer:
- Develop more flexibility in the hip sockets
- Firm the muscles in the butt and thigh muscles
- Create better balance and beautiful leg lines
Secondly – Feet, Feet, Feet!
All movements in belly dance originate in our footwork. More emphasis needs to be placed on the importance of developing our feet and footwork. Our hip work is generally governed by our legs, and our legs are supported by our feet. If you are an instructor of belly dance, you have probably noticed that when your students have difficulty executing steps or choreography, it is usually because the footwork is off. Although our dance focuses a lot on undulations and articulations of the torso, our feet are the foundation of all movement. In ballet, there is a heavy focus on the development of the feet. Specific exercises such as tendus, relevés, and jetés help to develop flexibility and strength in the feet and calf muscles. This, in turn, helps to develop beautifully arched feet.
As belly dancers, we spend a lot of time grooming our feet with pedicures, and adorning them with ankle bracelets and toe rings. All this is for naught if we can’t articulate our feet and they don’t adequately support our bodies or complement the movement. For belly dancers who perform in high heels, the benefit is even greater. Because the weight is shifted forward, balance becomes an important issue. You are essentially dancing in a semi-relevé position from the beginning to the end of your dance. Developing strong calf muscles and correct posture will help you to avoid injury and make your dance look effortless.
Thirdly – Let’s Discuss Turns
There are an abundance of turns in belly dance – chainé turns, piqué turns, paddle turns, pivot turns, and spins. There is nothing more delicious than watching the swirling of sequined skirts and the billow of a silken veil. As belly dancers, we know how difficult it is to make it all look so effortless and graceful. Well… once again (please excuse me if I am beginning to sound like a berating ballet mistress with a Russian accent) we must look to our ballet technique. All turns require spotting, precise foot work, balance, and coordination of the upper and lower body. The body must be compact yet graceful in order to execute a quick turn or a succession of turns.
Na'ama Rose 2003 Photo by Marlene Rounds
Fourth on My List – Attaining Beautiful Lines
One of the beautiful and defining aspects of ballet is the elongated lines created in the body. These beautiful lines create a pleasing and satisfying feeling for the viewer. The elongation of the limbs and torso also help to project movement out to the audience. Belly dance, in contrast, is filled with small, subtle movements and in order for these movements to be projected, they must be performed with precise articulation. Most of these articulations occur in the torso, so keeping an elongated torso and giving equal attention to the movements and positions of the arms and legs is pertinent. A simple hip drop can be extremely titillating if the rest of the body is lifted and beautifully posed.
Fifth – a Word about Coordination
Coordination can be developed by the regular repetition of movements that involve more than one body part at a time. Ballet incorporates a highly structured sequence of exercises that help the dancer develop coordination. The regular practice of these exercises also helps to develop muscle memory so the dancer is able to pick up combinations at a quicker pace. Although belly dance has its own set of skills and exercises, the sequencing and general method of pedagogy varies greatly from teacher to teacher. It is rare that we learn the art of belly dance from just one teacher or, for that matter, from just studying belly dance! For example, if you want to develop more flexibility in your back, you may want to study yoga. If you want to develop endurance, you may join a health club and use the treadmill. Ballet will not teach you the coordination needed to perform the subtle articulations of a drum solo, but it will teach you to coordinate your body as a whole. Belly dance is not just about the drum solo – there is a lot more ballet in belly dance than one might initially expect.
Sixth – Putting it all Together
A teacher once said to me, “We learn our technique only to forget it”. Fusing good technique with artistic expression is one of the most difficult aspects of all types of dance. It takes years of study before our dance technique feels secure and second nature to us. At the same time, it is important not to get hung up on technique as to forget the driving force that propels dancers to dance in the first place – self-expression. Learning to fuse emotionality into movement requires working from a more organic place – the heart. If the technique is there, your options will be limitless. We all possess a broad range and depth of emotionality, and being able to express it through the most sublime physicality is what makes it… art.
Finding the Right Ballet Class
As belly dance has gained popularity, there are more pre-teens and teens joining the ranks and aspiring to become professionals. Younger bodies are usually more pliable and can withstand the rigors of ballet with minimal risk for injury. The majority of us, however, started belly dance at a later age. This means we have to work more intelligently with our bodies. It is often difficult to find an adult ballet class that suits our needs. One suggestion is to find an experienced ballet instructor who has a good understanding of anatomy and physiology. She or he will be able to give you constructive feedback in order to help you avoid potentially injurious ways of working. The second thing I would suggest is finding a small class. Most adult classes tend to be small. Unfortunately, adult classes run the risk of getting canceled because of low enrollment. If you find a good teacher, rally your belly dance sisters to take class with you – it will be more fun! Thirdly, before you sign up for class, talk to the instructor first and take a trial class. You know your body better than anyone. For those of you who have knee issues, there are some dance teachers who teach ballet barre work on the floor. The best thing to do is check your local dance studios and see what they have to offer.
Good luck and happy dancing!
This article is copyrighted. Written permission is required to use any of this article. Contact Na'ama Rose at (847)864-6464 for more information.
One of the beautiful and defining aspects of ballet is the elongated lines created in the body. These beautiful lines create a pleasing and satisfying feeling for the viewer. The elongation of the limbs and torso also help to project movement out to the audience. Belly dance, in contrast, is filled with small, subtle movements and in order for these movements to be projected, they must be performed with precise articulation. Most of these articulations occur in the torso, so keeping an elongated torso and giving equal attention to the movements and positions of the arms and legs is pertinent. A simple hip drop can be extremely titillating if the rest of the body is lifted and beautifully posed.
Fifth – a Word about Coordination
Coordination can be developed by the regular repetition of movements that involve more than one body part at a time. Ballet incorporates a highly structured sequence of exercises that help the dancer develop coordination. The regular practice of these exercises also helps to develop muscle memory so the dancer is able to pick up combinations at a quicker pace. Although belly dance has its own set of skills and exercises, the sequencing and general method of pedagogy varies greatly from teacher to teacher. It is rare that we learn the art of belly dance from just one teacher or, for that matter, from just studying belly dance! For example, if you want to develop more flexibility in your back, you may want to study yoga. If you want to develop endurance, you may join a health club and use the treadmill. Ballet will not teach you the coordination needed to perform the subtle articulations of a drum solo, but it will teach you to coordinate your body as a whole. Belly dance is not just about the drum solo – there is a lot more ballet in belly dance than one might initially expect.
Sixth – Putting it all Together
A teacher once said to me, “We learn our technique only to forget it”. Fusing good technique with artistic expression is one of the most difficult aspects of all types of dance. It takes years of study before our dance technique feels secure and second nature to us. At the same time, it is important not to get hung up on technique as to forget the driving force that propels dancers to dance in the first place – self-expression. Learning to fuse emotionality into movement requires working from a more organic place – the heart. If the technique is there, your options will be limitless. We all possess a broad range and depth of emotionality, and being able to express it through the most sublime physicality is what makes it… art.
Finding the Right Ballet Class
As belly dance has gained popularity, there are more pre-teens and teens joining the ranks and aspiring to become professionals. Younger bodies are usually more pliable and can withstand the rigors of ballet with minimal risk for injury. The majority of us, however, started belly dance at a later age. This means we have to work more intelligently with our bodies. It is often difficult to find an adult ballet class that suits our needs. One suggestion is to find an experienced ballet instructor who has a good understanding of anatomy and physiology. She or he will be able to give you constructive feedback in order to help you avoid potentially injurious ways of working. The second thing I would suggest is finding a small class. Most adult classes tend to be small. Unfortunately, adult classes run the risk of getting canceled because of low enrollment. If you find a good teacher, rally your belly dance sisters to take class with you – it will be more fun! Thirdly, before you sign up for class, talk to the instructor first and take a trial class. You know your body better than anyone. For those of you who have knee issues, there are some dance teachers who teach ballet barre work on the floor. The best thing to do is check your local dance studios and see what they have to offer.
Good luck and happy dancing!
This article is copyrighted. Written permission is required to use any of this article. Contact Na'ama Rose at (847)864-6464 for more information.
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Weekly classes held at Room to Move Studio, 3324 Chicago Rd. Steger, IL 60475
Questions about belly dance? Call Na'ama Rose at (847)864-6464
Weekly classes held at Room to Move Studio, 3324 Chicago Rd. Steger, IL 60475
Questions about belly dance? Call Na'ama Rose at (847)864-6464