The Sensual Chiftetelli
Chiftetelli is often the first rhythm belly dancers learn to recognize, yet it holds its magnetic charm through our entire dance careers! The intricate rhythm starts to feel natural, freeing the dancer to become creative and explore new movements and different connections to the music. Helena having danced to the Chiftetelli countless times, will open the doors to the multitudes of possibilities for creative musical interpretation within this rich, and multi-layered rhythm, bringing new life and classic beauty to your belly dance.
Zills - Finger Cymbals
Drills, Combos, Acapella & Zill pattern progression. Realizing that the “complex” patterns you hear are made up of simple patterns you already know. We can create new patterns from patterns like the single strike, the 2 pattern, and the 3 pattern. When we put them together in certain combinations, we can create rhythmic sounds to accompany a complex piece of music with many rhythm changes. Or we can accompany ourselves in a zill solo or acapella. When we practice many hours, we sound like part of the orchestra or great alone with our zills.
Abdominal Technique
Helena Vlahos’ jaw-dropping abdominal work has earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, and more than a modicum of respect from anyone who’s ever been lucky enough to see this incredible feat in person!
This workshop will teach you how to manipulate the abdominals. You will learn the secret of first isolating and then contracting the belly muscles, which will lead to belly rolls and flutters. This workshop will also include an introduction to rolling quarters and dollar bills.
Vintage Cabaret Six Part Routine
- Fast: Entrance with Traveling Steps and Turns. The veil is wrapped around your body in your favorite style to be used in your first slow piece of music which is after the entrance.
- Slow: Bolero or Rumba will be used in your first slow part. We will manipulate the veil in artistic and tastefully sensual movements. At the end of this section, you will discard the veil to prepare for the next section of your dance.
- Medium: Maqsum, Balady or Saidi with sassy combinations to spice up your dance with these popular rhythms.
- Slow: Chiftetelli Combos using Hip Circles, Figure Eights, Mayas, Sways, Camels and their variations where each move melts into the next with graceful arms to compliment your every move with Helena’s classic stylization.
- Drum Solo: We have so many choices of drum solos. Some are fast and exciting, some slower and more playful, some have a lot of rhythm changes. This is a great part of our dance to draw our audience in. In this section, we are building up to our finale.
- Finale: A short exciting finale will follow using moves as in the Entrance. Our music can be the same as our entrance music but cut down to about 30 seconds to one minute.
Belly Dance Costume Construction
More information coming soon!
Arm Movements
More information coming soon!