Thread: Flutters

Any good tips on how to train your stomache muscles to 'flutter' (rapid in-out movement)?

Should the flutter be in the upper abs or both upper and lower or does it matter?

My flutters are so small....almost invisible

Hi, there's a discussion group on tribe.net called Bellydance Drills and Choreography, and there was a thread on practicing flutters just recently. You might want to check it out.

http://tribes.tribe.net/bellydancedr...3-7d0482bbf2c6

I am by no means in a position to give advice, however I am working on those as well. I just got the video drum solo by Saidie, and she gives some pointers on those (as there are some in the choreography she is teaching on there).

Basically she mentions that you need to lock your diaphragm, and she demonstrates a move standing up with legs wide apart, bent knees and put your hands on your knees so that your stomach is horizontal with the floor. You can practice slow upper abs flutter this way, taking your ab in and letting it go, go faster as you feel it comfortable. I also found I can lock my rib cage by putting both of my arms above my head, holding my elbows.

Hopefully we'll get other tricks on here! I could use them as well!

Thank you. I checked out Tribe. So many different suggestions. I would like to know what the Bhuzzers think. ,r:;

Suzanna Del Vechio made numerous moves make perfect sense to me.
The flutter was one of them.

She suggests posing with all the weight on one foot forward, lifting the chest as high as you can, take a breath and hold, SMILE, then pull in (relax), in (relax) the diaphram/upper abs as fast and as long as you can.

When I first started to do these, I could only do three in a row. It tooks months to be able to do four, then after that, no problem.

I haven't yet tried to teach flutters because it's difficult enough to try and get a proper belly roll.

However, I'll try and attempt what I do. I think my techique is the same as Suzanne Del Vecchio.

I think the key is mostly in the breathing. Yes you are pulling your stomach muscles in and out but breathing or perhaps lack of breathing has a lot to do with it.

First I get in position. I like to be on my toes but it doesn't matter if you are on your toes or flat foot. Then I take a deep inhale and lift my ribcage and smile. If I'm doing a really fast and hard flutter, my throat tightens and I'm concentrating completely on pulling the abs in and out. For the most part I am not breathing as I flutter. If I do a really long flutter, I might take a quick inhale exhale by relaxing into a belly roll before I tighten up again.

It's different than a belly roll where you need to inhale and exhale to contract and release.

Originally Posted by melania

I do them by isolating my upper abs and pulling in and pushing them out rapidly. It is hard at first to learn, like many moves. It's good when the movement gets really loose looking, pretty much like learning a shimmy, you first learn how to control the muscle, then you control it to the point that it looks very loose and fluid.

Maybe I'm impatient...I'll keep practicing.

Originally Posted by norma

I haven't yet tried to teach flutters because it's difficult enough to try and get a proper belly roll.

However, I'll try and attempt what I do. I think my techique is the same as Suzanne Del Vecchio.

I think the key is mostly in the breathing. Yes you are pulling your stomach muscles in and out but breathing or perhaps lack of breathing has a lot to do with it.

First I get in position. I like to be on my toes but it doesn't matter if you are on your toes or flat foot. Then I take a deep inhale and lift my ribcage and smile. If I'm doing a really fast and hard flutter, my throat tightens and I'm concentrating completely on pulling the abs in and out. For the most part I am not breathing as I flutter. If I do a really long flutter, I might take a quick inhale exhale by relaxing into a belly roll before I tighten up again.

It's different than a belly roll where you need to inhale and exhale to contract and release.

I might be doing something wrong b/c I keep panting (internally). Maybe everyone is different b/c I don't breathe for my bellyrolls. I'll try not to breathe for these flutters.

I guess I can get the motion of the flutters but my biggest issue is they are not BIG and fluid but small and tight. ..cr.:

Originally Posted by Mikayla

I might be doing something wrong b/c I keep panting (internally). Maybe everyone is different b/c I don't breathe for my bellyrolls. I'll try not to breathe for these flutters.

I guess I can get the motion of the flutters but my biggest issue is they are not BIG and fluid but small and tight. ..cr.:

try to slow down what you are doing, and make it deliberately as big as possible. i teach these on hands and knees, similar to the technique someone mentioned sadie teaches. so on the hands and knees, pant like a dog to see what that feels like, then hold your breath, and pant like a dog without breathing. you can do them laying on your back too in the same way. this type comes from the diaphragm. good luck!