Thread: Help me, my arms SUCK!

Hi all. :)

Ok, so...I think I'm a decent dancer. However. My arms totally suck.
I'm so serious...they are not graceful, they don't have a whole lot of energy and they are not strong.

I need tips on drills and suggestions for practicing making my arms beautiful. It is consistantly the one thing that I have HATED about my dancing, but I just can't seem to make them look as beautiufl and graceful as everyone else.

ANY suggestions will be appreciated.


:)

Well, I don't know if any of this this applies to you or not, but for whatever it's worth - one of my biggest challenges has been with MY arms seeming stiff and ungraceful, and I've figured out the following things:
First, the REASON is too much tension, which emanates mainly from my neck and shoulders, and is due to non-dance activities and especially my job: computer use, computer use while on the telephone, writing and driving. No, that doesn't solve a thing, but it helps to know where the problem is coming from.
Two things that have helped a lot:
1. (if you can afford it); massage therapy, concentrating on the neck and shoulder area. If nothing else, if you can get a massage the day of a performance, or even the day before, it can be helpful.
2. This one is a "magic trick." If I focus JUST on my hands, keeping THEM soft, relaxed and graceful, my arms tend to follow right along with it. This is much easier than trying to focus on everything from neck to fingertips, and yet it makes all of it flow better.
Good luck!
Rosette

I've been working so hard on posture/arms the past couple of years. I think, sadly, that arms reflect our daily rehearsal time -- or lack thereof -- more than any other single body part.

I have discovered a trick, though. If I use 'air veil,' a pretend silk veil swishing around me, my arms become instantly more energetic, move more freely, and stay open in a nice frame more easily. I lose that stiff, posed-arm look and they move around me more gracefully.

Iv'e often been told I have nice arms, and while I have danced virtually all my life, I think all the swimming I have done has made a real difference. It tones, strengthens, and I think it gives you much more control of them. I would include all strokes (ie freestyle, back, breast and butterfly aahhh) if possible as they target different areas. Don't forget to stretch afterwards so as not to get bulky.

For specific dance moves though. Do the movements over and over again in the mirror. Ask a dancer you consider has beautiful arms to guide you & point out what needs improving. Ask her to explain how it feels for her, when doing certain moves, like which muscles she is using, perhaps she is isolating part of her upper body to create a lengthened look?? etc etc.

I imagine energy coming all the way through my arms and out through my finger tips. I've also noticed that my arms are better if I focus on my hands being graceful.

These are great tips! Thanks so much!

I'll take any more that people want to give too. :)

(I like the swimming idea, but I'm kind of water phobic...but, it IS a great idea! :) )

Have you tried putting on music and
JUST do arms???
nothing else- let only your arms translate the music.
I heard this can help with any body part somebody is stuck in.
Put on the music and just do that part of the body.

You can also watch Fahteim. . .
She has some of the best arms I have ever seen!
There is something to be said when a dancer's arms look great
on video in fast forward AND rewind!!!

I also had a friend tell me that she strapped on light weights to her wrists,
and danced with them,
then she took them off and danced,
her arms seemed to be be airy and float after the weights.
I haven't tried this tho-

Just wondering has anyone from here have Tahja Starr's BellyDance BootCamp Arms DVD & Manual?
http://www.tahjastarr.com/bootcamp_dvd.htm

I would really like to know what others think about it.

I was disappointed in Tahja's dvd and didn't keep it for very long. I'm an advanced beginner transitioning into intermediate. I don't mind a dvd that is beyond me or one that is advanced beginner as long as it keeps me moving or otherwise engaged. I'm sure there are good things on this (don't remember specifically), but it was just like eh for me.

Helen

Originally Posted by Rosette

This one is a "magic trick." If I focus JUST on my hands, keeping THEM soft, relaxed and graceful, my arms tend to follow right along with it. This is much easier than trying to focus on everything from neck to fingertips, and yet it makes all of it flow better.
Good luck!
Rosette

OMG! That so totally *works*!

Fahtiem has a great arm video and so does Aruna-- I haven't watched either in a while, I think Aruna's is more of a workout one but still very good.

Here is a good excercise - pick a song you are connected to and lay down. then with just using your arms and hands try to dance the song and show the emotions of the song. By just isolating this one part of your body and telling a story with it - you'll get great practice at bringing meaning & expresson to your arem movements. (try fast & slow)

Here is a trick that works well. The mirror suggestion is great, now take it a step further...video tape yourself doing only your arms. Review the tape. There is something to be said about video review. It is one thing to watch yourself in the mirror, but to review a tape helps your see yourself from a different perspective. This is a techique we use often for critique and review. Remember to relax those shoulders!! Best of luck to you.

I like working on my arms and hands in a shadow, just focus on making the silhouette look graceful and flowing... and the best thing is that if you have a lamp near the couch or the computer you can do it sitting down... :-)

Originally Posted by mish_mish

I imagine energy coming all the way through my arms and out through my finger tips.

Here's an exercise that I use with my students to help them "visualize" this: Rub your hands together very fast and hard--- you want to be able to feel the heat and friction. Then slowly move your hands slightly apart. You should be able to feel a "cushion" of energy that you can play with. I tell my students that this is the engery that they send out when they dance--- like throwing out a little lightening bolt.

arms/shoulders are my downfall too. given my "issues", i have no fantasies of becoming the next Fahtiem but i have some hopes of making them unscary.

two things that have really helped me: keep the elbows pointed down towards the floor. that keep the shoulders back and down, and the chest open.

in the last couple of months during class and practice, i've taken to holding a quarter in each hand, pressing it into the palm with the thumb. obviously, it keeps the thumbs place so they don't go straying out and awkward, but it also makes sure i don't forget about the hands. because it puts the mindfulness in the hands - specifically the palms - they are engaged and driving the movements, instead of flapping along behind and clueless.
i'm shifting my brain over from worrying about my arms to dancing with my hands. that is, i (try to) make my bugaboo shoulders behave and i concentrate on where my hands are and what they are doing, and i don't worry about my arms. if my shoulders are doing what they're supposed to be doing and the hands are doing what they're supposed to be doing, the arms will be fine.
for me a lot of it is mindfulness: i'm increasingly not conscious that the quarters are there, but the signal is still getting through.

My instructor teaches a Hula class one month each summer. Beacause it is all arm & hand work, it has really helped my arms and hands!! And it is a fun change of pace!

Is your mirror wide enough that you can see your arms and hands clearly when practicing at home?

Ozma, my bathroom mirror is wide enough. I've started doing a lot of arm movements, my friend who has lovely arms suggested drilling snake arms for the duration of a song (or as long as I can) to strengthen them. OUCH! :) But I think it is going to help.

These are all great suggestions everyone, thank you so much! I'll let you know how I'm doing. :)

Hands are a big subject in arabic dance (and dance in general) so thats why i insist of "locking" whole body/leg movements with a variety of hand movements.
This way we dont "forget" our hands while dancing and just let them hunging.
Sometimes hands can start the movements from the elbow and the elbow to lead the movement, other times from the wrist, others showlder and others from back up (grr my english).
Check this (its a small video from a privite lesson for hand movements, basic level) hope it gives the idea.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-PjxC-xaG0"]YouTube - Maria Aya teaching hands Greece[/ame]

Maria Aya..g.:

My arms happen to be a big problem for me as well. I am working on it by not allowing myself to be in my default "chicken wing" position at any instant during my show. I guess trying to just be more aware. I used this philosophy last night and it felt like I did better.

Thank you for posting that clip. I am going to save it to my favorite youtube videos and watch it over and over. You really do have beautiful arms.

On further reflection, I think dancers with sucky arms can be in any of a variety of stages.

1) Dancer doesn't realize his/her arms suck, or doesn't recognize how important nice arms are. (ahhh I remember this blissful stage...)


2) Dancer notices that arms suck, but doesn't quite know what to do about it.
- extend arms more (elbows less bent)
- Lift elbows & rotate toward back of room (engaging from back muscles)
- Keep wrists flatter, energy in fingers
- Learn a variety of arm positions & movement patterns to use
- Try the 'air veil' technique

3) Dancer is aware of what she should be doing with her arms, but finds they lose their energy during performance (this is where I'm working at the moment)
- Practice like crazy, drilling the arms alone and with the steps.
- Add arms to all drills (like MariaAya said, have certain arm patterns become automatic with certain steps/combos)
- Use 'tricks' like Carolynn's quarter-in-the-palm or my bribe-a-kid-to-nag-you tecniques to build awareness
- Practice more -- what else can I say about that?

I find that my arms are at their worst when I'm doing improv and I'm not properly prepared. The more I have to concentrate on what I'm doing, the more I shrivel inward (chicken wings, collapsed posture). More practice time would solve a lot of that.

Maria Aya - thanks for posting that clip! You have beautiful technique.

I found this clip whilst surfing YouTube - I love the way Orit uses her hands and arms to articulate the music in this clip...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BocUtLTpu5M"]YouTube - Orit Maftsir (belly dance)[/ame]

Omg Orit have great hands, so lyrical, and other times so folkish.
..g.: ty for the comments

The thing about most people is that they forget just where the arms are attached on the body. Work backwards. Hands. Elbows. Shoulder. Collarbone. Breastbone. Abdomen. It all relates back to the same source. Arm movements originate from the breastbone. Try breathing in...the chest expands. With chest expansion comes a movement back of the shoulders, then the arms move.

Remember too, that the arm from shoulder to the elbow is strong...supportive. The arm from elbow to wrist is soft...flowing. The arm from wrist to hands is as water.

The single biggest mistake people make with arms is that they lift and move the arms via the hands. Arm movements should originate much higher up, sternum, shoulder.

And this is how it should be done. Watch her technique. Amazing.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJrJFk7UrYQ&mode=related&search="]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJrJFk7UrYQ&mode=related&search=[/ame]

wow, thanks everyone. :)

I'll have to watch the clips at home, I can't access youtube here at work, but I can't wait!

I've been drilling arm movements a LOT lately...I still think I suck, but I know it will not be an overnight improvement. :)

Lauren, I think I'm the same way...when I'm improvising, my arms are a LOT worse then when I take the time to choreograph and actually decide where I want my arm at what time.

i guess I just need to practice more!! :)

these are all great suggestions, my arms sucked for the longest time, it was so hard to overcome, but I used Delilah's instructional DVD back in the 80's, she has a section just on arms, and that a dancer should be able to dance an entire song with just her arms and hands and keep her audience interested, I'll see if I can locate the tape and bring it to you this weekend Yasmin. It doesn't get better overnight, but being aware while you are dancing eventually they will get stronger!!

Hi, I am still new to bhuz, and bellydancing in general, but I just got a new DVD that I think would help. It a Rachel Brice DVD called belly dance arms and posture. I myself have hideous arms and hands, especially snake arms, lol. She really breaks down the movements, as well as giving lots of exercizes to strengthen your arms and shoulders. I am pretty sure you can get it off amazon, rachels site, and I got mine off ebay. I cant wait to try everyones tips, but I am off to work, Good luck!

Originally Posted by alcrea

Hi, I am still new to bhuz, and bellydancing in general, but I just got a new DVD that I think would help. It a Rachel Brice DVD called belly dance arms and posture. I myself have hideous arms and hands, especially snake arms, lol. She really breaks down the movements, as well as giving lots of exercizes to strengthen your arms and shoulders. I am pretty sure you can get it off amazon, rachels site, and I got mine off ebay. I cant wait to try everyones tips, but I am off to work, Good luck!

I've heard really great reviews about that DVD, Alcrea...I can't wait to try it! :) Thanks for the tip!

Aradia~ I didn't even read this until today, so...I'm guessing that you didn't find the tape, since I didn't get one from you this weekend!
No worries though. Raven actually was telling me that she took some private lessons with Delilah to work on arm movements as well...she said that Delilah's way of teaching is amazing. If you can find the tape, I'd love to borrow it! :) (Until I can buy my own copy that is...)

On the upside...I did get a compliment from one of my troupemates on Saturday night: She knows how I've been miserable about my arms lately, and she told me that my arms during my performance Saturday night at the hafla were just beautiful!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess drilling and concentration really do help!!