Thread: Raks Assaya/ Saidi Cane Dance

Can someone recommend an authentic video for learning raks assaya? (either a trainging video or performance video) What's out there, and what's the best? Thanks!

I can reccommend Nourhan Sharif's Rakset Assaya. Here are the sections as listed on the DVD:
Wrist stretches
Holding the cane
Framing the body with the cane
Twirling cane technique
Exercises on spot
Walking with the cane
Travelling steps with cnae
Cane finales
Simple combinations
Improvisation by Nourhan

The video lasts about an hour. I had been performing cane a couple of years before I got this, and still found it to be useful. I haven't seen any other cane videos to make a comparison, but I was quite happy with this one.

I like Nourhan Sharifs instructional for Raks assaya, very helpful.

Cheers
Julie

Originally Posted by Andrea2

I can reccommend Nourhan Sharif's Rakset Assaya. Here are the sections as listed on the DVD:
Wrist stretches
Holding the cane
Framing the body with the cane
Twirling cane technique
Exercises on spot
Walking with the cane
Travelling steps with cnae
Cane finales
Simple combinations
Improvisation by Nourhan

The video lasts about an hour. I had been performing cane a couple of years before I got this, and still found it to be useful. I haven't seen any other cane videos to make a comparison, but I was quite happy with this one.

Yep, wot she said!

Do you mean this one: Rakset Assaya an Introduction to Egyptian Saidi Technique I'll order it. Any performance videos???

That's the one. The cover is gold and has three pix of Nourhan.

Originally Posted by Mellilahbellydance

Do you mean this one: Rakset Assaya an Introduction to Egyptian Saidi Technique I'll order it. Any performance videos???

Mellilah, I I have a used VHS copy for sale. I've watched it maybe 5 or 6 times. It's just been being shuffled around in my entertainment center. How about $38 including shipping and handling via media mail? DVD sells for $54 on Nourhan's site, including postage.

Where does one buy a cane? And do they come in different heights or is that going to have to be a sawing project?

Originally Posted by indigostars

Where does one buy a cane? And do they come in different heights or is that going to have to be a sawing project?

Dahlal sells canes: she has plain (I think bamboo) canes, silver canes, gold canes, and then really fancy schmancy sequined canes! (I just bought a purple sequined cane to match my Mme Abla dress!) They do come in different 'sizes.' I was taught that you don't want the handle of the cane to be any taller than your hip...so maybe you can give her a measurement? I've never bought a cane through the mail before, both purchases were in person where I could "size" the cane myself and try it out. :)

The plain ones aren't too expensive, either. :)

I'm a fan of the wooden canes. They have some weight behind them and give a satisfying thwack! when you hit the ground. I like to watch the other canes, but their weightlessness is hard for me. Hip height is correct - if it's too long you'll have a hard time twirling it without hitting the ground. I bought my first cane at Walgreens. Sadly, I left it at a venue and had to replace it. When I went back, all they had were metal collapsible canes. Great for the elderly, I'm sure, but not such a good look for the stage. I had suggested the Medecine Shoppe to another dancer, and I think that's where she got one. I ended up buying it from her because it was too heavy for her to maneuver. I'm only 5'1", so I had to have about four inches taken off. Just don't forget to remove the rubber tip!

I bought my cane in an adult toy store - some people who are into discipline seem to like to play with dance props.

I also found a cane at a thrift store once. Yeah, I know - we all hate the people who tell the story "I walked into a thrift store and saw a Bella for $20", but some thirft stores often have canes, while e.g. Goodwill doesn't.

I learned some really good technique from performances by Randa Kamal and Nadia Gamal. Also a performance by Zaza Hassan taught me some good stick technique (you can integrate both). I have also picked up good cane from old Fifi videos. Old performances of Nour from Ahlan Wa Sahlan showed her doing cane and again, I picked up some cute steps from her, too.

I was taught that you don't want the handle of the cane to be any taller than your hip.

On the opposite note, I'm six feet tall...Is there a guideline about how short it can be?

I have a YouTube playlist of many different dancers of different styles performing cane, if that's any help:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_lis...C3024A158755E6

If you want to learn the egyptian way (where this dance originated), I would suggest you go with ChristinaRizkallah's advise!!!

I recently took an assaya workhshop with Alexandra King, and she said the cane should come up to your belly button to be the correct length. Mine seens a little unwieldly for me at the length though, so maybe hip is better.

Wow! Thanks, everyone! I do want to learn from the Egyptians to get the most authentic perspective.

I use tatib as opposed to a cane. Go to Home Depot. Buy dowels. Cut to the length which best suits you. Sand, stain and there you go.

Fifi did take us to task about using the canes made of thin cane. She felt that they didn't move very well. Amoung other things. She used her own personal cane which she brought from Egypt.

I know that Morocco also uses a cane which is much more substantial than thos most of us use.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by laura 2

I recently took an assaya workhshop with Alexandra King, and she said the cane should come up to your belly button to be the correct length. Mine seens a little unwieldly for me at the length though, so maybe hip is better.

I do bellybutton height too and it's perfect... maybe it has to do with arm length.

...you know how some women have proportionally shorter arms and some longer, well I'm a shorty so maybe that's why .w.:

I found this clip of Olga Nour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL9bmpXKdxU

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

I use tatib as opposed to a cane. Go to Home Depot. Buy dowels. Cut to the length which best suits you. Sand, stain and there you go.

Fifi did take us to task about using the canes made of thin cane. She felt that they didn't move very well. Amoung other things. She used her own personal cane which she brought from Egypt.

I know that Morocco also uses a cane which is much more substantial than thos most of us use.

{{{HUGS}}}

Tahira, what's the diameter of your dowel? 1/2"? 3/4"?

Also, I'd rather wrap mine in reflective (holographic) tape. Does anyone know where to get some?

Tahtib gives you so much more versatility than the standard cane, I agree with the advice above. You can do cool stuff like bounce it, flip it, etc., and not have to worry about that crook part getting in the way.

I hadn't thought about the arm length. Mine are short T Rex arms. When I do staff pose with my spine as long as it can be and my wrists bent at 90 degrees I can't touch the ground. I would say that you just have to test drive a potential cane. Give it a few spins and make sure it doesn't hit the floor.

I have both 1/2 and 3/4". For most things, I like the 3/4 best. As they are inexpensive, I would suggest you experiment to see what works best for you.

Reflective tape - bycicle shops. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks for the dowel info. I was looking at getting a cane cane because of the look but probably a dowel would be easier, if only because I can make it the appropriate height and have fun decorating it :)

I prefer a wooden cane to a lightweight dowel bc they balance better for me. We just learnt a lovely short assaya with Morocco at Wamed in Perth *ahhhhh* just beautiful.

+1 on Nourhan's video.

Artemis Imports also sells some very nice looking canes.

Thanx for the length guide(s) - I know my cane is definitely too short, now I can at least figure out how much too short!

When Nourhan does workshops, does she often teach cane? She's coming here to teach a ws this summer and I'd love to learn it. :)

Asimatiyat, check with the event sponsor. Here, the sponsor and the instructor agree on what is going to be taught. If that hasn't been ironed out yet, maybe you could request cane. Even if she doesn't teach cane, you should go. She does a killer warm up and displays her great sense of humor during class. I've taken several seminars from her, and I learn something every time.

Does Sahra Saida have videos out?
She really is a Master with Saidi assaya!