Thread: Moves we shouldn't ever do?

It's a matter of artistic and aesthetic opinion, of course, and I thought I remembered a similar thread somewhere that I can't find. I'll describe the move I just saw on youTube that incited my post: it's a standing on one leg hip bounce, facing sideways with the lifted leg toward the audience. .w.: That leg was waaay lifted, like her thigh was at a 90 degree angle from her body with her lower leg dangling down (toes not pointed, no less). The otherwise lovely dancer I was watching wasn't flattered by this move at all! Add to that the her skirt slit was on that leg so when she did that move you could see very high up on her right thigh. YIKES.

What other moves have you seen that shouldn't be done or just should be wiped out of our collective dance memories? We all know about the really bad ones like the audience facing backbends and 'naughty' floorwork...I was just curious what movements in your opinion, shouldn't be done, even when executed well. Thanks Bhuzzers!

i used to shy away from turkish hand shimmies, but sometimes i really feel it!
i got tired of hearing, "jazz hands". i decided to get the move off the do not list, it needs to be used to be understood.
but 1 move i find should be left out?
dolphin poses during floor work.
poseing during what is supposed to be a spirtuasl moment just rubs me wrong.

While I don't love the idea of universally banning specific moves, I HATE that wide-legged squat that Ansuya does, and everybody tries to imitate. It kind of looks like you're about to go Number Two on the stage and it's just not ladylike.

This position probably has its place in classical Indian dance - but in a dance form where we're so conscientious about keeping our legs together, it just looks terribly out of place in BD.

Funny you should say that but, and lots and lots of dancers do this, but I don't like wide-legged backbends. My favourite dancer (Tulay Karaca) does this, but I just don't like it! At least she keeps her lady-garden facing the back of the stage though.

you guys made me laugh ! lady garden !!!
i studied with ansuyas mom.we NEVER did it.she gets a lot of stuff from her dad being east indian.big romantic story about how is family ruled something till forced out of the country.
i remember a big painting of him...and he wasn't squating either.

It's not an obscene move, but I want to vote for pulling your veil all the way over your head and then dancing around. I'm not a huge fan of this move when it's done with a sheer veil, but when you are using an opaque veil, I think it looks completely ridiculous, and it is distracting to watch. Instead of being able to concentrate on your dancing, your audience is now bracing itself to watch you accidentally trip, walk into something, or fall off the edge of the stage, courtesy of the "exotic" and "mysterious" three-yard blindfold you're wearing.

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

While I don't love the idea of universally banning specific moves, I HATE that wide-legged squat that Ansuya does, and everybody tries to imitate. It kind of looks like you're about to go Number Two on the stage and it's just not ladylike.

Randa did this, just briefly as a lunge, in one of the videos recently posted here and it just looked so ugly IMO -- kind of ruined what was an impeccable show up until then.

My personal pet peeve is the big, slow, giant hip circle with the butt straight to the audience.

Originally Posted by nasila

Randa did this, just briefly as a lunge, in one of the videos recently posted here and it just looked so ugly IMO -- kind of ruined what was an impeccable show up until then.

My personal pet peeve is the big, slow, giant hip circle with the butt straight to the audience.

Ugh, that doesn't seem like a very "Randa" move.

I love the big hip circles, and I'm guilty as charged - but I completely agree that they look goofy with your butt to the audience. Only Dina can pull that off.

Originally Posted by nasila

Randa did this, just briefly as a lunge, in one of the videos recently posted here and it just looked so ugly IMO -- kind of ruined what was an impeccable show up until then.

My personal pet peeve is the big, slow, giant hip circle with the butt straight to the audience.

i don't like the booty-circle-to-audience either. it seems unnecessarily crass imo. also don't like the wide legged choo choo shimmies in the semi-squati position. it definitely has its placein other dance forms, but i don't like seeing it in a tight egyptian lycra skirt. that's my personal taste

I nominate choo choo shimmy in a wide stance. I cringe every time I see this, fortunately it's not too often...

Mahin

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

While I don't love the idea of universally banning specific moves, I HATE that wide-legged squat that Ansuya does, and everybody tries to imitate. It kind of looks like you're about to go Number Two on the stage and it's just not ladylike.

lmao! That was too funny. ..l;,

A wide legged choo choo shimmy? I'm not sure I could even do that. Lady garden...snicker....

Originally Posted by Doozer

A wide legged choo choo shimmy? I'm not sure I could even do that.

I've seen it done before, but only by linebackers. And it wasn't so delicate

Originally Posted by Doozer

It's a matter of artistic and aesthetic opinion, of course, and I thought I remembered a similar thread somewhere that I can't find. I'll describe the move I just saw on youTube that incited my post: it's a standing on one leg hip bounce, facing sideways with the lifted leg toward the audience. .w.: That leg was waaay lifted, like her thigh was at a 90 degree angle from her body with her lower leg dangling down (toes not pointed, no less). The otherwise lovely dancer I was watching wasn't flattered by this move at all! Add to that the her skirt slit was on that leg so when she did that move you could see very high up on her right thigh. YIKES.

The move you describe sounds like a common Saidi movement...but her toes should have been pointed.

Two words: Raqs Toucan.

(See thread: "OMG Look What I Found on YouTube")

Re: Ansuya's "Indian" squat travel...

Unless she's taken it from Kathakali - it's NOT a typical Indian dance move.

Bharata Natyam has a plie position with the ankles close and in.

I personally think it's just something she tought was cool and thus started doing it. Ansuya is a huge fusionista so it's not so strange that she comes up with rather eclectic stuff.

I think that the "squat" Randa does is different than the one Ansuya does, Nasila?

The wide legged choo choo when done right is taken from Brazilian Samba - BUT most people I see doing it just look like they forgot to hold their core, stuck their buttaaackhs out and forgot to bring their legs closer together when they do it....

I dont know, I dont think I have any movement on my banned list if they are done in proper form, posture...whether they go with the music and the rest of the performance - THATs a different story... lol

DaVid

Originally Posted by david

I think that the "squat" Randa does is different than the one Ansuya does, Nasila?

It's right here, at about 2:27. She also does the big butt circle, but goes juuuuust fast enough, with a little bounce, that you're not quite forced to focus on her arse hole. ;)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eBdjqixRs0]YouTube - Randa Kamel Bellydance (2/3) / رندا كمال[/ame]


I've seen Ansuya get into that squatting position and then crawl sideways, not at all unlike what my kids do in opposite directions from one another with their claws up in the air -- "crab dance." Somehow she can pull it off, but I really don't think anyone else should attempt it. Unless, of course, they're imitating a crustacean.

Originally Posted by Nepenthe

The move you describe sounds like a common Saidi movement...but her toes should have been pointed.

Not necessarily, though, for Saidi (according to Sahra anyways). It can be part of the Saidi posturing, since most often they wear slippers with no backs that would slip off if they pointed their toes!

Love the video of Randa...
I'm guessing a man filmed that?? he he

not a jazz hand fan... if you feel it, go for it, but not for me :o)
floor work, i feel like so many people are so careless with their floorwork, please do not put your crotch to me, and do not spread your legs, at any point, lol without good body lines.
and the leg shimmie of floorwork, i used to think was ok if people keep their toe on the ground but only like 10% of people actually do this....

Besos!!!

This is so great! It's nice that everyone's being polite, yet honest. It's confounding, however, when famous dancers do things we've been taught to never do. That brings to question why is there a 'double standard'?

Originally Posted by AmandaRose2

and the leg shimmie of floorwork, i used to think was ok if people keep their toe on the ground but only like 10% of people actually do this....

Besos!!!

If we're thinking of the same leg shimmy, I don't like it because it reminds me of what dogs do when they get their ears scratched.

Originally Posted by nasila

I've seen Ansuya get into that squatting position and then crawl sideways, not at all unlike what my kids do in opposite directions from one another with their claws up in the air -- "crab dance." Somehow she can pull it off, but I really don't think anyone else should attempt it. Unless, of course, they're imitating a crustacean.

From what you're describing, it sounds like she borrowed her move from MC Hammer. Isn't that how you'd describe what hip hop dancers call the "Chinese Typewriter"?

Originally Posted by Doozer

This is so great! It's nice that everyone's being polite, yet honest. It's confounding, however, when famous dancers do things we've been taught to never do. That brings to question why is there a 'double standard'?

There's always been a double standard, and top-name artists can get away with things that everybody else can't. How would your high-school art teacher have liked it if you'd submitted a crucifix in a jar of urine for your mixed-media project? Would you wear one of those Dina "hand" costumes to a hafla?

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

From what you're describing, it sounds like she borrowed her move from MC Hammer. Isn't that how you'd describe what hip hop dancers call the "Chinese Typewriter"?

Sounds right. Except on releve and with a layered chest circle.

I wish floorwork could be erased, NOT the dancers who do floorwork, just the moves. This is just my opinion; I don't care if your are the one and only GOD ALMIGHTY, doing your best one legged shimmy while undulating on the floor, it is just WRONG, WRONG,WRONG!!!.. ..l;,

Mind you, a question was asked and I gave my honest personal opinion.

Forward or back horizontal 8s with the feet open past the hip line.

ACK!!!!!!!!

Deborah

Originally Posted by MahinS

Love the video of Randa...
I'm guessing a man filmed that?? he he

Yea, the boob close-up at the end kind of gave it away.

Originally Posted by casbahdance

Forward or back horizontal 8s with the feet open past the hip line.

ACK!!!!!!!!

Deborah

The one thing that looks worse is an OMI in this stance

Originally Posted by rachelw

If we're thinking of the same leg shimmy, I don't like it because it reminds me of what dogs do when they get their ears scratched.

Ahhh, the calf shimmy, I believe. I never thought of it that way until you mentioned it...

I've never been a fan of floorwork or shimmying on the floor, unless it's for Shamadan.

And chest drops are great, but when done stiffly and forcefully, it just looks reallyawkward.

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

And chest drops are great, but when done stiffly and forcefully, it just looks reallyawkward.

We have Shakira and her legions of wannabes to thank for this one!

Note: Shakira is one of my favorite musicians, but not the be-all, end-all of good dancing, and certainly not an authentic dancer.