Thread: Arms!

No sure which category this belongs to but here goes anyhow.

My arms are yuk and I don't just mean the bingo wings! I don't know what direction to go in to develop arms that move in a bellydance manner. From doing ballet as a child, the overall impression of my arm carriage isn't so bad but I throw in these tiny tics and drifts that are not intended, and in general my arms appear blah to me. I know this is really common to have the hips/torso outpace the arms. I'm also at a creative loss for what to do with the arms beyond framing the body and not letting them get in the way. I've used a few tribal arms dvds which are great for posture and endurance but they're not really the effect I'm after. Any words of advice, dvds to recommended or particular dancers to study who have ideal "bellydance" arms?

Now, does anybody have a solution to bingo-wings?..g.:

Imagine holding little balloons under your arms (takes care of Tyrannosaurus Rex arms) and keep your elbows pointed to the back (instant arm lift).

I like Zaina Hart's video, Wings of the Phoenix, for non-tribal arms.

http://www.zainahart.com/zaina/shopping.html

It's $40. She gives you lots of information about strong arms; and she does have the most incredible dancing arms -- holds you mesmerized.

Sahra's also got a good arms video

http://www.sahrasaeeda.com/layaliyasmine/Videos.html

But I think I've learned the most by dancing along with videos of performers who I think have exquisite arms that I'd like to emulate. That and just strengthening my arms, back and body have done a lot to help. Also the realization that arm movement actually starts in my torso, and not in the arms themselves has improved the quality of my arms.

I'd say, time to hit youtube and see which dancers have the best arms, then buy some DVDs of them to work with.

I made a short playlist of dancers whose arms I really like for one reason or another. Your list might be different, but this could be a place to start.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_lis...8BD12B50911E6A

T-rex arms! Love it. I always called that "The Claw" because I only do it with one arm when I'm trying to remember a choreography.

Thanks for the input, ladies. I am going to research it all. I never thought of arms originating in the torso - will have to mull that one over. And never thought of following along with video on youtube. Great ideas.

I'm hell-bent on making this the year (or 2,3...?) that my arms catch up to torso and hips. It's going to be my new-year's resolution and I know it will be a lot harder than last year's, when I decided to put my dog on a diet!..l;,