practise regime? what's yours?

khalilaNZ · 01-08-2008, 07:00 AM

OK. So for the first time in 25 years I am not working. and I can dance or train or excersise or whatever I want whenever I want!! Yeah, I feel lucky!! My question is, how much time and energy do you all put into bellydance? Do you dance an hour a week? and hour a day? 3 hours a day?

danidance · 01-08-2008, 07:44 AM

My practice regime is to read about you all practicing.

(I am the world's worst practicer, which means.....yep.)

jenlindseys · 01-08-2008, 08:32 AM

Oh boy! I wish I had the time to practice 3 hours a day! I work full time (with an hour commute to work) and am working on a masters degree in the evening. While trying to stay in shape, spend time with my boyfriend, go to dance class, see family, & take part in all my numerous hobbies. I am not a professional dancer, so I'm not the response you're looking for...I'm sure. I typically practice at home for a workout and to improve my dancing. The best way I have found is to make myself dance at home at least 4 times a week and I make this cardio time too. I do about 45 minutes where I just put on music and dance. For the first 15 minutes I make myself go through all the basic moves (stuff you would teach your beginners) and the last 30 minutes I just improv to fun songs that I like to dance to.

I'm not much help, I know....but do respond with your regimen! I am so jealous of all the ladies that can spend their full time life dancing and taking care of their bodies! I do my best....I like to think anyhow!

Good Luck

nasila · 01-08-2008, 10:00 AM

I usually do 30 min to an hour right after the shower (I'll dance as long as the kids will let me!) in the morning, then either a class or rehearsal or restaurant work just about every night. And then I usually come home and dance more! Saturdays are more intensive; I'll either do back-to-back classes or work on a new choreography for a few hours.

The best, tho, is that little time in the morning...that's when I put the iPod on shuffle and just improv to random songs.

Zana · 01-08-2008, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasila

The best, tho, is that little time in the morning...that's when I put the iPod on shuffle and just improv to random songs.

I am so stealing this.
Just got an iPod for Christmas and have been looking for ways to use it to kick things up a notch. Thanks!

Adishakti · 01-08-2008, 11:25 AM

I work part time and am home the bulk of most weekdays, so really... I just put music on for most of the day while tending to housework or whatever, and I practice for random bits throughout the day. Usually, what I do is improv to music, focusing on one thing. It could be a particular new move I'm fond of, posture, arabesques, zills... whatever. So, it's always fun practice and not just dancing around.

Rarely am I motivated enough to put an instructional video on and plug away like that. I get bored doing an instructional more than once or twice as a rule, but I take the ideas from them and use them in my semi-structured improv.
Usually, I wind up dancing at least an hour each day when I add it up. It depends on my schedule and determination.

Another thing that's helped me a lot is watching performance videos. I used to read before bed... now I watch dance videos. Thankfully hubby doesn't mind. We cuddle and he watches them with me. :-) There's a LOT to be learned from surrounding yourself with music and talented dance.

Sorry to say I don't have a structured regime, but this has worked for me very well. It keeps dance fun for me, yet I still find steady improvements at a speed I'm happy with. The only time I really drill myself is prior to a show, at which point I'll set aside a couple hours every day for a week or two and just go over the piece and involved technique... over... and over.... and over....

laura 2 · 01-08-2008, 11:52 AM

I get a lot of my basic drilling (shimmies, etc) from teaching 7-10 classes per week. Outside of that, I'll usually put in about an hour or so 3 times a week. Sometimes that includes a private lesson with my teacher; I try to do them at least twice a month when she's not on the road, though If she were local, I'd definately do weekly lessons. Similar to Adi, if I'm rehearsing for or building a choreo for a show, I'll usually practice at least an hour or two every day the couple of weeks leading up to the event.

I did slack off over the holidays, though. I didn't teach at all and I only practiced maybe 3 times between Christmas and New Years, which is very unusual. Bad Galatea!

khalilaNZ · 01-08-2008, 03:44 PM

Crikey!! lol, well I don't USUALLY dance 3 hours aday!! It's interesting to read that some people incorporate the houswork into their practise - in the past when I have suggested a 3/4 shimmy down the hall to the linen cupboard to students they have looked at me blankly. At the moment I am trying to increase my strength and endurance - I did Aziza's workshops when she came to Singapore and was dying in the last hour of each workshop. I was significantly older than the majority of the teeny boppers there... but still! This weekend we have Prof Khalil and Nuriyya - I hope I make it through.....

Azhia · 01-08-2008, 06:30 PM

Strength+Endurance=Suhaila Workshop. I don't know if she ever goes to S'pore, though. I think all you have to do is step outside your door to practice strength and endurance in THAT weather!!! ;op I think Yousry Sharif comes to Singapore. I've never taken from so I don't know how much of that he is into.

zumarrad · 01-09-2008, 06:06 PM

Practice regime:

1) Think about choreo you need to learn.
2) Shimmy a bit.
3) Walk down street thinking about stuff. Attempt to covertly practice footwork.
4) Stand at bus stop. Get bored, shimmy.
5) Sit at desk, squeezing glutes for no good reason. Attempt belly roll.
6) Get up and practice some figure or combo when nobody is looking.
7) Go to class and teach.
8) (optional) Get all fired up and practice after class for a bit.
9) Think about needing to practice more.