Thread: Belly Aerobics Questions

ok, so I am beginning the research of possibly teaching a belly aerobics class. I already teach a beginner and intermediate cabaret bellydance class so this is a step in another direction. I have a great core group of students but I am losing many to Zumba classes because many people are looking for more of an aerobic workout than a disciplined dance class. ..cr.:..cr.:

So - what does this take? Is there a foundation that you follow?

I am working on my AFAA certification so I know that will help but I just worry...

How does one teach bellydance movements for workout without really explaining proper posture and execution.

Heck, there are some times that I only teach 1-2 movements in a class because I want people to do this correctly - without injury.

help...suggestions? ..c::

I spend a little time on posture on every class, but on Tuesdays..I make sure the workout is the focus. I, too, am competing with Zumba..which is dreadful on my back, and posture is never discussed - as far as I can tell. So I work it like a drill class from the feet up, giving each part of the body a work out as I work my way up. I will indicate modifications for those that want an increased heart rate, and work it so that we have a gentle incline/decline in intensity within 10 minute increments. I strongly suggest that beginners come to my beginner only class for at least 8 classes before taking on the drill class.

thank you...my issue is that I have a crop of ladies who are not even interested in taking 8 weeks of my class. They want a zumba workout with bellydance movements.

It sucks. All these ladies want to say "I take bellydance" without ever stepping into a bellydance structured class.

That is like me saying...I take this ballet conditioning class, I think I am gonna dance the nutcracker!

But, I gotta conform a little to where the money is. I am not going to give up my dance classes nor am I gonna change them to fit the demands in front of me but..I would love to use the "Belly Aerobics" as a hook to bring in some potentially new students.

You know...do the "If you really want to learn bellydance, join my class on...."

Talk to Oreet; she has developed an AAFA and ACE accredited belly dance/fitness technique that addresses all of the posture and alignment concerns.
In order to teach this specific format, you'd need to take her instructor training course, and complete your AFAA or ACE certification, it's well worth it, this is a format that you can teach beyond the dance studio, places like 24 Hour Fitness, and Bally's, Club Sport are picking it up in addition to (or instead of)Zumba...
http://www.sharqui.com/WebsiteSharQu...ngBrochure.PDF

Check it out!

I think the appeal of the Zumba class is the endorphin high they get after a moderately strenuous work out. I can dig that...so I would pick the simplest, non complicated moves that are least likely to cause confusion and or injury. No omi, no full body undulation and lotsa step hip and grapevine. You will be bored to tears ... but the proof of the pudding for them is the sweat factor, and a bit of muscle soreness the next day, mission accomplished.

Talk to Oreet; she has developed an AAFA and ACE accredited belly dance/fitness technique that addresses all of the posture and alignment concerns.

That looks very interesting...

Originally Posted by anala

pick the simplest, non complicated moves that are least likely to cause confusion and or injury. No omi, no full body undulation and lotsa step hip and grapevine. You will be bored to tears ... but the proof of the pudding for them is the sweat factor, and a bit of muscle soreness the next day, mission accomplished.

This is pretty much how I run my Raqsercise class. Very simple movements, lots of footwork from side to side and forward to back, a song that can be easily broken in to 8 counts, and a maximum of 4 movements/steps in an entire song, repeated ad infinitum.

Originally Posted by laura 2

This is pretty much how I run my Raqsercise class. Very simple movements, lots of footwork from side to side and forward to back, a song that can be easily broken in to 8 counts, and a maximum of 4 movements/steps in an entire song, repeated ad infinitum.

ahhh..that is exactly how the zumba classes run. I see.

I have been really interested in Oreet's format...

Research continues ;-)

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

ahhh..that is exactly how the zumba classes run. I see.

I modeled Raqsercise after Zumba after taking Zumba twice a week for about a year (I finally had to give it up as it was too high impact and took a toll on my knees). I describe Raqsercise as "like Zumba, but with Belly Dance movements instead of Latin Dance movements."

That is what I was thinking. I too have been doing Zumba and was seeing that it could be really easy to tie in some steps and stuff to make it more bellydance related. My concern was injury but I see all these ladies doing hip movements and stuff in Zumba without concern....

Thank you...My research continues...

Kiyanna is a certified Sharqui instructor (Oreet's AFFA certified method) and was kind enough to answer several questions I had about this type of teaching and certification.

I do Bellydancerize classes for the "just exercise please" market. In the brief warm up I go over posture; "stacking" the feet, knees, hips, chest, head in the proper column; contract abs to reduce pressure on spine. I give safety tips all thruout. People who want to jump around need to know it can be tough on knees. I add jumping parts to increase heart rate: lots of step touch w bounce, bouncy hip drops folky style, fast grapevines. Front/back step (scissor step, karshilama step)works great! - w or w/out hip shimmies or hip push - Side step walking hip shimmies, debke type hops. Walking hip bumps, hop, walk back, stuff like that. Step-hip [basic Egyptian walk was name I learned] with arms going overhead in arc and down increases heart rate and builds coordination. Changing sides quickly & head tosses add to the increased activity pace.
"All done to the irresistible rhythms and entrancing melodies of the Middle East, the Mediterranean, North Africa plus exciting world fusion sounds!"
Some of them get hooked on the music & cool moves & want more, start coming to dance classes. Yay! Always bring albums with pics of you & dance buddies in fabulous costumes to be on display & copies of Bellydance magazines. I also bring hip scarves for class, small coin ones or just triangle scarf with chainette fringe. I don't mind the coin ones in class, some teachers do; but the newbies & exercisers get such a kick out of them.
*runs off to check out Oreet's stuff*
It can be a lot of fun and helps me stay in shape too!

Okay, and I have to confess, I go into high pep mode of instruction: "Yeah, now those hips are shakin!" "Let's get the oomph really crankin"
"Wow, check yourselves OUT!" Hey, I'm selling ME [me, not Middle East :-)], having fun, staying in shape, giggles & sweat, what could be better. I am almost always the oldest one in the class...

I'd like to her more about your Raqsercise format if you don't mind, Laura... I teach Zumba and my class is more dancey than most because I am not a big fan of the thoughtlessly high impact cardio. My students never complain that I don't make them sweat ;). I have a shimmy drill to a drum solo that I stick in there but I'd like to give them a bellydance chorey too. So what kind of bellydance movements do you add to some of the usual basic footwork that still gives them a cardio workout?

Originally Posted by shimarella

I'd like to her more about your Raqsercise format if you don't mind, Laura... I teach Zumba and my class is more dancey than most because I am not a big fan of the thoughtlessly high impact cardio. My students never complain that I don't make them sweat ;). I have a shimmy drill to a drum solo that I stick in there but I'd like to give them a bellydance chorey too. So what kind of bellydance movements do you add to some of the usual basic footwork that still gives them a cardio workout?

Let's see...Egyptian walks (cross-bump or step hip lift), traveling hip lifts to the side and forward/back, moving hip bumps, traveling small horizontal hip circles (not ommis). Basically I try to keep the range of movement entirely horizontal or vertical. I also have them layer upper body and arm/hand movements on a non-BD lower body movement, like shallow knee bends while doing wrist circles continuously. It doesn't sound like much, but once you get to the end of a 4 minute song we're all sweating buckets, me included. Saiidi is also fantastic cardio - put on Luxor Baladina and watch the heart rate climb!

Just raising the arms above the heart during a basic drill will have a big impact on the effort required.

Hello,

There will be a SharQui Instructor Training from May 21-23 in San Francisco. Please visit SharQui The Bellydance Workout for more info and to download the registration form and agreement. Thanks for your interest in SharQui!

Oreet

Originally Posted by oreet

Hello,

There will be a SharQui Instructor Training from May 21-23 in San Francisco. Please visit SharQui The Bellydance Workout for more info and to download the registration form and agreement. Thanks for your interest in SharQui!

Oreet

Hi Oreet,

Are you planning any trainings in the Virginia/Maryland area, or anywhere in the Southeast?

Originally Posted by anala

Just raising the arms above the heart during a basic drill will have a big impact on the effort required.

It sure will but some teachers use this position too much and for too long a period of time. It could be dangerous for some women of the GP who only occasionally exercise because this position raises the blood pressure. Just FYI.

Originally Posted by Salena

Talk to Oreet; she has developed an AAFA and ACE accredited belly dance/fitness technique that addresses all of the posture and alignment concerns.
In order to teach this specific format, you'd need to take her instructor training course, and complete your AFAA or ACE certification, it's well worth it, this is a format that you can teach beyond the dance studio, places like 24 Hour Fitness, and Bally's, Club Sport are picking it up in addition to (or instead of)Zumba...
http://www.sharqui.com/WebsiteSharQu...ngBrochure.PDF

Check it out!

I second this suggestion!

Originally Posted by Hechicera

Hi Oreet,

Are you planning any trainings in the Virginia/Maryland area, or anywhere in the Southeast?

Hello,

I plan on having a certification course in June in NYC. Would you like to be included in that email list? If so, then email me at oreet@sharqui.com.

If any of you would like to host a certification in your home town I am willing to do that if I have a minimum of 7 people interested. Feel free to contact me and we can speak further about this option.

Thanks so much ladies for your interest in SharQui!

Respectfully,
Oreet

Originally Posted by anala

Just raising the arms above the heart during a basic drill will have a big impact on the effort required.

I started in a bellydance fitness classes and our arms were always up. It makes a huge difference. <flexes>

Our instructor started out with instruction on a couple of moves each class and then integrated them into a 'follow the bouncing butt' routine with blocks of repeated moves.

She also kept hip scarves for people to use. I think it makes a big difference because shimmying without those flashy coins can be a bit horrifying if you haven't seen your flesh jiggle. And who doesn't like shiny objects?

well my teacher always required them to take at least a few beginning classes first.

but

I would probably make them like other dance aerobic /aerobic classes.. most of them do choreography based on moves..but! you can choose a few dance moves to be the main learning focus of each class and just build on from there and reintegrate as new students jump in and out.

the idea is to teach them as you go..but most aerobic instructors I know start the class showing them the new moves then incorporating them into the workout and building them up.

ALWAY EMPISIS POSTURE AND PROPER BODY ELINMENT!! The last thing you want is some one to get hurt and like any form of moment even workouts...there is a right and wrong way to do it.. also always have a warm up and cool down.

Good luck!

Ruby