RVSAID1989′S REQUEST

Hello people. Okay time i am fulfilling a request i got several times from RVSAID1989. I am sorry i took some time. I had been busy with filming…i think some of you know that i recently started a production company, and it takes alot of my time. So i am commiting myself to posting tiny bits of information for you guys.

So well nothing much quite to say here. I am just updating stuff with you guys. So here in this video i am just basically breaking down a move. And do post responses back. I am not a professional teacher, but i might just be able to tell you whether it looks right enough. 

UPDATES UPDATES UPDATES!

I don’t usually watch my old videos or anything i post on youtube. Because….I’m shy. Lol. So when i was preparing for a performance, i had to look at my old videos. I was watching the first Sahra Saidi drum solo i did. 

It was hmmm….When i look back, i think ive improved a fair bit. And i realized how important drilling is and how much it can help. Last time, moving those hips was not that fluid for me honestly. Sometimes i end up having muscle cramps. I have to thank all those drilling sessions i had. Its the same old Mantra i tell you all the time. Dance that step throughout that song. Well thats what i do atleast. Alot of us don’t have the patience to see ourselves grow. We want results instantly. Honestly thats not going to happen, The more we try, the better we be. Thats why ive to thank alot of those who gave me comments and feedback on my dancing. Feedback sure makes a difference. I am still looking forward for all your feedback.

MICHAEL JACKSON…R.I.P

I am NOT over this man yet! As a kid i used to watch him…i grew up looking at him. And he inspired me in many ways. I used to remmeber dancing late at night – Not bellydance…But whatever i could imitate off him.

Well, he is good human too….He was so humble and helped so many…

Something more interesting i want to share with you people is the things he taught about dance. I was reading his biography and watching his interviews. He mentioned something about becoming the instrument when you dance….the worst thing a dancer can do is THINK…and to just feel your way through. And ever since that, i did just what the guru said. I became the drum for my latest performance. I was so sad about him, i thought of him and danced lol…Like a tribute to guy you grew up listening to. And i can tell you, i felt the difference. I am all excited to post  info video about all that we bellydancers can learn from the king of pop. He can never be forgotten. God bless him. And god bless you all as well. Take care guys!

WEIGHT BELTS IN BELLYDANCE

bellydance practise with weight belts

So here i am back with weight belts. There’s been a long enough dispute on whether weights are safe or not. I used my trusty scuba diving weights all this while. Ive used it for nearly a year. And im totally fine actually. I guess im a living example that weights are not dangerous after all. But there are still safety concerns. If used incorrectly, definitely it will cause you harm.

I like weights because it gives me extra challenge that i need. All of us wants to progress faster on the dancing scale. So thats my main reason to use weights.

What improvments do i see on myself?
Definitely i learn faster. Isolation is perfected faster with weights. I use it solely for isolation. My muscles get stronger. It seem to help layering too. I don’t know how. It does give alot of extra oomph in your workout. So it benefits you in building your abs.

Usual questions i get regarding weights?
Does it ache?
Yes

Does it help you lose weight
Yes

Is it dangerous?
Not for me atleast.

Can regular weights work?
Yes. But you can still get the fancy ones if you can afford it?

How do I use it?
From what i hear. Make sure you have even amount of weights on both sides of your hips. Then just go on drilling.

Where can i buy weights?
Scuba diving shops, Ebay. Special bellydance weight belts.

How much would it be?
In singapore it comes up to 30. Its pretty affordable here.

How regular should i practise with weights?
As much you want.

I was very much worried to just go on recommending weights. So initially, many months back i decided to experiment it on myself to check if it would have any drastic effects. I do have a responsibility over my viewers and i wouldnt want to recommend anything that could cause harm.

But after so many months of use, i think and i believe its safe. It seems safe on me.

But before i go, dear comrades let me just leave you a qoute regarding weightbelts that my grandmother told me before she passed away. Actually her last words.

“With great responsibility, comes great abs”

Im serious. Just be responsible with your weights. If you dont secure it well or don’t practise reponsbiliy around weights, you would eventually lose your hips, belly, intestines and all other body parts. 

Sabreena

HOW TO FLUTTER (BELLYDANCE)

Belly flutters attempt 1

I am back with a home video after a super long time. I had been really busy. I finally managed to squeeze out flutters so i decided to post it. I couldnt do flutters at all. I decided to dance to a random indian 80’s song cos i kept listening to it. I am not actually dancing to it. I edited to it

What are flutters?

Its sucking in and out the diaphram. Or like some people say The first muscle. The one between your rib cage. Its not easy to do it at 1st. To me its harder than the belly roll. But the belly roll sure does train your stomach to do flutters.

 

How does one practise to do flutters?

It took me nearly a year to learn this setp on my own. I kept looking at dance dvds that teach me this step. Unfortunately i cant recommend you any one at the moment. Many just demonstarte the step and tell us what muscle to do move. So what i do is lie down on my bed, facing the ceiling. And i suck in and out my diaphram. Its alot easier when you are lying down.

Then i put one music and flutter according to the beats. Flutters also make ur belly rolls look better. I flutter to a whole song as usual.

I once heard Yame a fellow dancer felt one should just do a certain amount of repetitions.  But i just prefer doing it for a whole song. For me, its easier for my body to recgonise and get used to the pattern. A little time consuiming. But works for me.

Emails and songs

People have resquested songs from me. Unfortunately, Gmail sometimes fails to send it over. I apologise for that. But for those who got it, lucky you!

But dont hesistate to still message me. Gmail’s a little cranky at times on me. So maybe sometimes you might just get lucky. 

Updates about me…

Im learning cane bellydance. My teacher is awesome. She makes sure no one whacks anyone in the rpocess of dancing. Cane is pretty fun. But im not good in it. I have to PRACTISE!

I also lost my rabbit Panda who is nearly 9. The one one my youtube page with sundari. He passed away of old age. It has been hard.

Before i go, some bellydance makeup that ive been practising

I used mac carbon and club on the 2nd pic.

The 1st one is alot simpler. 2 dark sjadows from body shop. I perefr simple makeup for bellydance. So tihis are some choices you can tink of

BELLYGRAM OUL TANI KEDA

Hello guys. How have you been? I have just uploaded a dance i did for a private belly function. Its oul tani keda by Nancy Ajram. The audience was just awesome. The space was pretty small but i managed somehow. I have been really busy with shoots and therefore the lack of homevideos. I am planning to show you guys the choreography of this song. Its pretty easy to work with and learn. I would rate it intermediate actually.

Spacial reality

I just thought of bringing this up. People perform for gigs not quite knowing the amount of space they have to work with. If you know, thats great. If you don’t know just learn to expect the unexpected.

Many of us choreograph. Some of this choreos do have lots of spins and turns or just dance on the spot. When we realize a lack of space, it does get a little disorientating. But we all have to learn to work with the space given or just improvise. I know this sounds very basic. But i guess its imporant for those who are just starting to perform.

So what do i do?

Well its hard to say, unless you know exactly where you are performing. The best you can do is to ENQUIRE. Ask them where exactly you are performing. Some weddings provide you with stages. Smtimes they are big…smtimes just small.

I usually go by guessing

If i hear there;s a stage, i would enquire how big it is. Or when i take a look at it before stepping, i make a mental calculation on how big my steps should be. 

Private birthdays

This one…you can expect a tiny spot. You might want to do away or minimize your spins cos if you are gonna spin, you’ll sure hit someone.

Small stages

You can have spins and turns here for sure, Just make sure you dont spin out of the stage

Sometimes your audience would gather around you in a circle. So its important to do steps facing them all. Rather than just the front audiene getting the best of your dance steps,

Being a dancer is not easy. Its all about adjustment. Sometimes the music can just stop halfway or things can just happen. It has happened to me twice. Its how you mask it and move on. Its hard to concentrate on alot of things. But just it let it loose and be mindful of your audinece. Try to give your 100%. I cant say this was my best. But we just have to work around it. 

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. Keep your questions coming in…

 

Sabreena

TARKAN BELLYDANCE/ TIPS ON A BELLYGRAM

Its been a long time since i posted a home video. I did this cos i needed to choreograph more songs for gigs. Apart from drum solos. And i needed a sort of workout with my upper body isolations. I realised i need to like oil my joints so i can have faster smoother and even tinier movements during layering. Quite honestly, it works for me very well. I usually do such isolation stuff before a gig.

What i do right before a gig

I am a bad planner. And pretty much last minute. So im the worst person for advise. But there are somethings i would wish to do. Like follow a proper schedule or something. In terms of preparatory exercises, i definitely do have some good stuff i do.

Preparatory exercises

People usually just practise and repractise their choreo. I used to do the same. But well just like an old machine needs oil. Preparatory exercises makes your performance smoother.

Isolation exercises

I usually do rip cricles to a whole 5 minute song. With my hands up high. It hurts like crazy. But it smooths your movement. Wen your hands are held up, your ribs need to do more work to move. And by the end of 5 minutes, you’d be cursing the music to end fast.

Other than rib circles, i do chest pops all the way. 5 minutes non stop.

Or vertical figure 8’s not on toes. All the way to a song. This really hurts!

And yes i would lie down and belly roll and flutter to a full song.

I am trying to do the same with snake arms. But its just too painful.

You can try it at the pool though. Hurts less. Just alot of people think you are drowning…

Things i wish i’d do

Make sure ur makeup is ready and your hairstyling stuff.

Pick your bellydancing attire a day earlier. So you can save time searching for it. Cos i often end up doing that.

Earrings accesories whatever. I NEVER wear fake eyelashes even though people feel bellydancers should! But ive no patience im pretty happy with what i have.

CD. That should be burned and tested days before your gig

Pack a bottle of water or something you can eat. Cos you wouldnt wanna drink anything there or expect someone to feed you. Its better not to…

If you are bringing a cam. Make sure its all charged and ready.

Dont forget name cards and whatever stuff you give to your client as a token of appreciation

Please bring along a shawl or anything that covers you when you are not dancing. This saves alot of bad impressions or saves you from sneaky bastards…

I usually bring a male friend along for all my gigs. It acts as a sort of protection too. My male friend (Chin Eng) also happens to be my cameraman.

Just remmeber to be early. I was late once. And i didnt really feel good about it. Though the hostess was really nice and all.

Tips after the gig

Do leave your name cards with your hosts or some token. I give them this “genieshanu” thank you card. So they would remember me. And i feel since they pay you, its best you thank them in some form. Its really funny when you have to make cards of yourslef. But well….

Dont hang out after the party! Really. They would invite you in most cases. But it just spoils your image.

———

These woud be tips from my own experiences. Just thought i would share with you. Do feedback to me. You can now safely expect more videos from me. Its just ive been so busy with school. I would upload some of my gigs and homevids soon….

Sabreena

DANCE PE CHANCE CONTEST!

SRK DANCE PE CHANCE

Hi guys

Well this time im back with a very different video. Not the usual bellydance. We are joining a SRK Dance PE cHANce contest where we have to do our own choreo for a bollywood song. My sisters really got excited. So i decided to try it out. I cant do much cos they arent trained dancers. They really did as mmuch as they could. So i had to simplify steps as we had a lack of time.

dO Rate comment and vote for us. Atleast for my sisters attempt. We did have a lot of fun doing it.

Some stuff i tried

Well whether its a contest or not, i do still have some stuff to share with you. Some time back, i wrote here that indian dance involved  facial expressions. Example, Bharathnatyam tells a story true gestures and facial expression. Gothic bellydance adopted that as well.

Well here, i just decide to use animated expressions. Expressions can be a choreography! People always tend to think dance is about moving body parts. But nope. Its about expression. And expression can come from any source. I wish people will involve more emotion and expressions for bellydance as well. It will bring dance to a whole new level.

Doing cute stuff always works as well. Its about being you in your dance. I would uplood more belly home vids soon. So please watch out for it,

Happy Shimmies!!!

Sabreena

Bellygram at Carlton

Hello there. Ive been uploading my performances recently. I am yet to do a home video. But before that I do owe Tommy a video. So just waiting for my messy life to clear up so i can do a good one.

Bellygrams

Well this was hell of a bellygram. Becos i cracked my toe nail from a bad fall few hours before this dance. It hurt really badly. N the bleeding was pretty bad. I was worried that i might not even be able to walk. But as they say, “The show must go on…”

So behind all the smile, there was excruciating pain. I managed to conceal it pretty well.

I had done this dtum solo several times already. I realised when one keeps doing the same drum solo, you are able to hit all the beats.

As a dancer, i really wish to perform a fresh new choreo everytime people see me. But doing a choreo you are used to, makes you the master of the dance.

So i guess ive to tell myself not to be too hard about making new choreos.

Expression

When we are used to a certain choreo…we dont think anymore. When we are on stage, we cant think about our next step. We should be free. Doing a choreo you are comforatble with, makes you more expressive with your hands, face and interact better with the audience.

Working on stuff to help dancers

Ive met many dancers who give up bellydancing after sometime due to problems or society. Its pretty sad that people do not understand the suffering behind an artist. Bellydance is not eye candy. It takes so much of effort to bring up a performance. Many dancers dance for the adreline rush and magic they get on stage. Thats what i do. The feeling is amazing.

I am ot sure if i am ready to take up requests yet. I am waiting for my busy schedule to lighten down a little.

Thanks for being there for me. Happy Shimmying!

Comedy POV video

My lecturer uploaded this. So here it is. I didnt want to upload this because one of the actresses didnt want it online. Well the school has put it up, so i have conveniently embedded it here. Ive experimented with comedy and visual elements. I dunno if comedy and bellydance goes well. But well…lol

Sabreena

Bellygram Performance

Hello i am back again. Sorry ive been away some time. And i couldnt do my home videos of my bellydance. I had been performing for the past month. And i hardly found time to make a quick home video. So now im going to upload some of the performances i did.

I am happy to see your support. Ive read the messages and the comments. And i feel alot happier when i see them. It just makes me feel that i am doing better and atleast there are people who appreciate what i do.

Ive read requests to teach bellydance online. I do not mind doing it. But i am no professional teacher. I do not mind at all to help. But its very important to get a professional teacher to help you with your dance.

Its nice of you guys to support my filmy stuff. The feedback was very useful so that i can know whether my use of visuals has bee good or not.

My next video

I would want to do a video centering around problems faced by bellydancers. These are based on my own experiences. So its not super accurate. But it had always been my concern. Many dancers are stereotyped in a certain light. And i would like to express that in my video.

What i have learnt?

Sometimes when we choreograph smtg, we feel really good about it. But as we keep dancing it over many occasions, we get bored of it. I usually love changing my choreographies everytime i get a new performance. But lately due to lack of time i couldnt. But i learnt that, the more you keep practising a certain choreography the more perfect you would be. This applies to drum solos. I found i was able to hit all the beats accurately.

Drum solos remind me of Dance Dance Revolution sometimes. You cant miss a single beat. I am also pretty much against strict choreographies. I usually do skeleton choreographies. Its just meant to be a guide for me. Dance is about expression and relating to your audience. If you choreograph too strictly, you will be concetrating on ot missing the next step.  you lose the connection with your audience

I learnt a few other things. Asian audiences really prefer the dancers on the stage. They do not like it at all if you come too close. Ive learnt how to keep my distance.

The moment you sense they are uncomfortable its best to pull away as soon as possible. If not it wil not create a good impression.

Apology to Tommy

Dear Tommy im sorry i couldnt do your video yet. I am waiting for my busy schedule to get less busy, so i can work on your music. I feel like i should work on it more, rather than posting something random.

Arms and postures

I really feel that practising with wings gives us more confidence with arm movements. I feel very restricted in where to place my arms during drum solos. Imagining having a veil or wings kinds of helps me at times. It makes my hand movements alot smoother. But i realise it has lots to do with comfort and confidence. The more comfortable you are with a choreo or a song, the more freedom n ease you wil have in concetrating on your arms. Bellydance is alot about multi tasking. So it gets very difficult to concentrate on your arms when you are moving numerous other muscles.

I had been experimenting with a flamenco skirt lately. It is pretty neat actually. I am going to learn flamenco bellydance soon. So it would probably add on more weight to my dance vocabulary. I still also make it a point to do drills few times a week. Never give up drilling, it just makes you a better dancer.

Do continue supporting the film making aspect of me at

http://camerastyloproductions.wordpress.com

Maybe in the future i cn make more filmy stuff related to bellydance.

Take care

Sabreena

Zara Zara bollywood bellydance

Hi everyone

I am back again this time with a music video. You guys are aware i study film. A group of film makers and i are launching our very own production team called CAMERA-STYLO PRODUCTIONS. We are film makers who write with our cameras.So this video is one of the 1st i decided to put under our production team.  More from the others will be coming up. Please support us @ our blog http://camerastyloproduction.wordpress.com

We do videos, short films and write articles. You can cotribute your reviews and articles at camerastyloproductions@gmail.com

This vid?

It was part of an assignment from my lecturer. He came up with this cool idea of shooting anytg uder the sun. He gave us freedom to do anytg! So i decided to make it like a mini short film. Unfortunately due to some problms from the co actress i cant upload it. She mite change her mind if she sees your responses.

So with the extra footage i decided to weave it into a music video. Film makers are like tailors…any footage can be changed into new designs.

Thankful to all of you!

Just as you guys support me for my bellydancing…do support the films we do as well. Ive been doing pretty good with my dancing. I had been performing for past 3 weeks and would share all the videos with you.

This video

This was the 1st time i danced with wings of isis. Hmm i wasnt taught how to use it. But i watched many vids on it and did what i thought they did. Some of my good friends camped overnite to get some of the shots here

Wings of isis is fun to manipulate but i believe i have to be more graceful and smooth with it. I believe it certainly helps our framing of hands and veil work. iT also teaches you gracefulness and how to spin smoothly. The only problem is you need BIG space to practise wich i dont have!

The life of dancers

Well to be honest ive lost more friends than gained after strating all these. Many of my close friends dont even know i do this. So sometimes they find it hard to accept me for what i do. I believe in the intentions of things. If you intend to be vulgar n get attention of men. Yes your dance will become that. If you intend to dance for youself, you will only dance for yourself.

I believe that society has become all about what you wear. If you are a bellydancer you cant have conservative thoughts or religion. I shall be selfish enough to say i danc for myself. N i believe alot in what i do.

This is an issue i would like to focus on. I dont know if other dancers face this. Some of my friends accept me for what i do…but yet they wouldnt want to be associated with me or would never want to do what i do because what the world will think of them. N there are people who want to be associated with you for what you are.

REPRESENTING IN PUBLIC

Also when you represent yourself in public you have to be careful. Especially before and after a performance talk with who you need to talk to. Striking coversations with strangers may not be a good idea for your safety.

If someone tries to talk to you, be friendly and move away. Also cover yourself before and after performance. I dont like walking semi naked and i think its rude. Cos asians find it very very rude.

Sometimes you can get unwanted calls. Just divert them off to pizza hut. It works for me! Atleast they’ll make an order. Or divert off to SPCA. Possibily a police station would be perfect! Im serious!

 

I’ll be posting some of my performances for the next few weeks. Do check dem out. Subscribe and leave comments