Rio Vista: Week Three – Tunak Tunak Tun

This is why I teach! This is why I dance! Today’s class was so full of energy and joy and laughter! We make mistakes, we help one another and we laugh.

The Question this week:

What makes you laugh? 

We reviewed moves from last week and started right into the catchy, silly Tunak Tunak Tun chorus! The lessons of this week will carry more than any others through the session. Did I mention that belly dance a good attitude? Good music and a good group of dancers definitely help with that! Rio Vista ladies have good vibes in spades! 

The Moves This Week:

Hip Drops

Hip Shimmies

Hop Step

Grapevine Step

Some great Arm Moves

While you wait for class:

Work on posture and keeping arm movements full and open. Avoid droopy limbs and chicken wings.

Practice shimmies while doing chores around the house, or try using the hop step to cross the room.

See you next week! Thank you so much ladies!

Foothills: Week Two

I am a little concerned about the slight dip in attendance in the second week. I hope I did not scare anyone away. If you feel the class is moving too quickly or that it might be too difficult I encourage you to let me know. Maybe there is something we can work together to improve your experience.

This session is all about fun, freedom and high energy! Traditional Middle Eastern rhythms do tend to shake some beginners (and not always in the good way). The high velocity tempo can be daunting as well. Speed and strange rhythms aside, the moves are basic and the choreography repetitive. 

Think of all you have learned in just two classes:

Hip Shimmies

Hip Pistons

Arabic Push/ Tush Push

Shoulder Shrugs

Great Posture!

Keep practicing ladies, and armed with the terms for each move; check Youtube for sample videos, email me for further explanation, and keep trying! Thank you so much! See you soon!

Nomday: White Chili

White Chili with Beans

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3 -5 hours

Approximate Cost: $24.00

1 lb chicken, cut up into small chunks (I like to use boneless breasts for their "ease" and lower fat content)

1 cup chopped onion

1 can (or the equivalent) chicken broth

2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely

2 tsp Cumin seed (ground will not withstand long cooking as well)

1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

3 -15oz dried white, black, red beans, soaked and drained

1 each chopped red, green and yellow peppers

jalapeno chili peppers, fresh, jarred or canned, optional or 'to taste' (depending on how much heat you like!)

Combine the chicken, onions, chicken broth, garlic, cumin and oregano. Let cook awhile on low. Add drained beans. Add the bell peppers and jalapeno peppers (if using) no earlier than the last hour or hour and a half before serving.

Rio Vista: Week Two – Tunak Tunak Tun

It was wonderful to see everyone back again this week; plus two more new faces! Thank you so much everyone for joining in this session. For those who missed out this time around, winter session is closer than it seems and it is never too early to hop on the waiting list! 

The Question this week:

What excites you? (I did say in class, keep it PG, but you know.)

We reviewed some of the moves from last week and started right into the high energy, fast paced opening to Tunak Tunak Tun! Think of all the great stuff you have learned so far! Already there is improvement in posture - keep those tails tucked, there is more grace in your steps, and the smile is more prevalent than that confused blank stare. Belly dance takes practice and patience and a good attitude. It will take time before some moves are as easy as walking, and right now even walking to a new beat might feel a bit awkward. It is the energy and spirit, and desire to come back that make you amazing! 

The Moves So Far:

Hip Ns

Hip Drops

Pistons

Hip Slides

Head Slides

Shoulder Rocks/ Punches

I will try very hard to post some links to videos, short descriptions, or some information on each of these moves this week! Thank you so much! See you soon!

While you wait for class:

Try focusing on contracting and releasing your tushie muscles while sitting in your car or chair to help your Pistons and hip moves.

Practice Shoulder Rocks/ Punches while holding a book, chair back, or the steering wheel.

Foothills: Week One – Drum Plus

Thank you to the seven stunning students and one little follower signed up for the Fall 2012 session at Foothills Aquatic Center! I am excited to have three returning dancers as well as some new faces. Interested students are still welcome to join us in week two; we have five open spaces.

This session is all about fun, freedom and high energy! Drum Plus is a traditional drum piece that introduces students to Middle Eastern rhythms. The length of the song – just over two minutes – makes it a bit easier for beginners to tolerate the high velocity tempo. 

Belly dance took on many forms as it crossed borders; this session works to return to the classic styles of Egypt. Hips are queen in this choreography! Accents of head and arm movements help include the full body. A blending of sharp and fluid combinations and a repetitive beat make this song easy and fun to learn. 

Choreography for Drum Plus does not belong to me originally. Badrea Talua was not my first instructor but she is, to me, my dance mama. While I have added some new accents and updates the dance still primarily belongs to Badrea, as does my dance heart.

I am very excited to be teaching this dance once again and thrilled to have some great students! Thank you so much! See you soon!

Nomday Double Whammy!

This week the crew revisited the much loved munchings, Golabkis! But last week, when I was out of town on Nomday and could not post, we tried this one!

Chicken and Dumplings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours

Approximate Cost: $22.00

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons of butter

1 (10.75 oz) can of cream of chicken soup

1 (10.75 oz) can of cream of celery soup

3 1/2 cups of chicken broth

1 onion, diced

1 cup celery, diced

1 cup carrots, diced

Chicken bouillon seasoning or cube

salt & pepper

1 (10 oz) package of refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces

EXCLUDING BISCUITS put all ingredients in the crock pot. Place biscuit dough in one hour before, cook until dough is no longer raw in the center. *Note: Make very small dough balls or else they get really gooey and sort of gross by the end of the week and no one will eat them.