Tutorials

Learn how to do the Belly Dance Forward & Reverse Chest Undulations. Taught by Anna at Ahlam Academy of Middle Eastern Dance in Houston TX. Chest Undulations are comprised of two basic belly dance movements the chest slides forward and back and the chest lift and drop. You can layer chest undulations over various foot patterns, like the “step cross”, and use them to express different emotions. Learn those here: Chest Slides Chest Lift & Drop  

In this video, Anna teaches you the horizontal chest circle, aka the ribcage circle. She will show you how to take the chest slides/ribcage slides you already know and turn them into a chest /ribcage circle. This is a beautiful move to show off the fluidity in your torso. Don’t know how to do the chest/ribcage slides? Click here to watch the tutorial

  The Chest Circle, sometimes called a Ribcage Circle, is a popular smooth and sensual movement used in belly dancing. This move works well with slow music, sword and floor work. It’s also one of those movements that feels good to do because it doubles as a great stretch, increasing flexibility in the back and core muscles.  

  Anna will teach you one of the most used traveling steps in belly dancing – the step together step. Includes demonstrations of three popular layers you can use on top of this simple footwork: the hip circle, the tush push, and the hip-over. Enjoy!  

  Learn the basic step touch traveling step, plus two popular variations and arm movement suggestion, including posture details.      

Anna will teach you how to do the basic belly dance grapevine traveling step, as well as several ways to modify it. This video includes… – Basic 8 count breakdown of the Grapevine traveling step – 4 count breakdown – Modified Grapevine breakdown – Taking the Grapevine Backward    

1) 1 skein of yarn in a colour to match your hair or black, your artistic choice. 2) These instructions are for braids 1.25″ (inches) thick. For this thickness, cut 120 strands that are approx 2 yards long. Keep them in one long bunch. You can adjust thickness by having more or fewer strands in your bunch. This length, your braids will hang [approx] down to your hips. Strands may need to be longer if you are taller. If you are…

Learn the last section of Anna’s Turkish Drum Solo. Music: Modified version of “Yasarca – Ritim Solo” by Yaşar Akpençe Choreography Notes: 2:45 bumpR-bumpL; bumpR,bumpL,bumpR (w/head turn); during roll (bring L arm over to R hand); drop L hip to accent 2:49 rrr rrr rrrrrrrr L hip shimmies up 2x, quick barrel turn to L 2:53 step rlr (finish facing DSL) kick and flick hair, step lrl and kick toward DSRish 2:56 1 full forward fig-8 w/shimmy st on R 3:01…

  Learn the steps to a fun belly dance-inspired country and western line dance set to Brooks and Dunn’s “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and show off your new moves at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston Texas!          Now, watch us perform the “Belly Scootin’ Boogie in the video below:       Do you live in the Houston area and want to learn more about Belly Dancing?Join us for live classes! See Our Class Schedule…