Egyptian Twist Studio of Bellydance
Bellydance for Fun and Fitness!
About
Dispelling the Myths surrounding the bellydance
Contrary to what many people believe, Oriental Dance (which is, in actuality, the correct name for "bellydance") did not originate as a seductive dance that "harem girls" did for their Sultan. Oriental Dance is just simply folk dance. In the same way that we might get up and dance to our favorite music when we are out with friends, at a wedding, or other occasion, so people in the Middle East and other parts of the world might get up with their friends to shimmy to their favorite music.
Most people believe that the two piece costumes are traditional "bellydance costumes". The fact is that the costumes we see today are simply the invention of Hollywood and are not authentic to traditional dance wear of the Middle East. There was generally no special dance "costume" to wear. People simply danced in their party clothes, just as we might dress up a little for a party or a wedding reception. Dance was not seen as something to be "performed" by a professional. It was just something everyone did, just like we do when we hear our favorite song and feel like dancing to it when we are out with friends.
Often, questions arise regarding "The Dance of the Seven Veils". Some people even claim Biblical reference to it. The Bible actually never mentions the "Dance of the Seven Veils".
Matthew 14:6 KJV "But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod."
Mark 6:21-22 KJV "And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee."
No mention is made of seven veils. So where did "The Dance of the Seven Veils" come from? Most likely, the concept originated from Oscar Wilde's play, "Salome" and inspired Richard Strauss to create an opera based on the story. From there, Hollywood made movies depicting Salome and the seven veils, and today, the public believes it. Veils are actually props used by American dancers!
Wearing a jewel in the navel is also one of the myths of bellydancing. Belly piercings are a modern day invention created by Hollywood. Navel piercings have never been recorded in ancient cultures for dancing or otherwise.
People often ask where the sword dance came from and many believe that it originated in the Middle East. There is no "Sword Dance" authentic to the bellydance. However, in the Middle East, and some other parts of the world, there is a tradition of dancing while balancing something on the head. This can include a tray, pot, glass, or candelabra. It is very possible that balancing a sword would be a likely dancing skill. It would have been from a mix of cultures included in the Ottoman Empire. This would be Turkey, Arabia, Egypt, Syria, and North Africa. The "Ghillie Callum" is a Sword Dance known as the ancient dance of war of the Scottish Gael and is said to date back to King Malcolm Canmore (Shakespear’s MacBeth). Perhaps most cultures do have a "weapons" dance of some kind that dates back to ancient war dances and sparring techniques.
The cane dance, or stick dance, however, is traditional to Middle Eastern Dance, in particular, the Saidi region of Egypt. Cane dancing can be traced back to the combat skills of the Saidi men in ancient days. Later, women used the stick to playfully "mock" the men while dancing, and has evolved into the women's cane, or stick dance, that we see today, known as "Raks Al Assaya".
The bellydance is about dancing. Most of the movements have ancient symbolic meanings. Once used as a “fertility dance” offered to the gods of fertility, the dance helped strengthen the muscles used during childbearing. It is family oriented and very appropriate for community events and festivals.
Bio:
A certified Personal Trainer with a BA in Physical Education, Helena has studied dance for 17 years and has 15 years teaching experience in fitness and dance. Her dance studies began with the late Marie Pompeii Monforte of the Southern Tier Academy of Dance and Acrobatics, winning numerous awards in the art of jazz dance. Helena then persued her studies in fitness and aerobics and later began Egyptian Dance studies under the direction of the late Diana Shahein of the Beledi Dance Theatre Co. Helena has studied various styles of the dance, including Tribal Fusion with Haifa, Haifa Bellydance, Tunkhannock, PA and workshops with Bellydance Superstars Jillina, Morocco, Ansuya, Rachel Brice and numerous instructors from Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Africa and Romania.
Helena teaches this dance as a dance for women by women, encouraging the freedom of self-expression through theatrical dance movements and providing a supportive group environment that allows for a positive dance experience. Helena's teaching technique stems from her background in physical fitness. Her accurate understanding of muscle functions gives her the advantage of being able to correctly break down movements, making it easier for students to follow and creating a more effective learning experience. Believing that a good teacher never stops being a student, Helena continues her education in this dance genre through workshops and private lessons and is the choreographer and artistic director of her student dance troupe, Egyptian Twist Dancers. Helena's newest endeavor is the formation of the regions only professional belly dance troupe, the Bellydance Ensemble of the Southern Tier (B.E.S.T.). Other studies include courses, workshops and seminars in the art of group exercise instruction at SUNY, Binghamton and dance teaching workshops throughout NY and PA. Helena is recognized throughout the region as a quality instructor who maintains the essence and integrity of this dance genre, adhering to the standards of Middle Eastern dance technique. Workshops in various styles of bellydance, use of numerous props and fitness guidelines are available, along with teaching technique workshops designed for new instructors.
