BellyBasics Week11 - saidi 101
BellyBasics Class Recap – February 13, 2025
1. Warm-Up & Conditioning
We started the class with a structured warm-up to prepare the body for movement:
Mat Pilates Activation: Engaging the hip flexors and deep core muscles while isolating them from the lower body to enhance control and stability.
Mobility & Strength: Focused on dynamic stretching and strength-building exercises to support belly dance movements.
2. Musicality Training: Understanding the Saidi Rhythm
Musicality is key to expressing dance authentically. This session focused on the Saidi rhythm, a fundamental Egyptian rhythm with a powerful and grounded feel:
Clapping Exercises: We started slow, then built up speed, adding drum decorations to challenge rhythm recognition.
Recognizing Saidi in Complex Music: Practicing how to identify Saidi rhythms even in layered compositions.
3. Saidi-Style Belly Dance Movements
Energy Leg Technique: Learning to harness the grounded yet strong energy of Saidi-style footwork.
Heel Placement for “Dum” Beats: Training precise movements to accentuate the rhythm with our heels.
Saidi Combo Practice: We put together movements into a short sequence, capturing the essence of this energetic style.
4. Choreography Introduction: Habibi Ya Einy
We introduced our new choreography to the song Habibi Ya Einy by Nourhanne.
Meaning of the Title: “Baby, oh my eyes” – an affectionate and poetic phrase.
Rhythm Practice: Even though the song has an accordion layer, we clapped along to the Saidi sections to reinforce the rhythm.
First Section Breakdown: Learning the opening sequence and some Shaabi-style movements to embody the lively feel of the song.
5. High-Energy Closing & Reflection
The students fully embraced the powerful Saidi aura, bringing strong energy into their movements. The engagement and enthusiasm were incredible!
Looking Ahead
Next class, we’ll refine our Habibi Ya Einy choreography and continue diving into Saidi musicality. We’ll also explore additional Shaabi-style elements to enhance expression.
See you all next session—keep practicing, and feel the rhythm in your body!
🧿🦋
