Page:
StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Wanta improve your footwork, but find all that dance jargon gets in the way?



Then, I was thinking if we pooled our dance tips then it might make it easier to visualise some of the dance terminology, in a fun way.



Here are some examples:



Polka – Dorothy going down the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz.

Bounce – Bounce on the down beat.

tut – King Tutankhanen (Egypian style)

Triple step – cha cha cha.



Floating - Floating is moving your-self with heel-toe movements. Pivot the heel of one foot and the toe of the other, then switch, repeat and float.



Glitterati Dance Style: Lots of pouting, sexy little shimmies and hip wiggling strut. Nothing too strenuous though, because they can't risk breaking a sweat and ruining their make-up, and its damn hard to get your groove on while wearing 12 inch stilettos.



Edit: Almost forgot, the alternative title is Everything U wanted to Know about Dance, but were too afraid to Ask.

So, if as anyone has any dance queries, then ask away. I’m sure someone knows the answer.



Easy, get the idea.

Crosses fingers

smile smile smile

EDITED_BY: Stone (1108881600)

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


ImmortalAngelSILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada


Posted:
After having completely avoiding the dance floor at a valentines dance I recently ended up going to with some friends I can't claim to be a good dancer, or a dancer at all, because I can honestly count the occasions I've danced on one hand.
This is one I like to refer to as;
The shift - shift weight from one foot to the other, and move your arms around. Mostly done by males, while females dance around them. Quite common to see in younger ages, by groups of hundreds at a time.
^.^' It's true, all the guys did it while all the girls actually did try to dance, except for me, because I was off in a corner playing with glowstick poi ^.^'
There is a video of it out there somewhere, but I don't know who it was that was filming...

Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />


Moondancemember
65 posts
Location: Haarlem,Netherlands


Posted:
How nice to have a Dancing thread as well!!!
As a dancingaddict i'm allways in for a chat about Dance. I started classic ballet at the age of four later there came jazz and modern (did that till my 17th) After a few years of just dancing everyday the ways I feel, i've joined an bellydance performance class working on a Tribal solo now, a multicultural dance with poi and staff..! So ImmortalAngel, if you ever go to the Netherlands I'll teach you to dance Haha

GlåssDIAMOND Member
The Ministry of Manipulation
2,523 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom


Posted:
DANCE smile

PrometheusDiamond In The Rough
459 posts
Location: Richmond, Virginia


Posted:
My expertise with dance begins and ends with Ratt...

Dance like it hurts; Love like you need money; Work like someone is watching.

Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, when you DO criticize them, you are a mile away, and you have their shoes.


colemanSILVER Member
big and good and broken
7,330 posts
Location: lunn dunn, yoo kay, United Kingdom


Posted:
Written by: Glåss


DANCE smile




best.
post.
ever.

tongue

"i see you at 'dis cafe.
i come to 'dis cafe quite a lot myself.
they do porridge."
- tim westwood


StoutBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada


Posted:
How can I not post on a thread with a title like this?

After a brief foray into the world of Middle Eastern dance, I've come to the realization that the only way I like to dance is with,,,,,stuff. Maybe I'm using my poi or staff as a crutch, but I don't care. I don't even like dancing, I don't know if this is due to my being self conscious but I find having props gives me an excuse to get out there and dance.

"I'm not really dancing" I tell myself, " I'm just spinning these toys, and just happen to be moving my body in a dance like fashion" but I have been focusing a lot more on style over the past 6 weeks. I think it's working, I've had a few thumbs up from passersby lately.

There's hoop classes in my near future and if I ever get off my arse I'm going to look into club swinging.

ImmortalAngelSILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada


Posted:
Written by: stout


How can I not post on a thread with a title like this?

After a brief foray into the world of Middle Eastern dance, I've come to the realization that the only way I like to dance is with,,,,,stuff. Maybe I'm using my poi or staff as a crutch, but I don't care. I don't even like dancing, I don't know if this is due to my being self conscious but I find having props gives me an excuse to get out there and dance.

"I'm not really dancing" I tell myself, " I'm just spinning these toys, and just happen to be moving my body in a dance like fashion" but I have been focusing a lot more on style over the past 6 weeks. I think it's working, I've had a few thumbs up from passersby lately.

There's hoop classes in my near future and if I ever get off my arse I'm going to look into club swinging.




That's my view exactly ^.^'

Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Thanks for posting guys,

Jo just put up a good thread on [Old link] So, I think I’ll give this one a few more days here, then see if I can move it to Technical. Then maybe collect all the dance threads under one heading. Any comments or suggestions ???


stout, you are dancing (got it). Dancing with props is traditional, ok. African ritual dance makes use of special objects, including masks and costumes. In the USA African Americans continued to use sticks or staffs, cloth, and other objects in dance. Handkerchiefs, canes, and top hats became part of the dance, as did other objects in stage routines.

Anyone got any hat tricks????


smile

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


Gnarly CraniumSILVER Member
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA


Posted:
Bellydance is a good one to mix with poi, since it's the only form of dance I've heard of that focuses on teaching you to isolate the different parts of your body to do separate movements, which is VERY handy for adding to poi moves, since keeping the poi going is so restrictive, keeping the arms busy and forcing you to bend certain ways-- it's not like you can tango with poi. Most dances are all footwork, some could be incorporated better than others. Bellydancing can also help you get your arms and body going at different rhythms-- when they throw in the finger cymbals, it gets pretty crazy. (oh and guys? don't whine. Bellydancing men are dead sexy. Go do it, just don't do it girly, and be careful not to throw out your lower back)

The trouble is, hardly any dance classes really teach you how to MOVE. Bellydance isn't too clear on the mechanics of footwork, either. For that, the martial arts are the best. That can teach you the finer points of balance and efficiency that make absolutely everything else 10 times easier, and creates natural grace.


Tips for dummies? Um... can throw in some bellydancing stuff:

shimmy = jiggle that bootay. Doesn't matter how skinny you think you are, JIGGLE IT.

camel walk = pretend that your spine goes the whoooole length of your body and take teeny tiny steps

veil = great excuse to buy, decorate, and swing around big chunks of shiny fabric. Meteor equivalent of flags?

harem pants = not for use with poi unless you really ARE a dummy

high heels = what are you, crazy??

"Ours is not to question The Head; it is enough to revel in the ubiquitous inanity of The Head, the unwanted proximity of The Head, the unrelenting HellPresence of The Head, indeed the very UNYIELDING IRRELEVANCE of The Head!" --Revelation X


Jomember
517 posts
Location: Sheffield, England


Posted:
Dance section?



NICE.



Jo. smile
EDITED_BY: Jo (1109297689)

Educate yourself in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


StoutBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada


Posted:
I'm totally up for moving all the dance stuff to one location. looks like there's a few threads around now. Stone,,,I know I'm dancing, at least trying to do alot more now that I've slowed everything down. For the past year I've been spinning pretty hard and fast, I guess I just thought it was progression, and I found myself loosing my balance on some of my turns,,,which led to poi flailing. So there's been alot of Pink Floyd in my cd player lately and I'm spending way more time and effort on better stances and stability. IT WORKS,

Getting low with the windmill, flipping the buzzsaw on it's side and going down on one knee then getting that little corkscrew in front of you going while standing up,,,tae kwon do style forward stances, (and back stances),,,stall and kick combinations...All these seem to work way smoother,,,and flow better ,,in semi slo mo. smile

I was hoping to start hoop tonight but I'm out with a cold,,next week,,it's all set up,,mind you the cold hasn't stopped me from spinning at home. I'm finding putting the time in with one poi helps lots too, I can concentrate more on my footwork. It's dancing,,,with less stuff.

I've never actually seen myself spin on video, mirrors and shadows are only kinda helpful but so far I've had to rely on what people have told me. Sometimes I wonder if my legs are sticking out at funny angles,,maybe my foots turned in a weird way,that's why I wanted to study dance without stuff. to work on those issues..But,,but,,,but I want stuff,,,so hooping it is,, then maybe I'll try Middle Eastern dance again and I never thought of the dvd idea,,,hummmm.

Gnarly,,, great post, that's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I'm thinking the ability to move your arms, body, feet in different rhythms is a good thing for poi spinning, I looked into tango, salsa and couldn't see how I could incorporate those styles, but caporeia looks inviting.

Thanks......David......( exits stage left and camel walks to the phoe to order a set of purple flags)

StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Actually, Gnarley I was watching a friend on Wednesday night, and I’d have to agree on the martial arts footwork thing.

lol, the camel walk. I just watched a video of a 1950’s camel foot shuffle (PM me) and I’m thinking about searching for some real camel videos ubblol Apparently it’s got something to do with gait and walking on sand.

I do club swinging, and our fancy moves are called snakes and I’ve often wondered if they are related to snake arms. I have searched previous, but didn’t find much. Thanks for the great tips smile

Sounds good stout. For sure, it's worth the effort to get some video footage, it makes a huge difference when you see yourself on screen. Capoeira rules.

cheers

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


KaelGotRiceGOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA


Posted:
I was actually thinking that wraps allow you to "dance" more, as in - gives you more freedom to move and purposely put limbs into the way of your poi. It also adds various body positions that you otherwise wouldn't be able to manage without strange body contortions.

For instance, I can step and walk around, and wrap off my legs as I do this. With enough practice it looks perfectly natural.

To do: More Firedrums 08 video?

Wildfire/US East coast fire footage

LA/EDC glow/fire footage

Fresno fire


Jomember
517 posts
Location: Sheffield, England


Posted:
I really like exagerating my arm movement, as well as my legs and body.

A good example of this can be using 'longarm' moves like giant windmills...


I also like to use contrasting 'postures' - ie. sometimes standing straight and tall, sometimes squatting, 'scarecrow'.

I find that 'snapping' from ne posture to another contrasting one can look great (like low and crouched, then suddenly big and tall)

Jo. smile

Educate yourself in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


Gnarly CraniumSILVER Member
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA


Posted:
Glad my post was useful!

The one thing I have not been impressed by so far in poi videos is the fact that... well, most of the time if you just ignore the poi for a minute and just objectively watch what the person's body is doing by itself, it looks downright siilly. A lot of wiggling around and bending in awkward positions and squirming and wriggling and hopping. Sage in CO2 is the only clip I've seen so far that really incorporated body movements well. Most don't even seem to try.

Capoeira is a GREAT idea, especially if you want to do any rolling moves... it has a fascinating rhythm, and it's fantastic for making unusual positions graceful. I'd like to try it myself sometime.


snake arms = stick your arms out to the sides. wiggle them like waves are going between your hands, through your shoulders. The classical move itself would be tough while using poi-- but I bet just practicing it could help really put some flourish into arm movements in general.

(Can be done very small, or big from your waist to over your head. Snake arms are the actual source of those peculiar arm positions stereotyped in ancient Egyptian art, and one of the most common bellydance movements. Roll the shoulder of the lower arm forward and up, and lift the arm in a curve elbow-first like you're picking up a really heavy bucket. When it gets to the top, the shoulder does the other half of its circle to the back and down, and the arm drops elbow first, fingertips last. The other arm does the same thing, in split time. Your hands move like you're painting the walls with em. (paint up! paint down!) The whole arm is taut throughout like you're swimming through molasses, so there is deliberate grace instead of lazy flopping, and the movement should be independent of all other body parts except the arms, the chest and head held still and not wobbling from side to side.)

A few other random things that have come to mind--

Lotus Blossom = almost just like the movements the hands do during a 3-beat weave, only without the side to side arm movements, and usually held vertically right above the head with the wrists pressed together. keep the elbows curved to the sides so they frame your face, and keep the palms facing upwards. Bellydancish hand positions in general could help poi gestures look less like curled spastic twitching.

Lookit My Butt!! = technical(?) term for quickly swiveling the hips forward on one side, often repeated from one side to the other while walking or stepping in place. Sometimes performed with one's side to the audience and that arm extended, looking back over that shoulder as if to make sure it's still down there. (appears in dance sequences called out like 'Step, pivot, lookitmybutt, step, pivot, lookitmybutt')

Shiny Fringe = the secret that makes all those hip moves really look like something. Maybe not so good with poi, especially if they're/it's flaming! Perhaps try a gracefully shaped UV reactive or electroluminescent belt instead, low on the hips? Oooh, interesting idea...

Make some noise! = Bellydance performances have a little language of sounds, not typical 'woohoo' and 'yeah' stuff. (in fact I've only heard guys barking at a performance once, and it was annoying.) High-pitched ululations are vocal applause and celebration, usually done at the end of a performance. Small high-pitched yips and yelps express exuberance, and are often passed between performers and audience members like bird cries. And the coolest effect of all is when the audience quietly hisssssssssses in appreciation at the really slow and strenuous moves-- it's like you can hear the whole room sighing.


Oh and one more thing I've noticed. Spinners seem to be assuming that everyone is just watching the poi. YOU are really the star of the show, you're just using little flaming things on strings, not the other way around. Attitude has a lot to do with a performance-- broadcast where you're looking and what you're thinking about instead of just zoning out like you're a puppeteer behind a curtain. Smile when you do something nifty. Gesture, vocalize. Use the poi to frame yourself, like the accessory they really are, and make the audience look at YOU.

"Ours is not to question The Head; it is enough to revel in the ubiquitous inanity of The Head, the unwanted proximity of The Head, the unrelenting HellPresence of The Head, indeed the very UNYIELDING IRRELEVANCE of The Head!" --Revelation X


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Thanks Gnarley, great post



step, pivot *look at my butt * step ubblol now I'll never be able to take dance lessons seriously wink



Snake arms would be much harder to do without a prop, that’s for sure. The Indian club swinging snakes seem similar, in that you get two circles in-front, and they are also done horizontally. In contact juggling the butterfly move is directly derived from Middle Eastern dance.



Ouch! Yes I think we do forget who is the performer, even though it’s difficult to deny when you spinning great balls of fire. Though, one thing I have noticed in recent years is that fire spinning has become more of a social “dance” type thing. Then I think we would all agree that we need to coordinate body movements better. This is clearly seen by the current number of posts on dance/music/footwork etc.



Perhaps as a suggestion we could open up the Technical Section to include Dance and Martial Arts? Then put a sticky at the top with links to all the relevant dance/footwork links, as most of the current threads have different angles. Rather than a dance mega thread. Any other suggestions?





smile

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


Sakura_MoonHop's Kitten Jester.
1,803 posts
Location: Wonderland igloo, Vic, Australia


Posted:
LMAO. Step, pivot, lookit my butt, step, pivot, lookit my butt....
HAHAHA, thats gold...ive got tears in my eyes

.:Pink Exocutioner:.

I am Jack's Raging Bile Duct...

Loving you from the deepest part of my loins.



Jomember
517 posts
Location: Sheffield, England


Posted:
A good way to get martial arts style turns is to imagine (or draw!) a big cross on the floor.

no poi
arms by side

now just walk along the lines, trying turns and experimenting with kick turns and whatever you like really.

always keep your feet on the line because that will give you good accurate 90 180 360 turns that are EXTREMELY wink useful for 'flowing with the go'

Jo. weavesmiley

Educate yourself in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


Gnarly CraniumSILVER Member
member
186 posts
Location: San Francisco, USA


Posted:
Heheh I'm not kidding about the lookitmybutt thing either, my teacher was doing that this past Sunday. There was only one other student present besides me, if the room had been full I dunno if class would've lasted long. biggrin


Good point bringing up the turns, Jo! More along that topic-- the important thing with quick, efficient, smooth martial-arts type turns and steps is to move in balance. Practice slide-stepping, where your foot skims the floor in curves that come inwards next to the standing foot when the feet are even, and then back out to the new position, in such a way that your head stays level like you've got a bowl of soup on it. Most people, especially Westerners, walk by leaning and sticking a foot out to catch themselves, it's like controlled falling. Moving in balance, you can freeze in place at any point in any step without tripping. Try just holding yourself perfectly still while one foot slides out to the side, in front, or in back, at different edges of a square around you. This gets you beginning to think of your body as a flowing unit, instead of jointed bits that flop after each other when they have to like a puppet. At first it feels a little tough on the thigh muscles, but it's more efficient in many ways-- and it's better to take the force of steps with your thigh muscles than to let it impact your knee joint. You start to get a sense of where your center of gravity really is-- if you concentrate on moving that, everything else gets easier. The Asians were onto something when they got the notion that the power of the body comes from in the abdomen, that's where your center is-- in Western cultures, especially the men tend to move like their center is up in their chest somewhere. It changes everything.


And really... just because people are dancing with live balls of fire isn't an excuse to go unnoticed and get upstaged by an inanimate, chemical partner. A performer OWNS the fire. Make it yours. People love this art, but it's like they're still separate from the poi, watching them from the inside, and not many of them seem to be stepping beyond just 'look what I can do!' to 'look at what I AM!' (not that I'm one to talk just yet, but this is what I feel from what I've observed)

"Ours is not to question The Head; it is enough to revel in the ubiquitous inanity of The Head, the unwanted proximity of The Head, the unrelenting HellPresence of The Head, indeed the very UNYIELDING IRRELEVANCE of The Head!" --Revelation X


StoutBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,872 posts
Location: Canada


Posted:
Exaggerating arm movement is great isn't it, same with the whole contrasting postures thing. I have this little combo where I do a reverse butterfly-->> handwrap (hands about two feet apart) while going into a crouch, let the poi bounce off the backs of my hands, then stand up into a giant butterfly with about four circles in it .

I think the snake arms move would look great with poi, I sure can't do it but that's one of the reasons I have to study dance. Lotus blossom would look great with the windmill

Guilty of the zone out thing, not so much with my practice poi on pavement, but with fire on grass,,,me bad. Given the heat, light, uneven surface, the roar of 50,000 screaming....oh wait, scratch that last one. Somthing more to work on.

The cross on the floor is a great idea, I'm working with a chalked line on my driveway right now,,,about 30 feet long as a device to remind me to keep my stance wider but I'm going to try the cross out as a teaching aid. I see lots of people " blowing it" when they don't turn their poi a full 180 degrees > A 120 degree turn might work once but if someone tries it a second time in an effort to pull a 360,,,,whap.

Gotta try this walking in balance thing,,something I've never really thought about before

Amber Flamesmember
58 posts
Location: Ardfern (Kind of near Oban). At Uni in Stirling


Posted:
Really pleased to see a dance thread because I'm starting a dance/poi workshop in the summer. I'm setting it up with a dancer (I'm a poi spinner) and our aim is to come up with a whole new style of dance and set of moves by bringing loads of people together from all areas of dance (and complete beginners too), getting rid any inhibitions and throwing ideas about.

Might do some staff/dance workshops too...

Any thoughts anyone? Sound like a good idea? Been done too much before? Any imput welcome, good or bad!

Usually me on fire (rather than flames being amber coloured)


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Thanks Jo, I was using a line in the concrete, but I have added a big cross as you suggested. And now I’m thinking Tai Chi may be more useful than dance lessons.

Yes Kael wraps are good. i like the wrap b/t the legs turns. Sometimes I take two steps with say my left foot to buy time for coming from behind the leg butterflies and stuff.

Gnarley side-stepping, why didn’t I think of that. I practice silly walks, but I’ve been marching more than side–stepping. Excellent points about controlled falling (lol) and balance. Here is a similar idea from a dancer. “I think serious dancers would recognise the centre point of balance power in their solar plexus which moves up, as the toes press down. Project the centre of your body forward as you walk.” Another tip a friend suggested was to think of your head being held up by a string, almost puppet like Virgil.

Will have to check middle eastern hand movements, but I’ve found that having the correct grip on my club helps me keep my hands neat, though still need lots of work.

Practicing in costume is a good idea. So one thing I did recently was buy some cheep, but colourful t-shirts to kinda get me into a more performance-orientated mode. And I agree, no more excuses, but I’d like to know what you think of that classic Mark Twain quote “Dance like none is watching. Sing like no one is listening.”

In reply to the best post ever wink Being a hoofer from way back, I dance at the club regularly, but the dances (shuffle/stomp/bounce/grind) are more social dances, and the foot work has little to do with poi.

Stout, good point about the turns. I think it’s just as important to have the poi in the right place as it is for the feet. Check the exercises I added to one of [Old link] wink they may be useful.

Amber, it sounds like a good idea to me. I’m thinking I need to sit down a plan a few routines myself. I know I’ve been putting it off, and putting it off, but perhaps that's the first step.

Has anyone got any tips for working the circle? Do people use patterns to work the circle or do they just make it up as they go???


weavesmiley

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


DeepSoulSheepGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
2,617 posts
Location: Berlin, Ireland


Posted:
In a rush so may sounds abrupt.

I have my old faithfull foot work that I fallen back on since I was a wee lad. The basic samba step 4/4 thingy.

Feet together. Lift right foot plant shoulder width apart then lift left foot and put back next to right foot. Repeat with the left foot back to start position.

Can you do it while doing all move (same direction same and split as well as opposite direction sames and split high and low etc)

Next do the first bit (Feet together. Lift right foot plant shouldar width apart then lift left foot and put back next to right foot) but in stead of completing the second half turn 180 degrees (anyone say planes) and continue in the same direction by stepping out with the left foot again.

Practise with either hand in front an behind to comlpeteness sake. This is really fun with doubles and shows how complete your basics are smile

Pirouettes...amazing fun. All moves types long and small armed.
Have fun!

I live in a world of infinite possibilities.


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Okay...I have to say a couple things.

Middle Eastern dance actually *does* have strong footwork patterns, and if you don't do them correctly it can look extremely sloppy.
And the very definition of Tribal means that you do not dance it solo.

Hula isolates body parts and due to its polynesian-ness, works with poi...obviously.
Flamenco isolates body parts as well.
Bangra.
Tap.
Line Dancing.

All dance works with *almost* any prop...you simply need to have imagination and dedication. Poi, like wine, goes great with everything wink

I teach a series of fusion dance classes, that blend and combine several forms of dance.
I also teach Bellydance-Tribal, World Fusion, Cabaret (Egyptian and American), Hip-Hop Bellydance, Can-Can, Go-Go, Disco, Hula and most especially Burlesque (in a series of 5 seperate disciplines over the course of 30 weeks). I have studied- to different levels- African, Flamenco, Bangra, Bollywood, Salsa, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, 5 Rhythms, Line Dancing, Historical dances and Jazz. I teach workshops every month in advanced dance studies and in props use.

I love movement...dance or otherwise. It is a huge part of people and performing and is something of a sick fascination.
Classes are everywhere, and are affordable. Videos are easy to come by. I say if you want to learn further, go out and find a teacher. Get a video and try it (libraries often carry them as well).
Hell, mimic something from the tv, but just move.

You don't have to have exact steps to dance with poi, just some good music that really makes you want to move.

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
Deep Sole Sheep, thanks heaps for the samba moves. Truth be known, it’s one I have had a bit of trouble with.

Great contribution Pele. And if you come to Australia, I’ll teach you how to shuffle wink If I had my time over I’d be a dancer. Are you up for some Burlesque questions?

And, there are also many free dance downloads on the net.

bounce clap bounce2

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Shoot on the burlesque questions! I am always up for them! wink Burlesque is my passion.

Oooooh. I'm going to be in NZ for two weeks in April/May. Next trip I will be aiming for Australia so I can learn the shuffle! wink

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


Jomember
517 posts
Location: Sheffield, England


Posted:
Just thought of a good variation of the 'cross work' I mentioned above for turns.

In martial arts there are many footwork routines that AVOID the lines (as well as many that adhere to them)

By working on turns around the center of the cross (ie. into the 4 'squares', you open up alot of moves where the poi could just stay kinda central wink

Jo. smile

Educate yourself in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!


PeleBRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA


Posted:
Written by: Jo



By working on turns around the center of the cross (ie. into the 4 'squares', you open up alot of moves where the poi could just stay kinda central wink

Jo. smile




That's very true for a sword circle too, come to think of it Jo.
Thanks for reminding me! ubblove

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK


SCRUBSerm....can you smell parafin or is it me?
146 posts

Posted:
I woul love to see some breakdance-twirling combos if anyone know of a gallery let us know ubbrollsmile

StoneGOLD Member
Stream Entrant
2,829 posts
Location: Melbourne, Australia


Posted:
No worries Pele, look forward to seeing you when you arrive down under. Don’t forget your hard shoes wink

The questions I had on burlesque are a bit gay, b ut we'll see how we go. Now, as burlesque is a variety show characterised by ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease. I was curious about the history of pole (vertical bar) after I found this site on traditional pole a while ago. Especially as vertical bar is going main stream, with men now taking social pole dance lessons shrug The second one is a bit more delicate. I used to share with a stripper (grr) and she told me about a friend who could do amazing things with her butt. Now I don’t just mean wriggle it about, or latin style. So I was wondering if this was a burlesque or a secret middle eastern technique?

Jo, thanks. There are lots of lines in my driveway, so I’m working the squares ubbrollsmile

rikstik, I’m not much into breaking, but there should be some acro/capoiera/breakdance type combos around. Check the video section, have a look in poi and staff moves and do a search.

cheers smile

If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh


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