Belly Dance Boot Camp

***UPDATE 6-1-09***
The all original soundtrack has been recorded and is the final stages of
production! Coming soon to CD! Keep an eye out here for details! Now we can
finally film! Wahooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Meet my videographer: Candlelight Productions

This 3-Volume Series covers the basic technique of the Dance of the
East, conveyed in a Western approach. The instruction focuses on body
mechanics and sound posture in a neutral style so that students may
easily glide from Egyptian to Tribal to Turkish and beyond, according to their
inspiration. While perfect for the newcomer and beginner, each drill is layered to grow
with the dancer, providing new challenges well into the advanced and professional
level.

Basics Volume I: Whip That Hip!
The original Boot Camp drill that started it all!
Created by Isidora as part of her own physical therapy after injury to her spine and one hip, this video targets
imbalances in the four primary directions of hip-work--up, down, twisting forward, and twisting back--while
strengthening the major muscle groups involved and increasing balance in preparation for traveling. Focusing on
posture and alignment, core strength and toning, this drill also gives a foundation of arm carriage and finger
cymbals with repetitive exercises for muscle-memory.
Isidora: This drill worked so well for me that I had to share it with my students. After we finished the first time,
everyone was grinning and panting and dripping, and one of the gals burst out, "This isn't belly dance-it's Boot
Camp!" And that's how the name came about.

Basics Volume II: Oooey Goooey Isolations
A belly dance standard, this drill works from head to hips focusing on basic isolations. While developing the
slides, circles and infinities that make this ancient art form so sensuous and powerful, this video breaks down the
intricate muscle work and flexibility beneath the gush-factor. Seamlessly woven into the movement patterns are
the skills of musical interpretation, more complex cymbal rhythms, and sequence memorization, with the "So
what do I DO with it now?" section at the end.
Isidora: Almost every teacher I know has some rendition of this drill, but I wanted to take
it one step further and start teaching students, right from the beginning, how to turn the
basic alphabet into words and sentences. I hit them with a sneak-attack. When they get to
the point where they don't have to think about this drill anymore, they already have a start
on creating their own dances and they don't even know it--until we start playing. (she says with a devious grin)

Basics Volume III: Vehicle May Start to Shimmy (and Other Traveling Tidbits)
Beads quivering, tassels popping, fringe flying--this video covers the mechanics of the shimmy in its wide and
varied renditions, as well as basic footwork integral to belly dance. Working through multiple speeds, both
standing and traveling, using the four primary movements learned in Whip That Hip, this drill is designed to make
you sweat, think, and move. Think you have it? Then add the zills and layers. Got that covered? Go to the "There
Is No Box" section and blow your own mind with just how fresh and creative you can be, every time you dance.
Isidora: My two primary chants while teaching are "There is no box!" and "It's a toy, play with it!" My
students chant it back to me now. I am a firm believer in relentless hounding of technique so that when I get
down to dancing, I can quiet my mind and let the spirit of the music animate my body. This drill was designed
with one express purpose: to learn it, memorize it, own it---in order to tear it apart and create a Dancer out of a
beginning belly dance student.

If you would like to get a taste of the Boot Camp before this project is
complete, you can bring me to your area for a workshop
Or see if there are any sessions in your area: Colorado or Beyond