Once you’ve located your diaphragm and felt it moving
naturally, try it a few times with conscious control, breathing
in and out slowly and deeply as you keep your skeleton lifted
and your abdominal muscles soft and disengaged. Now, try
exhaling sharply, cutting the diaphragm’s muscle movement
off. You’ve done this correctly if you feel a little clutch or
mini-contraction. Repeat this a few times, allowing you a
couple of moments of regular breathing in between, so you
don’t hyperventilate and become dizzy.
A word to the wise: while many people advocate catching
your breath and “cutting it off ” at the throat, I don’t like this
practice at all! Not only are the little “catches” you make while
doing that visible to the audience, the movements also cause
the tendons in the neck to pop out and look stringy and
ugly…even on younger dancers!
Instead, try to visualize the little clutch or catch staying just
at the top of your ribs, directly under your cleavage…or, if
you’re a guy, directly under and between your man-candy
pectoral muscles.
28
The Belly Dance Chronicles
July 2016
Remember, the diaphragm is one of the strongest muscles
in our entire body because it’s in constant use as we breathe;
therefore, your stamina and ability to flutter will build up
quickly. Once you become comfortable with fluttering, then
you can try layering the flutter with belly rolls. Though it
might seem daunting at first, think of it as being the same as
learning to layer a shimmy with traveling movements.
If you repeat all of these practice movements even just a
few times a week, the strength in your diaphragm, and in
your torso and belly will build up really quickly…and
soon, you will have a an “alien in your belly”, too!
PRINCESS FARHANA
Internationally acclaimed dancer Princess Farhana is known
for her signature abdominal work. To see her current workshop
and event schedule or to purchase her instructional DVD
ABS-olutely Fabulous: Abdominal Work For Belly Dance, please
visit www.princessfarhana.com