3 ) Energize the core : Before and while dancing – do this simple movement to create better posture and energize your core . Twist on the forefoot of both feet lifting your heels – changing your direction from one side to the other . As you do this , pull in your leg across the other slightly activating the inner thigh adductor muscles as you set your weight in a different direction . You will feel core stabilization : your lower back and your front torso will be energized and create dancer-ready posture for smooth movement . Utilize your adductor inner thigh muscles as you pull a leg in towards the other standing leg – finishing in a pose with the knee bent and pulled inward , and the feet in line with the hip and thigh in a pose ( like making a “ ballet-style bow ”).
Offer to Help
In future articles , I will discuss how we can change our footfalls and posture in ways that will enhance our dancing and performance . I ’ ll share my healing and rehabilitation experience from foot and ankle surgeries – to dance again .
I would love to hear from dancers who are also medical practitioners specializing in body mechanics , rehabilitation , and healing from injuries . There may be much you can share to assist dancers with the best body mechanics and movement to promote posture and ease while dancing .
During this time of pandemic social isolation , you may be dancing alone to Zoom classes or YouTube videos – and without the instructional correction you would receive from in-person classes with a teacher . If you want my assessment and feedback – send me a video and I ’ ll send you helpful information to assist you to analyze your movement quality and style and provide you with some helpful pointers . Send videos to
MaShuqaDancer @ gmail . com or MaShuqa Mira Murjan on Facebook .
MA * SHUQA MIRA MURJAN & CARL SERMON
Ma * Shuqa Mira Murjan has been performing , teaching , and coaching for over 45 years . Her Ma * Shuqa Method gives dancers a structure for developing improvised choreography while performing with individualized styling . Her workshop is perfect for teachers and dancers who want to enhance performance dynamics and styling . She has authored many articles on aspects of professionalism and performance in Middle Eastern dance – including a key work entitled “ Raqs Sharqi Improvisational Taqasim Dance Part 2 : The Performance Intersection of Music , Raqs Sharqi , and Tarab ” found at www . MaShuqa . com . Ma * Shuqa offers dancers extended study opportunity through her Diva Dancer Professional Development Workshops which offer dancers topics on cultural aspects of music , rhythm , and dance theory to enhance their weekly studies and performances . As a dance photographer – what she sees through the camera lens reflects a dancer ’ s professionalism . Her husband , Carl Sermon , is well-known for his festival and performance photography of Oriental dancers . Ma * Shuqa and Carl work together to provide artistic direction and performance photography for photo sessions with Oriental dancers . See their work in The Belly Dance Chronicles magazine , The GildedSerpent . com E-zine , and www . CarlSermonPhotography . Zenfolio . com
May 2021 � The Belly Dance Chronicles 37