reality there are a million nuances in the body alignment,
movement, motion, and musculature that occur during great
performances. Fluidity in dancing occurs when the dancer
controls the movement. Core energy and strength are keys
to controlled movement. Core energy and action engages
the body, creates personal energy, stabilizes the torso,
providing a solid foundation for movement; and also allows
the dancer to move legs and feet smoothly, lightly, and with
flowing movement. Engaging the core energy using this
body alignment method allows dancers to perform intricate
quick movements of the feet and legs because their bodies
float separately above the leg and foot movement. Your
characteristic walk and movement styling that result from
your controlled movement makes you a unique performer.
The personal style and energy you project onstage will
uniquely affect your fellow dancers and the audience as well.
Weight transfer and balance are two vital elements related to
core energy impacting performance intensity and styling. You
must be both light and weighty
to offer a dynamic movement in
performance. A simple weight
change has the potential for the
dancer to develop a personal
style of dance. A difference in
the execution of the weight
transfer changes the entire look
of a movement. For example,
either “step down and change
weight with a bent knee”, or,
“step up and change weight in
relevé” with a body undulation
are simple weight transfer
movements that look completely
different. And because each
weight change movement style
creates a different movement
characteristic - the dancer
presents a unique performance
look and feel to audiences.
Stylistic Differences and
Professional Development
In regular classes, dancers may
notice stylistic differences in
the look of movements and
steps among the students. This
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The Belly Dance Chronicles
October 2015
observable difference is due to personalized styling and
forms of moving, timing, and feeling, as dancers execute the
same movement. The movement quality and presentation
differs as a result of their own unique personal approaches
to movement. Thus, in weekly classes as dancers drill to
master techni