Belly Dance Boot Camp

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.

***BOOT CAMP UPDATE 7/26/08***
After many hopeful ideas, failed attempts and months of waiting
(many, many months), it is official! I have decided to re-film the
DVDs and produce them myself. I have begun filming sections of
the Boot Camp Intensives, have conferred with my sound man for
the voice-overs, and will be heading to Denver within weeks to
learn how to operate my handy-dandy new computer and groovy
music & video editing software I had installed on it! Wheeee!

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 check to see if there are any Intensives in your area!