Here is a collection of tips and practices from the belly dance stars. Discover how they approach their own training, and see what you can implement it in your life too. You will learn from Jasirah, Cassandra Fox, Victoria Teel, Aziza, Nabila, Hayal, Jillina Carlano and Amar Lammar.

You can listen to these tips of Best of Episode 274, or dive into separate interviews with each artist.

Ep 19. Jasirah: How to Practice on Your Own. Tips & Tricks

Jasirah shared valuable insights into her dance training process, emphasizing the rigorous and dedicated nature required to master any dance style. She highlighted the specific challenges of drum solo performances and the necessity of practicing even the most basic movements for achieving nuanced goals in dance. Despite a decade of experience, Jasirah maintains a disciplined daily workout routine, incorporating fundamental exercises to preserve body and muscle control.

Her training regimen includes both basic movements, like shimmies of early dance classes, and more complex combinations that challenge the body to execute intricate movements devised by her creative mind. Jasirah believes in the attainability of everything through consistent practice and stressed the importance of striking a balance between mastering advanced techniques and revisiting basic exercises for reinforcing muscle memory and overall body conditioning.

Jasirah's commitment to daily training, even during travels, extends beyond fluid movements, encompassing diverse exercises for holistic practice. She cautions against the adequacy of the typical one-hour-per-week commitment for aspiring accomplished dancers, advocating for a more substantial time investment and a personalized approach. In addressing queries on improving specific movements, Jasirah consistently emphasizes the role of practice, additional exercises, and setting gradual goals tailored to individual needs, fostering steady progress and transforming challenges into routine accomplishments. Her holistic perspective on dance training combines basic exercises with creative and complex movements, offering a dynamic and fulfilling approach to the art.

Listen to the full interview with Jasirah HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 211. Jasirah: How to Find New Business Ideas as a Dancer

Frequently questioned about her fitness dedication, Jasirah reveals her reliance on customized notebooks, meticulously arranging event calendars, class schedules, and business-related notes for belly dancing. Emphasizing the efficacy of short training sessions, she advocates for consistent, brief workouts, recognizing their cumulative benefits over time. The discussion delves into Jasirah's creative process, involving the critical review of choreography videos and self-reflection for continuous refinement.

Jasirah's entrepreneurial journey unfolds as she transitions from personal notebooks to creating products for a broader audience, driven by her passion for organization and motivation. Jasirah’s distinct approach to reviewing recorded dance sessions as a separate activity further illustrates her commitment to continuous improvement. This insightful discussion, attributed to Jasirah, provides a nuanced understanding of her training philosophy, organizational methods, and entrepreneurial endeavors in the realm of dance.

Listen to the full interview with Jasirah HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 15. Cassandra Fox: Healthy Does Not Have a Face

Cassandra discussed her belly dance training routine, influenced by her farm lifestyle. Cassandra highlighted her dedication to focused, quality practice sessions, ranging from 30 minutes to three hours, emphasizing the importance of consistent movement as she ages. Cassandra values the necessity of consistent movement but emphasizes the individualized nature of finding what works best for each dancer.

Cassandra doesn't find drilling effective for her, instead preferring dancing freely to music, allowing her movements to evolve naturally. Video recording is a cornerstone of her practice, offering honest feedback and serving as an essential tool for self-reflection.

Cassandra explained her dual purpose of practicing in costumes, not only for testing and adjusting but also for personal enjoyment. Beyond the professional aspects of her dance journey, Cassandra highlights the significance of dancing for personal satisfaction. She stresses the need to balance external goals with the intrinsic joy of dancing for oneself, a sentiment rooted in her passion since the beginning of her dance journey.

Listen to the full interview with Cassandra HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 198. Victoria Teel: The Story of Fan-Veil Addiction

Victoria shares insights into her personal study and training process. Victoria reflects on the transition from guided learning under influential teachers and superstars to becoming her own teacher. With enthusiasm, Victoria acknowledges the positive impact of the dance community going online, affording her the opportunity to take classes from admired dancers globally.

Maintaining a disciplined approach to training, Victoria sets a minimum frequency for studio sessions. She utilizes video recordings as a crucial tool for self-analysis, identifying weaknesses and areas needing improvement. Cross-training, including weightlifting, is integrated into her routine to address specific needs like joint health.

Victoria values group classes but particularly enjoys private lessons after learning choreography, seeking fresh perspectives on her performance. She believes in constant feedback as a key factor in ongoing growth as a dancer. Overall, Victoria's journey involves a blend of online learning, disciplined studio practice, and a commitment to continuous improvement through varied training methods.

Listen to the full interview with Victoria Teel HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 130. Aziza: How to Be The Best Version of Your Dance Self

Aziza provides valuable insights into her approach to personal training and self-coaching. Influenced by the book "Coaching the Artist Within," she acknowledges the role of being a compassionate witness and encouraging coach to herself. Aziza emphasizes the use of video recordings for in-studio critique, focusing on specific elements like shimmies or range of motion to make deliberate improvements.

She highlights the importance of transitions in dance, asserting that they reveal personality and fluidity. Aziza addresses the challenges dancers face in analyzing their own videos, suggesting seeking feedback from trusted coaches or studying admired dancers' techniques. She discusses her unconventional training methods, including combining drills with strength exercises, notably incorporating weights during shimmies.

Reflecting on her evolving training focus, Aziza emphasizes core strength, leg validity, and muscle engagement as she's matured as a dancer. She reflects on how her training routine adapted with age and changing performance circumstances during extensive travel. Currently, Aziza's training routine includes running, stretching, Pilates, and weight training. Her comprehensive insights offer a holistic view of self-coaching and the dynamic nature of a dancer's training journey.

Listen to the full interview with Aziza HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 105. Nabila: It's Never Too Late to Start and Succeed

Nabila discusses the significance of strength in Oriental dance, challenging the common perception that it primarily requires flexibility. She emphasizes the necessity of muscular strength, particularly in the legs, for executing intricate moves effectively. Contrary to the seemingly effortless appearance of Oriental dance, Nabila reveals the demanding nature of the art form, requiring controlled breathing and substantial physical effort.

Addressing the misconception that belly dance alone is sufficient for a dancer, Nabila shares personal experiences, incorporating chest pops, hip hop, and ballet into their training routine. Even when dancing for joy initially, Nabila integrated daily strengthening exercises early on, gradually intensifying them as they progressed professionally. She views these additional activities not only as means to enhance dance technique but also to make movements aesthetically pleasing on stage.

Nabila's insights shed light on the multifaceted aspects of Oriental dance, where strength training complements flexibility. The conversation underscores how dancers like Nabila incorporate diverse training methods to elevate their skills, ensuring that their performances not only look graceful but also embody the strength and discipline required for this captivating art form.

Listen to the full interview with Nabila HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 271. Hayal: Functional Training For Belly Dancers

Hayal unveils her specialized functional training program designed exclusively for belly dancers. Having observed a plateau in technical advancements within the belly dance community, Hayal drew from her background in physical education and physiotherapy to address this challenge. She initiated the program, emphasizing the necessity to prepare the body through stress, coordination, and stretching exercises. Over her 15 years of teaching experience, Hayal recognized a lack of body awareness among dancers, stressing the importance of spatial orientation, coordination, strength, flexibility, and mobility.

Her program evolved from a targeted approach, analyzing and solving recurring problems observed in students. Hayal elucidates that her program isn't centered solely on strength but seeks to tackle specific impediments hindering dance techniques. Contrary to concerns about traditional gym workouts tightening muscles, she advocates for a nuanced approach, recognizing that individuals may require emphasis on strength, flexibility, coordination, or mobility. Hayal's functional training program is tailored to address these diverse needs efficiently, providing a comprehensive solution beyond conventional gym routines and ensuring a more profound and targeted enhancement of dance techniques.

Listen to the full interview with Hayal HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 31. Jillina Carlano: How Food Can Influence Your Dance

Jillina discusses the comprehensive approach to conditioning her body, starting with a focus on nutrition. She shares her recent engagement with genome testing, a DNA examination providing insights into genetic predispositions for diseases, optimal exercise levels, and dietary choices in alignment with hormonal balance. Jillina emphasizes her commitment to a paleo-style nutrition plan, incorporating a balance of low carbs, high-fiber vegetables, and clean proteins, with a minimal percentage allocated to complex carbs.

Intermittent fasting is a key aspect of Jillina's conditioning routine, where she restricts her eating window to optimize energy levels and allow her organs to rest. She describes adapting to this practice, noting its energizing effects and its positive impact on her ability to engage in morning workouts. Additionally, Jillina details her morning routine, including bulletproof coffee or green tea with coconut oil, attributing the regimen to enhanced well-being.

Furthermore, Jillina highlights the health benefits of green tea, citing antioxidants as valuable components. Her holistic conditioning approach encompasses not only physical exercises but also a mindful and tailored nutritional regimen, contributing to her overall sense of vitality and balance.

Listen to the full interview with Hayal HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

Ep 190. Amar Lammar: Adapting to a New Country & Lifestyle

Amar shares the intricate challenges of sustaining inspiration in her dance journey. She prioritizes personal training to reconnect with her performer's essence, feeling a need to nurture her artistic side, often overshadowed by a schedule filled with numerous classes to teach. Amar opens up about the difficulties of recording herself for social media, expressing how the presence of a camera can interrupt the natural flow of her movements, causing her to lose focus.

Amar discusses the impact of unforeseen circumstances, particularly the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, on her planned performances. Despite setbacks, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance, refusing to give up on her passion for dance. Amar acknowledges the therapeutic nature of dance, revealing moments of dancing to melancholic tunes to alleviate sorrows.

This interview provides a heartfelt glimpse into the fluctuating nature of inspiration, revealing the dedication required to navigate challenges and reignite the passion for dance. Amar's story encapsulates the profound personal and emotional dimensions inherented in a dancer's journey.

Listen to the full interview with Amar HERE, or find out more just about her training tips in this special best of episode: Ep 274. Training Tips From The Stars

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Author: Iana Komarnytska