Traps of Advanced Training
Hey dancers,
I want to chat with you about something that might be a bit of a wake-up call—especially for those of us who love getting lost in the thrill of mastering advanced belly dance techniques. You know, the intense, intricate stuff that makes us feel like pros. But here’s the thing: while it's exciting to dive into those advanced moves, there's something even more crucial that often gets overlooked—drilling your basics.
It’s easy to become addicted to what feels advanced or challenging. We chase after those complicated steps, layered shimmies, and intricate chest undulations because they give us that rush of accomplishment. But don’t be fooled into thinking that only working on advanced material is the path to progress. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Embracing the Basics: Why Advanced Belly Dance Techniques Aren't Enough
Let's talk about the basics: your figure eights, shimmies, chest circles, and arm undulations. These foundational movements are not just for beginners. They’re the bedrock of everything else you do in belly dance, no matter how long you’ve been dancing. Even the most professional dancers, the ones you admire in workshops, festivals, and YouTube videos, regularly drill their basics. It’s a non-negotiable part of their training.
Recently, I put together a drill that’s all about getting back to basics. We’ve been focusing on advanced techniques for weeks, so this drill was a deliberate shift. It might seem simple—you’re sitting on the floor, working on chest circles. But here’s the truth: just because you’ve learned how to do a chest circle or a hip shimmy doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement.
Often, we get frustrated when we don’t see big progress, even though we’re putting in the work. "Why isn’t my dance improving? I’m practicing these advanced movements all the time!" Sound familiar? The answer lies in your foundation. If you want to see real progress, if you want your movements to become bigger, freer, and more precise, you need to keep refining your basics.
For example, take chest circles. Sure, you know how to do them, but when was the last time you really focused on making them bigger, more fluid, or smoother? Or think about your shimmies—are they as relaxed and controlled as they could be, especially when layered with other movements? These are the kinds of questions you should be asking yourself.
Here’s the warning sign: if you’re only focusing on advanced techniques—like shimmies layered with steps, arms, and hips all at once—you might think you’re making progress. But without solid foundations, you’re building on shaky ground. Advanced techniques are just a flashy exterior; your basics are the solid structure that holds everything up.
So, what’s the takeaway? Don’t get stuck in the mindset of "advance, advance, advance." Real progress comes when you balance advanced practice with a consistent return to your basics. It might feel like taking a step back, but in reality, it’s a huge leap forward.
Trust me, I do this myself. Even after years of dancing, I still drill the basics. I work on my chest circles, my twists, and all the foundational movements regularly. It’s not just about going through the motions; it’s about finding ways to improve, even in the simplest of techniques.
So the next time you’re tempted to skip the basics and jump straight to the flashy stuff, remember this: your progress depends on your foundations. Keep drilling those basics, and you’ll see your advanced techniques soar to new heights.
Happy dancing, and keep those hips moving! 💃✨
Iana Dance Club Updates for this Week
NEW TECHNIQUE DRILL: Drill 270 - Isolating Chest Movements
The new technique drill at the Iana Dance Club focuses on an important practice to increase mobility and flexibility in your upper body and chest area. Get ready for a slow but juicy workout on the floor.
Music Corner: How to play standing up
In this class drummer Pedro Bonatto shows how to use a scarf, shamag or any fabric to create a strap to the drum around our waist so we can play standing up! We also discuss some differences in the playing technique and some suggestions to get used to this.
LEARN BELLY DANCE ONLINE WITH IANA
The Iana Dance Club was created to help you navigate your dance life. Whether you are a dance enthusiast or dream about a professional career, you will find a training program to help you achieve your goals and nurture your dance soul.
LISTEN TO THE BELLY DANCE LIFE PODCAST:
About Iana
Iana Komarnytska is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and passionate content creator helping dancers navigate their dance lives.
She is a graduate from the professional dance program at York University (Canada), host of the Belly Dance Life podcast, creator of the Iana Dance Club, author of numerous articles, and winner of Star Bellydancer Canada 2014 among other international competitions.
Along with belly dance, Iana performs and teaches Persian Classical and Turkish Romani dancing. She is the first choreographer to start using Triple Isis wings, and since 2012 this is one of her style signatures.
It’s easy to become addicted to what feels advanced or challenging. But don’t be fooled into thinking that only working on advanced material is the path to progress. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.