Authentic Belly Dancing Entertainment and Academy

Neenah’s short and easy Workouts for Abs and Glutes

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Hello my dear Students,

You have asked me what I do to stay fit and limber. I confess that I am just too busy and do not have the time to participate in workout sessions or go to the gym and spend hours working out. I am not good with machines and don’t understand them. However, I have a few favorite workout sessions that I sprinkle into my dance program. These help me build strong glutes and abdominal muscles. I have posted them to share with you. I hope you love them as much as I do!

They are powerful exercises to help you feel strong, and while they are simple in concept, they will not take much of your time to do!

Let me know how you do. If you have any ideas on exercise for too busy belly dancers, please share!

Love Neenah

April 22, 2018 Sunday Mini-Workshop Series: Cane

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Authentic Belly Dancing Entertainment & Academy

Mini-Cane Workshop Sunday Series

April 22, 2018 from 2:00pm-4:00pm

Zeina will be teaching one of her signature Cane Folklore Routine. Something fun to add to your repertoire and enhance your performance!!

 

(Bring your Canes)

  

 

  Fee: $30 Pay On-Line

Location: Danasdance Academy,  414 S. O’Connor, Irving, Texas 75060

To join us: RSVP: Neenahbelly@gmail.com

Malfouf Zill Patterns: Zill Drill with Neenah

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Hi Beautiful Belly Dancers and Students and Welcome back to my Zill Drill Blog

This blog is about the Malfouf rhythm (referred to as Malfuf, Wihda Kagira, Baruel, and Laff). Malfouf is a 2/4 pattern and perfect for a fast-paced entrance, light/quick movements, and drums.

There are so many variations of this basic pattern (Dum Tek Tek) and so many variations on how to dance to this rhythm. We will zill drill to the basic pattern (Dum Tek Tek) and add one variation (Dum Ka Tek   Ka Tek Ka). Then we will add one variation to an 8 count phrase (Dum KaTek  KaTekKa, Dum KaTek KaTekKa, Dum KaTek KaTekKa, Dum Dum Tek). The emphases as you go through this practice is to focus on the basic core rhythm. To demonstrate the different zill patterns and zill drill, I will be using music from Mizan Project Arab Rhythmologh, La Casa De Malfouf by Michael Beach, Lessons-Malfouf by Sayed Balaha, and Malfouf by Mallet Speak.

Malfouf is a fun pattern to work with. What is interesting about this rhythm is that there are 2 counts. For the basic rhythm, if you break down each Count into 4 qtr beats, for the 1st Count, the 1st beat starts with a Dum and the 4th beat is Tek. For the 2nd Count, there is a Tek on the 3rd beat.

For the variation Malfouf pattern, for the 1st Count, the 1st beat starts with a Dum, 3rd beat is Ka, and the 4th beat is Tek. For the 2nd Count, the 2nd beat is Ka, the 3rd beat is Tek, and the 4th beat is Ka.

In this 8 Count Pattern, there are 3 sets of Malfouf for the first 6 counts. On count 7&8, we add a Dum Dum Tek (referred to sometimes as Duck Duck Goose)

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5hVb7PGPSU&t=48s

Here is a link to the basic Malfouf rhythm  and its variations as played by drummers. Hearing the sound and recognizing the sound is essential.

 

 

 

Beledi Zill Drill Pattern with Neenah

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Welcome Back!!!

This month’s Blog is about the Beledi Zill Pattern. This is one of the most common rhythms used for belly dancing, including Arabic pop and traditional Egyptian dance music. There are many variations to this pattern, which include some syncopated fun things to add, but for purposes of becoming familiar with the Beledi Zill Pattern, we will drill the Basics. Beledi means “country,” so it has a definite earthy appeal as you will hear in the practice clips.

Happy Zilling, Love Neenah