Shamira's Tips -  Posture and Tucking: Stand Proud and Exude Beauty

Q: After trying over a dozen bellydance dvd's your sensuous workout 2 is hands down THE BEST. Not only good instruction and camera angles, but I like the way the menu is organized so you can pick which dance and it gives you the move breakdown for each one. You also look like you are having a blast!

My question is posture. I am a beginner and can only take a class once a week. I am in between class sessions right now and am relying solely on dvd's for practice. When you are doing hip circles for example, (feet apart) are you still to remain in the pelvis tucked under position, ribcage up? Or are you to stick your behind out a little as you move your hip circle around to the back? I find that when I remain tucked I don't get as nice of a circle. The movement is much smaller and less dramatic. Hope I explained myself well. Thanks for your wonderful, quality product. - Michele

A: You explained yourself perfectly. And here's my answer:

STICK YOUR BUTT OUT!!

Hahaha, that's the short answer.

To delve a little deeper, I always think of drawing with my body. In this case, you want to draw a big circle parallel to the floor with your hips. What are you going to do? How are you going to reach the top part of the circle? Push your hips forward. How are you going to reach the bottom part? Push your butt out. The bigger the circle you want to draw, the more you will have to reach forward, to the sides, and back. There's no way you can do that in a tucked position.

Personally, I find that whole "tuck under" stuff highly overrated, and even kind of pompous at times. All that tucking and emphasizing posture, if overdone, leads to staid, boring movement. You'll never stand out and really express yourself if you're always holding it in.

Here's what you need for good posture: awareness. Stand proud and exude beauty. Your body will follow. Lift your ribcage, sometimes tuck, sometimes arch your back. Of course be alert as to how much you are arching your back so that you don't injure it. Otherwise... free hips, loose hips, swinging hips. Go for it! When practicing, counter stretch now and then by rolling forward into a ball like a beetle, then slowly unroll back up, head last.

Be gorgeous and enjoy yourself.

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