Hello, welcome to my Sensual Sama'i 10/8 Bellydance workshop!

Sama'i Thaqil is a beautiful odd time signature rhythm from the Muwashshat (Andalusian) family of rhythms, with Arabian world roots. It is very deep, robust and grounded, yet flows through many different energies: earthy, rebounding, lifting, swaying and pausing. You can find your breath and space within this rhythm, which is one of the reasons I love it so much for bellydancing. It is not rushed, so you can pause and feel the shifts easily. The footwork for the travelling pathways, however can feel quite nimble - but its flows easily.

You will learn to move confidently to the 10/8, marking the footwork in rhythmic time and timely weight shifting with flowing patterns.

RHYTHM EXPLANATION

Firstly drummer Sam will demonstrate the skeleton of the rhythmic breakdown on Darbuka, Dof and Riq.

MOVEMENT BREAKDOWN

Then I show the movement relationship and how to dance to 10/8. Then combinations.

DANCING TO ARABIC 10/8 MUSIC

Finally I show you how to dance to music featuring Sama'i Thaqil 10/8 with some lovely songs including new originals from Cairo.

We will look at two ways of bellydancing to the 10/8 rhythm/songs:

A. Body Pathways for Sama'i Thaqil -

Path, pattern or flow of gestures when staying on the spot (axial movement).

B. Floor patterns for Sama'i Thaqil -

Patterns made when travelling across a space (locomotive).

Sama'i Thaqil is very deep, feminine and yielding in its energy. You will open new sensory pathways as you embody the 10/8 timing.

Feel free to