Upcoming:

HAWAII: Sept 8, 9: Keynote Speaker, Dance workshop, performance
TORONTO: Sept 21, 22, 23: Keynote Speaker / workshop
LOS ANGELES: Bollywood dance class: On-going Saturdays 1-2 pm

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BELLY ARTICLES:

Belly dancing to Bollywood music (and visa versa)
Bollywood is hot! More and more belly dancers are getting on the Bollywood band wagon. Except most dancers are doing belly dancing moves to Bollywood music. And why not? Musically, for the most part, it works. For Bollywood dancers, it would be like doing bollywood dance movements to belly dance music, which by the way, is fairly common. We can't tell you how many times we've seen our Indian friends do "chakars" (Indian turns) to Om Kathoum music or an adavu (south Indian classical step) to drum solos. It's a very cool fusion. We did it for fun when we were little. Even now, we had choreographed several "belly-bolly" fusion numbers, including one in our stage show of "Hooray for Bollywood." As we travel the world teaching performing and teaching workshops, our most requested class is specific different dance movements between real Bollywood and real bellydance. Granted, there are typical dance movements of both, but let's face it. Both styles have their own fusion. Bollywood is a fusion of classical and folkloric Indian dance movements to a western beat. And now, because belly dance is hot there, they've have incorporated belly dance into their bollywood films. Egypt also has it's share of fusion, including folkloric movements of surrounding Arabic countries - and even many Indian dance moves - some from the Rajastani gypsies, the Lucknow kathak, and even some facial expressions. We can't get away from it. It's two main dance styles that has been recently brought together into its own unique belly dance creation. As long as no mudras or hastas (hand positions) that symbolize God into a precarious story, the dance movements and a creative fusion of the costume styles should creatively work well together. That's basically how tribal style started.

DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know the first Bollywood film was called "Alam Ara," and it was released in 1931?

For more info on Bollywood, visit here »

BELLYTWINS AUDIO CDS
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WIN A FREE BELLYTWINS T-SHIRT! Answer this month's BELLY QUIZ and you could win a FREE Bellytwins T-shirt! How long should a belly dance veil be? a. Approximately 4 yards b. 1 1/2 yards c. 3 ft. d. Approximately 2 1/2 -3 yards Visit here to submit your answer! The first 10 correct answers will win a FREE BELLYTWINS t-shirt! (Hint: the answer is in our book, The Way of the Belly page 67.)

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BELLY STORIES

One of the first times we visited Rajastan, India, we were fascinated by the various styles of dances. Not only because of the dancers' agility, their various accroutments, tattoos, and colorful costumes, but also the connection they had with mother earth in their style of movements. After we returned back to the states, it was so difficult to find any dance teacher that taught this style, and really capture the essence of the people. So we decided to go back to India months later, and learn from the people themselves. What an educational and wonderful experience! Today, we hold worldwide dance workshops in teaching these amazing dances with our students.

Kalbelia Dance
This fascinating kalbelia dance is performed by the women of Kalbelia community, age-old occupation of catching snakes and trading venom. Hence the dance movements bear resemblance to that of the serpents. Dancers are attired in traditional black swirling skirts, sway sinuously to the accompaniment of pungi, dufli and plaintive notes of the 'been' - the wooden instrument of the snake charmers. Two or three women sing in a high-pitched, free flowing voice, while others join in the dance.The vigorous and zestful display of their perfect movements to the enchanting tune of musical instruments is a treat to the eyes.

Terah Taal (Thirteen Beats)
This is a dance of professional expertise where the dancer performs with thirteen small cymbals or manjeeras. One is on a string in dancers hand, one in palm of second hand, and eleven on her costume in different areas of the body - the hands, legs and foreheads. The performers, mostly ladies, strike these manjeeras in rhythms with the music. This is also a devotional form of dance performed to honor their folk hero - Baba Ramdeoji.

Caari (or Pot Dance)
This dance requires a lot of patience and balance. The dancers carry brightly lit brass pots on their heads, displaying many flexible movements of the body.

Shehnai: Flute-like instrument.
Ghoongharoo: "Bells" or anklets for the purpose of producing rhythmic sounds.
Dhol, Nagara: Flat barrel drum.
Morchang: Wrought iron instrument played by mouth.
Chang: Circular or octagonal wooden frame mended with a sheep skin.
Charee Dance: Welcome dance performed in honor of bridegroom.
Ghoomar Dance: Rotating in a circle in the company of a kettledrum.
Kachchi Ghodi: Dummy horse worn as a dance prop.
Fire Dance (Agni Nach): Performed on the coal flames on the beat of drums.
Rural Magic: Enjoy the hypnotizing melody of Rajasthani folk music, when mingles with the pristine beauty of the desert, a new aroma forms.
Snake Dance: Inspired from the serpentine movement of desert snakes, performed by rural women.

For more info on Indian dance, visit our website.

BELLY LANGUAGE

Approximately 200 million people in more than twenty two countries, from Morocco to Iraq, and as far south as Somalia and the Sudan speak Arabic. This language is said to have originated in Saudi Arabia in pre-Islamic times, and spread rapidly across the Middle East.

The languages of northern India, Turkey, Iran, Portugal, and Spain are full of words of Arabic origin. Modern Arabic words vary from country to country. Here are some common words and expressions:

September Sibtembar
School Madrassa
God's will Maashaa'alaa
Hey friend! Ahalan sadiqi (male) / sadiqti (female)
I miss you Eshtaqto elaika (male) elaiki (female) or Mishtaq luk (male) Mishtaq lik (female)
Good night T'sbaho (male) / t'sbahe (female) ‘ala khair
See you later Mish bishufuk ba'aden (male) Mish bishufik ba'aden (female)

More words coming up next month!

BELLY SONG

Jemilleh This beautiful Armenian song was written and sung by our friend, John Bilezikjian. It is featured in the dvd Slim Down

Oh Jemilleh, Jemilleh – Jemilleh, Jemilleh
Ah Jemilleh, Jemilleh – Jemilleh, Jemilleh
Eem anushigees - my sweet one
Jemilleh, Jemilleh – Jemilleh, Jemilleh
Ah yar ummm – oh, darling
Ah Jemilleh, oh yar - Ah Jemilleh, oh darling
Oh ah eem anushigees - Oh my sweet one

BELLY LETTERS

Dear Veena and Neena,

I wanted to express thanks. This will probably sound like an exaggeration, but it's not. You two saved my life. I'll explain. When I was a young child, 6 or 7 years old, I saw Bellydancing for the first time. It was on an old black and white movie my mom was watching, I think it was called "The Road to Bali" with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope (it made quite an impression on me). I was absolutely mesmerized. I spent hours trying to figure out the moves in front of my mom's mirror. I was unsuccessful, so I gave up trying but continued to watch it whenever I could. Time went on, I grew up. I developed severe asthma which required me to be frequently hospitalized. The medications to help ease my breathing also induced weight gain, and I was not an active person. I had two children, boys. I continued to gain weight until I reached 265 pounds. I got very very sick a couple years ago. I was hospitalized for over a week and my mother-in-law came to stay with us when I got out (I live in Maine, she lives in Connecticut). I was bed ridden for almost two weeks after my release. The medications induce diabetic symptoms, so I was constantly monitored, and regulated with insulin. I felt like I was dying. 8 years earlier I had been on life support for an asthmatic episode. I knew how close I was to dying then, and I know this time was no different though I escaped needing the respirator because I got to the hospital sooner. I married my soulmate when I was 19, I am 35 now and still madly in love with him. We have two amazing kids together. I love them so much, and I could see the fear and worry in their eyes every time they came to visit me and still at home. It was heartbreaking. I knew that my asthma was more manageable when I weighed less. I knew I had to do something because I wanted to have a long and happy life with my family. My childhood had been very traumatic, and I was finally happy and safe with my husband and kids. I couldn't risk losing that peace I had worked so hard to attain. I considered bariatric surgery, but because of my asthma it was too risky. I tried exercise and dieting and had some success but not a lot and the aerobic was difficult to keep up with, not to mention extremely boring. I was very discouraged. One day I was poking around my favorite book store, and they had a section of exercise videos. So I looked through and saw your "Basic Moves" video. I thought back to my time trying to figure out shimmies and camels etc. I was thrilled to see this video. I immediately bought it. When I got home I tried it, and I could do it! Even better, I felt pretty and feminine while exercising, and afterwards. I had developed arthritis in my hips but after two weeks using you video, the pain in my hips was GONE! I was more flexible. Since then I've gotten almost all of you videos, and upgraded to dvd's, I have your book as well. I lost over 75 pounds, and my asthma indeed became more manageable, I've only been hospitalized twice in the past two years. Unfortunately I tore a ligament in my knee last year. I have so much more energy that I was trying to skateboard with my boys (and husband, he still skateboarding). My boys said it was the coolest thing they ever saw until I fell. anyway a high speed skateboard crash side lined me for months. I gained some weight back, and my hips were starting to hurt again. The good news, though, is that my knee is now rehabilitated and I am back to dancing everyday, losing weight and once again, my hip pain has been shimmied away. My boys were hoping I'd skateboard again, but I told them that for now I need to keep dancing, it is good for me physically and mentally. They respect that. They are 11 and 15 now. My youngest keeps teasing me because in his eyes, skateboarding is the best thing in the world, far better than dancing. He understands though, they know I have more energy to play with them and do active things like badminton and swimming etc. I was never able to before. And I told them I may get back on my skateboard again, when my balance is better. I just won't go flying at top speed down a hill again.

So thank you, thank you, thank you, for helping me get my life back on track. I know my husband and kids are thrilled too. I love dancing and my other hobbies include making elaborately beaded dream catchers and some sewing so I am putting all my skills together to make my own costume. I only dance for myself, but I love the beaded beauty and flowing skirts and veils, to complete the fantasy I had when I was a child. I can't wait to get your Ancient Essentials dvd as soon as it's released! I hope you make more instructional dvds too. I would love an autographed picture from you two, you have been such an inspiration, it would be really neat to put it up as a reminder to myself to keep working hard. To me belly dance isn't just exercise. The artist in me takes it as a serious artform that I would love to advance.

Namaste,
Patience Lewandowski

BARLEY SOUP (A favorite for Ramadan)

Ingredients:
2 Med Onions, peeled & diced
2 Lg Carrots, sc-raped & diced
2 Stalks Celery, chopped
3 ghee or safflower oil
2 lg tomatoes
8 cups filtered wate
r 1 tsp basil (preferably fresh)
1/2 tsp thyme (preferably fresh)
2 tsp sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
1 cup pearl barley
2 cups fresh green beans (or peas)
1 tb chopped fresh dill
1 cooked kidney beans
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
Cumin powder (pinch)

Directions:
Saute onions, carrots, and celery in ghee or oil in a large kettle for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, water, basil, thyme, and spices. Bring to a boil. Stir in barley and lower heat. Cook slowly, covered, 1 1/2 hours, until barley is tender. Stir in beans or peas during last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove from heat and stir in dill.


BREAK THE FAST CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Ingredients:
2 cups sour cream (preferably organic – goat or soy)
3 1 pkg 8 oz. cream cheese (preferably organic – goat or soy)
1/2 lb lox, cut in thin strips (optional)
1/4 cup finely chopped chives or finely chopped green onions

Directions:
Beat sour cream into cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Blend in lox, chives, and onions. Chill and serve on top of bagels or crackers.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share with us? Email us! Remember to include your name (or dance name) and which month you prefer it to be featured.

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THE WAY OF THE BELLY

Rating:
Reviewed by: Diana Rohini La Vigne

Visually pleasing, packed with helpful information and fun to read, The Way of the Belly is a grand exploration into the world of beauty, health, and happiness. This 173-page reader is a treasure cove for those interested in being inspired by two of the nation's leading dancers and sensual gurus, Neena & Veena. As identical twins, they are a force times two in every way. Their styles are similar but offer a slightly different point of view.

The book is one of the best bargains available at only $24.95. Bursting with recipes that make your mouth water, easy to read side bars with tips of the trade and classy visuals that show you what the text explains in detail, it's hard to beat the value. Additionally, The Way of the Belly offers a free instructional Belly Dance DVD with the book! It's obvious the Belly Twins are more interested in educating others about the dance than counting their dollars made by their books' sales. The Way of the Belly and the Belly Twins are a breath of fresh air in the industry of dance and fitness.

I strongly recommend this to brides looking for fun fitness to slim out before their weddings, wives looking to spice up their romantic side, anyone interested in fitness and mostly to those who seek creative ways to health and happiness. These fitness leaders are heading for almost guaranteed global stardom.

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COMING SOON!
(date tbd)

ANCIENT ESSENTIALS DVD
Learn to Belly dance
from A to Zills

NELL CARTER
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