The Dance of the Seven Veils

Within the variations of belly dancing the one that aroused the curiosity of most people is the dance of seven veils. Although there is no evidence of its existence, many dancers create personal interpretations of it, inspired perhaps in the mystery of their origin. One of the countless stories used to explain the origin of the dance of seven veils is the one of Salome, where she danced for King Herod, her mother's husband , in exchange for the life of John the Baptist. Although this story is sufficiently known, there is no evidence which would have been really the type of dance performed by Salome. This version became the creation of the piece of Salome, Oscar Wilde, in 1907.

Another version of the origin of the dance of seven veils is the mythological story of Astarte or Ishtar (Babylon): Tamuz, died, and was taken to the kingdom of Hades, underworld. But the love of Ishtar for Tammuz was as strong as she decided to  go to the kingdom of Hades too. With passion and determination, she crossed the seven halls of the underworld, and in each one of them she left her belongings: a veil or a jewel. In this story the veil represents the unseen - the things we hide from others and ourselves. Leaving the veil, Ishtar reveals its truths, so that he can get together with his love again.

Techniques of Arabic Dance 


Much more than a movement of hips, this dance is the perfect union between body and soul. Under this concept, many women are opting for this millennial dance to reconnect with themselves, get the emotions and regain the lost selfconfidence . Taking the veil off of sensuality and getting permission to enjoy being women.

In the ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and Minor Asia  women  were whome had the capacity to give birth to children and strong warriors. Therefore, they prepared a dance working with spirit and body, mainly the abdominal muscles and flexibility of the hip. This provided a natural and healthy childbirth. The abdomen and uterus of women were something sacred and worthy of celebration.

Today, Arabic dance schools rescue the therapeutic value of their movements.

Alignment
Correct alignment or position of the body,  is the first step to avoid possible injuries in our daily lives, as well as to learn a dance and to allow safe and fast movements. Giving a sense of balance and proper location of the body axis and its center is essential. We will also learn to split the body in different parts so that in every move we apply precise muscle chains, giving an aspect of smoothness to our dance and to make us use only the necessary energy in each movement.

Technique of the hip
It is the main technical feature of this dance. We will learn to dissociate the hip of the upper trunk and to make movements independent. This is what sometimes makes this dance "magical." Leave some basic movements to reach others developed by combination of the former ones.

Technique of the veil
 It is one of the most striking elements with which we play. In the eastern classics used to enhance the go on stage of the dancer and oriental fantasies as the primary aesthetic element.
Cane Technique
The technical staff. Within the Arabic folklore dances, like the Egyptian Saidi, there are some where dancers use a cane or sword. The belly dance has incorporated many of these rhythms and movements, adapted to the philosophy of a more elegant and classical dance.

Displacement and returns
Movements and turns. These are movements that will allow us to move across the stage.