One of our favourite accessories to dance with is the veil, the theme of our A and A/M choreographies in our next course period (KP2) starting March 4th 2024. Veils can be used to frame movements or become an extension of the dancer’s body. Dynamic, dramatic or dreamy, the movement fills the space around the dancer in colour and shape, as the veil adds a new dimension to the performance.
A QUINTESSENTIAL BELLY DANCE PROP
If you never know what to do with your arms when dancing, then dancing with a veil can help you with the positioning of your arms to get used to a more extended position.
Think of the veil as an extension of your arms while dancing to make it flow gracefully. Allow your arms to make bigger movements than usual and don’t keep them too close to your body, to give the veil more room for movement. For ideas on how to get more creative with a veil check out our blog series "A fresh look at veil technique".
PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF DANCING WITH A VEIL
Dancing with a veil can also help build strength in the upper body, arms and shoulders. Here are some tips on increasing range of movement in the upper body:
Arm circles - Lift both arms straight out to your sides, holding them parallel to the ground. Make small backward circles, rotating through the shoulder joint, gradually increasing the circumference of the circle until your arms are rotating in giant circles that reach above the head and down to the thighs. Complete 30 seconds of easy backward circles and then reverse directions and perform 30 seconds going forward in ever-increasing sizes of circles.
Arm swings - Stand with feet hips' distance apart and gently wrap your arms around your body as though to give yourself a big hug. Gently release and open the arms back as though to embrace someone else in a hug. As you continue with this opening and closing arm stretch, try to go a little deeper with each movement. Complete 30-45 seconds of self-hugs and other hugs until you feel a lengthening and warming sensation through the back and chest muscles.
Shoulder retraction to press ups - Stand with feet hips' distance apart and hold a light stick with both hands with a wide grip behind your upper back. Bring the stick down your back as low as possible by retracting your shoulder blades. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull them down as far as possible. Then slowly push the stick up overhead until your arms are fully extended. Make sure you keep the bar slightly behind your head upon extension and your abdominal muscles contracted. Slowly bring the stick back down and repeat 6-8 reps.
HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR VEIL
Different materials are used for dance veils that affect the movement and look of the veil but our favourite is silk for the way it floats and fills the space. Although we have veils you can use at ZeoT, we highly recommend you have your own veil and preferably a silk one. If you’re concerned about how to care for your veil and keep it clean and in good condition, check out these great tips from Princess Farhana.