WELCOME
Read a review about our recent show May 2,2009 at the Kiwanis Theatre Chatham, Ontario.
l00l Nights and l00l fabulous memories! I had the opportunity to attend the Robbins & Abdo l00l Nights/Alf Leyla wa Leyla production in Chatham on May 2nd and what a spectacular event it was! I have been bellydancing for almost three years and during that time I have attended a number of performances and have performed myself. I have never seen such exquisite dancing from so many dancers as I did that night. The stamina of the dancers still amazes me, along with the number of dance sequences they performed. Costumes like I have never seen before! The theatre setting set the mood from the start and the stage changes were quick and flawless to allow the next dance. Choreography that totally depicted the mood of the music. The synchronization of the dancers was flawless, including hand and foot movements. The facial expressions of the dancers expressed the mood of their dance. The male dancer (Brian Slaughter, Sarnia ON ) was a nice addition to the troupe. I was rivoted to my seat waiting for the next performance. Definitely a performance not to be missed and I've told all my fellow dancers that next year is a must to attend. Thanks to SuSu, Megan and all the dancers for an unforgetable experience. Nancy Murray, Kitchener
Thanks Nancy! We are so glad you enjoyed our show.
MEDIA RELEASE January 7, 2009
Chatham Group Announces “Dances In The Park”
A new event emerges this summer produced and presented by a new organization called CKdances. This premier event is an outdoor dance festival held in Tecumseh Park featuring local choreographers and performers. Dances in the Park is the Chatham-Kent version of Dusk Dances, a hugely popular summer event that has brought contemporary and traditional dance to public parks across Canada since 1993.
Over the past 3 years, Dusk Dances was successfully presented in Chatham with the aid of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Ontario Arts Council. Those grants have run their course, and it is now up to each individual community to carry on.
Building on the success of Dusk Dances, Dances in the Park aims to continue to present original and unique contemporary dance pieces to the community through local choreographers and performers. This event will be held July 16-18, 2009 in Tecumseh Park, Chatham. MARCH 1 2009 Chatham's own Susu Abdo has been awarded one of the 5 choreographers positions for the C-K Dances event this summer!!!! Submissions were based on the choreographers body of work, experience and style of dance. Troupe Abdo will be presenting an original choreograhy by Susu Abdo at this event. We hope to see all our friends and fans there this July.
Chatham-Kent's only dance studio devoted strictly to the art of Egyptian Belly Dance.
Now offering pay as you go for our Technique and Tone and Stretch classes. These are now drop in classes. So if you want to hone your technique with us drop on in. See calander page for details.
Thank you to Cinta Sebastia for an invigorating and challenging workshop in the Introduction to Flamenco class. All I can say is WOW!! Cinta is a talented Flamenco Artist. It was an honour to study with you. We look forward to having you back real soon Cinta!
Modern day women learning an ancient art. Embracing the Divine feminine that is in all of us. If you love personal challenge this may be the dance for you!
BENEFITS OF BELLY DANCE
Modern day women learning an ancient art. Embracing the Divine feminine that is in all of us. If you love personal challenge this may be the dance for you! See our recent interview segment on London's A channel morning show with Houida Kasem
The benefits of belly dance.
Improved posture and muscle toning
The movements helps increase circulation. When movements are done properly, the pelvis is tipped forward, or tucked somewhat; a neutral position that can help prevent lower back problems. Bellydancing can help relieve stress to the back, counteracting the almost constant compression of the disks that occurs from sitting and a sedentary lifestyle. Small muscle groups deep in the back that are normally under-exercised are used and strengthened. The muscles surrounding the hip, the largest joint in the body, are used and exercised during hip drops, and figure eights, enhancing flexibility and suppleness. Improved hip flexibility can lead to improved balance when walking as well.
Arms and Shoulders are exercised when doing lifts, circles, or the rippling motions of snake arms, toning muscle. This toning effect is often evident early on, since holding the arms aloft are an important element of the dance, even for beginners. Because a woman is on her feet, moving during the dance, it is considered a weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercise can prevent osteoporosis and strengthen bones, and the overall toning can lead to an improved self-image, as the dancer becomes more balanced and poised.
It is a dance form that is healthy for women of all ages to perform, with an emphasis on using abdominal muscles, hip moves, and chest moves. It is firm and earthy, with bare feet connected to the ground. It is a dance characterized by smooth, flowing, complex, and sensual movements of the torso, alternated with shaking and shimmy type moves. In traditional Raks Sharki the knee is never lifted higher than the hip.
The dancer's great skill lies in the ability to isolate and move different parts of the body separately, such as the hips, upper and lower stomach, chest and head. With the arms held out and up, the dancer can easily work her shoulders and body against the muscle resistance of her own arms. Good armwork is one of the great distinguishing marks between good dancers and poor ones.
The classic body position for Raks Sharki includes a balanced and upright posture with knees slightly bent and feet apart no farther than hip distance. The knees must be bent in order for the hips to work. Good posture is extremely important. If dancing causes the lower back to hurt, then the dancer is using bad posture.
Weight loss
Some doctors report that raks sharki/belly dance can burn up to 300 calories per hour. This estimate will vary, of course, depending on the intensity of your dancing. Combined with a healthy diet that involves sensible eating, bellydancing can be part of a sound weight loss program. Many dance classes take place only once or twice a week. For even better results and enhanced cardiovascular benefits, try combining the flexibility and muscle strengthening of raks sharki with an aerobic routine, such as swimming or bike riding, on the days you don't have class.
Preparation for childbirth
The movements of raks sharki/belly dance make an excellent prenatal and post-natal exercise regimen that strengthens the muscles used during the childbirth process. The toned abdominal muscles and natural hip tucks, which are similar to the "pelvic rocking" taught during prenatal classes, teach the expectant mother how to move her pelvis. An excellent post-natal exercise that helps encourage abdominal tone during those first weeks after giving birth. While healing from the birth process, these movements work the muscles gently and effectively, if done very gradually.
Stress reduction
The repetitive movements of the dance and the concentration needed to do them can help a mind filled with daily stress to "let go" for a while and relax. It's hard to worry about deadlines at work when you are thinking about getting that next drop just right, or while making sure that you are in time with the music.
One effect of stress is that our bodies tense up, causing contractions or spasms in muscle groups, such as those in the neck, shoulders, or back. When a muscle is contracted, lactic acid builds up, causing the "soreness" or pain that occurs. Blood flow to the affected muscles decreases as well.
Raks sharki, on the other hand, gently stretches and uses these vulnerable muscle groups, and as they are utilized, blood flow increases and lactic acid is flushed away. Stressed muscles relax as they are gently exercised, relieving the "clenched" muscles often seen in our society. The body becomes supple and limber, and practitioners frequently report that pain diminishes in the back and neck areas.
Increased self awareness/self esteem
The origin of Raks sharki/belly dance celebrates the feminine spirit. It was originally created and performed by women for the enjoyment of women. In Near and Middle eastern cultures, the dance is taught to young girls by their mothers and other female relatives as a part of daily life and performed as a family celebration for a young girls' passage into womanhood. The dance influences positive self image development and encourages us to appreciate who we are and focuses on presenting the inner beauty of all women. The results are increased self confidence and self esteem. While dancing, we relax and enjoy moving our bodies naturally to the dance rhythms, which is why women of all ages, shapes and backgrounds enjoy belly dancing. Raks sharki is a fun, healthy way to exercise. It can be a creative outlet that conditions, tones, and allows a woman to tune into the natural movements of her body. It can refresh, relax, and/or exhilarate. So why wait?
ALL CLASSES ARE 8 WEEK SESSIONS ARE ARE $80.00 REGARDLESS OF LEVEL. SEE CLASSES PAGE AND CALENDAR PAGE FOR DETAILS. PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE.
REGISTER AND PAY AT FIRST NIGHT OF CLASS.
SuSu Abdo Desert Rose
SuSu Abdo's Kibori
SuSu Abdo dances Habibi Ya Nasy
Rimaja dances Shamadan
From the Hips oh My Show. The duo of Susu Abdo and Megan Robbins aka Rimaja dance Shamadan
SuSu Abdo dances at Sarnia Belly Dance Gala
SuSu Abdo at the February Follies, London Ontario 2009
