Thursday 14 July 2016

7 Things About Your 1st BELLY DANCE PERFORMANCE by Ritambhara Sahni

7 Things About Your 1ST Belly Dance Performance


I, Ritambhara Sahni director at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai have been performing and relishing the spotlight ever since I was a little girl. I went on to choreographing school and college shows to judging them as well. Soon after, I went on to open Ritambhara Sahni’s Institute for the Performing Arts and later Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni, where we conduct Haflas (Belly dance Parties) and HIP-NOSIS (Belly Dance events). After months of training, the girls at the various levels have the opportunity and platform to perform like  professional divas. Now, you certainly want to put your best foot forward and let it be a memorable experience which you can reflect upon with fondness. To achieve that, there are certain things that good dancers do differently and that set them apart from the rest. With ample experience up my sleeve in not only being a dance performer myself, but also training young dancers, let me share a thing or two I’ve learnt about what many won’t tell you during your first performance.


1] The road less traveled is the most rewarding. 
Copying an already done dance sequence with the simplest techniques is too easy. The most hypnotizing performances are those that challenge the viewer and leave them captivated. How do you achieve that? Simple. Play with your strengths and yet clip in a concept that you find most challenging. While you ponder over it, remember the difference between staying where you are on the familiar path and the growth factor is achieved in facing the unknown. Practice till you attain perfection and on the day of the performance, I assure you, it will be so gratifying. Keep pushing even when the going gets tough. And it will get tough before getting a lot easier and I , Ritambhara Sahni have surly experienced that myself and today i run Belly Dance Institute Mumbai.


Ritambhara sahni - Her student at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai in house show
 - Hip- Nosis Mumbai


2] The many hats a dancer wears 
I, Ritambhara Sahni say this to all my students at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai that when you are performing on stage, you wear the many hats of a true artist. Standing out in a crowd is not merely the capacity to dance, but the stage becomes your canvas and you paint your story. Belly dance is the art of skillfully moving every muscle in the body to the beats of the music, but, the stage is set on fire by the skillful performers who can channel their impulses into an innately expressive dance. So, to heighten the effects of your first performance, aim at owning the stage while blending dance with the fine arts of music and expression. Belly dance accentuates the strength of a woman and celebrates her spirit. This is amplified by your expression and body language which must be included in the choreography.

Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni
Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni
Photo Courtesy - Click Here


3] Confidence comes from a lot of practice. 
There really is no shortcut to being confident about your performance and there’s no way you’re going to leave your audience spellbound, if you can’t gain a steady momentum in your dance practice. Apart from practicing in front of the mirror, videotaping your choreography is also a great idea. You might cringe and be overly critical about yourself, but its with assurance that I, Ritambhara Sahni assert, you will get better and master the choreography with precision. And most importantly, all those hours in that practice and critical analyzing by your instructor at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai can be most rewarding. Everything makes complete sense when the music begins to play, the crowd starts cheering and you’re dancing with a heightened confidence.


Belly Dance Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni 
Beginner Student performing
Hip-Nosis Mumbai - Our In House Show


  4] Add a little more of mental rehearsal. 
I, Ritambhara Sahni swear by this as well and i tell all my students at my institute BElly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni to definately do this as mental rehersal is greater has to always superceed the physical one for the physical one to be a sucess .So, apart from practicing the choreography, it is a great idea to have a copy of the song playing repeatedly on the music player. Wear the headphones and let it play on your phone while you work or are standing in a queue, listen to it in the car on your way home from work or let it play while you lie down to rest. Its important to familiarize yourself with every beat of the music and mentally rehearse the steps. Feel the music and let it dictate the expressions you wear. Practice the choreography in your minds space and take note of the portions you can’t remember what comes. Mental rehearsals are elementary and play a pivotal role in anticipating what comes next. Try this in consonance with the practice sessions and the improvement will be noticeable.

Ritambhara Sahni's belly dance institute Mumbai
Ritambhara Sahni's Belly Dance Institute Mumbai
Photo Courtesy - Click here


5] Gearing up for the performing night or The Day
The attire for the performance could already be chosen or you may have been given the flexibility to wear what you choose. Either way, its quintessential to not just try the outfit but also rehearse with it in order to identify the revealing bust line you aren’t comfortable with or a belt that slips down the waist as per the choreography. So, to avoid any mishaps and make the night memorable for all the good reasons, it is important you overrule the little things that can take unnecessary precedence. Also, take a look at the stage and imagine your choreography in front of the spectators apart from visiting the backstage and taking a mental note of your entry.


Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni
Beginner Student Performing back then who is now a professional herself
at our very own Hip- Nosis Mumbai show


6] The final preparations
I, Ritambhara Sahni tell all my students at my institute - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai to create a CHECKLIST. Now, that you know what you’re wearing and how the stage looks, make a list of all that you will need to make your night perfect. If you aren’t familiar with makeup, visit a mall and let them help you with the ways you could wear it. Don’t forget to buy them, its only fair. Or else, book an appointment at a salon and let them make you look like the diva you are. Purchase safety pips, hair accessories, a kaftan or robe you could wear over the outfit and  all the styling accessories you would need. Be certain the music you’re dancing on is burnt on a CD or uploaded on a pen drive. Last but not the least, pack everything in a bag while you tick it off your checklist.

Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni
Belly Dance Institute Mumbai
by Ritambhara Sahni
Photo Courtesy - Click Here


7] It can get addictive.
The night you were waiting for with rapt anticipation will come and go before you know it. But allow me to warn you, your first may not be the last because it can get addictive and i Ritambhara Sahni experienced that after my 1st performance as a child. Well, not in literal terms, because dance is far from being addictive medically. When the spotlights are on, and as you wait for the familiar music to start playing, your heart might skip a beat as the crowd cheers on. The rush you get from the happy endorphins can get addictive. With my years of experience, one of the things i have learnt is that endorphins are wonderful chemicals in the brain that are not only responsible for the positive moods but also act like a painkiller. So, even after a grueling dance rehearsal or a great performance, dancers don’t feel a stinging pain and an aching muscle but instead dance on with happy feet. The exhilarating experience to perform and have all eyes on your ravishing performance can leave you wanting for more. The HIP-NOSIS - MUMBAI sessions at my institute - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni happen at frequent intervals and so you can go all out and own the stage once again, especially now that you know how to. :)




Ritambhara Sahni - her students in a group performance 
at her show - Hip-nosis Mumbai
of  Belly  Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni


Belly Dance Institute Mumbai review
Ritambhara Sahni's Belly Dance Institute Mumbai
Photo Courtesy - Click Here



To Know More On My Institute - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai and Me - Ritambhara Sahni - Do Click On the Following links:
CENTERS AT COLABA , BANDRA WEST , KHAR WEST AND ANDHERI WEST

Our Website- Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Facebook Page - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Instagram Page - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Linkedin Page - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Twitter - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni


IN THE PRESS

Ritambhara Sahni in Bombay Times on Belly Dance Awareness

Bombay Times -Belly Dance Your Way To A Flat Stomach -AT Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Times Of India - Idiva- Dance and its Health Benefits by Ritambhara Sahni

Bombay Times - Dance Workouts that Get You Party Fit - Ritambhara Sahni's full interview

Hindustan Times Article - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Harmony Magazine Article On Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

DNA Newspaper - Ritambhara Sahni's article - at belly dance institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Bombay Times - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Mumbai Mirror - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Afternoon Newspaper- Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Bombay Times Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni

Times Of India -Another Bombay Times Article of Ritambhara Sahni at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai


About Ritambhara Sahni and her articles:

Ritambhara Sahni - All About Her - story with Dance and Belly Dance

Ritambhara Sahni - How she made her Chilhood Dream of Belly Dance a Reality

Ritambhara Sahni talks about Women Empowernment and Belly Dance

Ritambhara Sahni - Her Battle To Change The View Point of Belly Dance

A Girls Broken Engagement and Belly Dance- Real Life Review of Ritambhara Sahni's Student

A Failed Love story and Belly Dance - Real Life Review Of Ritambhara Sahni's Student

20 Reasons To Belly Dance by Ritambhara Sahni

7 MUSTS for an Aspiring Belly Dance Performing Artist by Ritambhara Sahni.

Ritambhara Sahni's article - Near Fox App

Ritambhara Sahni's interview Local Turn On App

Review - By Students

Review By Rinky Ritambhara Sahni Student at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai

Testimonial - By Students

Testimonial by Sangita Shetty - Ritambhara Sahni - student at belly dance institute Mumbai


ABOUT Belly Dance Institute Mumbai - Student Information

Frequently Asked Questions At Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni


A review / testimonial by our student 
Ritambhara Sahni mam's comedic energy is infectious, and our belly dance class is always more of a dance party than strict instruction but Ritambhara Sahni mam still conducts her belly dance class in Mumbai with so much ease and maintains and balance and  the dicipline and fun. Its a great fun way to learn from her. She's more than happy to break down steps if you're having trouble, and I appreciate that she wholeheartedly shares all her knowledge when it comes to dance, belly dance and performance. From my experience i would love to write here in my review or perhaps a testimonial  that Ritambhara Sahani's  only concern is that you understand the belly dance techniques throughly, because the belly dance choreography can always be taught/changed later. This is easily my all-time favorite class which is belly dance institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni! I've been taking Ritambhara Sahni's belly dance classes in Mumbai for about a year now, and I've learned so many beautiful belly dance techniques and amazing choreographies, as well as plenty of history and concepts.  Ritambhara Sahni's belly dance institute Mumbai also has its belly dance show called Hip-nosis Mumbai. I was a part of belly dance institute Mumbai's belly dance show as well. Although each piece  of belly dance choreography was superbly performed, the Sophia Bhabha Auditorium was the ideal setting for displaying such talent. Resembling a Paradise for great godesses, the stage area was so beautifully lit up, the costumes and the colour and the beautiful noise of the belly dance belts that each student had worn on stage to perform was just so amazing. The costumes and the belly dance belts bought a new glitter to the stage each time. We all students feel soconnected to the art of belly dance just wearing and belly dancing with our belly dance belts. I love my belly dance belt so much and i am as much in love with my belly dance belt as i am  in love with the belly dance art. A belly dancing belt adds more life to belly dance i feel. Belly dance institute Mumbai is a wonderful place to learn this amazing form of belly dance.
- Sonia Gidwani - student at belly dance institute Mumbai

2 comments:

  1. I am Ritambhara Sahni's student at Belly dance Institute Mumbai. I am in the banda Khar center. I also attend at the colaba and Andheri center as we are allowed to practice as much as we want at all centers and at no extra cost. The benefits in terms of learning that i have received from belly dance institute Mumbai and Ritambhara Sahni are incredible and i would love to share my experience about Ritambhara Sahni's institute in the form of my review or testimonial for others to benefit as well if they are looking to join her. So, The first time I saw Ritambhara sahni, I was left spellbound. This was way back in 2001 where she was the lead dancer in a grand event. I was there along with my friends and for once was least interested in quipping in the conversation because I was mesmerized for those few minutes. Immediately, I knew that was a person I was aspiring to learn from. Her movements were crisp, every step of the chorography matched the dance and she could carry out the most difficult moves with so much grace. That’s a lot of talent! Soon after I joined her belly dance classes in Mumbai where her incredible energy was the same as what I saw and felt on stage! She teaches us to dance and belly dance with confidence and crisp techniques. The ambience is full of fun and frolic with happy people dancing in unison to the beats and rhythms. This has been by far the best learning experience where we even get the opportunity to perform, which is so exhilarating. I wanted to learn from the best and Ritambhara Sahni is the best! Belly dance institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni is definately the most positive places one can learn this Godly dance form form females. The instructors under the mentorship of Ritambhara Sahni are wonderful people.

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  2. Thank you so so much my dear for leaving behind your incredible review here for us and others to read in the form of your testimonial. You have mentioned the best of your experience because of course i have been with you throughout your journey with belly dance. I just love love love the fact that you come to practice at all our centers be it colaba, Bandra, Khar or Andheri. I love to see you everywhere belly dancing and practicing to utmost grace and perfection always at our own Belly Dance Institute Mumbai :). It feels good to see the fire in your students always at my belly dance class in Mumbai. Thanks for your belief in all i say because practice makes perfect and magic happen according to me. YES , my dear i do remember very clearly that we met for the first time at this event called 'UTTKARSHA' - an event organised for the upliftment of destitute Women. It was amazing and positive to meet you and yes you were really keen to join and i remember you telling me that you wanted to belly dance like me and then said that you just wanted to be me :)..hahahha. But my dear you are now awesome and better than me , i feel and thats my great achievement - so proud of you :) Yes there is nothing more greater than performing and showcasing what you know as that really brings out your inner beauty and gives you that high of true appreciation of a major part of who you are. Thank you mys dear for all your kind words for all my instructors here at Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni and thank for liking our ambience so much :). Thank you for so much appreciation for me - Ritambhara Sahni and my institute - Belly Dance Institute Mumbai by Ritambhara Sahni.

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