BACK TO SCHOOL
Six weeks to build your FCBD®Style foundation from the ground up!
You'll learn Level One straight from Carolena in the original FatChanceBellyDance® studio, dance it live with DeAnna every Thursday, and drill the details with teachers from across our community. Seven in all, from San Francisco to England to Poland. Three to four hours a week, included in your FCBD®U membership.
$25/Month. Cancel Anytime.
How each week works
On Monday you’ll take a virtual trip to the original FatChanceBellyDance® studio in San Francisco and learn directly from the creator of our dance style, Carolena Nericcio. Everything afterwards supports that lesson. That includes Thursday’s livestream, where you’ll feel the movement in a new way and can ask your questions live.
- MondayThe LessonCarolena teaches the week's material, recorded live in the FCBD® studio.
- TuesdayPracticeTime in your body with what Monday introduced.
- WednesdayTechniqueOne movement, taken apart and put back together.
- ThursdayLive10:00 am Pacific with DeAnna. Drilling more advanced concepts into new muscle memory. Bring your questions.
- FridayGo DeeperHistory, context, or a class that takes the week further.
Two weeks add a sixth session, live on a Sunday with Carolena herself: Ask Carolena on Sunday 27 September, and the Tribal Talk retrospective on Sunday 11 October.
Before you start
Have your zils (finger cymbals) ready by Week Three. That is the only thing you will need to bring. Everything else is your body and a little space to move.
Week One
Sep 7 – 11
Posture and Foundations
Where every FCBD®Style dancer starts: how you stand, how you breathe, and feeling the basic movements within this framework.
Total this weekabout 3 hours
FCBD®Style Fundamentals: Part One
Gratitude, Posture, Taxeem (Figure 8), Wrist Rotations (Hand Floreo) and four basic steps.
This dynamic warm-up is a great go-to for dance posture.
Slow Interval Practice: Posture
A quick and mindful dance posture practice.
Figure 8 (Taxeem) Breakdown and Drill
A fun and fast technique review and practice.
Grounded: Feet, Ankles, and Fast Foot Positions
Building better balance and awareness.
Ask Carolena: Gratitude, Posture, Flock of Birds, Three Foot Positions
January 2022 session.
Week Two
Sep 14 – 18
Duets, Arms and Swivel Step (Egyptian)
Dancing with a partner, adding arms to last week's Taxeem and a crowd favorite, the Swivel Step.
Total this weekabout 3 hours
FCBD®Style Fundamentals: Part Two
Duets, Arm Undulations and Swivel Step (Egyptian).
Let's Figure It Out — Part One: Introduction and Duets
Setting up the formation, changing lead cleanly, and how eye contact keeps you connected.
Technique review and drill.
Swivel Step (Egyptian) Transitions
Review and drill the foot and arm transitions from one of our favourite steps.
Tribal Talk LIVE: Spring 1997 — Survival of the Fittest
Carolena reads from the original newsletters and tells the stories behind them.
Week Three
Sep 21 – 27
Zils
The week you become a musician as well as a dancer. Choosing them, wearing them, and playing while you move.
Total this weekabout 4½ hours
FCBD®Style Fundamentals: Part Three
Zils, plus a full review of Part Two.
I Bloody Love My Zils — Part One
Selecting, wearing, preparing and playing your zils.
The perfect self-care for Wrist Rotations (Floreos) and Zils.
Show and Tell — Back to School Edition
Bring your finger cymbals (zils) and let's hang out!
Elegant Arms — Part Two: with Zils
Keeping the elegance once you add the weight of finger cymbals.
The monthly member Q&A, straight from the source. Last Sunday of the month.
Week Four
Sep 28 – Oct 2
Trios and Undulations
Introducing a third dancer to the formation and adding two undulating moves that will teach you how to feel fluid and flow like water.
Total this weekabout 4 hours
FCBD®Style Fundamentals: Part Four
Trio Formation, Bodywave and Rhythmic Undulation (Arabic) Step.
Let's Figure It Out — Part Two: Trios
Setting up the diagonal, and reading two dancers instead of one.
Layering the Wrist Rotation with Figure 8 and Bodywave
The layering concept that transforms your timing when dancing group improv.
Undulations from the Inside Out
Functional spine for Bodywave and Rhythmic Undulations.
Isolating the contraction that creates the release.
Week Five
Oct 5 – 11
Torso Twist and Pivot Bump
A controlled and graceful spinal twist, and the small punchy step that opens up an entire family of movement.
Total this weekabout 4 hours
FCBD®Style Fundamentals: Part Five
Torso Twist, Pivot Bump and Choo Choo.
Ribcage and Torso Rotation Drill
Warm up, drill and cool down. Short, for when the ribcage needs loosening.
Learn the technique details of this core movement.
Torso Rotation: Strength, Mobility and the Spinal Twist
Tips and drills to find a fluid twist.
Ask Carolena: Pivot Bumps and Bodywaves
June 2024 session covering arms, the pivot bump family, and stories from Carolena.
Tribal Talk: LIVE Retrospective with Carolena
Reading and reflection with Carolena.
Week Six
Oct 12 – 16
Circle Step, Shimmy and Quartets
Adding a fourth dancer to our formation, and moving the hips through all planes of motion, including the ultimate hip movement…the Shimmy!
Total this weekabout 3½ hours
FCBD®Style Fundamentals: Part Six
Circle Step, Shimmy and Quartet Formation, plus a review of Parts One to Five.
Let's Figure It Out — Part Three: Quartets and Fades
Flock of Birds, and how fades let dancers move in and out of the lead.
Technique, timing and floreo.
Bring your questions, light bulb moments, or anything at all from the past six weeks.
Essential Hip Therapeutics for Bellydancers
Exercises for healthy, happy hips.