My 5 Tips On Saidi Dance

As promised on my Insta Stories, here are my 5 tips on Saidi Dance with Stick.

1. Saidi Dance has its origins in a martial art called the Tahtib and originally it was only performed my men. Therefore, I always dance it with a Strong Upper Body, ready for a fight. Every time I perform Saidi movements I tense my upper body so to become bigger, more powerful and challenging. The arms go along stretched and tensed, especially if we have a stick on our hands. I recommend you stretch and lift your arm when doing stick movements, show everybody how great you are with it☺️

2. The Saidi Dance comes from the south of Egypt where the weather is warm and people are considered to move slower. This way, when we are dancing Saidi we should be Heavier, Earthier, with our hills on the floor. When performing the basic feet movements, we should not jump like in ballet, but rather lift our hill and then press it on the floor, Stomping.

3. When we choreograph a Saidi, I believe we should try to balance Saidi Movements (feet, jumps) with hip movements. I like to use my hips, the belly dancing part, but if it takes more than 50% of the performance, it becomes too oriental. At least that’s how I like it. The hip movements should be Big, Earthy and Loose, no tension. (Some time ago I made a post on tips for a loose hip, you can check it out).

4. The energy of the Saidi is Happiness, Enjoyment, so when you do a Saidi Dance enjoy yourself, let go, don’t be too rigorous on arms, posture, it’s an Egyptian stage folklore dance, just relax and enjoy. Smile a lot and be playful.

5. I know that most teachers don’t agree with me, but I just enjoy it like that: I dance with my Feet with Square Angle. Men generally dance with boots having to have a square angle on their feet. However, female dancers that dance barefoot either stretch completely their feet (more modern and elegant) or just have it loose (midway between the other two ways). I myself love to do it like the men and have it square. I like it traditional and I feel more powerful and earthy that way.

Hope you have enjoyed my tips on Saidi technique and that you have fun dancing it as much as I do.

Se se interessarem por outro tipo de folclores egípcios, convido-vos a ler o meu post My 5 Tips On Baladi Dance.

Tell my on the comment box if these tips were useful!