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1. About Wings of Isis
In doing research on Wings of Isis I found that there is no specific history on Isis wings. They started in Las Vegas with as a prop used by show girls, and I am assuming, because of their similarity to Isis, the Egyptian goddess of love, fertility (She is depicted usually as a kneeling lady with wings), got their name
This most probably is where the idea behind Isis wings lay and thus also where they get their name from.
It is an American prop and does not fall into traditional Middle Eastern dance, but was developed as with so many other modern props, into the Middle Eastern art of belly dancing.
Taking care of your wings
Wings can be quite fragile and you should take very good care of them to ensure they remain in their pleated condition. Do not leave them in heated placed e.g. in a hot car, as this may remove some of the pleating or crease the wings. You can never iron your wings, this will remove the pleating. Thus keeping them from creasing and out of heated places is important. Also if your wings have plastic rods in, these might warp if your wings are left in a hot place.
Remember to always hang up your wings when you are finished with them.
2. Basics
Posture
Like with all dance forms good posture is required. This is achieved by lifting the chest by extending the muscles of the spine – arching the spine slightly. Careful not to pull your shoulders back, it is a lifting movement.
How to hold the wings
The wings are held between the middle and index finger using the thumb for leverage and support.
It is important that you do not clutch or grip the sticks.
The sticks should be long enough to reach the wrist joint – too long will hamper movement and too short will cause the wings to loose some of their span and loose effect.
Practical exercise: practice how to hold the wings.
Walking with wings
Walking should be done gracefully through pointing the toes and keeping strides sleek and elegant.
Isis wings, like veil, should project a graceful image, for example a bird in flight, so make sure you move gracefully with them and your movement is not hampered.
Practical exercise: Walk around gracefully with your wings.
3. Moving with our wings
It is very important to identify which muscles move when you are doing a movement to ensure it is done correctly.
Most of the movements with wings utilises the upper body – arms, abdominals, back, neck and head.
To create flow, remember to complete movements by starting the movement at your core and moving out to your finger tips.
Basic Movements
- Snake arms: move from the shoulder to the elbow through to the fingers
- Tremors/ Shimmies: With arms to the sides, moving the sticks from side to side quickly. Can be used in conjunction with other movements
- Lunges with wings: Can be used effectively to complete certain movements and create flow.
- Figure of 8 with wings
Twirling
These movements are the most dramatic and breathtaking movements with Wings of Isis. They form a major part of dancing with Isis wings as this is where the wings are opened and catches the air to display them to their full splendour.
Keeping your balance
This can be done in one of two ways.
- Through spotting – this is where you keep your focus on a fixed spot in the room and as you spin you flick your head around in order to keep that point in your focus for as much of the spin as possible. This is generally used for short periods of controlled spinning.
- Through keeping your gaze at a fixed point on your body or on the stick of your wings. This is generally used for prolonged periods of spinning to prevent you from becoming dizzy.
Always do a counter spin or counter movement to equalise the fluid in your ear. This will help you regain your balance.
I prefer twirling on flat feet, but you can also do pivot turning – keeping one foot flat and one foot on the toes and moving around on the foot that is up, whilst the flat foot keeps you rooted- or twirl on your toes.
Practical exercise: practice spinning and spotting as well as keeping your gaze on a fixed point of your body.
Practice the different ways of spinning.
In conclusion, this is a beautiful prop and can be used very effectively as a show stopper.
Remember to practice hard, and never dance with a prop in public unless and until you are completely adept and comfortable with it.
For more details on Isis Wings please contact me:
073 088 7888
info@bellydancesa.co.za
We sell wings to order in any colour your heart desires!!!
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