The Art of Sword and Shemadan (DVD/NTSC). This video provides a strong technical introduction to the use of specialty-balanced props. Beginning with a costumed sword performance, the video covers a warm-up aimed at strengthening the body for floor work; basic balance points; and provides a complete and fully broken down choreography (adaptable for sword or shamadan) geared towards intermediate/advanced level dancers who want to work with balanced props.

Also included are safety and trouble-shooting tips; selecting and caring for balanced props, and history of balanced dances, concluding with a costumed raks shamadan performance. Running time 46 minutes.

BellyDanceStore.net exclusive with the instructor of Belly Dance and Balance, Farhana

BellyDanceStore.net: Which prop is your favorite, sword or shemadan?

Farhana: I LOVE THEM BOTH! But in the USA these days, because of fire regulations, and insurance issues it's becoming increasingly difficult to use "open flames" and in most public areas, like banquet halls, hotels etc. Shamadans are classified as "open flame". So I have been using sword a lot more frequently.

BellyDanceStore.net: The choreography you teach in this video is adjustable to either prop - is it also musically adjustable?

Farhana: Yes, you can do the choreography with either prop, and since I wrote the choreography by counts alone (and not to particular music phrasing) due to the nature of balancing while dancing, you can pick any sort of slow, melodic musical pieces to perform to. I did the choreography this way because due to the nature of working with a balanced prop, it is sometimes more difficult for dancers to get a comfortable, safe balance exactly on a certain beat, even with experience and lots of practice.

BellyDanceStore.net: In the sword performance you do the splits! What preparation can you suggest to dancers who want to do the splits?

Farhana: There are some good stretches shown on the DVD. It seems unfair, but some dancers are naturally more limber and flexible than others. However, with time, patience and a lot of practice and stretching you CAN gain more flexibility! Before stretching, make sure you warm up your muscles with some light aerobic dancing, it can be dangerous to stretch while your muscles are cold, you'd be practically inviting an injury!