How to dance lezginka

How To dance the Lezginka

It’s not what you think unless you think it’s a dance that originated from the Caucasus. I saw my first Lezginka at café Avat in Kazakhstan, performed by some local teenage Chechens.

Story Matt
Illustration Romano

Soundtrack of the report
Lezginka
Unknown

My first reaction as a stranger in a strange land was, “This is the weirdest dance I’ve ever seen – ridiculous?” but then, as we all come to understand something foreign, there emerges a certain beauty. Watching the young man stomp and waver in angled movements, emphasizing his shoulders and chest – masculinity; the young woman, fluttering and gliding around with graceful fingertips veiling her smile – femininity, I thought of a light breeze encircling a jagged snowcapped mountain. They were moving images of the land of Chechnya, a land I would only see in a dance. And then an acquaintance wanted me to try this.

I took another shot of vodka and gathered my courage. “What do I have to lose?” I asked myself. “It doesn’t look that difficult.” I took a timid step into the circle. My first mistake. My second mistake was to look down at the ground and begin bending my knees and springing up and down while my arms were like two wet noodles without any determination. I couldn’t help it. I was a sad product of American pop-culture: Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Michael Jackson, and many others who had been the spokespeople of how one ought to move their body.

I had too much comfort and hedonism in my blood – Coca-Cola and bubblegum ran deep into my veins. How was I to dance the Lezginka with all this sweetness? How was I supposed to conjure the blood of my Russian neighbor on my face, the pain of losing family and friends to a once loving big brother, or the strength of “being a man” in the face of struggle - the “soldier’s dance”? The wind left me. The girls went back into the circle, leaving me alone to attempt to represent a mountain or an eagle. Kicking my legs and waddling, I could only give something artificial, a television commercial of a mountain range, something entertaining for my friends and nothing more, something extremely American. I walked feebly back to the locals who were laughing at me. What else could they have done?

They were whistling and clapping in the darkness. I felt brutal. I felt like slaughtering an animal or destroying my passivity. This was my Lezginka. I opened my eyes and stopped dancing. They turned the music down and patted me on the back laughing. “That was great!” one of them said. The dust settled and the light shone once again. I felt like I had won some battle and these teens somehow saw this as well. They offered to give me a ride to the store. “No,” I responded, “but thanks for this dance.” I walked away, leaving them until there was nothing but the sound of Chechen music echoing from the trees.

Here's a diagram of the steps so you can learn how to do a proper Lezguinka :

Description of the moves :

Man: Raise your shoulders in a broad manner and keep your arms outstretched while bending them slightly in the same direction. Your fingers should be open, however, every so often, make a fist while bending your arms. Your legs should bend slightly while stomping on the ground and crossing your feet. The most important part of the Lesginka should be to be close to your female partner NEVER touching her. You should encircle her while moving your arms around her. You should give the impression of being jagged and hard, but also flowing at the same time.

Woman: Keep your arms raised above your shoulders while veiling your face with your fingers as if you were tickling the air. Walk softly, flutter close to your partner but also give him the impression that he needs to "follow" your lead. Maintain eye-contact with him while walking gently, crossing your feet. You ought to conjure a feeling of softness.

And to finish two videos from experts in the dance :

Matt

Learning to dance lezginka for boys. How to learn to dance lezginka. Seven Steps to Self-Study Lezginka

Dancing lezginka correctly

Lezginka is the most ancient dance of the peoples of the Caucasus. It has been danced both in the mountains and on the plains for many years. Lezginka itself is a very rhythmic dance. It is a mixture of sensuality, pride and temperament inherent in the Caucasian peoples. This is a dance for people of all ages and social statuses. Lezginka is danced both at celebrations and at an ordinary city disco. This dance has established itself as an integral part of the centuries-old culture of the Caucasus. Today, many people want to learn how to dance lezginka at home, because recently this dance has gained immense popularity.

About types of lezginka

There are many varieties of this dance. It is danced alone, danced in pairs. With a pair lezginka, the dance acts as a demonstration of the man's temperament, while his gaze should not come off his partner. Character should be shown in all dance moves, from start to finish. This is a dance that demonstrates strength, agility, and at the same time restraint in the manifestation of feelings, since chaotic movements or movements of an erotic nature in dance are not typical for a man, which is massively promoted by foreign media.

A variety of lezginka in the world

In Caucasian culture, Lezginka associates a man with a proud wild bird - an eagle, while a woman is associated with a swan. To understand how to learn how to dance Lezginka correctly, it is worth remembering that body language can convey feelings no worse than ordinary human speech. In pair lezginka dances, the couple conveys a tacit acquaintance, but group dances are always aimed at demonstrating strength, endurance and dexterity. Previously, dancers were able to continue dancing lezginka for hours, periodically replacing each other. In the case of a single dance, lezginka is a contact with the audience without words, a manifestation of her best qualities.

Where can I take lessons?

From recent times to the present day, Lezginka remains a very popular dance among young people. This cannot but cause joy. Today, there are many dance schools, sections, dance groups, where they will show you how to quickly learn to dance lezginka, and how many opportunities it opens up. It's a great way to have a good time, get your body in order, or just keep fit. The art of dance will help you and your loved ones develop spiritually, gain self-confidence, as well as make many new and interesting acquaintances, because creative people, people of art never go unnoticed.

Get lezginka dance lessons

Teaching a guy to dance lezginka means helping him become more confident, more courageous, and believe in himself. In dance studios, young people get to know each other, make new friends, which, undoubtedly, is also an advantage. In the studios, corporate parties and events are often held that will help you to liberate yourself and acquire a new, interesting circle of acquaintances.

Street Lezginka for people

Today Lezginka is the most popular Caucasian dance; all Caucasians dance it, regardless of whether they live in their homeland. Since ancient times, Lezginka have been danced before decisive battles. Even a hunt trip was not complete without preliminary lezginka dances. The descendants of the highlanders know perfectly well how to learn how to dance the Lezginka correctly, and will certainly teach you its technique at your request. After all, Lezginka is the pride of the peoples of the Caucasus, a traditional dance, the meaning of the transfer of technique of which is a matter of honor for any Caucasian.

The best ways to learn to dance

Many representatives of the Caucasian culture live on the territory of Russia today, which means that regardless of nationality, every self-respecting person should have an idea of the culture of other nationalities, whose representatives live with him in the same country. On the Internet, you can find video lessons on teaching Lezginka to get some idea of this ancient dance. Today, not only representatives of the Caucasian youth are fond of lezginka, but also young people of other nationalities. After seeing this beautiful sensual dance performed by professionals once, it is impossible to remain indifferent. The main thing to remember is that it is quite possible to learn how to dance lezginka at home, the main thing is desire and patience.

The best way to learn to dance lezginka

It should be noted that in schools and dance studios where the ancient Lezginka dance is taught, there are absolutely no age restrictions. Both adults and children, starting from 3-4 years old, are recruited into groups. Among the Caucasian traditions, there is certainly a teaching of Lezginka boys, and they begin, often from an early age, so that the boy grows up as a real horseman in the future. That's right, beautifully moving to the fiery music, dancing lezginka, such as fighting or riding a horse, boys already know how in early childhood.

Lezginka lessons delight not only boys, but also girls of different ages. Learning to move smoothly, gracefully and femininely like a swan is very important for a future woman. Since it is femininity that makes a woman truly beautiful, desired and loved. This is what makes a woman a woman, after all.

Do lezginka in special lessons

Without femininity, it is unlikely that she will be able to become happy and realize herself in the full sense of the word. It is enough to look at the female performance of the lezginka - it seems that the dancer does not touch the floor with her feet, but simply hovers above the floor. The body is above the level of the waist, while dancing the woman remains motionless. It is also impossible not to pay attention to the hands, because the female lezginka is also distinguished by their smooth, mesmerizing movements.

Lezginka dance lessons

As mentioned above, Lezginka lessons can be taken both in specialized studios, dance schools, and by watching video lessons, learning some of the typical Lezginka movements and attacks.

Also, the method of collective teaching lezginka with your friends and girlfriends is considered very effective. Get together in one room and try to repeat the movements of the lezginka by watching video lessons. Some ensembles were created this way! This method will appeal to those who like to organize noisy parties and a variety of flash mobs. All you need to do is make a list of those who want to and find or rent a dance hall.

Take lezginka dance lessons

Is it worth learning lezginka? The conclusion suggests itself - of course, yes! This dance will give you many benefits, such as self-confidence, ability to move, spiritual development and of course many new interesting acquaintances. Try one day to attend a class to teach this beautiful ancient Caucasian dance, and it will remain in your heart forever.

Video

Crazy speed, bright costumes and boundless artistry of dancers, all this is not the whole list that characterizes such an excellent dance - lezginka. It includes acrobatic elements, athleticism, and the ability to carry on. Lezginka is a dance that is gaining more and more popularity, for a reason. Today you can learn it in almost any dance school on your own with the help of recommendations.

How to learn to dance lezginka

In general, originally the dance belonged to warriors, since ancient times it has been widespread among the Caucasian peoples with different names. This is a solo male or pair dance. He, of course, is more spectacular, when performed in national costumes, accompanied by a musical ensemble. As in any fairy tale of the oriental type, there is a legend; the prototype of an eagle is used in the performance of the Lezginka, alternating with a slow, rapid pace. The second image, with the participation of a girl, is a kind of dove, acting smoothly, gracefully, with an even posture. Usually a girl follows a man, duplicating his movements, only performing them more feminine, calmer, but gradually increasing the pace. But, and the most effective, at the same time complex element, is when a man performs, movements on his toes, with sweeping arms to the sides.

How to learn to dance Lezginka for a girl

Previously, this old custom passed exclusively from generation to generation, to families of eastern countries, for example, in Dagestan, Iran and, of course, in Georgia. Our time, the world of dance is so popular that the boundaries for the division of national, gender and the like, divisions no longer exist.
Schools of completely different directions appear in Russia, many of which specialize in particular in this dance. Alternatively, you can enroll in one of these groups in your city. Also, it is quite feasible to learn the basics of Lezginka at home, but this is not an easy dance. It is not enough to memorize the same movements, it must be performed with a warm heart. The performer needs to be an actor, try to let the rhythm pass through yourself. An active tempo, fiery musical accompaniment seethe with the hot blood of a Caucasian man, so original and noble. In general, one of the important parts of a dance performance is a vivid expression of emotions. As for the technique, learning it is the same task for both a man and a girl, but the movements are significantly different. It is great if you have the ability to perform tap dancing, here it is similar, an even kick during actions is important, falling into the beat. The rhythm is frantic, you can't argue with it, with experience the necessary skills appear, showing perseverance, you can improve your capabilities at any age. Download more suitable music and listen to the beats, accents, so you will quickly understand when to take which steps. Since this is, first of all, good physical activity, requiring proper physical fitness, you need to work on your condition. These are the primary warming up of muscles, warm-ups, gymnastic exercises. It will even become easier for you to train yourself, having previously warmed up. Pay special attention to the work of the hands, here smoothness and clarity of movements are extremely important.

How to learn to dance lezginka at home

This Caucasian folk dance is becoming more and more popular in different countries. It became possible to study it in special paid sections and dance clubs, but due to the lack of time, money and various factors, not everyone can afford it. The only way out is to teach yourself at home. The first thing you can start training with is to watch a couple of videos on the Internet with the performances of the dancers. This is a great opportunity to devote your free and convenient time to your goal. Moreover, it does not require any funds for the cost. The dance moves require flexibility and good physical fitness, so use stretching exercises.

How to learn to dance lezginka for a man

It’s probably even a little wrong to call this action only a dance, it’s a serious performance that imitates competition between men. Here you need endurance, strength, agility, but for the fair sex who perform this dance in tandem with a man, on the contrary, smoothness and grace. Among the representatives of the peoples of eastern blood, it is customary from childhood to learn the technique of Lezginka. But if you were not taught from infancy to create an indomitable whirlwind of movements, you should not despair at all and throw such a goal out of your head. Take note of the following guidelines:
In addition to listening to suitable tracks, learn from video lessons, repeat all the movements several times.
Before exercising, warm up well and stretch your muscles in order to avoid unwanted injuries. And the warmed-up ligaments stretch much better.
Wear suitable workout clothing, tight jerseys, and tight pants that will only interfere with your movement.

Lessons on how to learn to dance lezginka

By far the best and most effective way to learn dancing is from childhood. The second way is to regularly attend courses and group classes in this area. Usually, the intensity of such exercises is very high, it takes about two hours and the training itself takes place at least three times a week, which you yourself understand will not be wasted. Studying on your own, it is not a fact that all the technique will be followed correctly, and yet, you can try. If you have ever seen this incendiary dance, you probably paid attention to a large number of jumps, swings and active legs. In other matters, there are few difficulties, it is important to prepare yourself well in terms of loads. You understand that jumping to its full height from a sitting position, and even to the music, falling in time, is a task of colossal energy. Well, this is with regards to the actions of the male sex, the ladies need to take an example from the swans, their calm movements, it is necessary to move as if on water, without unnecessary jerks. In this case, it is important to guide the hands, regardless of the movements of the lower body, as gently as possible, the hands are flexible. And do not forget about a straight back, an even posture gives the silhouette of both sexes, incredible strength and grace. The main technique is sharpened in practice, listen to music, get to the beat and as often as possible, train for longer. The one who does nothing is not mistaken, record yourself on video, or ask someone to look at your movements, work on yourself and everything will work out!

Lezginka is a very interesting and peculiar dance. Its ancestors are the Lezgins, the people inhabiting the Caucasus. Ancient warriors danced this slightly aggressive dance to raise their spirits before hunting or fighting.

A very interesting women's party. The girl seems to soar in the air with her head held high, her arms outstretched beautifully like wings, completely oblivious to her partner, forcing him thereby to prove his presence and seek attention to himself from the beautiful darling.

Dance traditions

Caucasians are rich in traditions, rituals and customs, which they strictly respect and carry in their culture for many centuries. One of these is the relationship between a young girl and a guy. According to them, a guy has no right to touch his chosen one, and for her, even touching the edge of her dress to a man is a real shame. So, based on this, the whole composition of the dance is built. An ardent lover, he spins around, not letting go, demonstrating his feelings with his movements. And she keeps pulling away, trying to move away, not to touch. So graceful, calm and graceful.

If you look closely, you can see that he embodies in his movements a proud mountain eagle, and she is like a white swan. This is what a lezginka is.

What you need to know

In order to learn how to dance lezginka, you need to make a lot of effort. Although in the Caucasus, even a little girl will be able to perform everything beautifully and correctly.

The stage image, which is created through the costume, accessories and makeup, is also important. It is also necessary to convey to the viewer the emotional experiences, mood and emotional state experienced by the partners in the dance. If, looking at the incendiary performing artists, the viewer is also eager to join the dance, then it is considered that the lezginka is a success.

But in order to learn this amazing dance, the girl needs to learn the movements that create the whole picture. And there are not very many of them:

front and side steps;
single and double steps;
a peculiar move called the Chechen one;
performance of turntables;
various attacks and exits.

To be able to properly dance lezginka, it is better to undergo special training.

Where is the best place to study lezginka

The study, as well as the execution of lezginka, requires a certain physical preparation. Good stretching is also an important factor in learning to dance. Much like a tap or tap dance, the dance requires good training and endurance of the legs in order to produce accurate and rather sharp strikes, produced to the rhythm of the music.

And the hands are assigned a completely different role. Their movements resemble the flapping of the wings of an eagle or a swan. They fly up smoothly and gracefully, keeping at chest level. If you dance using all the movements together, it turns out very dynamic, but at the same time lyrical. And you can learn all the tricks by taking a course from a good choreographer in a dance school. Here you will be introduced to all the nuances of the Lezginka and will help you learn how to dance it.

Particularly lucky those who managed to visit the mountain villages of the Caucasus, where the Lezginka is the main dance today. Having seen all the dance movements in traditional folk performance, you can try and master them yourself.

It's great to try learning how to dance and using the power of the Internet. It is enough to choose high-quality lessons, of which there are a great many and periodically study. Thanks to them, it will be possible to master different moves, turns, to combine the basic movements of the legs with movements of the hands into a single whole. And then everything will work out.

The Lezginka dance is a real performance that imitates competition between men. It requires stamina, strength and good physical fitness from guys, and from women (yes, they can also dance lezginka, but the movements are completely different) - smoothness and grace of movements. The person who at least once saw the performance of lezginka by dexterous, strong and energetic men will definitely want to learn how to perform it in order to amaze others.

The history of this dance dates back to pagan rituals and cults, and one of its main elements is the image of an eagle (it appears when the dancers spread their arms and rise on their toes). This is a must-have for anyone wanting to learn this dance.

Once upon a time, men performed lezginka as a ritual battle dance to raise their fighting spirit. And he also allowed a guy to meet a girl (Caucasian girls could not go out alone). At weddings, girls performed this dance, and when they were about to leave, the guys blocked their way with the help of all kinds of dance movements. At the same time, they should not have touched the girls - for such a freedom the guy could even be killed.

Today the lezginka is a gorgeous show, a symbol of love and happiness, as well as an opportunity for the stronger half to show their agility and strength.

Caucasians have a question "how to learn Lezginka?" it never arises at all - they know all the movements from childhood, and even a child can dance it correctly.

But if you were not taught from infancy to create this indomitable and proud whirlwind of movement, this does not mean that you yourself will not be able to learn. This will not be easy, but possible.

Seven Steps to Self-Study Lezginka

You need a professional video tutorial detailing how to learn how to dance lezginka on your own. You don't need to look for it somewhere, at the end of this article UchiDoma will provide them completely free of charge.
Lezginka is not an ordinary dance. It cannot be danced with a stern mind and a cold heart. A dancer must have acting talents. Incendiary music and lively dance pace embody the hot blood of a noble, original, proud people. If you have the same keen emotions, half the battle is done.
For a boy and a girl, learning to dance this dance is an equally capacious task. It is worth noting that the movements are different for the two sexes.
Watch the video tutorials very carefully and more than once. If you know how to tap dance, then you will understand that during lezginka, every kick of your foot on the floor should be in time with the music. The rhythm is frenzied, but professionals can withstand such loads.
You can download music for your workouts via the Internet. Without the appropriate musical accompaniment, you will definitely not learn to dance lezginka.
Put on comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and, of course, warm up before starting classes. If you don't warm up, you might be pulling something.
Study, study and study again. Exercise regularly. If you set a goal for yourself, then you will definitely achieve it. But you need to develop coordination of movements, body flexibility and the will to win. Remember that arm movements are just as important as leg movements. They not only add spice, but also help maintain balance.

Video lessons

For guys

For girls

The Lezginka section contains free video lessons on this dance. Lezginka is an old, fast Caucasian dance, as well as music to it. Lezginka has been common since ancient times among absolutely all Caucasian peoples. The Lezginka dance is a kind of visiting card of any Caucasian, an expression of the soul of the proud, temperamental and courageous mountaineers. The dance is most spectacular when performed in national costumes and accompanied by a musical ensemble. The melody of lezginka is clear and dynamic, the tempo is fast. Learning lezginka from online video lessons will be useful for both beginners and more experienced dancers. You can watch video lessons from the Lezginka category for free at any convenient time. Some lezginka video lessons have additional teaching materials that can be downloaded. Enjoy your learning!

Total materials: 13
Shown materials: 1-10

How to dance Lezginka. Part 11. The fourth combination

This online lesson will show you how to dance the wonderful energetic Lezginka dance. This is already the eleventh video dedicated to the study of Lezginka from Asker Eneev. Here he will show you one small but very clear dance link. It begins with the left leg, which must first be bent at the knee, and then straightened and put forward on the heel. On the next count, a jump is made, the legs are brought together in the lock, the main weight is concentrated on the left leg, and the right one is on ...

Lezginka training. Part 1. Chechen move

It tells about how to learn to dance Lezginka - the Chechen move. If you want to dance clearly and rigidly, then from you, i. e. from the guys it is required that the eyes burn and the soul burns while performing this dance. The author of the lesson Asker Eneev will show you the movements in a mirror version, i.e. his left leg will do the actions that his right should actually do. Thus, it will be more convenient for you to study Lezginka. So let's get started. Put your hands on your belt, keep your back ...

Lezginka. Part 5. Pinwheel

This video tutorial explains how to learn how to perform the beautiful Caucasian dance Lezginka. The author of the lesson, Asker Eneev, will tell and show you how to make the so-called Pinwheel. It is worth learning how to perform this element in an open space, or, if you are at home, for safety reasons, stand away from sharp corners and hard objects so as not to get injured in case you suddenly fall during training. Let's start by doing the pirouettes (turns). Spinning ...

Lezginka dance. Part 2

Video lesson “Dance of Lezginka. Part 2 "is devoted to the question of how the movements of the wonderful Caucasian dance Lezginka are performed. So, let's begin. We take one step forward with our right foot, and the left remains behind, but you need to put it on the toe and move it to the right. Then we step back to her, and set the right one back a little. Such movements are done twice, starting with one leg, and then twice with the other. The hand movements here are similar to those that we studied in the previous lesson, i.e. in the Chechen lezkinka ...

How to learn to dance Lezginka. Part 3.2

This video is dedicated to the question of how to perform some of the elements of the Lezginka dance. Asker Eneev is the author of this lesson and a Lezginka teacher. In the last lesson, he showed one very interesting dance combination at a fast pace. This combination is performed in three versions, namely in Chechen, Ingush and Balkarian. In this lesson, you will see the execution of all movements individually at a slow pace in order to properly learn and memorize them. In all three versions ...

Lezginka training.

Part 8.2. (explosive element)

This video describes how the Lezginka dance is performed correctly. This is the second part of the eighth lesson on teaching Lezginka. The author of the lesson, Asker Eneev, who is also a teacher of this dance, will show you a few more interesting elements. Now we will analyze the movement with two variants of hands. A prerequisite for this dance element is that you need to keep your posture, to be as fit as possible. Leg movements are similar to those studied in the third video ...

Dance training Lezginka. Part 9. Combination three

This online lesson is devoted to the question of how to teach Lezginka dance. Asker Eneev is the author of this video and a Lezginka teacher. Today we will analyze with you one more Dagestan dance bunch. At first glance, this combination may seem complicated, but in fact it is quite simple to perform. It begins with the four steps of the Chechen-Ingush Lezginka, which we have already considered in the first video lesson of this course. It starts with a step of the right leg, when ...

Lezginka dance. Part 8.1. Step-Padding (explosive option)

Lesson “Dance of Lezginka. Part 8.1. Step-Tamping (explosive version) "is devoted to the question of how to perform the Lezginka element, which is called Step-Tamping. This is the eighth lesson of this Lezginka dance training course. Now we will analyze exclusively the Dagestan version, the Dagestan school, the Dagestan style. We will be studying two movements and three variations of the hands. So, let's get down to studying the Step-Trim element. This is, one might say, a wedding option, i.e. we will disassemble not classic ...

Learns to dance lezginka for boys. How to learn to dance lezginka. Seven steps for self-learning lezginka

How to dance lezginka correctly

Lezginka is the most ancient dance of the peoples of the Caucasus. It has been danced both in the mountains and on the plains for many years. Lezginka itself is a very rhythmic dance. This is a mixture of sensuality, pride and temperament inherent in the Caucasian peoples. This is a dance for people of all ages and social statuses. Lezginka is danced both at celebrations and at an ordinary city disco. This dance has established itself as an integral part of the centuries-old culture of the Caucasus. Today, many people want to learn how to dance lezginka at home, because recently this dance has gained immense popularity.

About the types of lezginka

There are many varieties of this dance. It is danced alone, danced in pairs. With a paired lezginka, the dance acts as a demonstration of the man's temperament, while his gaze should not take his eyes off the partner. Character must be expressed in all dance movements, from beginning to end. This is a dance that demonstrates strength, agility, and at the same time restraint in the manifestation of feelings, since chaotic movements or movements of an erotic nature in dance are not typical for a man, which is massively promoted by foreign media.

A variety of lezginka in the world

In Caucasian culture, the lezginka associates a man with a proud wild bird - an eagle, while a woman is associated with a swan. To understand how to learn how to dance lezginka correctly, it is worth remembering that body language can convey feelings no worse than ordinary human speech. In Lezginka pair dances, the couple conveys a silent acquaintance, but group dances are always aimed at demonstrating strength, endurance and dexterity. Previously, dancers were able to continue dancing lezginka for hours, periodically replacing each other. In the case of a single dance, lezginka is contact with the audience without words, a manifestation of one's best qualities.