The simplest movements of Lezginka. How to dance Lezginka: basic movements in Lezginka

Lezginka is traditional dance the peoples of the Caucasus and Turkey, which gained worldwide popularity. Lezginka is varied, fiery, rhythmic, and is performed by both boys and girls. Lezginka is a dance of passion, love and, at the same time, humility and fidelity. Let's look at the main features of this dance in this article.

History of the origin of the dance

It is reliably known that Lezginka was first mentioned in folklore North Caucasus as a Dagestan dance, therefore it is currently considered to be Dagestan as its homeland.

The word “Lezginka” itself reflects the collective name of the peoples living in Dagestan. However, many peoples Mountain Caucasus continue to argue and defend that each of them is the progenitor of this popular and beautiful dance. Indeed, in Dagestan alone there are about 40 different nations, and if we add to this number Georgians, Ingush, Ossetians, Chechens, Armenians, Azerbaijanis and others, then, in general, we can talk about 100 peoples whose Lezginka is a national dance.

The history of its appearance goes back to ancient times, when the inhabitants of the Caucasus believed in the power of nature and made sacrifices to its various manifestations. In those days, the Caucasian Lezginka was a dance that accompanied pagan rituals. Subsequently, it was performed before military battles, since the dance raised the morale of soldiers, and also at weddings, since thanks to the dance, a man and a woman expressed their feelings.

It is the last version of Lezginka that is the most widespread in terms of its symbolic interpretation.

Eagle and swan

Lezginka dance is a kind of imitation of nature, its manifestations and forces. Lezginka is danced in different options, but the most beautiful of them is the pair dance of a man and a woman.

The man acts as an eagle during the dance. Confirmation of this comparison is that while performing the dance, he stands on his toes, rising above his partner, like a strong bird soaring in the sky, and also spreads his arms to the side like wings. At the same time, the man performs sharp movements with his arms and legs, demonstrating his strength and dexterity, his head is raised, and his gaze reflects determination and firmness.

For women, the role is completely opposite. A woman during a Lezginka dance is a swan, which, with the help of smooth wave-like movements of her arms and smooth, calm movements of her body, demonstrates her grace, plasticity and humility. Her gaze is lowered, she under no circumstances dares to look at her partner.

Let us note that some sources mention that a man during a dance no longer symbolizes an eagle, but a mountain auroch, since the auroch is a sacred and revered animal of the mountainous Caucasus.

Dance moves

Dancing Lezginka is not easy, because it requires some physical training from a guy. As for girls, they must have the necessary plasticity and beautiful posture so that their lezginka turns out beautifully.

In the classic Dagestan Lezginka, the guy performs fast, aggressive and clear movements that are explosive and incendiary. Steps on the toes are typical. Lezginka also includes acrobatic elements, such as somersaults and body rotations. The idea behind the dancer's movements is to show his partner his agility, coordination and strength.

Women's movements, unlike men's, are smooth. It is this type of movement that reflects the quality with which the girl performs the Dagestan dance.

Important features of Lezginka are the lack of physical contact between a guy and a girl, as well as the slender posture of both men and women.

Lezginka rhythm

Classic lezginka - fiery and fast dance. During its performance, the rhythm of the dancers can decrease and increase, but most of the dance is performed in a high rhythm. In the Caucasus they say that this dance can bring even the dead back to life, and one cannot but agree with this, because everyone who has heard the music of the dance at least once and seen its performance has an irresistible desire to start dancing themselves.

Currently, in all Caucasian republics during national holidays, birthdays and weddings, you can see an uplifting performance of Lezginka.

What you need to know to dance correctly

Before you engage in any type of dance, you need to understand its idea, the meaning of what it represents. In the case of the Dagestan Lezginka, it is courage, confidence, strength of a man and grace, humility of a woman. With this fact in mind, below are the basic performance features that any aspiring dancer should know:

  • Posture. If she is not slender in both a man and a woman, then there is no talk of any Lezginka.
  • Sight. Since there is no physical contact between the dancers, they convey their feelings to each other through their gaze. The male gaze is directed directly at the partner, he is firm and confident, while the female gaze is cast down either on the man’s chest or at his feet.
  • Movements of arms and legs. There are several different combinations of arms and legs that give Lezginka its characteristic flavor of lively and passionate dance.
  • Smile. In modern versions, Lezginkas are taught to smile while dancing, since smiling is directly related to its very idea.

Different styles and types of dance

As mentioned above, Lezginka is a dance that unites the culture of about 100 peoples of the Caucasian region, and each of them has characteristics and elements in its performance that are not similar to the others.

The most common version of the dance is the rhythmic Dagestan Lezginka, but among other peoples of the Caucasus one can observe differences in the rhythm of the music, in the technique of performing steps and movements. So, the Chechen Lezginka is a fire dance, which is usually performed in two styles, when the dancer performs most of his movements, barely touching the ground, in another version he dances as if he wants to cause an earthquake. In turn, the Ossetian Lezginka is a less energetic and calmer dance.

It is also necessary to note the Georgian Lezginka, which, thanks to Sukhishvili’s ballet, acquired world fame. In Georgian Lezginka schools, special attention is paid to the position of the dancer’s hands and general choreography.

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. That person who has at least once seen Lezginka performed by dexterous, strong and energetic men will definitely want to learn how to perform it in order to amaze those around him.

The history of this dance goes back to pagan rituals and cults, and one of its main elements is the image of an eagle (it appears when the dancers straighten their arms and rise on their toes). This is a must for those who want to learn this dance.

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

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

Caucasians have the question “how to learn Lezginka?” 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 movements, this does not mean that you yourself cannot learn. This will not be easy to do, but it is possible.

Seven steps for self-learning Lezginka

  1. You need a professional video lesson that explains in detail how to learn to dance Lezginka on your own. You don’t need to look for it anywhere; at the end of this article, UchiDoma will provide them completely free of charge.
  2. Lezginka is not an ordinary dance. It cannot be danced with a strict mind and a cold heart. A dancer must have acting talents. Incendiary music and lively dance tempo embody hot blood noble, original, proud people. If you have the same intense emotions, half the job is done.
  3. For a boy or a girl, learning to dance this dance is an equally challenging task. It is worth noting that the movements for the two genders are different.
  4. Watch the video lessons very carefully and more than once. If you know how to tap dance, then you will understand that during lezginka, each foot strike on the floor must be in time with the music. The rhythm is frantic, but professionals can withstand such loads.
  5. You can download music for your workouts via the Internet. Without corresponding musical accompaniment you definitely won’t learn to dance lezginka.
  6. Before starting classes, wear comfortable, loose clothing and, of course, stretch. If you don't warm up, you might pull something.
  7. Practice, practice and practice again. Exercise regularly. If you set a goal for yourself, you will definitely achieve it. But you need to develop coordination of movements, body flexibility and the will to win. Don't forget 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

Lezginka is a folk dance of the indigenous people of the Caucasus, the embodiment of color national culture. Passionate, magical movements accompanied by fiery music, lively emotions and a confident look of a man, gentle movements of a girl: all this makes up the uniqueness of the magical action of Lezgins.

Folk dance Lezginka. Origins

The origin of the Caucasian Lezginka began in the mountains of Dagestan. It was there that in the 19th century warriors performed a special dance. In those days representatives mountain peoples It was customary to call them “Lezgins” - this is where the name came from. But for different nationalities In the Caucasus, the name of the dance style could “sound” differently:

  • Halkar.
  • Kartuli or lekuri.
  • Zilka-kaft or tymbyl-kaft.

Having once seen a burning Lezginka performed by the indigenous people of the Caucasus, it is no longer possible to forget it - the magic of rhythmic movements captivates the heart so much. When we contemplate the dance of a guy and a girl, we understand that the fiery, sparkling waves of a man’s arms personify the pride of a predatory eagle, and the smooth and modest women’s hands represent an innocent swan beauty. The dance is literally permeated with the spirit of history, taking us to ancient times, when dancers alternated circles, thus charming sacrificial animals, finding harmony of unity with the highest forces of nature.

Differences in Lezginki among different peoples

In addition to the classical version of the Lezginka, there are a number of dances that are somewhat different from the traditional one:

  • Chechen;
  • Karachay dance;
  • Islamey of Kabardians;
  • Three-pair Ossetian Lezginka.

The main difference in the variations lies in the rhythm of the movements performed. For example, in the Chechen Lezginka the performers seem to “tear”, “throw” and “light”, but the Ossetians show their character more calmly and smoothly.

Having passed long haul existence from origins to today, the Lezginka managed to stay true to traditions and maintain its original appearance. A sense of tact is instilled in Caucasians with early childhood Therefore, even among young men there are many talented performers who are fluent in the art of folk dance.

Many Russian boys and girls also strive to achieve mastery in performing Lezginka. There are a few effective ways fast learning folk dance at home, as well as a number mandatory rules, which all beginning dancers need to become familiar with.

What beginners need to know

Anyone who is willing to approach the process thoroughly and responsibly can learn Lezginka. Before starting training, you need to find out what basics are laid in the dance. So, moving from one position to another, you can achieve certain heights in the art of dance.

Correct posture constitutes more than half of the future success in the study of Caucasian Lezginka. The first task of all choreographers is to “overcome” the habit of slouching in beginners. It is the smooth and beautiful back that is a kind of “highlight” of the Lezginka.

By the eyes of a person you can determine his spiritual state, identify the feelings and experiences that he experiences in currently. Likewise, in Lezginka close attention is paid to the gaze. Resourceful Caucasian guys even developed a “gaze language”, with the help of which they demonstrate interest in their chosen one in dance. This method of “secret communication” is different for boys and girls: if a man must express strengths character, directing his gaze directly into the eyes of his partner, then for girls, on the contrary, it is customary to remain modest and look away.

Hand movements - in Lezginka there are about seven basic positions, which are supplemented by variants of settings and forms during the action.

There are three types of basic movements for the legs, each of them requires detailed and careful study in all its nuances:

  • Simple, single, “picking” type.
  • “Characteristic” - for example, a cascade performed solo.
  • A special step.

The emotionality of the dance is also the basis of lezginka, the sincere performance of which brings pleasure not only to the audience, but also to the dancer. A wide smile, a burning gaze and a passionate heart - this is what every “participant” of the dance action should see and feel.

Video lesson

Preparation and Precautions

It is important to have a good level of physical fitness for training. The crushing rhythm of lezginka combined with acrobatic elements is not for everyone.

However, do not be alarmed ahead of time, anyone can master the art, even on their own. The main thing is to stock up on high-quality educational material, choose rhythmic music and choose comfortable shoes. You will also need a large mirror in front of which you will hone your movements.

Before a new lesson, it is important to conduct thorough preparation, consisting of warming up and warming up the muscles. Constant and diligent training, self-control and discipline, even at home, will lead to the desired goal - mastering the art of Caucasian dance.

Lessons for Beginners

For guys

Guys can express masculinity, ardor and indestructibility through lezginka. Not in vain from the beginning Caucasian dance performed by soldiers. And it still exists separate species performances where only men take part.

WayDescriptionThe effectiveness of the method (pros and cons)
Taking a paid training course with a groupThis method of training involves group classes with a professional choreographer.The advantages of this teaching method are intensive training with a competent teacher. Organizing a convenient class schedule, the opportunity to ask a question to the instructor during the dance process, and communicate with interested people.
Typically, such groups recruit 8-10 participants, which eliminates the chance of individual communication with the choreographer. He will not be able to pay attention to each team member in a 1.5-2 hour lesson. And the cost of the courses is quite high.
Individual sessionsIndividual approach to training from an experienced choreographer.This method of learning to dance lezginka is the most effective, but the cost is large sum, which not everyone can afford.
"Friendly" activitiesYou can ask a good friend who knows the art of dance to teach you to dance, or better yet, a representative of the peoples of the Caucasus himself.This is the simplest and most “comfortable” way of learning, because classes can be arranged at home for free or for symbolic gratitude to a friend. However, not everyone is the lucky one in their circle of friends who has a real Caucasian. In addition, the practical skills acquired during home training will differ from those that can be obtained from a professional.
Video lessons, online trainingThis method involves carrying out dance classes independently using DVDs or online video lessons.Learning to dance Lezginka using video materials is a difficult process, because no one will point out mistakes, there is no opportunity to ask a question about the technique of performing a particular movement. You need to have self-discipline and efficiency in order to fully devote yourself to your lessons.
“Shared” learning with friendsYou can join a group of equally interested friends to “overcome” all the difficulties of the learning process together.The likelihood of recruiting a friendly team, unfortunately, is not very high. If possible, friendly support, joint work on mistakes, the opportunity to “feel” the power of “sign language” in practice Caucasian people- all this will play out positive role in honing skills. But, you will remain at the amateur level. And to get together large group you will have to rent a room, which will require cash costs.

However, over time, girls also began to join the dance pattern. So the option appeared pair dance, where women perform not only choreographic etudes and steps, but also play a role in the entire “theatrical” production of the dance action.

Why girls should dance lezginka

A Caucasian girl who can masterfully dance a Lezginka is proud, especially by her family members. Unlike men, women show themselves in dance more restrained, but also passionately at the same time - smooth and light movements of the arms and legs are replaced by rapid swings and rhythmic steps.

Every girl should try to learn Lezginka, because dancing is not only a demonstration of talent and an expression of respect for traditions or a manifestation of interest in cultural heritage of another nationality. This great way maintain physical fitness, develop flexibility and plasticity.

Lezginka for children

Children learn to dance easily, so enroll your child (brother, sister) in a choreographic club or Caucasian folk dance ensemble. In an atmosphere where the true spirit of Lezginka is present, together with the team and under the strict guidance of an experienced coach, you can achieve best results.

Video story

Why do many people prefer to study at home?

“Home” conditions are most conducive to comfortable learning:

  • The search for musical accompaniment depends on the taste of the novice dancer - the main thing is to choose rhythmic music. Sometimes, to begin with, it is enough to set the desired tempo by simply clapping your hands.
  • Many people are embarrassed to openly show emotions in public. At home, you can smile broadly without any embarrassment, express wild feelings and “shoot” your eyes in front of the mirror without outside spectators, reinforcing “ acting» characteristic movements and gestures.
  • By studying on your own, you can adjust your training schedule to suit your own regime. It is important to take a disciplined approach to the learning process, not allowing yourself to “relax”, because no one can control absences from classes.
  • “Home” training eliminates financial costs for the services of professional choreographers; all the necessary information can be obtained from video lessons, which will “tell” you in detail and step by step about the technique of performing lezginka.

Lezginka is not only a combination beautiful movements and crazy rhythm, but also a great way to keep the body in good physical fitness, the opportunity to tone muscles and organs, prolong youth and recharge with energy.

Every novice dancer from the first lessons will be able to note:

  • Improved mood and feeling of vigor. Many people start their morning not with exercise, but with performing lezginka. This is becoming a good tradition to not only increase the efficiency of the learning process, but also a good way to “wake up”, receiving a charge of positive energy for the whole day.
  • Beautiful shapes and slimness. Practice has proven that in 2.5 hours of rhythmic dancing to inspiring music, you can lose up to 1 kg excess weight.
  • Forming a proud posture, which is useful not only for establishing the correct movements, but also for health in general.
  • The ability to coordinate movements: acquiring dexterity and flexibility.
  • The development of grace, plasticity and graceful gait - all this helps the muscles acquire elasticity, which significantly reduces the risk of injuries and sprains.
  • Confidence is the key to success in any endeavor. Since the basis of Lezginka is the emotional component, the ability to convey the entire bright spectrum of feelings through the gaze will be useful not only for a mesmerizing performance, but also in everyday life.

You can learn to dance Lezginka on your own, but stocking up on all the necessary video materials and other attributes will not be enough.

- Caucasian folk dance, which is very popular today. You can learn basic movements in special sections and paid classes. But it is not always possible to attend such groups or study individually with a choreographer: some people don’t have enough money, while others don’t have enough time. You can learn to dance Lezginka on your own by choosing the appropriate method for yourself.

Chechen move

Online training

This method takes less time, since you can learn Lezginka while at home. There is no need to drive anywhere while stuck in traffic jams. You just need to turn on your computer and go online. On the Internet you can find many lessons and specially developed techniques. self-study Lezginka. Some of them can even be downloaded and burned to disk. All that remains is to practice every day at any convenient time, be it morning, afternoon or even night. You can choose paid courses, but there are many absolutely similar ones on the Internet. free programs that will help you learn to dance beautifully and passionately.

Disc training

If you don’t have the opportunity to spend a long time delving into the Internet or you couldn’t find anything on the Internet, you can buy a special training disc. They are usually sold in specialized stores, in the same place as music and films. Such lessons are quite inexpensive, but they are effective. The entire program is professionally compiled and divided into cycles. Each workout includes warm-up exercises, repetition of dance steps and a detailed explanation of how to perform them correctly. The main thing is not to be lazy and show efficiency.

Steps to success

It is not enough to just watch the video and read the necessary information to learn how to dance Lezginka correctly. This dance requires passion, lively emotions and a little acting. Everything will work out well if you manage to correctly grasp the music and merge with it into one whole. You need to remember small nuances that must be taken into account:

  • kicks on the floor should be in time with the music;
  • movements require flexibility, which must be developed by performing stretching exercises;
  • balance is helped by correct movements of the arms, so the upper body must be given due attention.

By training regularly, you will be able to quickly achieve success and make your body movements ideal. The main thing is not to stop halfway, but to finish what you started. This fast dance is not only very beautiful, it helps keep the body in shape and tone everything. internal organs, prolongs life.