HOW TO FLIP QUARTERS & DOLLAR BILLS ON YOUR BELLY



br /> Sometimes our best ideas are born when we least expect it. Such an occasion gave rise to the act that put me into the Guinness Book Of World Records and earned me quite a bit more than Mr. Warhol's touted 15 minutes of fame. The famous act involves first flipping a dollar bill in the crease of my belly. Then I proceed to lay out a row of nine quarters across my tummy just below my navel. Using my belly muscles, I flip the quarters; twice up and down, one at a time, and finally every other one at a time! When asked how this came about, I take you back to a performance in 1968 at the People Tree in Calabasas, California
Since I had taught myself to perform belly rolls while reclining with my arms propping me up, I incorporated the position into the belly roll segment of my act. Naturally, appreciative patrons would shower me with tips as I performed. Then on this particular night, a customer placed a bill right where it caught perfectly in my belly fold, causing the note to flip neatly over. The crowd went wild! I realized that here was something really interesting I could add to my show. With determination, I began to practice the act in my spare time. At first I worked only with the bill, but then thought, why not give coins a try. After experimenting with various coins, I settled on quarters as working the best for me. Years of persistence finally led to my mastery of an incredible nine coin row, a feat that hasn't been matched since. br />

The most important part of flipping quarters is the ability to create folds (creases) with your belly muscles.
I can get two folds on my belly (this is what enables me to flip my quarters twice up and down). Some dancers can only get one fold and I have seen dancers that can get three folds (these dancers usually have long torsos and could most likely flip the quarters three times up and down). It is imperative that you learn to roll your belly up and down (out and in) and be able to separate the bottom half of your belly from the top half. You should be able to push the bottom out while the top is in, then the top out while the bottom is in. The most dificult part is to very slowly roll the muscles from top to bottom and from the bottom up. For a good explanation on how to do belly rolls check out Shira's website How Do I Get Belly Rolls To Work
Start to practice by placing one quarter (heads up) on your belly just bellow your belly button. Try to create a crease and catch the quarter in the fold. Now relax your belly muscles and let the quarter fall back in place. Repeat this many times until you understand the concept. (It is important to relax and not tense up). If you are not able to catch the quarter in the crease of your belly, relax your muscles and start over again.

When you are able to create a crease and catch the quarter with your belly muscles you are ready for the next step. Get the quarter in the crease of your belly and push the bottom half of your belly up and the top half of your belly in. Watch the quarter and make sure that you are flipping (turning) it above your belly button so it is tails up. Do this over and over until you are able to do it. To be continued...

May, 2004

I have given you plenty of time to practice flipping one quarter up, just once. Now you are ready to flip it up twice. You started with the quarter heads up, you flipped it over once so it was tails up, now flip it up towards your rib cage once more so the quarter is heads up again. To flip it up the second time you must find your second fold or crease and catch the quarter in this fold. Push the bottom half of your belly (on the second crease), up and the top part of your belly, in. Watch the quarter and make sure that you are flipping (turning) it up towards your rib cage so it is heads up. Do this over and over until you are able to do it (the second fold is more difficult because your rib cage is in the way, especially when you flip many quarters at once). When you master flipping the quarter twice you are ready to flip the quarter back down:
Catch the quarter in the fold again but this time the bottom part of your belly (where the top or second crease is located) pushes in and the top part pushes out so that the quarter flips down and is tails up. Now catch the quarter with the bottom or first crease and push in with the bottom part of your belly and push out with the top part so that the quarter flips down and is heads up.
Practice over and over again until you master this.

HELENA VLAHOS' 9 QUARTER ACT ON YOU TUBE! PERFORMANCE IN ANISA'S KING TUT RETURNS SHOW NOVEMBER 2, 2008:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUZQZzcvlZk

The great Middle Eastern drummer/singer Gamal Gomaa is playing drums for my Quarter Act! I was so thrilled that he played for my quarters but I would love to dance to live Middle Eastern music with Gamal playing the drums and singing. How great would that be!!!