Belly Dancing?

Question:I'm interested in taking a belly dancing class, but I have never had any experience before. I'd like some advice from former/current belly dancers about what you do in the classes, what type of people they are open for, etc. Please help me out if possible. Points for best answer! :)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm interested in taking a belly dancing class, but I have never had any experience before. I'd like some advice from former/current belly dancers about what you do in the classes, what type of people they are open for, etc. Please help me out if possible. Points for best answer! :)

Bellydance classes are generally open to everyone unless it specifies something specific like bellydance for toddlers, bellydance: Mommy and Me, Prenatal bellydance, bellydance for the Elderly etc... and trust those classes would be much harder to come across anyways. Bellydance appeals to many different people young and old even famale and male. I've on occassion had classes with males in them both straight and homosexual (can say the same about the women too). So your class could be very diverse. Some women who are really into goddess worship or connecting with nature like bellydance because of it's feminine power and mystique along with its earth, grounded movements and possible long history. Other women are drawn to it because they want to be sexy or immitate Shakira. Some women wnat to try something new and exciting that will keep them interested in exercise. All people, of every age, shape, size, race, creed and gender are welcome in classes. Bellydance unlike ballet does not encourage the dancer to be wafer thin, in fact a little "jiggle with your wiggle" is often seen as more desirable. However, both thin and overweight women can be excelent dancers as well. What you will learn in your first class will vary with each instructor but in general beginners learn to do basic moves like figure eights, undulations, various shimmies with one or two walking shimmies, Snake arms, head slides, basic walking steps, basic twists and possibly zills, veils, and or canes as props. Some instructors teach choreographies while others do not. Once you start advancing into more advanced classes you start to really learn layering and transitions so that you can do 3-5 of the basic moves at the same time (while holding a veil and playing zills ;}). Try the following resources to help you learn more.

WEBSITES (for finding teachers/classes)
http://www.shira.net - probably the most extensive directory
http://www.middleeasterndance.net - my site which has a decent sized directory as well.
http://www.bhuz.com - another large directory as well as a great forum which can answer pretty much every question you will ever have about bellydance since it's comprised of bellydancers from all over the world.
If you can't find lessons looking on these three sites there may not be any in your area.

WEBSITES (for learning moves on-line)
http://www.middleeasterndance.net - my own site look under the movements section, there will be enough to keep you busy for a long time. Also please read the before you begin section with the disclaimer, warm-up, cool-down, and basics about posture.
http://www.shira.net - Shira's site is an extensive collection of articles written about and for bellydancers and can provide you with a wealth of information that will be very beneficial. It's one of the oldest and most respected sites on the Internet and is referenced by bellydancers world-wide. She has a specific page which tells you how to do some moves as well as extensive links to other sites that offer on-line lessons as well.
http://www.venusbellydance.com/vocabular... - More movement descriptions.
http://www.aleena.com/miramar/ - go to on-line dance lessons there are several articles about dancing there.
http://www.zilltech.com/onlinelessons.ht... - Another old, well, respected website full of information you should check out. She offers a few instructions for several basic moves.
http://www.kawakib.com/page-30.html - more of a technique lesson but might be helpful after learning some basics.
http://www.raqs.co.nz/moves.html - has some descriptions of select movements.

BOOKS
Belly Dancing Basics by Laura A. Cooper (ISBN: 140271078X) - newer book, not great but not bad either.
The Art of Belly Dancing by Dahlena with Dona Z. Meilach - This book is out of print but shows up on amazon and e-bay from time to time. It's ok but it's written for a different time the history part is especially questionable but the moves are pretty straight forward.
Grandmother's Secrets by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi (ISBN: 1566563267) - An interesting read has several descriptions of dance moves as well.
A lot of books have been coming on the market recently and most of them (excluding out of print books) are available at Barnes and Nobel or borders books as well as other chains and smaller stores.

ON-LINE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
http://www.trybellydancing.com/ - Like a mini instructional video available online. It's not bad quality.
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/... Several mini instructional segments on various moves as well as zills, costuming, and musicality.
http://bellyrolls.com/howtopage.html - more mini on-;ine instructionals. The video quality is a little poorer and not is clear to see but the instructional quality is decent.

VIDEOS
Precision Motion Workout Series by Suzanna Del Vecchio - offers good posture basics as well as quality instruction on many moves.
Bellydance for Fitness Series by Neena and Veena Bidasher - this series is very cheap and available from major retailers like target, walmart, borders, and Barnes and Nobel but the quality of instruction is low. This is more of a workout for beginner dancers who already have had some training. The videos are a good quality as far as picture and sound but these are not good for an absolute beginner.
If you have any questions about bellydancing, please feel free to contact me through my site http://www.middleeasterndance.net

Go for it, it's sexy.

Belly dancers come in all shapes and sizes. I am listing a website below with some helpful tips. It's great for fitness, I've tried it, but at home with a VHS tape. :)

Check out my 360 page, I have a clip of a famous Turkish Belly dancer named Didem. She is a more modern, thin belly dancer. If you look on the net you will find Sadie an American bellydancer with classical training. Sadie is more traditional in appearance and her isolations are textbook, thanks to her strict dance instructors.

Have fun and enjoy!

Just jump right in w/ a beginner class @ Adult school, Parks& Recreation dept., etc. They are for anybody & everybody -- but usually only women show up. Learn best by doing. Stretching & warm-up, & then learn the 12 basic core moves, M East. rhytyms, finger cymbals, veils, etc. See this website for live clips & info & beg. videos -- www.magicalmotion.com