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of course the best way to learn is to take lessons!. I know you say it's not doable but, perhaps you can find a way to fit in lessons!. If it's a money issue you could talk to the instructor and tell her you cannot afford lessons and ask if there is some sort of barter that you could do!. When I started out I got my lessons for free because I worked it out with my instructor that I would clean the dance studio once a week!. I just did it after my lessons so I only had to travel once!. If the problem is because you don't have an instructor near you perhaps you should look again, maybe you're not looking on the best directories that you could!. If you absolutely cannot take weekly lessons perhaps you could consider once a month drop-in's or a few private lessons!. The absolute best way to learn is to go to a live instructor!. They will be able to give you the feedback that you need!. Unfortunately there is really no better way!. If there is no possible way to even fit in occasional lessons then turn to other sources which should otherwise only be used as supplemental educational tools!. Since you are not taking lessons at all you will need to work harder and use more resources than someone who is taking lessons just to master the basic content!. I would recommend involving as many of your senses as you can!. You should read about each move, watch each move, and repetitively practice each move!. To even really perfect it you will need to internalize the moves and think about them!. Describe them in your own words as if you were teaching it to someone else!.!.!. better yet, DO teach it to someone else!. If you can teach someone else to do it right you will have a much better understanding of the movement!. I'll give you a very generalized list of resources that you may want to check out!. Keep in mind that you can check out your local library which often has a few free videos and books (each library system is different of course)!. also I know that you have already seen most of the youtube and expert village videos but try combining the videos with reading movement descriptions and watching moves in performance videos as well!. This may help you!. also join a bellydance forum of some sort like bhuz or orientaldancer or some of the bellydance related tribes!. You will be able to ask questions from other dancer on how to improve certain aspects that you may find difficult!.

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)
middleeasterndance !. net (see link above) - 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!.
shira !. net (see link above) - 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/ -Www@QuestionHome@Com

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