About the dance what the dance can do for you and where we meet

• What is Belly Dance

   

Belly Dance is the name given to the dance forms that have developed from the native dances of the Arab world and Turkey .  Its origins are very ancient and there are paintings of tombs and account of Belly Dancers from Ancient Greece and Rome .  The versions that most Westerners visualize is the cabaret performance done in sparkly two-piece costume that they have seen at the movies or in a restaurant.  I prefer to call it Middle Eastern Dance because there are many different related styles of dance and costume, which originate from Morocco in the west to Iran in the east.  The most famous centers for the dance are Egypt , Turkey and Lebanon .

Many women in the Arab world learn to dance from childhood and although they would never dream of giving a public performance dancing is an essential part of family celebrations.

The focus of the dance is intricate and controlled movements of the hips and torso, not on fancy footwork like the Irish dancing or tap dancing.

It is becoming increasing popular in the UK and there are now classes all over the country.  There are workshops, performances and residential schools that you can attend if you get really keen.

Belly Dancers are all shapes, and sizes and there is no age limit, (my oldest student is well into her 70’s and I once danced with a lady who was in her 80’s), although if you have any concerns about your health you should consult you doctor and inform your teacher before you starting class.

• How did Belly Dancing originate

   

Its a very old dance with origins in the upper Neolithic age.  It is a mixture of pagan, temple, and Gypsy dances. Gypsies of all lands share a common origin in India and as early as the 5^th century AD they traveled to the Middle East and far beyond. In Egypt they were know as Ghawazee (Invaders of the Heart), in Turkey they remained the Romany. The moves and postures associated with bellydancing were originally used as a way of expressing gratitude to the female body in terms of fertility and birthing. Later it developed throughout the Middle East in the harem, in the home, as a celebration dance for family parties or an entertainment art. Bellydancing has a long and colourful history which you learn about in class as we dance together

• Do I have to show my Belly

   

No, you wear what you feel comfortable with

It is optional! Historically, bellydancers wore long kaftan with a hip scarf, hence baring the belly is not at all intrinsic to the art. The term bellydancing is really a misnomer, as it is an interpretation of the French term 'danse du ventre' which is the name given to the dance that was then relatively unknown to the Western world in the 1800s. And with the Orientalist fantasy came a bejewelled costume of Indian flavour. But there certainly is a liberating quality about feeling comfortable enough to expose your belly with confidence in a society that is so preoccupied with washboard tummies. Your can feel safe exposing your belly in class, because so many ladies choose to do that and there are all shapes and sizes! In fact it can help you see and feel the move better if you have a crop top or fitted tshirt that shows the outline of the belly, as we do many moves in the belly area, like undulations. Most people like to wear a hip scarf to accentuate the hip moves too.

• How long will it take me to learn to dance

   

How long is a piece of string?  Many advanced students and teachers attend advance classes and workshops all over the country with master teachers and there is a huge MMED network both here and all over the world  Many often  travel abroad to increase their knowledge and expertise as there is always something new to learn as in most dance forms.  It will depend on your natural ability, whether you have done other forms of dance before (African, Polynesian, and some Latin American have an affinity with Belly Dance) and how hard you’re prepared to practice.  After about six to eight lessons you will have learned some basic movements and perhaps a simple choreography but don’t expect to become an expert overnight!

• Will it help me to lose weight and tone

   

Yes! Bellydancing is a wonderful women's exercise for toning muscles in the belly area, enhancing core abdominal strength. It also shapes thighs, hips, waist, arms and back. bellydancing can give you super tummy muscle definition - without a single sit up! It is great for suppleness of movement in the joints, which makes it especially good for mature women who want more flexibility. Women who wish to lose weight find that the physical aspect of bellydancing, especially to drums, is a good aerobic workout. It is also sustainable because it is enjoyable, and that is possibly the most important factor in finding a type of exercise that can be done on a regular basis.

• Does it get you fit

   

Yes, it can get you really fit. At 120-160 beats per minute, the pulsing bellydance music coupled with shimmies, hip accents and fast steps create a fun cardio workout. The isometric isolations and slow rolling moves, like yoga, tone and strengthen muscles.

• Is there a spiritual side to belly dancing

   

Yes, for many women the dance opens the way for the exploration of their spirituality. Bellydancing can be fun and energetic, but also serves to calm the body through the gentle rolling moves and rhythmic breathing. The meditative qualities of the dance promote deep relaxation which connects the body and mind - something many spiritual practices call 'centredness'. During dance, women often experience joy, elation and a feeling of complete wellbeing which comes from a physical release of raw, playful emotions they may have forgotten since childhood

• Does belly dancing help women accept their bodies

   

Because this dance is creative, free and sensual, it encourages women of all ages, shapes and sizes to feel beautiful no matter what their body shape. The body indeed becomes more supple and graceful with the fluid movements and as posture improves and so does body confidence. The great thing about bellydancing is anyone can do it, you don't need a partner and you can relax and learn at your own pace. Curvaceous women will be pleased to know that voluptuousness is a wonderful asset in bellydancing! Bellydancing improves both ;body confidence' and 'body awareness', which is ultimately empowering for women, children and seniors. It helps improve confidence and makes you feel more graceful – anyone can learn, you don’t need a dance background or any special skills!

• How popular is belly dancing in other countries where it is not a native art

With our multicultural make up, most countries in both the western and eastern world have now embraced bellydancing for its fun, artistry and cultural value. Egyptian, Lebanese, Greek, Iranian and Turkish women usually know how to bellydance well, but the dance is not limited to a cultural type. Everyone can do it and learn to understand the music, rhythms and moves, so it is also extremely popular with women from other backgrounds. bellydancing has exploded to a level where you can find a class in almost every city in Australia , Asia , USA and Europe today. When you step into the world of bellydancing, you find it opens many new doors! Bellydancing today has developed into its own subculture and many dancers find it’s a great way to relate to others who enjoy the art.

• What is so good about belly dancing

   

It’s good fun! You get to dress up wonderful colours, sequins, and great costumes if you want to indulge yourself.

It always attracts very interesting, open-minded people. You can easily make friends in class, through workshops and events, dance holidays  and often even through the internet all over the world

It always attracts very interesting, open-minded people.