Frequently Asked Questions About Belly Dance
What should I bring to class?
You do not need any special equipment for belly dance. The most important thing you will wear is a smile! :) But here are a few tips:
Water: Be sure to bring a water bottle!
Clothing: I recommend wearing comfortable clothes you would wear to yoga class. If you have a dance skirt, "harem" pants or other clothing items for belly dance, you are welcome to wear them.
It is very helpful to wear a hip scarf so you can highlight your hip movement. But there is no need to buy an expensive Egyptian hip scarf incrusted in coins and jewels...unless you want to! A simple piece of stretchy material, pretty scarf you have lying around...hey, I've even seen table cloths! :)
I will always have extra hip scarfs for you to borrow. Also, check out my resources page for reputable vendors if you'd like to invest in a nice belly dance hip scarf.
Shoes: Most dancers (including myself) dance with bare feet. Socks are too slippery so I do not recommend them. If you must wear shoes, I suggest dance shoes with a flexible, smooth sole and no sneakers as they will stick and you might hurt yourself!
Water: Be sure to bring a water bottle!
Clothing: I recommend wearing comfortable clothes you would wear to yoga class. If you have a dance skirt, "harem" pants or other clothing items for belly dance, you are welcome to wear them.
It is very helpful to wear a hip scarf so you can highlight your hip movement. But there is no need to buy an expensive Egyptian hip scarf incrusted in coins and jewels...unless you want to! A simple piece of stretchy material, pretty scarf you have lying around...hey, I've even seen table cloths! :)
I will always have extra hip scarfs for you to borrow. Also, check out my resources page for reputable vendors if you'd like to invest in a nice belly dance hip scarf.
Shoes: Most dancers (including myself) dance with bare feet. Socks are too slippery so I do not recommend them. If you must wear shoes, I suggest dance shoes with a flexible, smooth sole and no sneakers as they will stick and you might hurt yourself!
Do I have to show my belly?In class, I will never require you to show your belly. Some dancers like to reveal their torso to see the movement, but it is not necessary.
If you decide to perform, you may wear a belly cover, long tunic or dress. Belly buttons not required. 
Belly Dance is dancing with your belly.There are actually very few exclusive "belly" moves. Belly Dance works with your feet, knees, hips, torso, and arms. Even your hair!
You have to be skinny to Belly Dance.No. Belly Dance is for every BODY. Keep in mind the commercial versus communal sides of belly dance. 10% of Belly Dance is commercial. You might see the skinniest of dancers performing at a local restaurant or at a wedding. Egyptian cinema sought the most slender, beautiful women for Belly Dance in their movies during the 1940s and 1950s, much like Hollywood sought out Marilyn Monroe. But we all can't be Marilyn Monroe, right?
90% of belly dance is communal. It is a celebration of womanhood, family, society, and self-expression. True Belly Dance welcomes men, women, elders, youth, and more. |
Is Belly Dance good exercise?Yes. Yes. And yes! Belly Dance helps work your core, your arms and your legs....you know those muscles you didn't know you had!
Belly Dance is very low impact and uses natural, body-friendly movements to give you a workout! Best of all, nearly all movements can be modified if it doesn't feel good on YOUR body. Every dancer is unique, but Belly Dance is for every BODY! Always be sure to check with your physician if you have any injuries or medical issues before getting started. 
Is Belly Dance Egyptian?This question gets complicated. Though it largely originates from Egypt, belly dance is a multinational celebration. Belly Dance has roots in Lebanon, Turkey, and most North African and Southwest Asian cultures. So much of what we do in America is a melding of these many diverse and distinctive dances, the answer to this question gets complex.
Today, America, the UK, Russia, South America and many more cultures celebrate the dance. However, YES, much of the typical style we see today (the sparkly two piece bra and belt with a flowy skirt) is influenced by Egyptian cinema, culture and history. |
Do I have to perform?No. Belly Dance is for YOU first. Though, as your teacher I am committed to providing you with the opportunity to perform if you are interested.
Is Belly Dance is like stripping?No. Belly Dance can actually be very modest. Early on, Belly Dance in the U.S. was associated with Burlesque and it stuck. There are also many orientalist fantasies that came out of Hollywood and wester culture that portraits Belly Dancers as "exotic," "seductive," or "irrational." No clothes are removed during Belly Dance.
Do only women Belly Dance?
No. Most Middle Eastern cultures have a male "dance culture" where men participate in the dances, such as Dabke and Saidi.
Although we don't often think of male dancers in western culture, there are male dancers in the United States! Belly Dance A Go-Go welcomes dancers of all genders, ethnicities, ages and abilities. |
Resources
A curated list of all things Belly Dance that I love.
|
Costumes & Props
www.bellydance.com www.missbellydance.com www.dahlal.com MENAHT Dance History www.worlddanceheritage.org www.gildedserpent.com www.shira.net www.bellydance.org My Teacher Legacy www.farfesha.com www.kamaladances.com www.azizashimmy.com www.amaydances.com Causes www.musicalambassadorsofpeace.org: Along with promoting healing through music, MAP provides refugee support and indigenous music education. Pomegranate SEEDs Program: A mentorship program through belly dance for young women. Based in Santa Fe, NM. |
