Bellydancing!

[iradney]

Yes, I'm considering taking it up.
It looks fun, I have a belly and I need to learn how to dance. There we go! Just wondering, do you have to buy the harem pants and saucepan lids to do it, or can you just go in your gym kit??

[crazylegs]

I would imagine each class has its own rules, the one run locally doesn't mind, as long as you're comfortable they don't mind. (No I don't go but I've talked to the teacher! :lol:)

[Emrld]

It depends on where you go/ the instructor.

Locally I know of a few places that offer classes. At the start they welcome you to wear your workout clothes and then during class loan you the coin scarf or if needed dancing scarf. If you compete you would have to purchase your own competition pieces.

the pantaloons and skirts are really easy to make . .. wouldn't know about the tops being easy. (haven't tried to make one on my own yet)

[iradney]

Hahah, me, sew?? I sew buttons, that's it! Ok, I made two quilts, but that was a mission! Still, it looks like a helluva lot of fun, I'm pretty good at isolating my abs and swivelling the hips, but it would be cool to learn more.
Found a place that does lessons in the evenings on Monday, but the beginner's class is at 5:30 pm, which would be cutting it fine unless my boss lets me off at 4 that day....

[crazylegs]

You do know that we'll be demanding footage right? :D

[Eireann]

I took belly dancing for a while, and we were allowed to wear regular gym-type clothing. I gave it up, though, because the instructor kept allowing more and more people into the class, which meant that the room was growing increasingly crowded (as was the changing room before and after the lesson), people kept running into each other, and the last time I was there, one of the women brought her children with her, and they were a highly disruptive influence on the class.

I do regret that there's no other place where I can take lessons in English. Iradney, will you let me know how your lessons progress?

[tropicsgoddess]

Alright Iradney! I've been thinking of taking up belly dancing for a while, but because I don't like doing group work outs, I'm gonna get the DVD. At least that'll motivate me to exercise and lose some weight.

[iradney]

You do know that we'll be demanding footage right? :D

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! :roll:

*breathes*

BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

Oh wait, you're serious??? :eek:

Eirann - I'll let you know how they go, if I find a place. The place that does Mondays at 5:30 pm - the traffic would be murder! It also does lessons on a Saturday, but at a location that is about 20 miles from where I live...still debating on that.
Also gonna ask at the gym tomorrow if they know of any bellydancing places that aren't on the net. Hold thumbs!

[crazylegs]

Oh wait, you're serious??? :eek:

Oh yes :angel:

[iradney]

Oh yes :angel:

We'll see how good I get. Then I'll THINK about it. And maybe charge :angel:

[Greenday]

I'm sure you'll make an excellent Belly Dancer. If you give us free videos, will give you free critiques.

[wagegoth]

I took belly dancing for a few years. Sorry, Crazylegs, no footage available. That was many years ago.

Most dancers, professional or long-time amateur dancers, will wear leotards to class with a coin scarf. It helps to see that you are moving your legs and arms properly. Those costumes are designed to hide the ugly parts of the movements (especially knees) and show off the pretty, undulating parts. The coin scarves are comfortable and lightweight, and help give that little flash that the dancing is supposed to have. (Honestly, a hip drop without sequins or coins is not much to look at.)

If you get into it, and your teacher, like mine, performs at restaurants or shows and you want to, or you just want to make a costume, then look at books and fabric. Be sure to get fabric that breathes, especially if you decide to wear a skirt over harem pants. That much fabric in layers can get stifling.

It's fun, it's a great workout, it's sexy, it makes you feel good about yourself, it makes you feel good to be a woman. Enjoy!

[Becks]

I've been wanting to take bellydancing lessons for forever.

My motivation hasn't been up to it, though. :(

[PuckishOne]

I'll second what wagegoth said - I took a class several years ago and it was tons of fun! It was a very women-centered experience, which meant that the instructor didn't allow men passing by to gawk at us through the windows, and had a policy of cordially inviting any who did (or who were ballsy enough to enter the studio during class) to come to the front of the room and learn along with us. ;)

We were also allowed to wear regular workout clothes, and advised to buy or borrow a coin belt for the hips - the sound of the jangly coins helps you to tell if you're moving correctly. I found that a pair of stretchy capris and a semi-fitted top worked best, since extra fabric obscures your body (and you can't see how you're moving) but no way in hell was I going for the bare-midriff look. :rolleyes:

Just make sure your instructor is an honest-to-goodness belly dancer rather than, say, a modern dance teacher branching out, and this way IMO you'll get a more authentic experience. Other than that, have fun!!

[morgana]

Go for it, girl! :angel:

I danced for a number of years, even taught; I'm trying to get back into it now. (I have a hundred pounds to lose . . .)

The others who commented are right. Most teachers won't make you go straight into costume, but sweats aren't the way you want to go. You have to be able to see what your limbs are doing, and so does your teacher. Close-fitting, stretchy, and breatheable, that's the ticket.

If you stick with it, it will do wonders for your body AND your self-esteem.

Oh, and you guys? You can, too. I know a guy who not only dances, he teaches. Women swoon at his feet. (Which his wife, also a teacher, thinks is just hilarious. Strong lady, Jen. :D)

[monolayth]

I have heard that men are actually better at bellydancing then women.

I have done my share of bellydancing. I find it fun and amazing to see just how you can move.

PKI wants the girls to learn bellydancing to help their movements with the performances.

I found that I used my hips a LOT more in movment and doing things like shutting doors after the belly dancing.

[Jester]

I do regret that there's no other place where I can take lessons in English.

Okay, not to be a total ignoramus, but do you really need to understand the WORDS that the instructor is saying? You've taken some lessons before, so you understand the basics; you can follow what they are doing with your eyes and brain; and you are bright enough to figure out the rest, I am sure.

...the instructor didn't allow men passing by to gawk at us through the windows, and had a policy of cordially inviting any who did to come to the front of the room and learn along with us.

I, myself, would have done so without any qualms.

I would have done so HORRIBLY BADLY, but I would have done so.

I am not afraid of making a foot of myself in public. Hell, I do it just about daily anyways! :lol:

[PuckishOne]

Okay, not to be a total ignoramus, but do you really need to understand the WORDS that the instructor is saying?
A totally fair question...the short answer being that yes, you do! :p Although the moves look like exaggerated normal movements, they really don't come as naturally as one would think. And it helps to get the verbal instruction, especially as the teacher watches you and critiques you.

And morgana's right: men do this too!! Their version is lighter on the filmy scarves and subtle body language and heavier on the swords and power movements...and it's impressive to watch.