Arabic Belly Dance – List of Topics
This blogsite provides a brief summary of topics related to
the Raqs Sharqi, or Arabic Belly dance, as it is known in the English speaking Western world.
Part 1: Current and topical information of general interest
From our colleague Adiba
Belly Dance for Health
Great for exercise and enjoyment
Belly Dance Props
For added interest and effect
Belly Dance Costume
Costume style from traditional to modern
Choosing Belly Dance Music
Choose the music style to match the dance style
Can Anyone Learn to Belly Dance?
Yes, women of all ages and body types enjoy dancing!
Learn to Belly Dance: Choose Your Method
Considering the alternative ways
Part 2: Introducing mainly cultural and historical items
The Oriental Dances, Raqs baladi and Raqs sharqi
Briefly describes the two main forms of the dance with some references to past observers and their comments.
Origins and History of the Arabic-Oriental Dance
From the distant past until today, the dance lives on.
More Origins of the Arabic – Oriental Dance
The dance throughout history and some viewers reactions.
Gypsy Dancers and the Belly Dance
The historic roles of the Ghawazee and Awalim dancers
The Dance of Salome and John the Baptist
What is the story and was this an Oriental Dance?
Oriental Dance, Women entertaining women
In contrast to popular notions of night club entertainment, the belly dance is a family activity too.
Male Belly Dance
Some historical and modern references.
Learn to Belly Dance: Choose Your Method
Explore the benefits of the belly dance
Belly dancing is an art form that provides many benefits for those who choose to do it. It is a liberating way to increase physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Because belly dancing is a living art, many people feel that it is a type of dance that is beyond their abilities, but the truth is that anyone can do it. Your method for learning belly dance will depend on your personal learning style and the amount of money you wish to put into this new hobby.
Belly Dance Class
What are the benefits of a belly dance class? In a class, you are able to interact with an instructor and also your fellow classmates. In such a setting, you can know for sure whether you are doing the moves right, because the instructor can correct you and can go over the moves until everyone understands exactly what to do.
And the camaraderie of meeting up with others interested in belly dancing is something you can’t get from a video or from practicing on your own. However, if you’re a shy person or prefer to learn things by yourself, a dance class probably wouldn’t be right for you. A belly dance class is also more expensive than a one-time purchase of an instructional video.
Belly Dance Video
A belly dance instructional video is probably the cheapest, easiest option for learning to belly dance. You can purchase an inexpensive belly dance DVD online or from most bookstores. The benefits to using a video are many. You can begin as soon as you’d like to, it’s inexpensive to get started, and you can work and learn at your own pace. For those who get embarrassed about dancing in front of others, a video is the way to go.
The downside to using a video to learn belly dancing is that you miss out on the intensity and joy of dancing with others. Working out alone in your living room is never going to be quite as fulfilling as dancing in a studio alongside other people. Also, the quality of instruction you get from an in-person teacher can’t really be reproduced with a video.
Private Teacher
A third option for learning belly dancing is using a private belly dance instructor. This is kind of a hybrid between the video and the belly dance class. You won’t be dancing in a room full of other people, but you won’t be all alone, either.
Private belly dance lessons can be a great way to learn belly dancing quickly and thoroughly. The instructor can focus specifically on your needs. Because the focus is completely on you, it’s very likely that you will be able to learn to belly dance quite well. You can gain confidence in your dancing quite quickly this way. The only downside to private instructions is that it will likely cost more than a belly dance class would cost.
Whether you prefer to learn to belly dance at home using a video or with a class and an instructor, belly dancing is rewarding and challenging. You can always start with a video and then take a class after that. Or, you can take a class and use videos as a supplement. And once you have the basics of belly dancing down, you may wish to try a private instructor. The way you learn to belly dance doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you give this wonderful art form a try!
