How do I become a belly dancer?

Question

The closest belly dancing class costs $55 a month and my mom is already paying over $60 a month for me & her to go the gym. I really really want to learn how to belly dance!

I am 16 and I loe the way woman move their stomach and it looks so fun!

I think I need a job but I don't know where to work.

Please give me some suggestions!

Answer 1

it is very fun I've been doing it for 8 years my suggesting if money is an issue you can always go to youtube.com and watch videos and imulate what there doing practice practice practice that is how you improve as a belly dancer. You can also rent dvds at the libary as well as the local video stores somtimes if they carry it and if you can buy a video and practice.

Answer 2

Try an instructional DVD to see if you like it.  They have tons at Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url...

It's a lot cheaper.  If you want to continue, then you'll probably have to take classes or look for local belly dancing clubs.

Answer 3

Many gyms offer certain fitness classes.  If you are really interested perhaps you could try to peak interest in belly dance fitness classes at your local gym.  Otherwise you may need to choose between a gym membership and dance lessons if you are not able to afford both.  Although it is not a good idea to learn bellydance only from videos and written descriptions via the web or through books, this is the only other way that you could possibly learn.  If you choose to learn through this method which is only intended as supplemental material to real lessons you will need to be extremely careful because you will have no teacher to correct you when your positioning and posture is incorrect.  This can lead to injury both short term and long term and sometimes permanent.  Additionally you will not be able to get the valuable feedback which helps you to improve your technique and musicality.  However, here are some resources you may want to check out (look at your local library too since they often have books, vhs, dvd, and cd's which you can borrow for free):

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)

http://www.middleeasterndance.net - 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.

http://www.shira.net - 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/ - Like a mini instructional video available online. It's not bad quality.

http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/... Several mini instructional segments on various moves as well as zills, costuming, and musicality.

http://bellyrolls.com/howtopage.html - more mini on-;ine instructionals. The video quality is a little poorer and not is clear to see but the instructional quality is decent.

VIDEOS

Precision Motion Workout Series by Suzanna Del Vecchio - offers good posture basics as well as quality instruction on many moves.

Bellydance for Fitness Series by Neena and Veena Bidasher - this series is very cheap and available from major retailers like target, walmart, borders, and Barnes and Nobel but the quality of instruction is low. This is more of a workout for beginner dancers who already have had some training. The videos are a good quality as far as picture and sound but these are not good for an absolute beginner.

If you have any questions about bellydancing, please feel free to contact me through my site. http://www.middleeasterndance.net

Answer 4

join a belly dancing class and ask your instructor to lead you in that direction

http://www.marzino.com