About Bellydance

Bellydance is a dance for the whole family, Contrary to what many Westerners believe; Oriental dance (the correct name for belly dancing) did not originate as a dance of seduction done by concubines to titillate the Sultan.

For centuries, the role of Oriental dance in Middle Eastern society has been that of a folk dance that people would do at joyous occasions such as weddings, the birth of a child, community festivals, and other events that bring people together to party. It was a dance that men, women, and children did for fun, not a “performance” done to entertain an audience. Just as Americans at a modern-day wedding reception might do waltzes, two-steps, or even the chicken dance, so people in the Middle East would get up with their friends to shimmy to their favorite music. Let’s get one thing straight; belly dance is a dance for the entire family!

The Belly Dance is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso, and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions. Characteristic movements in the dance include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, locks, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps. Arms and hands move fluidly, like serpents or ribbons in the air. Unusual strength and control is demonstrated in the belly area.

Bellydancing has grown in popularity in the last couple of years throughout Europe, South America, and the USA. This art has also evolved through the years. The beauty of bellydance is, that so many people from different walks of life have fused their own styles and rythms into this dance that we now have a wide variety of styles floating worldwide. Depending on the background of your teacher you will experience a different flavour, and that is what makes this dance unique and exceptional. Dance is a form of expression and it is important that we as teachers strive to teach this, teach our students how to express a song through dance, making it unique and valuable, but most important entertaining!

Bellydance is alliviating! so many times I have heard my students express to me how free and relaxed they feel when they are dancing, how beautiful they feel after a shimmi, or during the shimmi. Being in a room of women who share the same passion is just a great experience. Bellydancing is also a great way to stay fit and healthy, and though it does not descriminate shapes and sizes it does promote a halthy living in spirit, mind and body.