How To Move Arms in Belly Dancing

Belly dancing is such a beautiful dance form. The gyrating hips and isolated hip movements, the swaying snake-like arms and hands can mesmerize. The tinkling bells from the chain belt, bracelets and anklets, the play of light as it bounces on numerous large sequins and the diaphanous costume complement a beautiful belly dance. The arm movements as well as that of the whole body convey a lot of meaning as the dancer interprets the song.

Today, belly dancing is no longer just a special dance. It has become popular as an alternative and fun way to exercise. Some of the belly dancing movements of the arms, hands, shoulders, hips and legs can be a synchronized, but oftentimes each part moves in counter directions which can be difficult to learn. Below are some tips to learn how to move your arms in belly dancing, which resembles ballet and hula arm movements.

1. Starting with your right arm, bring it up directly in front of you until your head is level to the middle of your lower arm, without bending your elbow for a forward arm wave. Flick your wrist outward while your hand is directly above your head. Flick it back in as you start to lower your arm. Continue the flicking out and back as your right arm lowers to create a wave-like movement. Practice doing it again with your left arm. Once you have learned how to do it, practice using both arms. As you right arm goes down, your left arm moves up. Your wrist, hands and elbows should be relaxed and rounded. The movements should be gentle and not jerky.
2. Side-to-side arm wave is done in much the same way as the forward arm wave but this time the arm is raised from the side. Start with your right arm and bring it up over your head keeping your elbow slightly bent. Do the wrist flick out and back as you lower your right arm. As you lower your right arm, the left arm should be going up with the wrist flicking. Try to make your hand movement smooth to create beautiful waves.

3. Another arm movement is called the shoulder rotation with arm ripple, more known as snake arms. The movement originates from the shoulders and moves out to the arms, the hands and finally to the fingertips. Lift your right arm from the side, elbow slightly bent. Roll your shoulder forward, down, back and up. Your right arm should create a ripple effect that will travel from the upper arms down to the fingers. The tricky part here is that the left shoulder should roll in the opposite direction, meaning if the right arm is rolling clockwise, the left should be rolling counterclockwise. Keep on practicing until your body memorizes the movement.
4. Arm arcs begin from the hips. Place your hands on your hips and slowly trace a wide arc as you bring your arms up until one wrist crosses over the other high above your head with your elbows bent. Slowly bring your crossed wrists down in front of you up to hip level and repeat.
5. There are some variations you can do with your arm movements. You can stop near your waist when doing the arm arcs and push your arms forward as if giving something to someone. You can also bring your hands over your heart before extending them out as if offering love and happiness to your audience.

In belly dancing, the arm movements should be smooth, graceful and fluid. Constant practice is essential. Your arm and hip movements, as well as your breathing should be synchronized with the timing set by the music you are dancing to. Your arms should express the different music tempo. Swing your arms up as the music swells and bring it back down fast after the climax.