Beginner Belly Dancing Lessons : Hip Snap Move in Belly Dancing

Learn the hip snap belly dancing technique in thisfree video dance lesson. Expert: Portia Contact: www.bellymotions.com Bio: Portia is the founder, director, and chief instructor of Belly Motions, a premiere belly dance academy in Miami/Coral Gables, Florida. Filmmaker: Paul Muller

FAQ on Bellydance Classes

by Sherezzah Bint al-Waha

As a teacher of Middle Eastern dance, including "bellydance," I often get asked questions about my classes, or bellydance classes in general. These are some of them:

What should I wear to class?

You will need to wear something you can move freely in. Although it doesn't necessarily need to be skintight or show skin, it should be something that fits close enough to your body that your teacher can see what you're doing so she can provide feedback. Good choices are what I call "typical dance attire," that is, leotard and tights or similar; or "typical exercise attire," leggings and T-shirt or similar.

In general, classes are for exercise and learning; they are not performances, so you aren't expected to be in a full-blown costume. However, if you have some nifty ethnic jewelry or other accessories that you enjoy, go ahead and wear them. They can help put you (and the rest of the class) in a pleasant mood.

It is also a good idea to have some kind of scarf or similar to wear around your hips. Triangular scarves with fringe work well, as do belts with coins.

Note: Some teachers have very specific rules about what to wear that may differ from the general rules I describe above.

What about shoes?

I personally prefer to dance barefoot, which works fine in the room where I teach my regular classes. Of course, I sometimes make modifications depending on what kind of surface I will be on. My next personal favorite is a soft ballet-type slipper.

I realize some people may have medical or other reasons to prefer a shoe with more support. That's fine also. The important thing is that you want a shoe that doesn't stick to the floor too much (so sneakers generally don't work too well). It's also good if you can get a shoe that allows your foot to flex; for example, a good jazz-type shoe would be excellent.

Are there videos that teach bellydancing?

Yes, many. Check out my troupe video page for some personal recommendations. Also check out the dancers with stuff for sale on my dancer links page.

Of course, one cannot learn by video alone. Video cannot replace having a real live teacher.

Do you teach finger cymbals (zills)? Where do I get them?

I teach them, yes... not in the very first beginner-level class, but usually around week 4 or 5. When that time comes, I have zills to borrow or to buy (and I would guess that most teachers who teach zills do the same). You can buy zills outside of class, but be aware there are a lot of "tourist" zills out there, that aren't really made for dancers. Zills that I recommend are Mid-East Mfg., Soroyan Mastercrafts, and Turquoise. (Zildjian also makes good finger cymbals, but they're more targeted for professionals.)

Where can I buy hip scarves and other costume items?

Sometimes you can find decent scarves in regular stores, especially around the December holidays (wait until after New Year's, then they go on sale!) Other than that, your best bet is to buy them from a vendor that specializes in bellydance goodies. There are a number of such vendors listed on my costume links page. You can also find a goodly amount of bellydance stuff on eBay. (I sometimes also see bellydance things in fancy boutiques, but they tend to be priced much higher than the bellydance vendors sell them for.)

Where can I get music to practice to?

Some music stores (like Border's) tend to have good International sections; look there for Middle Eastern music (it might also be categorized as Arabic, Egyptian, Moroccan, or Turkish). The vendors I mentioned above often also carry music, and you can often find it on eBay also. You can also find some on Amazon.com. Some artists that are good to look for are Hossam Ramzy, George Abdo, and Omar Faruk Tekbilek. For some specific suggestions relating to my own classes, check out my music recommendations page.

Use the button at right to go directly to the Middle Eastern music section at Amazon.com.

How long do I have to take classes before I can get a job doing bellydancing?

Frankly, I would not advise getting into bellydancing if your intent is to make money with it. For one thing, there's a lot of initial investment, not just time, that you need to make (professional-quality costumes typically cost from $500-$1200). There tends not to be a lot of demand, and there tends to be a lot of supply for all except the very top-quality dancers, so wages tend to be low.

So, if you want to try bellydancing, don't do it because you want to make money. Go ahead and do it, but do it because you think it will be fun, or that it will give you good exercise. Then, after a year or so, if you're still having fun and enjoying it, and you think you're pretty good and think you might want to try making some money doing it, then you might consult with your teacher about possible professional opportunities. Virtually all the dancers involved in this business do it because they love it, not because they make lots of money at it.

Bridal Shower Activities a Bellydancing Theme Bridal Shower

Are you looking for interesting bridal shower activities? Wedding shower cakes or wedding shower favor ideas? How about a bellydancing party to get the festivities in high gear!
Bridal Shower Activities a Bellydancing Theme Bridal Shower
That's right I did say bellydancing!

My favorite of the bridal shower activities is a belly dancing party. I have been to a variety of Middle Eastern dance parties. I see how women respond. It puts a smile on everyones face and all the girls young and old want to learn a few moves. What could be better than getting everyone up shaking, shimmying and having a good time.

Why have I been to so many of these parties? Well I am a professional bellydancer and a pastry chef. Shake and bake!

Admit it bridal showers can be pretty boring. You come, you sit with people you don't know, you do small talk, you watch the "bride to be" open her gifts. Pretty painful for the most part.

But a bellydancing theme bridal shower? What a great way to get everyone involved, young and old. Throw a coin belt and a veil on anyone and the fun begins instantaneously. Including the men!

So if you are having a mixed shower with men and women what better way to get the guys having some fun too. They LOVE wearing coin belts and shaking their hips!

So where do you begin you ask?
Assuming you are either the maid of honor, mom or sis, you obviously will know if this is something that your bride to be will enjoy. That's # 1. If not there are lots of other bridal shower party ideas that may work better for your guest of honor.

#2-Find a belly dancer, not just any dancer, you will want an instructor who is also a skilled performer. So do ask around and search online, look at videos and call your local dance studios for recommendations.

From the perspective of the entertainer I can tell you what works best when planning bridal shower activities of this kind.

Ask if the dancer provides coin scarves, veils, headpieces etc. I provide all of these, but not everyone does. A special headpiece is reserved for the bride to be. Every one gets hip scarves and veils. Finger cymbals are also a nice touch.

The performance itself should be short and sweet and consist of an entrance (usually with finger cymbals), a veil dance, a drum solo and a finale. 10- 15 minutes at most. It should not be overly sexual, just fun and upbeat and tasteful.

Discuss the music and how it will be played. Make sure that there is a cd player available with a decent sound system. It's hard to feel the music if it's playing too softly or with a really poor speaker system.

Talk about where the dancer will be performing. It can be dangerous dancing on grass or gravel, especially since belly dancers don't usually wear shoes when dancing.

Will the dancer be a surprise? For birthday parties, it's usually a surprise. But at a bridal shower not necessarily.

If not then you can ask all of the women to come dressed in full skirts, bellydancing is always better in a skirt when doing the hip movements. Find decorations to fit the theme like brass vases, candles, beads, coins, silks and pillows in rich colors.

Have someone video tape the festivities and take lots of pictures, you will want to remember this party for a long time.

Why not set up a harem tent ( if you will) by draping veils and placing pillows on the floor. Candles can make for a mysterious atmosphere for your theme bridal shower.

More bridal shower favor ideas for a belly dancing party: Consider purchasing inexpensive coin belts for all to take home, or silk scarves, cheap finger cymbals or jewelry. All of these can be found on ebay for ridiculously low prices.

Ask the dancer if she has coin scarves for sale at a reasonable price.
The dancer may also be willing to do a giveaway for a class or two. You could have a drawing at the end and give a gift certificate to the winner.

As for cake decorating ideas, there are interesting ways to make a bridal shower cake fit the theme. Ask your baker if they have any ideas or if you are doing it yourself try using a bit of fondant decoration. You can get glitter for cakes at your local craft store or find a bejeweled cake stand to fit the theme bridal shower. Hot glue and beads or coins can do wonders for a plain old cake stand.

Chocolate coins on the table with glitter and beads with candles would make an awesome centerpiece.

Belly Dance Costume - Harem Pants

Though the belly dance has been here for many years, it gained prominence with the likes of Shakira’s crossover into the mainstream music. Her chartbusting tracks showcased this talent and Shakira’s name became synonymous with belly dancing. She has been known for her powerful and sensual movements for all her videos and live performances.

Developed in the Middle East, this Arabic style of dancing is now the most sought after form even amongst the elite crowd. Considered not just a form of dance, it is also popular amongst women who desire to maintain their fitness levels!

Performed mainly at night clubs, belly dancing always conjures up images of vivacious and sensual costumes. The costumes form an integral part of the dance. The technique required for this dance entails the dancer to make circular motions, shimmies and usage of the hips and belly to the maximum. The costumes are designed in such a way that it adds more glamour to the dance. One often sees the use of props being interspersed during the performance.

Belly Dance Costume:
The basic of belly dance costumes consists of bustier, harem pants, layered skirts, veils, flamboyant belts etc. Different regions have varied designs of the same.

The Turkish belly dance costumes have some interesting detailing used on them. Fringes rate high on the popularity chart and they are found adorned on the bustier and the belts as well. The fringe is attached to the base of the bustier and extended to the back. The common Turkish designs showcase beaded work and also glass stone embellishments on the costume. The belt is generally in a V-shape.Contrasting colors are used to add some drama. The brief top is often crafted in points or curlicues. The shapes of the bustier vary from being asymmetrical to large diamond shapes.

The skirt or the pant is often made in sheer, see-through material. Sometimes you can even find cutouts or keyholes in the skirt. If the costume is designer-made, it gets more decorative with the increase in the detailing. Headbands are glamorized and the veils get sassier. The fabrics used are generally velvet and chiffons with a blend of lycra.

The Egyptian belly dance costume primarily leans towards the conservative kind. The dancers were not allowed to show the bare midriff. Therefore it consisted of two-piece suits with a skin colored cloth as the base.

Fringes on the bustier are sometimes combined with beads. Sequins are also used to cover the entire costume. There is not much variation seen for the brief top. Generally, the decoration is minimal. But some of the designer Egyptian belly dance costumes wary from the basic kind. One can see ample use of beads and embroidery. The designs used are mainly floral or abstract patterns. Multi-tiered skirts, veils, arm bands, headbands all form part of this attire.

One can see many other modifications in other parts of the world. The ornamentation varies from place to place. There are also a lot of metal embellishments being used today. These metals are either antique looking or polished.

Large coins, chains, sequins, mirror work are also used as part of the decoration.
The headbands are not just plain but now we can even see some fringes attached to it. This is turn enhances the entire look of the dance when the fringes dangle delicately on the forehead.

Skirts are now being widely made using the chiffon material. These are often layered in sheer material. Yet another popular option is the Harem pant.

Harem Pants:
Initially a part of any belly dancer’s wardrobe, the harem pants are now being seen on the streets as casual wear. Belly dancers generally wear them under the skirt or even as an individual garment. Often these pants are slit on the sides, sometimes up till the knees or the thigh area. Harem pants are known to add a touch of authenticity to the belly dance costume.

The side slits of the harem pants are often outlined with decorative trims. Some dancers prefer to connect these two halves of the pant with beaded strands, metallic ribbons etc. Scarves are sometimes sewed to the belt. At times, we can also find panels being added to the harem pants to attract attention to a specific area. If one has to avoid sewing the scarf onto the pant, one can use an elastic belt for the same purpose. The cut of the harem pant is of utmost importance. Pants with wrong silhouettes can tend to give a fuller look to the legs. A long legged woman, best carries out fuller harem pants.

Fabrics for the harem pants can range from georgette, lace, velvet, sheer knits, lightweight silk etc. Today, they look great when teamed with short tops and shrugs for a casual look. Flats work best with harem pants for an evening out.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your costume and go the Shakira way!

Benefits of Belly Dancing by New York Belly Dancer

Belly dancing is one of the oldest dance forms in the world. The moment someone thinks about belly dancing, it brings to mind the images of women rolling their body to the call of music. People have been debating for years as to the origins of the belly dance. While almost everyone will agree that it was developed in the Middle East, it has not been determined what country gave this gift to the world. It could have been a gift of Persian countries, by maybe Egypt, possibly even from the Romans.

Belly dance represents the spoken language. Before communicating with words we used our bodies to 'speak', in the present day human communication is still primarily through the body. Primal belly dance encapsulated the spiritual and metaphysical processes associated with creation and procreation.

These days belly dancing is perceived as a way of celebrating myriad cultures, which seeks to incorporate the best of all the cultures that have laid a claim on belly dancing. Belly Dancing is not only an art of dance, but it also has several health benefits. Most of the people think that belly dance is only a form of dance and nothing more than that. However, you can gain several benefits from this form of dancing.

Belly dancing is one of the best ways to keep fit and stay healthy. There may be several forms of dances but belly dance can really help to improve the state of health. Belly dance is bit difficult dance as compared to other forms of dancing. It requires many forces and many workouts. However, belly dancing can help you lose significant quantity of excess weight if you have such problem. Today the problem of losing weight is of current interest and that's why classes of belly dancing also gain popularity

Some of the other benefits include:-

Stress reduction - The repetitive movements of the dance and the concentration needed to do them can help a mind filled with daily stress to "let go" for a while and relax.

Improved posture and muscle toning - During the belly dance, the movements of hip drops, circles, figure eights, and shimmies put the joints and ligaments in the lower back and hip through a full range of gentle, repetitive motion. This repetitive movement further helps increase the flow of synovial fluid (nature's lubricant) in these joints.

Aiding digestion - Exercising the abdominal area, not just by rolling the belly, but also by swaying the torso, helps food move along the digestive system.

Source: New York Belly Dancer.

Belly Dancing Moves

Belly dancing is considered to be the world's oldest dance forms known to mankind. Due to inaccurate historical evidence, the origins of belly dancing, can only be traced to the Middle Eastern countries, the Mediterranean, and Africa. In Arabic, belly dancing is called Raqs Sharqi, which means "dance of the orient", while in Turkish, it is called Oryantal dansi, meaning "exotic oriental dance". Since these terms indicated an exotic dance that was initiated elsewhere, the belly dancing moves had higher admiration than local dances. For the purpose of this article, let's just focus on the oriental (Middle Eastern) dance moves, and how you can learn belly dancing moves.

Basic Belly Dancing Moves
Oriental belly dancing moves are solely designed for the female body, with emphasis on abdominal muscles, chest moves, and hip moves. The traditional way of dancing is with bare feet. The dance is a combination of smooth, flowing, complex, and sensual movements of the torso, interchanged with shaking and shimmy type moves. Belly dancing moves for beginners are often confusing, because of the different backgrounds of particular steps. Since belly dancing is inspired by various cultures, it can be a bit confusing. The trick is to take each belly dancing move step by step to ease the confusion. Once you master the steps, the confusion can eliminate on its own. When we see belly dancers elegantly moving their arms, shoulders, and head in a graceful manner, it may look very simple. The belly dance moves and postures are performed in different manners across the world. Each dancer has his/her own understanding and interpretation of this dance form.

Belly Dancing Moves Names
The essence of the dance is still preserved, with minor changes over a period of time. Belly dancing has a great variety of movements from many countries. Here are some belly dancing moves names, and how to learn these moves from the comfort of your home. These steps can be combined together to one complete song or can be danced individually.

* Snake Arms: To do this step effortlessly, stand straight with your feet flat on the floor and shoulder length apart. Begin with lifting your right arm as the same height of your shoulders. While doing so, move your ribs to the right. Do this movement as if you are trying to push something with your torso. The entire move should begin with your wrist, hand, arm, shoulder, ribs, and back. Repeat on the other side.
* Eight Figure - 'Maya': This dance move is named after an Egyptian dancer. Lift your right heel and hip. Roll the right hip out, over, and then down towards your ankles. Do this step as if you are forming a vertical loop. Keep your weight centered with soft knees, don't lock them. Repeat it on the other side as well. By doing this move, you are making a vertical eight figure.
* Hip Drops: First keep your weight centered. Lift the right foot but keep the ball of the foot touched to the ground. Raise your hip and move it to the front, back, down, and up. Keep it vibrating at all sides, as your feet accompany the hip. Repeat the same move on your left side as well.
* Choo Choo Shimmy: Keep soft, bent knees for this step. Step on the floor instead of pushing your foot on the floor, lift only the ball of the foot to step. When you take a step, your right hip goes up, and when you take another step, your left hip goes up. The main idea is to shuffle the feet across the floor as if you are gliding.
* The Camel: Stand on your side with your right foot a little ahead of the other, and your arms in the air. Move your weight to the right foot while you sway your hip in the same direction. Next step is to return the weight of your body to the other leg at the back, and continue this looping movement. While doing this step, your abdomen should control the return of the lumbar vertebrae. (the part of the back between the ribs and the hipbones)
* Egyptian Dance: In this dance move, the dancer should stand in a position with arms making a 90 degree angle. Position your right leg in front of your body, and raise your hip. In the next step, move your hip down while keeping the right leg in place. Again move the hip up on the same side. Now cross the leg in front of the body as if you are going to kick a ball, and move your hip down. Repeat this movement after you complete a circle.

Read about:

* Belly Dance Costume
* Dancing

Today belly dance is enjoyed for diverse reasons like beauty, healthy eroticism, ethnicity, and prowess. Belly dancing moves have continued to keep its original connections to fertility and eroticism by being an essential feature at weddings in many Middle Eastern countries; especially for the bride and groom, and the guests. Simple belly dancing moves are used in natural childbirth classes to ease painful labor. According to a recent study done by Mideastern Dancer Magazine, "women who belly danced delivered their first child with shorter periods of labor". So if you want to learn belly dancing moves for any of the reasons mentioned in the article, make sure you do one important thing throughout your dance; smile. This is what gives belly dancing its own charm and popularity.

How to Belly Dance

Okay, this is nothing ‘butt’ natty as well as nasty. The moves, the hip shaking, the shimmie - whoa it is mesmerizing and enthralling! Talk about this thing and it reminds me of Shakira’s ‘Hips Don’t Lie’. Yes, I am sure by now that you have guessed what am I leading to! Have I enticed you enough?? You are bang on! It is the belly dance! Belly dance is basically a Middle Eastern dance and also has liaisons with Arabic culture too. It is a great exercise and when performed well, belly dancing is absolutely sensational. So now, let the curtain unveil for a low down on how to belly dance!

Basic Steps

Shimmy
This is fast up and down hip movement. These are the steps where in you can do shimmy.

* Slightly raise your right knee and then let your right hip snap upward.
* Then raise your left knee snapping your left hip forward.
* You can either shimmy both hips one after the other or one hip over and over by lifting and dropping a single knee.

Shimmy, but with a Shoulder
This is shimmy but with shoulders. Try this out.

* Lean forward a little bit and then pull your right shoulder up.
* After you pull the shoulder up, dip it down in front of you.
* Once it falls back in its original place, do the same thing with your left shoulder.
* Make sure that you isolate and then move your shoulders without moving your chest.
* This is absolutely imperative while you want to know how to belly dance step by step.

Slide
Slide is another of the steps you need to know when you are pondering as to how to belly dance for beginners. For the slide, start off with a feeling that your hips are on a horizontal plane. Now with hips and abs tucked in and knees slightly bent, slide your hips to the right and then left. Remember that hips should always move from side to side and never up and down, akin to a shimmy.

Hip Circle
Simply put, this is a full rotation of your hips. The hip circle is done like this-

* Tuck in your hips and abs.
* Taking a small step to your right, push out your right hip.
* Move the hip slightly back on the path of a big circle, leaning forward just a bit.
* You need to continue the circular movement, so for that, push out the left hip, as if to complete the circle.
* End the move by leaning back, gently pushing both the hips forward.

Read more on belly dancing moves.

Arabic Walk
If you want to learn how to belly dance, this is a must know. The Arabic walk is a way to move in a group as well as in a solo performance. Arabic walk starts with snapping a side of your hips, while the other side will remain steady. Now, you would let that snapping motion let your other leg to move to a side or ahead. An important thing to remember here is that you would always step using the leg opposite of the hip you snap.

Snake Arms
The earlier ones, except shoulder shimmy was all about hips and legs, apart from the shoulder shimmy. Lets do another step using arms.

* Hold your arms at shoulder height.
* Ensure that your shoulders are tucked in and back.
* Now move your right up and then back. This will start at shoulder and will move on to the elbow, the wrist and then ultimately your fingers.
* Repeat this with your left hand and try and keep the move as fluid and smooth as possible.
* When this movement is done in continuation, it resembles a slithering snake!

Congratulations! Mission how to belly dance accomplished! All you need now is a little practice and improvisation. There are a few other steps like hip twist and undulation, which you would get to know as you go along! If you think self learning is not your cup of tea, join a class and learn.

It was hopefully not very tough to understand these steps and the beginners can surely pick these steps. Believe it or not these steps are great for toning muscles, working out the whole body and improving self confidence.

Read more on:

* Belly Dance Costume
* Types of Dances and Different Dancing Styles

That’s it, this is where I stop shaking my fingers to produce these words in the article and go off to try out some steps myself! All the best to you though!

Belly Dancing Workout

Belly dance exact origin is unclear, but it can be traced to the regions of Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean. The Arabic word for belly dancing is Raqs Sharqi, and it is known in Turkish as Oryantal dansi which means exotic dance. This dance is uniquely designed for the female body, the emphasis being on the ab, hips and chest moves. With these moves you can tone up your body easily. Here are the different benefits of belly dancing and tips to get you started on belly dancing workout.

Benefits of Belly Dancing
Listed below are the various benefits of belly dancing, which one can get by the belly dancing workouts.

* According to the intensity of belly dance, it can help in weight loss. In a high intensity belly dancing workout you can burn around 300 calories per hour.
* This form of dance helps in clearing up the congestion formed in the pelvic area, hence it aids in decreasing the pre-menstrual syndrome.
* The moves of belly dancing greatly help in toning up the muscles. It is a full body workout, and works with all muscles to tone and strengthen the muscles and improve the body's flexibility.
* Belly dancing workouts are not just for your bodily health, but can also serve as a good break from the hectic life as they are fun, and the graceful movement in belly dance helps to relax.
* Belly dancing is one of the weight bearing exercises, and thus help in increasing the bone density and prevent disorders like osteoporosis.
* This workout is especially beneficial for people suffering from back pain and joint pains, as the moves of belly dance put the joint of the back and the hips in a repetitive but gentle motion, which aid in the flow of synovial fluid in the joints, which relieve from the joint and back aches.
* Another unique benefit of this workout is that this dance form was used by women to ease the pain experienced during childbirth in earlier times.

How to Start Belly Dancing Workout?
Here are the tips that will help you start a belly dance workout exercise program.

* First of all you need to consult your health care provider, if you are having some health condition. As people who are recovering from some injury or surgery, might need to avoid this dance form, for some time till their body heals.
* You will have to find a dance teacher who is experienced in this art of dancing. According to your aim which can be weight loss, physical therapy or just to learn a new dance form, you need to tell your teacher. An experienced teacher will form a routine according to your need, and will help you achieve your goals.
* It is better if you join a class with other students, as you will get more insight into the dance form.
* Belly dancing is done with bare feet, so you don't need to buy any special dance shoes. All you need is a pair of harem pants and you are good to go.
* Some of the basic steps when learning how to belly dance are shimmy, slide, hip circle, Arabic walk and snake arms. These belly dancing workout for beginners are easy to learn, and the hip circle is the best belly dancing workout for toning the hip area.
* Once you get better with these basic steps, you can move on to the advanced belly dancing workouts.

So, what are you waiting for? Search for a good teacher, join the belly dancing classes, and enjoy all the benefits of belly dancing workouts!

Belly Dancing History

Belly dance is one of the oldest known forms of dancing. The name suggest that it involves the movements of belly or abdomen only. However, the fact is that its moves emphasizes on other parts of the body like the hips and the chest as well. This dance form is uniquely designed to suit the female body. Traditionally, belly dance is performed with bare feet. The moves of this dance are characterized by sensuous movements of the torso accompanied by a lot of shaking of the body. There are several conflicting theories that are prevalent about the belly dance history. Here we are going to talk about the popular beliefs.

Origin and Early History of Belly Dancing

One of the most popular theories of belly dancing history suggest that the origin of the dance form is somewhere in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa. The Egyptian tomb painting of 5000 BC provide us with evidence of dancers exhibiting belly dancing postures. Many historians believe that at that time it was performed as religious rite. In those days, women were considered as goddesses who had the power to create the mystery of life from their bodies. So people of certain tribes used to believe that conception is possible only if women perform this dance. Thus belly dancing was associated with the mystery of fertility and procreation of life.

According to another theory, it was developed as a birthing ritual and was practiced to ease off the birth pangs. With passage of time, the so called fertility dance transformed into a cultural folk art where men, women and even children used to participate in it at wedding and other celebrations for their fun and not for arousing the audience. In Saudi Arabia, belly dance is known as "Raqs sharqi" which means oriental dance. Traditionally, Saudi women used to gather after their evening meals and perform belly dance. However, there was a strict rule that they were not supposed to perform it in the presence of men.

Evolution of Belly Dance

The Westerners experienced the belly dance for the first time when Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798 and his troops witnessed the gypsy dancers. Later, it gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries during Romantic movement. During this period, dancers from Middle East countries started performing belly dancing in the various World's fairs and people all over the world started enjoying belly dance. It was during the Chicago World's Fair that Americans were introduced to belly dancing.

People of America were fascinated by the rhythmic music and the accompanying dance. Inspired by the interest of large number of Americans, Hollywood captured some belly dancers in films. They added further glamor quotient to this exotic dance by introducing colorful belly dance costumes and which made it more popular. Eventually, it was censored due to mounting pressure from a section of public. Then strippers and burlesque dancers learned this dance or imitated it and performed in burlesque theaters. As a result, for the next few decades, it got associated with stripping. It was assumed in America and Europe that the belly dancers were women with loose morals.

It was around 1930s belly dancers started performing in nightclubs and restaurants. In the early 1970s these dancers started teaching belly dance as more and more people were enthusiastic about learning this dance form. Even though American belly dancing moves has a lot of similarity with Turkish and Egyptian styles of belly dancing, yet it has developed a unique style of its own. Likewise, belly dance is being performed in almost all the countries of the world and each country has their own distinctive style.

Read more on:

* How to Belly Dance
* Belly Dancing Moves

Hope you enjoyed reading this article about belly dancing history. One thing is really strange that it started as a social dance and have taken the glamorous context in its present form. Now, there are so many people who are interested to learn this art of self-expression not just for earning a modest income. Rather, they want to acquire the skills simply because they enjoy the moves of the dance form and they get a sense of self discovery.

How To Belly Dance

Belly dancing is rooted in ancient religious rituals involving goddess worship and fertility. Belly dancing is not only a form of human expression but also an effective way to get a great abdominal workout. Also known as Oriental dance in some regions of the world, Belly Dancing provides a very intense workout for your abdominal muscles. Once you've mastered belly dancing, you may feel confident enough to try other types of dancing, too -- for that, I recommend the excellent Louis Let's Dance training video series.

Despite how elegant and graceful a belly dancer appears, the intensity and effort required of the abdominal region makes belly dancing a challenging form of exercise for all those who try it, perhaps with the exception of professional athletes.

You will be presented with three basic belly dancing moves. The first move consists of large hip circles. These are fairly easy to perform. You will also be given a basic arm pose to maintain when performing large hip circles, but there are countless variations of more complex arm movements that a belly dancer can do. The next move is the cobra neck slither and is also an easy move to perform. The third movement, the belly roll, is the hardest of the three Belly Dance moves presented and can take some time to properly master.

How to Perform Large Hip Circles in Belly Dancing:

1. Stand with your feet about one foot apart and your toes pointing forward. Make sure your knees are relaxed, not locked out. Lengthen your spine and press your shoulders down. Never hunch your shoulders up towards your ears. Place your arms out to your sides with your palms facing down at about shoulder height. Now, move your elbows in slightly until your arms are bent. Keep this relaxed arm position throughout.
2. With your feet flat on the floor, push your hips to the right as far as you can without lifting your feet off the ground for a count of 2. Although you are upright, you will be "sitting" to the right.
3. Lead with your right hip and push your hips forward counterclockwise until each hip is directly above each leg and ankle. Lean slightly backwards so that your shoulders are no longer directly above your hips. Make sure you keep your spine straight. Perform this step to a count of 2.
4. Raise your upper body so that you are no longer leaning back but are directly upright as you were in Step 2. While raising your body, simultaneously rotate your hips counterclockwise to the left until they are pushed out to the left and you are "sitting" just as you were in Step 2.
5. Move your hips counterclockwise until they are above your legs again. At the same time, lean forward slightly while keeping your back straight. Perform this step to a count of 2.
6. Put all of the above steps together in succession. Do not "hold" a step. Simply move seamlessly from one step to the next. Perform multiple large hip circles, perhaps as many as eight or ten.
7. You can begin the large hip circles on the left side by pushing your hips to the left in Step 2 rather than the right.
8. If you begin Step 2 starting to the right, after doing about four large hip circles, you can reverse the movement and perform an equal number of large hip circles to the left.

How to Perform the Cobra Neck Slither in Belly Dancing:

1. Raise your arms above your head so they form a relaxed "U" shape with your palms facing in towards each other.
2. Lower your hands towards each other until they are touching. Make sure your shoulders are pressed down and not hunched up.
3. Move your head toward the left slightly keeping your head facing forward. This is a very small, subtle movement.
4. Now, move your head toward the right slightly keeping your head facing forward.
5. For added personality, you can move your eyes in the direction that your head goes. Just remember to keep your head facing forward.

How to Perform a Belly Roll in Belly Dancing:

1. Stand with your feet about hip distance part and your arms at your sides.
2. Tighten your lower abdominal muscles (lower abs).
3. Relax your lower abs at the same time you tighten your upper abdominal muscles (upper abs).
4. Continue tightening your upper abs so that they pull in close to your body. At this point you need to completely relax your lower abs so that they are to the point of protruding forward.
5. Relax your upper abs at the same time you tighten your lower abs. You will be in the same position as you were in Step 2.
6. Repeat Step 2 through Step 5.
7. Perform Step 6 multiple times in a row. If you visually inspect yourself in a mirror, you will notice the motion of a belly roll.

Don't get discouraged when performing belly rolls. Belly rolls are very intense and require strong abdominal muscles. Unless you routinely work out your abs on a daily basis, it will likely take some time before you master this step. At first, the motion is likely to be somewhat short and concentrated. That's okay. You will need to focus on properly tightening the necessary muscle groups in each step before you are able to perform a smooth and full belly roll.

The above basic belly dancing steps provide a solid foundation for further study of this ancient and beautiful art form. Once you have mastered these steps, you will be able to move forward with confidence to more difficult and sophisticated moves.

How To Move your Shoulders in Belly Dancing

Did you know that belly dancing is being taught by the mothers to their daughters to have an easy childbirth? It sounds very interesting piece of information, right? Belly dancing has originated many moons ago and its approach of dancing has developed over the years. In other countries, belly dancing has become their way of life.

For someone who had tried belly dancing, it is a good recommendation for a total body workout. It’s also common for beginners to be frightened in learning the sensual dance. Some says that they feel intimidated and uncomfortable when learning belly dancing since it seems to arouse men’s sexual drive. Although once you learn the routine or the dances, it is actually a fun, fun workout. Given the fact that it is a provocative dance, you would appreciate how your body moves even more.

Once you hit the dance floor and attempt for belly dancing moves, you would absolutely feel a different level of confidence. While having a wonderful time dancing the routine, people would be happy to watch you as well even without the costume.

There are several methods to learn the techniques of belly dancing. You can either join some classes which sounds more interesting or purchase an instructional DVD and test it in your home. Just a reminder, your posture is genuinely vital when you belly dance. In fact there are books available on how you can maintain a good posture while belly dancing.

The most common movements in this dance are the shoulder shimmies. Experts say that the central core to shake your shoulders back and forth is muscle control. So here are some simple steps for doing the shoulder shimmy.

Step 1: Be mindful of your posture. This has been said repeatedly. Your dance will certainly appear poor if you cannot sustain a good posture constantly.

Step 2: Try shaking your shoulders to release any tension that you may feel. Aside from posture, confidence is the key in order to have a good projection.

Step 3: Bend a little forward and draw your right shoulder up, then drop away in front of you.

Step 4: Let it draw back where it was earlier, then replicate again the similar step with your left shoulder.

Step 5: Remember that in doing the shoulder shimmy, your chest should not be moving. So take time to practice in front of the mirror and allow your playful side to radiate.

If you are looking for a different kind of activity, belly dancing is an instant hit most especially if you share it with your mom, sisters, aunts, and girlfriends. Just the thought of wearing those multi-colored costumes, the exhilarating dancing moves that alleviate your muscles, isn’t the workout you ever dreamed of? It seems that this dance has the whole package to be enjoyed by every one of all ages. As a matter of fact, belly dancing celebrates every woman’s natural curves. So instead of lying down the whole day, make that move, join the fun, and shake your heart out!

How To Shop for Ballet Shoes

Best deals on ballet shoes are found online, but sizing and fit are crucial, so you may want to purchase your first pair from a store where you may be fitted. Each designer uses their own calculation for shoe size, and you will need to sample a few styles and sizes before you buy. Although there are conversion charts to American shoe sizes, they are not always accurate and do not meet the special needs of your foot. Vamp and shank are predictable, but extra care must go into metatarsal support to get the greatest performance from your pointe shoes.

When trying on a new brand of pointe shoe, be sure you take with you any padding that you will dance with. Soft gels and lamb's wool may alter your fit by a half size, rendering the ill-fitting shoe useless with pads. Also, when trying on a shoe, be sure to climb to pointe instead of using a "releve," as a loose fitting back on the pointe shoe may buckle the shoe underneath your weight.

Grishko makes an excellent shoe with their Elite model perfectly designed for rehearsal or performance. The wide box provides sturdy support to the instep and the medium sized vamp provides a flawless roll or jump to pointe. The Elite comes with soft, medium or hard shank and also SS (super soft) and SH (super hard) models are available. Other Grishko models that are best sellers include Maya, Fouette, Vagonova, 2007 Pro and the Novice pointe, which is excellent for beginners at the barre. The Grishko line are all hand made for the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet, offering the finest in craftsmanship for fit, comfort and durability. For best bargains, try ordering directly from Russia on Dancechoice.com for year round discounts and free shipping.

The Australian company, Bloch, also makes an excellent shoe with long vamps and hard shanks for stronger feet. Bloch offers a selection of square box models to include the Serene, Bloch B Morph, and Balance, all of which come with full shank. They also have tapered shoes to include Axiom, Axis, Heritage and Alpha which supply a long vamp with medium to soft shank strengths. For best bargains, Bloch pointe shoes may be purchased with discount from Dance-Unique.com.

For more great deals on ballet shoes, try DiscountDance.com which carries top brands such as Bloch, Grishko, Freed, Sansha and more for about 20 percent off retail. Once you have your perfect fit, you're ready to start saving on the shoe budget, however, if you change the model, even keeping with the same designer, be sure to try them on before you buy.

Learn to Belly Dance

Belly dancing is a dance that originated from Ancient Babylon. Both the dance and the rhythm used in belly dancing came from the Adnanite Arabs. At present, belly dancing has evolved into two forms – the raqs baladi and the raqs sharqi. The first form is usually performed during festivities like weddings. The second form is the one more popular in the West today.

The current version of belly dance that is popular today is the one usually danced at nightclubs and the one seen on video and DVD recordings. This version is rather far from the folk or social version. Among Middle Eastern societies, wearing revealing costumes is frowned upon. Even in Egypt, where belly dancing is part of the culture, showing of the abdomen and dancing with knees on the floor are taboo.

The costume now associated with belly dance is called bedleh, and was popularized by Lebanese nightclub owner Badia Masabni. She also introduced the arm movements in belly dance and movement on stage. Belly dance has 8 basic movements from which other variations come from.

1. Shimmy - Assuming the proper belly dance posture, raise your right knee while pointing right toes on the floor, and then snap upward your right hip. Lower your right knee then raise your left knee while pointing left toes on the floor, and then snap upwards your left hip. You can choose to raise your hips on one side over and over or one side after the other.
2. Shoulder shimmy - Assuming proper belly dance posture, lean a bit forward then pull one shoulder up then down in front. Make sure you only move your shoulders and not your chest.

3. Hip circle - Tuck your hips and abs inwards. Take a small step to the right while pushing out your right hip. Draw a circle with your hip until you push your left hip outwards. The move ends when you lean back slightly as both hips are pushed forward.
4. Hip twist - Tuck your hips and abs inwards. Next, in a forward motion, twist your right hip 90˚ but making sure it remains level (not raised). Pull back your hip then twist the left hip forward, 90˚.
5. Slide - Slightly bend your knees, tuck your hips and abs inwards. First slide your hip to the right (making sure to keep it level), and then slide it to the left. You can also do this movement with your chest or with your head.
6. Undulation - Tuck your hips inwards, and then tuck your stomach. Next, push your chest forward then pull your chest inwards. Now slowly tuck your stomach and then your hips inwards.
7. Arabic walk - Snap your hip upwards while moving your opposite leg forward or to the side. You can go either direction with the Arabic walk.
8. Snake arms - With proper belly dance posture, hold out both arms level to your shoulder. Make fluid motions upwards and downwards. Your arms can move alternately.

If you were just starting out, it would help to get an instructor or join a class. Even if you are already experienced, the instructor can help smooth out your problem areas and will soon help you belly dance the night away.

Source: Tematco.com

How To Find the Best Ballet Dance Schools

There are a lot of ballet dance schools around the world but only a few of them are considered the best. A lot of dancers who want to enter the best schools work out for years only to get rejected when they apply. This is because the best dance schools only accept a few applicants and those applicants must have exceptional dance skills in order to be accepted. The best dance schools accept the best dancers.

When there are auditions or try-outs for a dance school, what they are usually looking for is the form of the dancer, the dance skills and the uniqueness of the person. They rarely accept dancers who may have exceptional dance skills but are the same as everyone else. That is the reason a dance school may be considered the best in the country or in the world.

Here are some of the best ballet dance schools:

1. Houston Ballet. This ballet dance school has been in business since 1955. They provide dance lessons for people ranging from 4 years old to 60 years old. The instructions that teach the ballet class come from prestigious dance companies from all over the world. Some of the classes that are included here hone the different skills in ballet dancing, such as the technique, pointe work, pas de deux, character dance and music. The students that enter the school are trained in order to give them the chance to pursue ballet dancing as a career.
2. The School of American Ballet. This is considered on of the best ballet schools in the world. The School of American Ballet has been around since 1934. This school is best for those who want to take ballet dancing as a career and not as a hobby. The class instructors in this school are considered the best choreographers in the whole world. The ballet classes are available for people aged 8 to 18. There are also summer camp programs that are available for students who want to improve their ballet skills while on vacation.
3. The Conservatory of Dance and Performing Arts. This dance school is focused on ballet but they also encourage their students to try and study different types of dances. The two main focuses of the dance company are discipline and art. They encourage their students to be creative individuals. The students are required to come on time and be in the proper dress wear. This includes ballet shoes or ballet slippers, leotards and a skirt. The hair must be neatly tied up. This dance school is located in California.
4. The Julliard School. Julliard is considered one of the best dance schools in the world. The school caters to different forms of art, such as dance, drama and music. It has been in business for more or less a hundred years. Some of the best dancers in the world came from the Julliard School. There are different programs that you can apply in. You can apply for their summer program by sending in a DVD of yourself. Applicants who want to study in the school are required to perform before a committee of the school. The committee will then decide if the applicant’s skills are good enough for the school.

These are the best schools that provide ballet classes. The fees for each school may differ and they may also have different programs for dancers.

How To Buy Ballet Dance Costumes

A ballet dance costume helps tell the story during a ballet performance. There are different types of ballet costumes that are especially designed to fit the body of a dancer during her performance. Some of the pieces that make up a basic ballet costume are ballet shoes, leotards, dresses and tutus. There are plenty of online shops that provide different types of ballet dance costumes for everyone.

Here are some of the online shops where you can buy ballet dance costumes:

1. balletcostume.com – Ballet Costume is an online shop especially made for ballerinas. Some of the items that can be found here are unique ballet costumes, leotards, unitards, tops, tights, skirts and ballet shoes. You can order these through the Internet, by fax, by phone or by mail. You can expect your orders to be delivered within 1 to 5 days from the date of your order.
2. classacttutu.com – This website provides unique costumes for ballerinas. You can find romantic tutus, bell tutus, tutu bags, ballet tiaras, ballet slippers and shoes, and more. The products that are found on the website are featured in different magazines, such as In Style Magazine, Juicy Couture, Dance Spirit Magazine and Dance Magazine. The website provides their services for everyone including professional dancers, a dance studio, costume designers and some celebrities. You can choose from sale items or you can have 10% off from your first purchase by entering your name and e-mail address.
3. curtaincallcostumes.com – This online ballet shop is geared towards students of a ballet school, dance studios and other customers. The ballet costumes that can be found on the website are categorized under kids wear, jazz wear, contemporary, ballet, men, holiday, character, warm-up wear for lessons, accessories and specials. There are hundreds of products that you can choose from on the site. You can use them for dance class or recitals.
4. theatreballet.com – This website allows you to rent the costumes or purchase them. There are a lot of different costumes that you can browse on in the photo gallery. A ballet dancer wears the costumes so that you will be able to see the full effect of the costume. There is a size chart that will guide you on which size to purchase or rent. You can also read the steps on how to rent the costumes.
5. algyperforms.com – Algy Performance Collection is a company that provides dance costumes for jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop. There are also competition costumes that are available from the website. The products that can be found here are both for men and women. There are also sale items that are 15% off the original price.

These are some of the best websites on the Internet where you can buy quality ballet costumes and different dance wear. The different websites have different collections and products so it is best to scan the catalogue for each website before making up your mind in purchasing a ballet costume. You can also take advantage of the sale items on some websites if you want to save some money.

How To Do Pointe Ballet

Ballet is an art which students should begin to study by the age of 12. The reason for the early start is to strengthen the muscles, tendons and skeletal components in the feet for a smooth and strong transition from a soft ballet shoe to the pointe shoe. British and Russian methodology will pace and test the child for proper development and readiness to roll onto point.

A technically sound pointe program will be under strict supervision from qualified ballet instructors to ensure the student is physically and psychologically ready for advancement. There are dangers of sickling, or rolling the ankles inward in a struggle to keep the body steady over the box, which can seriously impair the dancer's potential for progress. Proper alignment allows for a deep arch in the metatarsal area and permits the dancer to easily roll or, in the Russian style, jump to pointe.

The best age group to begin pointe is in the early teens, as younger ballerinas have not reached full maturity, dexterity, or body weight. However, older dancers that are late on pointe have their own unique advantages, including better muscular development and greater manual dexterity for mastering the steps en-pointe. Weight plays a crucial role in the dancer's tolerance for and adaptability to dancing on pointe. While slim to normal weight is sufficient for many other forms of dance, the ballerina can feel the difference with a minor shift in weight which can slow a pirouette or lower a grand jete. Ballet demands a lithe and limber body; the thinner you are, the easier it will be.
When buying your pointe shoes, be sure to leave extra room in the toes for padding; you don't want to dance without this. The inside of the pointe shoe can be quite abrasive and will draw blood if you do not use proper insulation. A jelly toe or one-piece flexible gel pad is the favorite for most dancers, as these afford the foot maximum mobility inside the shoe. However, be sure that the gel pads do not make the shoes too tight, as this will constrict your toes into numbness and disable your feet in class, especially if your classes last longer than an hour.

Exercises to stretch your arch are necessary to sculpt your foot into the perfect pointe position. This may be done with dance bands made of latex or rubber positioned in the arch of the foot while you point. In addition, there are stretches where you insert the foot into a vertical position and hold. The first few times on pointe, you may not be able to straighten your legs, but that can be quickly corrected by stretching the foot. Studying ballet is no walk in the park, girls; if you're a whiner or a complainer that can't take some serious pain, you'd do better to trade your pointe shoes for tap. However, for the diligent lover of this exquisite art, you are on a lifelong journey toward excellence and mastery of your craft.

How To Buy Ballet Pointe Shoes

Buying ballet pointe shoes needs to result in the most carefully researched and best fitting shoes you have ever bought in your life. There are multiple planes of measurement and many factors to consider to ensure you have a custom fit for maximum performance. Buying online is fast and economical, but never recommended for the first shoe with a new manufacturer. Be sure you are fitted at a dance shop for pointe shoes when you change brands or alter your toe padding. And be sure to try the pointe shoes on while wearing the padding you intend to dance with, as the pads may require you to buy a half size up to accommodate.

For beginners on pointe, you may wish to start with a soft shank. The shank is the hard leather-like stripping that's attached to the outer bottom of the shoe. Shanks also come in extra soft, but for an adult dancer or a teenager that is not bone thin, the extra soft shank will not give you healthy support for your metatarsal. A medium shank is good for dancers with strong feet that can easily lift up and roll onto the box. And hard shanks are reserved for expert dancers that have technique to lift their body weight up and out of the shoe. You will see little progress in your dance class if the shank is a constant battle to overcome. So, be sure it’s stiff enough to support your weight, but does not give you any grief at the barre.

The next factor is the type of pointe toe you want to express. A square box may make the best rehearsal shoe, but you also want to be adroit with a tapered edge for that elongated and lithe look on stage. The best way to gain expertise in both is to alternate them regularly. Grishko makes an excellent square box with their popular Elite model. This shoe is quiet and lightweight and provides maximum performance with jumps. The sturdy box and short vamp are ideal for landing and working with quick footwork at the barre.
Finally, you might have a preference with the vamp for maximum comfort in the toes. The longer vamp works best for dancers who have a second toe larger than the first, or for dancers who want a little extra height en-pointe. Medium vamps are the most popular choice and will accommodate most types of feet. And the short vamp is a great head start for beginners, as it is easier to make the roll or jump to pointe.

How To Wear a Hip Scarf in Belly Dancing

Belly dancing is a fun and sexy activity. It’s a great way to stay in shape and reveal your sexy side as well. You don’t need to have a six pack to be able to belly dance. It’s fun for all ages and you can even dress up to really get in the mood.

The most popular accessory in belly dancing is the hip scarf or coin sash. It’s usually made of a gauzy or silky material and has some sparkly and coins or beads. A hip scarf in belly dancing isn’t only ornamental. It actually helps you focus on your shimmy and hip isolation. It brings attention to where you want it.

Here’s how to wear a hip scarf in belly dancing.

• One way to wear a hip scarf is to hold it up with a decorative pin. If you don’t want to tie up your hip scarf in a knot and risk stretching or pulling the fabric, a nice pin is a great way to go. If your pin or brooch has sparkly beads on it, it may even add to your overall look. Get your fabric and wrap it around you. Make sure to allow a few feet of fabric dangle on the side. Use the pin to secure the fabric close to your hip. You can use more than one pin to secure it. Make sure the brooch or pin isn’t too heavy and there are no sharp edges that can pill on the fabric.
• Tie the hip scarf the traditional way wherein the scarf is tucked in on the pants on both sides of the hip while the rest of the fabric dangles on either side and the fabric on the back is gathered at the backside. If you have a large gauzy fabric or veil, you can use that as a hip scarf. The longer the better. Take the fabric and gather the fabric with each hand. Let about two feet of fabric hang from either size of your hand. Place the middle of the fabric around your bottom. The scarf should be placed on your hips with the back part gathered and loose on the back. It will form a U on the back, with the fabric resting at the lower part of your bottom. Tuck in the fabric on top part of your pants to secure it. The ends of the fabric will dangle and each side of the hip.
• If you have a triangle shaped hip scarf, you can tie the scarf around your waist in a simple knot. This will be easy to do since the fabric is already pre-cut.
• When you use the hip scarf, make sure the coins or beads lie on top of the hip. Some scarves have pins sewn across the fabric. Make sure the wear the scarf following the direction of the design.

Hip scarves start at about $20 and can go up as much as a few hundred dollars depending on the detail of the coins and beading, quality of the fabric and where it is made. It can be purchased online, dance studios and dance supply stores as well as craft stores.

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.

How To Perform Undulations in Belly Dancing

Modern belly dancing comes from variations and adaptations of several traditional folk dances, especially those from the Middle East. It is not only an enjoyable form of dancing but a mentally and physically beneficial one, as it requires the movement of isolated muscle groups to produce the snake-like, wavelike body motion that characterizes this dance form. Often, learning belly dancing requires you to master the basic steps or movements, which you can combine or improvise for variation later on. One of the basic and most important moves is the undulation, which simulates the movement of your upper torso when you ride a camel. In an undulation, your chest rotates forward, then up, then back, then down again. This article describes the steps in performing undulations in belly dancing.

1. Stand flat on the floor. This is a basic undulation, and you will need to balance your body to master it. It is important that your heels are flat on the floor so that you will not outbalance yourself when you bend your knees. Start with your knees slightly bent and with your arms and hands stretched outwards slightly for balance. Keep your head upright.
2. Bring your chest forward. This is the first movement in the basic undulation. As you do so, tuck in your pelvis, although this seems to occur naturally and simultaneously as you pull your chest forward. This brings your belly close to your spine. Remember to keep your shoulder in place as you tilt your chest forward. Do not make them move together with your chest. The chest should move in isolation.

3. Lift your chest. As you do so, your belly will come forward, as does your hips.
4. Push the chest down and in. The movement appears as if you are scooping your chest in. As you do, your belly and groin will move forward, simulating the initial movement that happens when you sit.
5. Tuck your pelvis back in. Tucking your pelvis in will also bring your belly back in. This movement simulates the final movement when you take a seat.
6. Repeat from step 2. Perform each movement slowly at first until you can smoothly transition from one isolated movement to the next.

If you perform the above steps smoothly in succession, the effect will be snake-like or upright wave-like motion. This motion is also similar to the natural movement of your body when you ride a camel. You can also perform the reverse undulation, which is basically just a reversal of the steps listed above.

Once you have mastered the basic undulation movements, you can begin learning more advanced undulation techniques that use two isolated parts of your belly: the lower belly and the upper belly, in addition to your chest and your pelvis or hips.

Belly dancing is great at improving your cardiovascular system and at increasing your stamina because it requires you to make undulations that need complete and conscious muscular control. Now that you have learned one of the basic movements in belly dancing, you can start having fun in learning the other basic moves or learning more advanced variations of the basic undulation.