Top tips on how to prepare for your belly dance journey

Starting a new journey can be daunting, and so if you’re about to take your first belly dance class here are are a few tips and common FAQs to help you prepare physically and mentally…

What is belly dance and where does it come from?

Belly dance is one of the world’s oldest and most complex forms of dance with a fascinating history and evolution. There are many theories on its origins.

Here are a few key things to be aware of and explore further:

  • Ancient times: there are depictions of the dance as early as Ancient Egypt
  • The Ghawazi: some believe that the dance was initially spread across north Africa, the Middle East and Mediterranean from the the 5th century by a traveling tribe called the ‘Ghawazi’ which means ‘conquerer’ as they were known to conquer the hearts of their audience.
  • The Chicago World Fair in 1893 was a key moment where belly dance was performed publicly in America. For many attending the world fair, it was their first time seeing the dance performed. The fair included a street called ‘Cairo Street’ where dancers and musicians performed, including the Ghawazi and a dancer(s) named Little Egypt (some believe Little Egypt was actually different dancers performing each night).
  • The ‘Golden Era’ in Egypt saw the rise of many famous belly dancers, including iconic dancers like Samia Gamal. The Golden Era dancers became famous by dancing in Egyptian movies, casinos and night clubs in Cairo. Many of the dancers were trained in other dance styles including ballroom and ballet, which changed the nature of the dance
  • Today, there are many names,  styles and fusions of belly dance depending on the country of origin and era it came from, including; Raks Sharqi (which means Dance of the East), Oriental, Turkish Oryantal, cabaret, drum solo, modern fusions incorporating props (e.g. silk veils, fan veils, isis wings, sword, zills etc), traditional ‘folkloric’ styles (e.g. Saidi, Baladi, Shaabi, Turkish Romani) and American ‘fusion’ styles (transcultural Fusion Dance, previously known as ‘tribal’ fusion, or sometimes simply referred to as Fusion). Many of these styles may include ‘common technique’, however the music, stylisation and cultural background for each will be different.

Some recommended books include:

  • Serpent of the Nile (Wendy Buonaventura)
  • You Asked Aunty Rocky: Answers & Advice about Raqs Sharqi & Raqs Shaabi (Morocco – C. varga Dinicu)
  • Belly Dance: the dance of mother earth (Tina Hobin)

E-Magazines:

  • Subscribe to ‘Zameena’ a free e-newsletter discussing key issues in the world of belly dance today
What should I wear?

Wear something loose to move around in and most importantly what you feel comfortable with. From the feet-up, here are some suggestions:

  • Bare feet or soft dance slippers.  Heavy duty trainers are not really recommended as you need to be able to ‘feel your feet’ to develop balance and connect to the ground.  Socks can also be a bit too slippery!
  • Leggings or Harem pants. You can also wear a long belly dance skirt, however if you’re a beginner it’s helpful to be able to see the outline of your legs when learning so that you can check your posture and leg/feet placement.
  • A hip scarf or coin belt. There are many kinds of all colours –  shiny, shimmery, jingly or with tassles. Take a look at Zara’s Zouk , Farida Dance or Belly Dance Boutique to find one that’s right for you  – whilst supporting small businesses in the community! 🙂
  • A vest or crop top with a sports bra. It can be helpful to see your body whilst dancing to understand which muscles you are engaging, however if you don’t feel comfortable you don’t need to show your belly
  • And finally….. a smile! Relax, have fun and enjoy your time in class 🙂
Should I eat before hand?

As with most exercise it’s recommended to allow at least an hour or two after eating before dancing to give your body a chance to digest.

  • A lovely coin belt from Zara’s Zouk

If I’m dancing at home or online, how can I prepare my space?

Belly dance is an adaptable art form and can be danced in tight spaces like a Middle Eastern restaurant to a grand stage for a theatre performance. That said, if you are dancing at home and don’t have too much space here are some tips to make the most of it…and stay safe!

  • Clear the floor of any thing which you could trip over. Wooden or laminate floors are better, however if you are dancing on carpet be extra aware of your feet
  • If you can, find a mirror to dance towards so that you can get some visual feedback during class. There will be times when it is more useful to dance without a mirror and ‘feel’ the music, however when learning beginner’s technique it can be very helpful!
  • If possible, push any additional furniture to one side. As a rule of thumb, see if you can stretch out your arms and take a couple of small steps to the side, front & back
If i’m dancing in a studio, what’s the etiquette? 
  • Unless your teacher gives you specific direction on where to stand, arrange yourselves into staggered rows and try to give each other enough space to the front of you, sides and behind.
  • Stand where you feel comfortable – whether it’s at the front or the back there’s no right or wrong place as we all learn differently. If you’re not shy and enjoy being closer to the teacher, come on up to the front! As above, just be aware of the students around you to ensure they have enough space too.
  • Shoes, food and drinks (apart from water) should be left outside the studio
  • Please arrive on time! 🙂

How long will it take until I’m shimmying like Shakira?

Belly dance is a complex dance which engages lots of muscle isolations across the body. Because of this it means it can take longer to learn some of the foundation moves. BUT – with enough practise, repetition and awareness you can eventually ‘train’ your muscles to isolate to perform deep hip work and fluid undulations. Then, by ‘layering’ travelling steps and arms patterns you can slowly build up your coordination and fluidity to learn combinations and short choreographies. Intermediate-advanced dancers will then add other technical elements like musicality, expressionism or even storytelling. However, because there are so many variations of moves there will usually be a basic option for you to start with, before adding more complexity, coordination or layers on top. In short it can take years and dedication to master. Be patient and kind to yourself. Focus on developing strong, safe, foundation technique so that it makes sense in your own body , appreciating where you are in your unique journey  – and enjoy the mesmerising music!

Do I have the right body shape/type or fitness level to belly dance?

YES! Belly dance is a low impact dance and because it focuses on muscle engagement it can be a dance form which is accessible to lots of people. Cross-training with other types of exercise and dance can be helpful: like yoga/pilates to gently build strength & flexibility, cardio to improve stamina & endurance for high energy shimmies or latin dance to help with footwork and coordination. Once you know which areas in your practise you’d most like to improve, set some goals as part of a wider fitness and movement plan to help you get there.  I strongly believe that belly dance can be an inclusive dance form, which can be enjoyed by anyone with the curiosity, dedication and patience to learn more about this beautiful art.

Do you have any more questions before starting your belly dance journey? Feel free to get in touch