Why is bellydance an ideal activity for women to try?

In Eastern societies, women develop strong bonds with each other and teach and learn from each other the skills they need in their lives. Dance is one of those skills and is used to instil a sense of fun into their lives and be a release from the daily grind. It frees them temporarily from the restrictions of their lives and accentuates their individuality. It also strengthens the bonds with “Mother Earth” and was used in many tribal rituals. In my travels in Arabic countries, it has always been through dance rather than language that I have been able to communicate with the women.

For us living in the “Western” world, bellydancing helps keep the body supple and the posture graceful, as the exercises are gentle and subtle. It has been found to be beneficial health-wise for women of any age between 14 and 80, according to their state of health and development.  Also, it will boost your self-esteem, make you temporarily forget your troubles and, it can be the best stress-buster ever!

What if I feel that I am too clumsy or too fat to try bellydance?

Bellydance is very graceful and feminine. You don’t need to be thin, young or naturally co-ordinated to try this activity. It’s one of the few things in life where being on the large side is an advantage. Many of the most well-known belly dancers in Britain are big women. Large women can often appear more graceful and alluring doing bellydance because it accentuates the curves of the body. In eastern cultures, women are proud to own curvaceous bodies and men are appreciative of women’s curves rather than critical.

Is it a bit embarrassing doing those provocative moves?

There is nothing embarrassing in freeing the body and giving expression to your feelings through the medium of dance – any dance – although admittedly bellydance does often have negative connotations. 

There are many styles of belly dance apart from the cabaret style you see on holiday in Egypt, Turkey or Greece, and revealing costumes are usually only worn for these styles and on specific occasions. Because bellydance originates in societies where people live in extended families and women are accustomed to being in the home, it is often (but not always) performed by women for other women to watch.

However, bellydance is something that you can do in the privacy of your own home. Many of us practice in the kitchen whist cooking or ironing or washing up! Not all students want to, or are able to, perform to an audience. Some are just happy being at the back of the class enjoying the experience. And that’s OK. For those who do progress to performing and teaching, then self-consciousness is the greatest barrier to overcome. It is only time, experience and belief in yourself that will break that barrier down.

How expensive a hobby is it?

As expensive as you wish to go!!! You can buy skirts and tops from charity shops, if you sew you can make the clothes yourself. In class, we usually just wear Indian cotton skirts, with elasticated waists, and a comfy top with a scarf tied at the hips. A coin belt or hip scarf is usually your first purchase. They cost between £15 and £35 and are lengths of material sewn with coins, which tinkle when you move. A veil is another essential asset. These cost between £7 and £20 depending on size, pattern, edging, etc. Jewellery is another area where you can spend, spend spend! Also, the music is beautiful and you may wish to start your own collection of the most popular bellydance music available at the moment. Your teacher should advise you of the music used, and where to buy it.

If you are a serious dancer and want to progress, you will find yourself wanting a Turkish style cabaret costume (anything from  £80 to £500) a folk costume (from £50) or a beledi dress ( from £20 for sequin dresses to £500 for ornate lycra or velvet dresses).  But……if you just want a little hobby, you don’t HAVE to buy, buy, buy. You can be content with one or two skirts, tops, a veil and a coin belt.

How popular is bellydance in Britain?

Bellydance is very popular in the North of England and Scotland, as well as in London and the South East. There are many small groups and associations around the country, wherever teachers have become established. A nation-wide association, called MADN, (Mosaic Arabic Dance Network), was set up to promote the art, set standards and help pupils gain the necessary skills to become professional dancers and recognised teachers.  Twice a year there is a dance weekend in London, called Fantasia, where belly dance enthusiasts can learn from teachers and dancers from around the world; exchange ideas; buy costumes, music, books and accessories and participate in (or just watch) a professional stage show. 

There are several teachers who organise dance holidays in Egypt, Turkey, Morocco and Spain and there are numerous websites. Your teacher should be able and willing to promote stockists and other practitioners, which you can find online if you are an avid web-surfer!!!!

Where can I find out more about bellydance in the South Wales area?

There are evening classes held in the Newport, Caldicot, Barry, Swansea, Neath, Cardiff, Cwmbran, Usk and Pontypool areas. I network regularly with most, but not all, teachers and we meet regularly at events called Hafla’s, where we perform and catch up on the latest news and gossip! We encourage our classes to attend all Hafla's and workshops with other teachers.  I am always available for advice on forthcoming events within Wales and England and hold a growing database of women interested in bellydance. If you wish your details to go on the database, or just want to know more about bellydance, I can be contacted on the numbers/ emails in my contact page.

Health and Fitness

I am always being asked if bellydancing is a way of to lose weight and inches. Well, can’t promise you that through belly dancing you will lose inches off the waistline or pounds from the tummy, but I can advocate bellydance as a way to improve flexibility, balance and posture, which may lead to you looking slimmer and trimmer.  Flexibility and good posture are key attributes to holding back the years. “You are as young as your spine is flexible” You only have to look around you to find ageless qualities in people who keep a flexible spine and joints.

In bellydance, you will learn to stand and walk more gracefully and your posture will improve. You will exercise the diaphragm and the pelvic muscles, which may have a slimming effect. By learning graceful arm movements you will delay the onset of crinkly and flabby underarms!!! By learning new steps and moves, your balance will improve dramatically.

As well as all that, as you learn the basic flowing moves, and start to use the stomach muscles and pelvic muscles, you will be more in tune with your body. You will feel more empowered as a woman, more feminine (if you want to!!), more alluring and more self confident. Even if you are overweight, your attitude to your body will change as you appreciate the beauty within. When you are happy and healthy inside, your face and body will glow with radiance that you cannot get from a bottle!

One of the main reasons why I love to teach is that I get to see changes in the women who come to my class. They start by coming to class in shapeless leggings and T-shirts and within months (sometimes weeks) they will be turning up in beautiful skirts and tops, sparkly jewellery, etc….like butterflies released from their chrysalis’s.

Bellydancing is not just for women, but traditionally was done by women for women and I am so lucky to be part of the bellydancing “sisterhood” that has developed in South Wales, and also nationally. Bellydance has made me a happier, healthier, more radiant and confident person. It could work for you!