Dance

Steps to Belly Dance

1. Start with some stretching exercises to loosen your muscles.
2. Begin in a position so that your upper body is straight. Don't arch your back or hunch. Tuck in your butt so that it also aligns with your back. Bend your knees slightly and never, ever, lock them.
3. Use your stomach muscles to 'pull' or lead your hip movement; the lower back should not have a large arch. Some schools insist on the stomach pulling from the start, in order to train your stomach. (Hence the name, belly dancing) If your prefer this way, the movements initially show less, but develops stronger movements. The hip movements first, is slightly superficial, and will never fool a pro, until it is perfected with the stomach pulls. Also, improper posture can cause problems in the lower back.
4. 'Separate' your upper body from your lower body. The movements are very different: The ribs upward (Especially arms) focuses on 'flowy', languid graceful movements. (Often referred to as goddess or heavenly movements) The stomach downwards, to the feet have more strong, bold, quick and precise movements. (earthy movements).
5. Move side to side (which works well if you're hippy and small chested) and back and forth (which looks great if you're busty with small hips-since the side movements show less movement).
6. Divide your torso (mentally) vertically down the centre. Try to move one side of your hip up and down, back and forth etc. The trick is to keep everything else dead still while one side of your hips work.
7. Try 'drawing' little circles in the air with your one side. As you get the hang of it, try 8's, arcs, swirls etc. Don't forget your other side. One side will always be easier, or stronger, depending on whether you are left or right handed.
8. Alternate by trying different combos, like left hip circle, right hip circle, two rights, two lefts etc, always using your stomach to pull your hips in different directions.
9. Practice your stomach ripples (that causes the back/forth movements). There are three main muscles used: (1) a crescent shaped muscle just above the pubic area; (2) The area between the 1st muscle and below the navel; (3) just above the navel to your ribs (the one that hurts when you laugh too hard).
10. Try isolating or clenching each one individually. First 1, then 2, then 3. This, once mastered is the basis for the stomach ripple. Once the individual clench1, clench2, clench3 is mastered, try release1, release2, release3, just after the consecutive clenches.
11. Add some music, (good, strong, repetitive bass) and try matching the type of movements (earthy or heavenly) to the tempo.

Belly Dancing Tips

• Sign up for a local class. Be aware that there are different styles of belly dance, from traditional Egyptian to modern Tribal. Your instructor can tell you what he/she is teaching.
• If there are none available, buy yourself a full-length mirror to practice with, a fringed shawl for around your hips, and a few belly dance videos. Recommended: "Veena and Neena's Sensual Art of Bellydance" series, "Dolphina's Goddess Workout Video", or Amira's "Bellydance 101" DVD.
• This looks great in hipsters!
• Try getting a hip scarf with jingles or coins. The extra sound really helps the overall feel. Some accessories, like chain belts, come with little bells. These will do if coin hip scarfs aren't avail.
• Don't be self conscious. Have a little confidence and lots of fun. It always looks better if you pretend to know what you're doing, even if you don't.
• Start with bare feet or sneakers. No heels.
• Move with flat feet, and keep your feet hip-width apart for balance.
• Bare your middle so you can see the movements.
• Try rapid hip 'flicks', as if you're swatting a fly away with your hips.
• Your head needs to remain level while you move.
• Arm movements look better when your fingers are extended gracefully. Swirly movements look esp good.
• Use anklets and bangles to add jingles that detract from beginner movements.
• Use music that you are familiar with, to start off, especially something you already dance to (like perhaps Shakira). In fact, if you are really interested in the Shakira style, just watch one of Shakira's videos and try to follow along. Even though she dances fast, just take every step slow so you can learn. Try using YouTube so you can stop and start the video as needed.

Warnings

• Always warm up.
• Don't lock your knees.
• Don't step on your heel.
• Always be careful.
• Take it slow don't move your hips too fast.
• some teachers use new age teachings within their dance instructionals.
• They will ususally advertise their classes in such shops if they support this. It can be a pain if all you want to do is learn the dance, and move on as the teachings do not physically enhance the look of the dance or help with techniques etc.
• Don't try to act sexy while belly dancing. you will look stupid and most likely mess up. if you are good then you will natrualy look sexy.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Belly Dance.