Belly Dancing..Sounds fun is it hard?

Question

Does your stomach have to be flat to do it and do you kno anywhere in Northern Vrigina where you can learn it?

Answer 1

Belly dance is an extremely fun dance! I've been a bellydancer for over a decade now and I still love it. However it's not as easy to say whether it will be easy or hard. There are many movements in bellydance which are fairly simple and easy to learn and others which may take years to really get down. These moves also vary widely in complexity for each dancer. Some dancers struggle with a 3/4 shimmy for years but can undulate perfectly right away while others can do a 3/4 shimmy in a matter of minutes but couldn't undulate to save their life till after years of practice. The experience will be unique to each dancer and certain moves are easier to do when you have a certain body type than others. Some moves work better for skinny, skinny litlle dainty dancers, some work better for curvy hourglass types and others work best for heavier set women. You don't need to be skinny, or have a flat stomach to bellydance in fact a rounded stomach is often ideal among bellydancers. However bellydance is very accepting and complimentary to all body styles, all types, all colors, all ages. In fact many bellydancers only cosider a woman over 30 to be the best bellydancers because they feel that it's only by that time that they have enough life experience to actually dance well. However, be aware that bellydance will not give you a flat stomach either. Bellydance is a serious art form and if you are serious about learning it and stick with it you will come across a lot of things that are hard but overcoming that hardship and being avble to do that new move will feel like such an accomplishment that you'll forget how hard it was to learn. As far as classes I'm not familiar with the northern virginia but I would reccomend looking on shira's directory http://www.shira.net or my own site's directory http://www.middleeasterndance.net . If you can't find it there check out Bhuz http://www.bhuz.com which is a bellydance forum which also has a directory. Check their directory first and if you still can't find anyone ask around in the forum discussions. If you have any questions about bellydance just e-mail me or check out my site http://www.middleeasterndance.net

Answer 2

Bellydancing is a lot of fun! I have been dancing for 2 1/2 years. I did lose 30 lbs over the first year of dancing. I am in a professional troupe of dancers, and there are women of all sizes who dance with us. You can make it as hard or easy as you want. . .bellydance suits all types of women, in all ranges of age and health. Raqs Sharqui (middle eastern or bellydance) is a dance for women- not for men. It is about connecting with other women, learning traditions from each other and for the joy of dancing itself! There are many styles of bellydancing, for example: Egyptian, Turkish, Cabaret, Tribal, Tribal Fusion, Gypsy, Romanian, Spanish Fusion. . .the list goes on, and on! That makes it easy to find a style that suits you the best.

I've included a few links. . .the Shira site is a great directory for finding a teacher in your area.

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 3

When I first started, there were all sorts of body types in the class. However, the more you work your torso, the flatter your stomach will get.

If you have a good teacher, you shouldn't have a problem learning it. It is extremely fun and not too hard in the beginning. If you don't have any classes near you, try getting Neena and Veena DVDs, they break down the moves to make it easy to understand.

Answer 4

Belly dancing sounds like a lot of fun, and I would love to try it. I think I should find a class to learn how to do it.

Answer 5

I don't find it hard, but you really have to have a lot of muscle control. Like when you are moving your hips, try not to let your core move. And I know a lot of people tend to have their entire body roll, instead of just your core. A good, tight stomach is best, it really helps with the muscle control in that area.

Answer 6

Yeah But you need to work hard..Getting a flat stomach Helps.

Answer 7

your stomach doesnt have to be flat, actually a person with a flat tummy doesnt make a very sensual belly dancer....a little roll on your tummy makes it more sensual to watch....an undulating or rolling tummy is nice to watch..and the sway of your hips and upper body at the same time...hmmmm...men love to watch a great belly dancer....and if you are skinny or really have a hard body...it will be harder to please the audience...check out your community centres for classes.

Answer 8

It is so fun, you really ought to try it!! It's not hard, but your stomach muscles do tend to get a little tight.

Answer 9

no your stomach doesn't have to be flat to do belly dancing. its really fun. eventually it will go down because you are using your stomach muscles almost exclusively. i wouldn't know where to go in north virginia

Answer 10

I want too try it too! I heard the instructors push you but it isnt hard!