Belly Dancing Reasons?

Question

I am in the 8th grade and me and a few friends want to take this belly dance class because we think itd be really fun and itd cool to be able to dance like Shakira and stuff. The class seems so perfect like its really cheap and only a few miles from where we live. The only problem is that i have no idea how to ask my parents, i really want to do this i dont what them to think that its like to sexy for me. What is a good way to ask them and what are good reasons to convine them to say yes? Thank You.

Answer 1

Oh God! I can't believe all the stupid uninformed answers on here. First of all bellydance did not originate in the harem. In fact, we have so little recorded history about it that nobody knows for sure when or where it originated from. Secondly, don't tell your parents you want to take bellydance lessons because it has serious negative connotations from people who keep stereotyping bellydance as being akin to stripping. Call it Middle Eastern Dance or Oriental Dance this sounds more respectable to those who are uninformed. Also shakira does not really bellydance! She uses a mixture of dance forms including bellydance movements as well as movements from latin dances and lately bollywood style dance moves. It's a gimick with her to market it as being bellydance. Also, Ciara does NOT bellydance either! Please people do some research so you know what you are seing and what you are talking about! Bellydance does take a serious commitment as well as a lot of work to perform well. As for the woman who wouldn't let her 14 year old "shake her *** like that" my guess is she's never really seen bellydance nor does she know wehat it's all about. Not only would I let a 14 year old do it I'd let my 2 and 3 year olds do it! It is a beautiful and graceful art that is unlike any other. It gives young girls confidence and improves their self image. It also does the same for women. It's good for girls of all ages, all races, all sizes, and all shapes. It is not nearly as dicriminating as most other dance forms. It's compatible with everyone. Bellydancers do NOT "shake their ***" they isolate thigh and glute muscles in alternating patterns which require great control of ones body as well as a great deal of coordination. We don't just stick it out and wave it around. That would hip-hop or pop like in a britney spears, Christina Aguilera, or almost any rap video. NOT BELLYDANCE! Tell your parents all the good things about it. Ask your mom to come with you and watch a class to see if it would be suitible. Once they see that it is just like any other dance class and that your not stripping off your clothes they probably will have no problem letting you take lessons. You might also want to try reading up on history and culture on sites like shira's http://www.shira.net or my own http://www.middleeasterndance.net in order to understand what your going to be learning. Put all this information into a short presentation for your parents so they can see some of the positives.
Here are some videos of dancers all of which I'd like to point out have dancers who wear more that most ballet dancers do.
here's an Egyptian music video featuring bellydance also theres a little girl who they show dancing briefly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODmqU9g4NGo
Here's a very little girl dancing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n4wF8Hjf3I
Another little girl dancing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkaH5FghTUM
Another fully clothed dancer (Fifi Abdo - very famous)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=expjL32dg2M
Absolutely stunning and mesmerizing performance by Naima Akef(A legend in the world of bellydance) in the Egyptian movie Tamr Henna.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVyhnLWe3tE
The legendary Samia Gamal in the Egyptian movie Afrita Hanem (translates as Lady Genie like lady gwenivere not lady meaning a female genie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm-plURnO8k
Another fully clothed dancer who actually puts clothes on as she dances(well one hip wrap)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWdmLtvf2Pw
Legendary Tahiya Carioca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRhKcW9Kyfo
That's just a small sample of what's out there. Bellydance is what you make it if your making it sexy it's sexy if your making it art it's art. If your making it inspiring, joyful, fun, whatever, that's what it will be.
Also please people stop trying to say bellydance gives you flat abs because it does NOT! Bellydance utilizes mostly the thighs and upper arms using the abdominals only for belly rolls which are a very small portion of the dance.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Belly dancing is actually a dance that is passed down from generation to generation through your family. It is actually called the dance of the orient or oriental dancing. (Which actually has nothing to do with Asia.) The whole sexy part that a lot of people get confused with is the type style of dress. Now a days you see alot of belly skin showing and that is because when belly dancing was introduced to America, it was America that made it more caborate and introduced the two piece outfits that we know and see today. With the whole age thing, there is a 15 year old in my class and she loves it. So there is nothing vulger about this style of dancing. You just may find yourself falling in love with this dance. I know I did. I hope this helps a little.

Answer 4

Don't even mention the "sexy" part just tell them you and some of the other girls want to take a belly dancing class. It's supposed to be great excercise and dancing is fun.

Answer 5

Belly dancing is a form or excise now days. Look at Ciara. It works on your stomach with out weights. It help you control your body movement. Just tell your parents that you want to work out in a fun way. Aerobics is fun but it gets boring. And that something new each week can be fun.

Answer 6

Belly dancing was first done in the harems, in the Middle East. The dancing was done by women for women. Maybe a way to pass the boredom? Then it morphed into a fertility dance. A way to receive favour from the ancient goddess (es) for healthy sons.

I took belly dancing myself and I loved it. It not about being sexy. Its about being with other women, to form friendships. And its a great way of getting your abs and everything else in shape. Its physically very demanding. And it takes practise and lots of it.

Answer 7

Belly dancing increases your fitness and tone. It strengthens your core muscles. It improves the circulation in abdominal area which is important for women's health. Just like with any real dancing, it makes you more graceful, gives you a better awareness of your posture and teaches you to move well. It improves your coordination. It takes the time away from computer games and puts it into activity.

Answer 8

there is no erotica in real belly dancing. i have seen performance by Leila who is known to be one of the best belly dancers in the world. She is from Tunisia.
the technique is so hard you are allways at the beginning even if you have some dancing knowledge.
doing belly dancing you develope selfesteam. you get in touch with your essence. you get in touch with the woman inside you.
do you know the grace ballerinas have? you learn some oriental grace.
music for belly dancing is amazing specially only drumming. i love the music. once you get the moves you know it for a lifetime.
the shakira typical shake takes 6 months to learn.

Answer 9

Hmmm....Dancing with the belly.......tough one.........HERE WE GO........farst.....you must understand the dance...the passion, the language, the fusion of rythm..etc. etc and so on in example dot dot dot. . . NEXT FORTH you COMMAND THE PASSION UPON YOUR PARENTS!!!!!!! (this seems as though it will be a simple task.......hahaha.....you will be vvvveeery suprised) If, for some insaine reason your parents cannot connect with the beauty of the dancing shakira belly shake fralala....run away to India (you'll find someone there, promise) P^a^u^m^p^l^e^a^u^r^e^t^t^e^ I^s J^u^s^t A^n^o^t^h^e^r S^t^u^p^i^d F^r^e^n^c^h W^o^r^d

Answer 10

Too sexy honey. Wait until you're in high school at least. Then you can tell them it's for fitness purposes.
I wouldn't let my 14 year old shake her azz like that. No friggin way!