Does anyone know where I can learn how to belly dance, from maybe a video or something?

Question

I've always wanted to learn how to belly dance because i've heard it gives you killer abs. I'm not fat but i could use a little more ab definition and i love to dance so I decided this would be good. Does anyone know of a good video or website or anything like that??

Answer 1

My daughter ordered this on Amazon.com and she liked it.
$24.99

Amira's Belly Dance 101 DVD, a quality instructional workout video of Oriental Bellydance basics

Answer 2

Search on google, also look up that video mentioned in one of the comments avove. Keep an eye out for promotional classes in your community recreation center or library. Good Luck.

Answer 3

You can find bellydancing videos on either amazon.com as well as collagevideo.com The Collage website lets you view a 60 second clip of any exercise video. They have all kinds!

Answer 4

Amazon has videos, local ymca's a lot of times have belly dancing classes, once in a while hospitals will include them in their courses.

Answer 5

If you really want to learn bellydance please do it by finding a live instructor. Learning from a video can potentially dangerous since nobody can correct you and guide you. Also bellydancing does not give you killer abs. Stomach crunches give you killer abs. If you look at most bellydancers we are generally still soft in the middle even when skinny. Most of us do not have six packs! Those that do have them because they perform warm-ups and exercises that focus on their abs to give them that definition. Dancing is a cardio-intensive exercise and will cause general weight loss and toning if used enough but does not give specific definition to the abs. You may end up with a little thinner waist though. I cannot stress enough though, how important it is to have a teacher. Videos, Websites, Books, etc... are only meant to be used as supplementry material to a live class. They are additional learning tools that healp retain and expand on knowledge learned in classes. However here is a condensed list of some really great resources for supplemental learning in bellydance (as well as some resouces for finding teachers... please try).

WEBSITES (for finding teachers/classes)
http://www.shira.net - probably the most extensive directory
http://www.middleeasterndance.net - my site which has a decent sized directory as well.
http://www.bhuz.com - another large directory as well as a great forum which can answer pretty much every question you will ever have about bellydance since it's comprised of bellydancers from all over the world.
If you can't find lessons looking on these three sites there may not be any in your area.

WEBSITES (for learning moves on-line)
http://www.middleeasterndance.net - my own site look under the movements section, there will be enough to keep you busy for a long time. Also please read the before you begin section with the disclaimer, warm-up, cool-down, and basics about posture.
http://www.shira.net - Shira's site is an extensive collection of articles written about and for bellydancers and can provide you with a wealth of information that will be very beneficial. It's one of the oldest and most respected sites on the Internet and is referenced by bellydancers world-wide. She has a specific page which tells you how to do some moves as well as extensive links to other sites that offer on-line lessons as well.
http://www.venusbellydance.com/vocabulary.htm - More movement descriptions.
http://www.aleena.com/miramar/ - go to on-line dance lessons there are several articles about dancing there.
http://www.zilltech.com/onlinelessons.htm - Another old, well, respected website full of information you should check out. She offers a few instructions for several basic moves.
http://www.kawakib.com/page-30.html - more of a technique lesson but might be helpful after learning some basics.
http://www.raqs.co.nz/moves.html - has some descriptions of select movements.

BOOKS
Belly Dancing Basics by Laura A. Cooper (ISBN: 140271078X) - newer book, not great but not bad either.
The Art of Belly Dancing by Dahlena with Dona Z. Meilach - This book is out of print but shows up on amazon and e-bay from time to time. It's ok but it's written for a different time the history part is especially questionable but the moves are pretty straight forward.
Grandmother's Secrets by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi (ISBN: 1566563267) - An interesting read has several descriptions of dance moves as well.
A lot of books have been coming on the market recently and most of them (excluding out of print books) are available at Barnes and Nobel or borders books as well as other chains and smaller stores.

ON-LINE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
http://www.trybellydancing.com/ - Like a mini instructional video available online. It's not bad quality.
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/egyptian-belly-dancing.htm - Several mini instructional segments on various moves as well as zills, costuming, and musicality.

VIDEOS
Precision Motion Workout Series by Suzanna Del Vecchio - offers good posture basics as well as quality instruction on many moves.
Bellydance for Fitness Series by Neena and Veena Bidasher - this series is very cheap and available from major retailers like target, walmart, borders, and Barnes and Nobel but the quality of instruction is low. This is more of a workout for beginner dancers who already have had some training. The videos are a good quality as far as picture and sound but these are not good for an absolute beginner.
If you have any questions about bellydancing please feel free to contact me through my site http://www.middleeasterndance.net

Answer 6

I have this DVD with Neena and Veena and love it!

http://www.naturaljourneys.com/Bellydance_Fitness_Basic_Moves_Fat_Burn_DVD_p/gh1372.htm

There are lots more at this web site that I am planning on trying.

Goog Luck!