Belly Dancing?

Question

How hard is it to learn how to belly dance?
Are there any bodily requirements (like you have to be slim, tall, flat abs, hips) or any other type of requirements
Is it harder to learn at an older age? (17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and so on)

Answer 1

Bellydance is not something that is either hard or easy. There are different movements which may vary in difficulty but even that varies more by person than by movement. Some people are naturally good at shimmies or undulations while others are not. It may take you an extremly long time to master a 3/4 shimmy while another classmate seems to do it immediately after learning it. The difficulty of the dance will be different for everyone. It does seem to come easier to those who have previous dance experience (of any style) and even to those who play a musical instrument (easier to recognize musical changes, patterns, and melodies). It will also depend on your current physical level. If your badly out of shape you will have more difficulty than someone who is not. One of the most wonderful things about bellydance is that it's perfect for women of all ages, shapes, and sizes. You can be 4, 44, 84, 104 and still bellydance! You can be fat, skinny, flat, tall, short, voluptuous, whatever and still do bellydance even at a professional level. Although bellydancers usually see a soft rounded tummy and hips as more beutiful in bellydance it is not a requirement. Some dancers personally like to have flat abs which is not a requirement and is not a specific benefit of bellydance. Everything of course is easier to learn when you are younger but it's not impossible to learn at any age.

Answer 2

At 17 - 21 you will definitely not find it harder to learn!

There are no body reqirements, however recently I put on some weight and it doesn't feel so easy as before. You will become very strong, the sides of your waist especially become very defined and your legs too.

Some moves, like a figure 8 are easy to "learn" but might actually take years to truly master, and there are so many combinations and layers to try. That is why professional bellydancers, like Fifi Abdou look like they're floating, effortlessly. People say what they are doing looks easy, but just try to imitate them!

The most important thing in bellydance is to express the feeling in the music. Some say that to truly master bellydance, you need a long life full of experience to draw emotion into your dance.

Answer 3

Belly dancing is difficult to master, but anything worth while is. There are no real physical requirements for the body, just the desire to succeed. It is important to find a good instructor. As for the age, it doesn't matter either, my wife didn't start until she was over 50.
Good luck, I hope you enjoy it.

Answer 4

no body requirements. save the desire to belly dance. wouldn't hurt to enjoy it.

it will only be harder if you think so.

go for it and enjoy the process.

ps great exercise

Answer 5

Very interesting post. I myself am interested and have found several sites where more information is available:

http://www.squidoo.com/BellyDanceLessonsOnline/
http://www.squidoo.com/bellydanceapparell/
http://www.squidoo.com/tribalbellydancing/
http://www.squidoo.com/bellydancingclothes/

Live, Love, Belly Dance!
-- Rem

Answer 6

belly dancing is very easy to learn, you mainly work on flexibility and age doesn't matter.