Here are some frequently asked questions about belly dancing:
What can I wear for belly dance class?
Start out simple. You need to wear something so that your instructor can see how your body is moving, so they can correct your form. Try some yoga pants or leggings topped with a T-shirt that isn’t too baggy. You will be introduced to that most addictive dance class accessory, the spangly hip scarf.
Watch out, many of us start compulsively collecting them. We want you to be comfortable, which means you wear something that you can easily move in.
Yoga or workout pants, sports bra, fitted tank top, or fitted T-shirt are best.
Bare feet, dance shoes such as jazz shoes, ballet slippers, foot undies, or socks are all acceptable foot attire. No street shoes required for belly dance classes.
Is everybody else in class going to be slim?
It’s highly unlikely. Belly dance students come in all sizes, ages, colours, and backgrounds. You might be in a class with a 60-year-old former ballerina on one side and a 22-year-old two-left-feet-never-danced-ever on the other. In a class with a good teacher, nobody should be judging you.
Do I have to show my tummy?
Not if you don’t want to. Many students like to show their tummy because it makes them “feel like a belly dancer”.
Some like to because the exercises in class often isolate the upper body from the lower and having no “connecting” clothing helps them separate the two.
How do I deal with all those mirrors?
Your dance studio might or might not have big mirrors on the walls. If you aren’t comfortable staring at yourself in form-fitting clothing, don’t worry…you are not alone. Don’t think about them to begin with and just keep your eyes on your instructor.
Your instructor will be using the mirror to keep eyes on all her students so she can help everybody.
Later, you can try using the mirrors to see whether you are dancing the way your teacher is. They are there as a tool, not as a way for students to judge each other.
Can I get injured in belly dance class?
Anyone could be injured in any type of physical activity class.
So yes, it is possible. Belly dance uses muscles that you might not normally use and some of the movements may feel rather odd at first…but when you try them, they shouldn’t hurt. If you’re feeling pain in class, let your instructor know right away and stop what you’re doing.
They might correct your form or help you modify the movement. Don’t force anything and you should be fine.
If you’re coming into class with a pre-existing condition, though, like bad knees or a back problem, be sure to tell your instructor before class starts.
What if I’m really bad at this?
Nobody walks into their first class and poof!...becomes a perfect belly dancer. Like any dance form, you have to put in the time and effort to improve. You might be in a class with students who have been dancing for a few years but who have continued to take the beginner’s class. Don’t be intimidated if “everybody else” seems to know what they are doing already! Watch your instructor and ask questions if you’re confused. Start out with the goal of enjoying yourself, and relax.
By Sabita Sookdeo