Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do I have to expose my stomach for class?
No, you don't have to expose your stomach. wear a loose top and long pants that is comfortable enough, skirts can be bothersome if you are doing floor exercise. The teacher may be attired so that you can observe the musculature and movement clearly.

2. Do I have to be trim? Am I too fat? I don't have a belly!
Any shape,size, age or gender face no discrimination in bellydance. This form of dance is brilliant at toning your body physically, stimulating your mind with various rhythms and then uplifting you spiritually with all those endorphins flowing through your veins. With constant dancing the weight does fall off, improved general toning of the body and sensual curves at the right places.

3. How soon can I dance so I can make money?
I am afraid there is no short cuts here! Firstly, a good teacher will teach you how to hold yourself and how to execute the basic movements fundamental to dance. You also learn the various rhythms pertaining to Mid Eastern music and to match these with the appropriate movements. Depending on how you apply yourself to learning you will set your pace at progress, the more you absorb and work at it the fitter you get and the better your understanding of dance flow. As with any other dance discipline, this is an art form which you learn and develop over the years attending as many teachers as possible to better yourself. Unfortunately, this is not a money spinner. You do spend money on learning, jewellery, costumes and yet more costumes.

4. Can bellydance cause a dent in my stomach?
Depending on wether you are an hourglass, apple shape, pear shape or bean pole, it will naturally enchance your shapes. Those who have piled on weight on their abdomens will find their abs trimming down and regaining their delicious curves.

5. What age do I have to be to bellydance?
In the Middle East where this dance originated from -- the belly is the cradle of civilisation. abdominal movements in bellydance are actually mimickingthe birthing process and is known for women to gather around the pregnant women in support and to gently dance along the baby into this world. Every child from a young age watches his mother and grandmother dance at social functions, birthday celebrations, wedding, circumcision, moulid festivals ect. It is learn from a very young age by both girls and boys in the countries of origin. Over here in the West, women tend to take this dance up as adults but you can take it up at any age as long as you are willing to learn.

6. Do men bellydance?