Belly Dancing Classes

[denisedeland]

Delete please thank you

[juliebove]

I was wondering if anyone has tried belly dancing classes? I was thinking of checking them out. They offer them here in the Chattanooga area. I know it is alot of hip movement. Not sure what else is involved.

Denise

I took lessons years ago. The woman who gave the lessons was elderly. Yes, this type of dancing requires hip motion, but it's hard on the legs and arms because you are often standing there holding your legs and arms in one position for a while. Strong abdominal muscles are also a good thing to have. I've done all sorts of dance. This particular one wasn't very appealing to me though.

[mindelicious]

I am so intrigued with belly dancing...but classes are not offered any where near me so I bought a couple of dvds. They are really helpful because it gives you an idea of what is involved. I would definately go to a class though--it is so much fun and really improves the self esteem.

[berrymarymac]

I was wondering if anyone has tried belly dancing classes? I was thinking of checking them out. They offer them here in the Chattanooga area. I know it is alot of hip movement. Not sure what else is involved.

Denise

My friend loves Belly Dancing! She's obsessed with it and I've heard it was lots of fun! This semester at school I'm going to sign up for classes. If you try it, could you tell me if it was good or not?

[rawpriestess]

I started taking Belly Dance in 1978, and have never stopped, it is exceptionally good for your legs, waist, arms, torso, and neck, you will be so surprised at how vigourous of a workout it is, to simply dance.


I think it is the most beautiful form of dance in the world.

[MaddMelon]

I can't wait to take bellydancing classes. I'm determined to start this fall. The one thing that bothers me about bellydancing, is that I notice a lot of the choreography is dull. I think this depends on style, and who's in charge, but looking at a lot of bellydancing choreography I'm so unenthused.

I think that Tribal bellydance has more movement then traditional bellydance, but unfortunately Southern California doesn't have hardly any tribal- that's a San Francisco thing...where I used to live!

Dance was my life when I was a little girl from ages 4-10, so I took many dance classes at the same time. I'm hoping to take bellydance and flamenco now.

This was a tangent.lol

I have tried bellydancing videos before "Neena and Veena." It definitely isn't the real thing, but it was a lot of fun. So, I suggest taking classes, check it out. If you don't like it, you can always cancel and try something else, right?

[Boz]

Oh oOooooooOOooOO take it. I highly recommend it......

I'm middle eastern. Iranian to be specific so it's like mandatory to know how to dance and shake your hips. You will love it. Not only that but your body will also love it. You'll notice your whole torso/lower body becoming tighter and fitter. It's a great workout, but a highly enjoyable one.

[Coriander74]

I'm also going to check into it.

Might take some anti-anxiety talks to get me out there but I'll do it if I cry trying! :D

[Vandy]

My mom used to be a professional belly dancer, and she would enter me and my sis into little contests when we were little. Now-a-days we head to the lebanese conventions where there is belly dancing all over the place every night... now it's something we all like to do together... and might I add it works much, much more than your abs ... :) ;)

[Sunshine9]

When I started doing belly dance I would wake up sore in places I didn't even know existed before. I think it's important to have a good teacher, because it can be hard on your joints if they don't teach you correctly. It will really strengthen your body, especially if you do a good warm up and light strength moves before dancing. I love it! It's definitely right for me. A great workout, and afterwards I always feel incredibly strong and powerful in my body.

It's definitely a lot more than hip shaking ;)

[denisedeland]

I think it would be a great form of exercise. I plan to attend a class first to see if it something I could handle with my nerve damage. But I think it would be great fun...

Denise

[i.like.it.raw]

I've been doing bellydance for fun at home and in class form. It is one of the best workouts IMHO. It works every part of your body, improves your posture, is low/no impact, and improves your self-esteem (because you will feel sexy doing it)

One thing to remember is if you have the right posture (knees bent, shoulders back, pelvis tucked in) the easier it is on your body. Also it's more leg work than hip work. Basically the movement of your legs is what makes your hips move. I'm new here and now sure on what type of nerve damage you have, but as long as you can use your legs, you should be fine.

Shimmy away!!

[Sharon in Colorado]

I took a couple of sessions and it is quite a work-out. People came in all kinds of outfits so it was comfortable - from sweats to long skirts.

The arms were the most tiring because you are supposed to keep them up all the time.

A great work-out video is anything by Neena and Veena the belly dancing twins.

If you have any kind of dance or movement background it helps. My mother is a long time folk dancer and I've done that kind of dancing before so the moves were fairly easy for me. However the moves don't come to everyone naturally. That doesn't mean it's not for everyone, but for some it may take a bit more practice.

[Lay-Lay]

denise, did you ever take the classes?

[trinity082482]

I just found out today my local gym offers the belly dancing for free as part of the membership! Im super excited and I think Im joining tomorrow. im scared they will make me show my tummy :(

[protea]

Wow, I haven't seen this thread, but am starting belly dancing classes tonight! Very excited!! :D I will let you know how it went... I have 10 years experience in flamenco, so I hope it won't be too hard.. :rolleyes: