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Belly Dance for Fitness and Fun

Belly Dancing??? WHY NOT!!

Us women all look for a way to stay fit within our hectic schedules. We have Yoga, Pilates, Running, Core workouts and the list goes on and on. The fitness industry tries to come up with new ways to get us to be motivated so we can support those gym or dance studio fees we pay.

As a teacher of Middle Eastern Dance or what is more commonly known as Belly Dance, I get great feedback from my students. After class, I get to talk to my students one on one. They tell me why they have joined the class and why they enjoy it so much. I feel honored that they share their sentiments with me.

My students tell me it is a great form of exercise. Belly Dance is not only for the body, but the mind as well. There are so many benefits from this Ancient Art form. They will state to me, “It not only has allowed me to be more flexible and toned, but I am working on major muscle groups of the body. I am even finding muscles I thought I never had!"

I often hear comments such as:

1) I feel so empowered when I dance.

2) I can let go and not worry about a specific body image or how I look.

3) This class does so much for my self-esteem.

4) I am walking taller and I have a more heightened sense of awareness. about my body, mind, and spirit.

5) I feel good about myself. It makes me feel sensual or sexy.

I am often told, “I like the way you sneak in the stories and historical facts about the dance and incorporate them into the lesson. It is wonderful to experience new music and rhythms. It is nice to be exposed to new cultures different than ours.”

I will hear comments such as: “The thing I love the most is all the shiny stuff! I love the hip wraps, jewelry, and costumes! From a personal observation, the students that come to the first class, have stretch clothes. By the last class, they will leave in fancy jewelry and pretty flowing skirts.

Coming together in such a wonderful spirit, I get to meet the most wonderful and unique people.

Some women shy away because they think that you need a lot of dance experience to do Belly Dance. This is not the case. Any one can do it.

Hip wrap anyone?

Kalilah

Creating Choreography

Teaching from a Video

When you are a dance teacher, it is important for you to come up with your own choreography. This establishes your credentials as a Dance Professional. It identifies you and your unique style.

Your teaching should reflect your own creative insight and artistry. Teaching your own choreography shows you have a depth and understanding for your art.

Creating choreography lets you decide what you would like expressed, allowing you to grow as an Artistic Individual. Your masterpieces will show the traces of inspiration that went into your hard work.

Your work will reflect the effort you have put forth to understanding the

components of whatever particular dance you have studied to create and express your own interpretation and vision.

Anyone can teach off a video. By doing this, it states to others you do not have the knowledge base, or you lack the skill capable to create your own choreography.

Copying off a video robs the individual who painstakingly took the time to make the video; of any potential money they could earn. It is downright rude and unprofessional to make your living off of teaching someone else's choreography from a video.

I have nothing against videos. I think they are a great tool. It is a tool that can be used to see how something is specifically done. It is a tool to understand technique so that you can be better at yours.

The best way to increase your knowledge base and technique is to study with the Masters of the Dance. Travel. Submerge yourself in your art and share what you have. Educate yourself as much as you can. It would be a terrible response to someone when they asked, So where did you learn how to dance like that?

You can only say, ...........I learned it from a video.

Kalilah