Belly dancing

I have NO idea where I'm supposed to post this. I'm intrested in taking up belly dancing. However, I don't know where to start, and I'm afraid of upsetting the Parental Units. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Go for it
Seriously, we only get one crack a life, so never pass on a chance to enjoy it.
You'd probably be able to find info on local classes in the phone book or on the net. There's bound to be a beginners class.

Why would it bother them?
Surely they'd want you to be happy. And it's not anything taboo, like say lap dancing. You're fully clothed and everything.

Good luck, dancing is so fun.

 

yeah go for it, i wanna do it now as well lol

 

If they have a problem with it and won't allow you to attend classes, they have DVD's that teach you (probably not as good as being right there learning in class but still an avenue to learn) check on Amazon's website I know they have them.

 

Speak to Psyche!! shes a lovely belly dancer, i saw her perform when i was out in canada. She'll have something interesting to tell you for sure.

 

As for where to start, look into local community center type places or gyms to try to find a class. Where I live, a mid-sized college town, I found at least two classes -- one through a community center for adult extra-curricular activities (baseball, volleyball, etc for those no longer in school, basically) and one run at a local Golds Gym. Depending on the size of your town, it may be easier or harder to find any classes that are out there.

Of course, there are plenty of DVDs out there, but I've never really been able to stay that disciplined about doing it regularly... Plus, at least to start, I think it really helps to have someone who knows what she's doing there to supervise, make sure you're getting the moves right (not always as easy as it looks at first).

As for your parents, point out that this is an amazing form of exercise. This is not stripping 101, this is an age-old classical art, which just so happens to work out a lot of stomach muscles that normal sit-ups and whatnot just don't use (not to mention all of the other muscles it works, trust me, it's a full body work-out!). Also, if you have any problems with menstrual cramps, you could use the argument that working those muscles (the ones normal ab exercises don't get to) helps some people reduce their cramps, isn't it worth a shot?

Good luck!

 

i enrolled in some courses at the local dance studio. they had tribal dance, too, which sound AWESOME. but pregnancy issues have removed me from those classes. there's still post pregnancy. i love everything i've observed about it. i think it'll be a great fit for me. after 2 pregnancies i think it'll be very good. i also have hip and lower back issues that i think will be greatly helped by it. everywhere i go, i've found classes in belly dancing, but then, i am in colorado.

 

here are some a link that anyone interested in Raks Araby might find useful

http://www.rakkasah.com/links.htm

 

oh, hell. i haven't been here long enough to know where "front range" is! lol. i'm in durango. i'll be back up in ft. collins pretty soon, too.

 

Why would your parents get upset?

 

Well, whenever I mention it my mom kind of cringes and says "Why would you want to do that?" Or she'll just think I'm joking. I don't know how to tell her!

 

probably because belly dancing is inherently sexy and a lot of parents have a hard time dealing with their sweet babies as sexual entities. they probably have some sleazy image of some fat sultan smoking while his haren girls try to entice his attention, or some silly stuff.

 

you won;t upset them... I was in bellydancing for a while... everything worked out great for me. i'd say to go for it! It's a lot of fun! although it does strech out your stomach a bit when you practice the rolls and stuff like that. i didn;t mind though.. mine isn't really big or anything

besides it's your choice on whether you wnat to bellydance or not...

 

Belly Dancing is well...........interesting

 

My wife and I run a Belly Dance Studio in Oregon.
Gypsy Circle

The picture at the top of the home page is our current student troupe.(Well, not actually current, we're up to twelve members, and don't have the new pics yet.)
The pic at the bottom of the home age is our old professional troupe, when we were in CA.
If you have questions, feel free to email us through the site.

 

can.... not so slim people bellydance? because im not so slim....

 

Lol. Yes, many belly dancers are not so slim. Many are slim. Many are very unslim. Belly dancers come in all shapes and sizes, and each brings something different to the dance. If you check out the link above, our site has links to other sites. You can find many pictures of dancers who are all different sizes.

 

AH! thanks for that. probably so, i'll have to bookmark that ethnicrhythms page. i was going to do some belly dancing and some tribal, but found out i was pregnant and risky, so i took up yoga instead.. i've been put on bedrest again for this pregnancy. *sigh* pregnancy doesn't agree with me much, but children sure do.