What is Bellydance?
An introduction:
Whether you call it Bellydance, AmCab, Vintage Oriental, Tribal, Group Improve, Beledi, Raks Sharki, Chiftitelli, Danse du Ventre or the Hoochie Coochie, all of these terms describe a variation of what we Americans generally blanket as Bellydance.
First and foremost belly dance is a folk dance with different styles originating from specific regions of the Middle East. This can never be ignored or forgotten. Yet, I am not writing about the history of bellydance, as there are many lengthy books on this topic. Instead I would like to briefly describe a visualization that beginner belly dancers (or any level bellydancer for that matter) could use. Bellydance is far less a skeletal dance than western forms such as Ballet or Jazz. One of the most descriptive terms I have heard is "muscle dance" - this is more appropriate than "bellydance" because the belly flesh is only a small portion of the muscles and fat used in this dance tradition. Now "muscle dance" really is not a very appealing or elegant term. When you first learn to bellydance you must learn to isolate the different parts of the body. Essentially you rhythmically contract certain muscles so as to visibly shake others. It is a dance that is literally deeper than any skeletal dance form. Contracting your belly or heart inwards has an instant emotional effect on the dancer as well as the audience. The movements are very appropriate to the sounds of the Tabla or the Oud but less so to the sweeping symphonies of the western world. Of course there is a lot of cross pollination. Western explorers in the Middle East brought Balletic elements to Bellydance that helped elevate it from a folkdance to a stage show.
While bellydance may seem awkward at first, as we are often trained as children not to move in a sensual, feminine manner, with practice it becomes so natural it will change the way you hold your body for the rest of your life. It is the oldest dance and the circles, spirals and figure eights that are traced with the body are so inherent to the female being, I believe every woman should learn to belly dance.
An introduction:
Whether you call it Bellydance, AmCab, Vintage Oriental, Tribal, Group Improve, Beledi, Raks Sharki, Chiftitelli, Danse du Ventre or the Hoochie Coochie, all of these terms describe a variation of what we Americans generally blanket as Bellydance.
First and foremost belly dance is a folk dance with different styles originating from specific regions of the Middle East. This can never be ignored or forgotten. Yet, I am not writing about the history of bellydance, as there are many lengthy books on this topic. Instead I would like to briefly describe a visualization that beginner belly dancers (or any level bellydancer for that matter) could use. Bellydance is far less a skeletal dance than western forms such as Ballet or Jazz. One of the most descriptive terms I have heard is "muscle dance" - this is more appropriate than "bellydance" because the belly flesh is only a small portion of the muscles and fat used in this dance tradition. Now "muscle dance" really is not a very appealing or elegant term. When you first learn to bellydance you must learn to isolate the different parts of the body. Essentially you rhythmically contract certain muscles so as to visibly shake others. It is a dance that is literally deeper than any skeletal dance form. Contracting your belly or heart inwards has an instant emotional effect on the dancer as well as the audience. The movements are very appropriate to the sounds of the Tabla or the Oud but less so to the sweeping symphonies of the western world. Of course there is a lot of cross pollination. Western explorers in the Middle East brought Balletic elements to Bellydance that helped elevate it from a folkdance to a stage show.
While bellydance may seem awkward at first, as we are often trained as children not to move in a sensual, feminine manner, with practice it becomes so natural it will change the way you hold your body for the rest of your life. It is the oldest dance and the circles, spirals and figure eights that are traced with the body are so inherent to the female being, I believe every woman should learn to belly dance.
I believe every woman should learn to belly dance.
For sure. Its gorgeous and amazing, not to mention excellent excersize.