Preparing for Class
Can I learn to bellydance even if I have no previous dance experience?
Is it too late for me to begin bellydancing?
Can anyone learn to bellydance?
But I have to be some thin beauty queen, right?
Is belly dancing difficult?
What do I wear to class?
What if I don't feel comfortable about showing my bare belly?
What about shoes?
Do I have to spend a lot of money?
How long will it take before I get good?
Where can I get music?
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Can I learn to bellydance even if I have no previous dance experience?
Yes! Anyone can begin to learn bellydance at any time. If you have never learned any kind of dance before, then you have a fresh, clean slate. If you have had experience with other dance forms, the skills
you have already learned will flow into your movements to make your style wonderfully unique!
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Is it too late for me to begin bellydancing?
You know the answer to that question already: It's never too late! Unlike many other forms of dance,
belly dance movements are natural and not hard on your body. And most people feel a woman with "life experience" actually makes a better belly dancer.
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Can anyone learn to bellydance?
Of course! Although a few of the movements take a long time to perfect, many others just flow from
your body naturally. You will be learning to move your body in new ways, which requires some practice and concentration, but most women find the learning process to be very enjoyable. Regardless of
your size, shape, or physical condition, you are guaranteed to find a new appreciation of your body when
you see all the beautiful movements it is capable of!
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But I have to be some thin beauty queen, right?
No, keep in mind cultural standards of beauty vary.
Many middle-eastern societies prefer women who have 'more meat on their bones,' as an Egyptian man
once put it.
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Is belly dancing difficult?
Sometimes. You discover new ways of moving your body. Some movements will be easy; others will be
unusual and will require some practice and concentration to get used to. It becomes easier as you practice.
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What do I wear to class?
You should wear something comfortable that allows you to move, and the instructor to easily see your movements. Some good choices are shorts, yoga pants,
an Indian cotton skirt, worn with a tank top, snug t-shirt, or sports bra. It is helpful to bring a scarf or shawl to
wrap around your hips; this will allow your instructor to see your correct hip movements as you learn them.
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What if I don't feel comfortable about showing my bare belly?
You will never be required to show your belly. Actually, many professional dancers keep their stomachs covered, even when performing. There are quite
a few beautiful traditional costume pieces that cover the midriff.
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What about shoes?
Many bellydancers prefer to dance barefoot. Some people may have medical or other reasons to prefer a
shoe with more support. That's fine also. The important thing is you want a shoe that doesn't stick to the floor too much (so sneakers generally don't work too well). It's also good if you can get a shoe that
allows your foot to flex; for example, a good jazz-type shoe would be excellent. For recommended footwear options when medical reasons aren't an issue, see our Student Resources.
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Do I have to spend a lot of money?
That's entirely up to you. If you just want to dance for the exercise and your personal enjoyment, you
don't have to spend any additional money outside of class fees and zills. If you decide you want to dress the part more, you can make or buy costuming items according to your personal taste and budget. If you like shopping, you can shop 'til you drop if
you want to! If you'd like to eventually join the student troupe, there are minimum costuming requirements. For recommended starter items, see our Student Resources.
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How long will it take before I get good?
Bellydancing is not a competitive sport or dance; therefore, each individual moves at her own pace. As a general rule with ATS, it takes about one year to get a grasp of all the aspects of the dance, but it can take many years to learn all there is to know. This is a good thing! FCBD instructors recommend at least two years of classes before performing.
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Where can I get music?
Music specifically suited to ATS can be found in our Links section or at www.fcbd.com. The FatChanceBellyDance print catalog is available for download and has reviews of many albums and songs to help you choose. The music recommended for beginners by *JOY*ful Shimmies can be found in our Student Resources.
Some other general music can be found at music stores (like Border's, Barnes and Noble, etc.) which tend to have good International sections; look
for Middle Eastern music (it might also be categorized as Arabic, Egyptian, Moroccan, or Turkish).
Additionally you can often find music on eBay and Amazon.com. Some good artists to look for include Hossam Ramzy, George Abdo, and Omar Faruk Tekbilek.
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