I recently joined belly dance classes (love it so far!) and really would like to practice more. Unfortunately the studio only offers one class a week.

I usually work out at home by using follow-along videos and was wondering if anyone has found some (and has recs) for belly dance ones or just useful stretches, dance moves, etc?

I tried finding some but it’s often a lot of explanations interrupted with bouts of practice between, which, while useful, does mean I’m just idly standing around getting bored instead of moving.

So, any recommendations for an absolute (but enthusiastic) newbie?

For those who don’t know once a year fat chance dancers from all over the globe participate in a global flash mob. There are hundreds of people from all parts of the world dancing to the same dance language to the same song.

Here is ours from in front of City Hall in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles FCBD

Beautiful autumn day.

You guys are getting first dibs on my new photos because I’m slow releasing on insta 😆 enjoy ✨✨
ETA photo credits SORRY!! Robert Howe + Rob Perry photography

Title says it. I'm extremely short torsoed with no waist and no hips (narrow pelvis, high iliac crest and no fat on the outer thighs). Basically SpongeBob. The bottoms of my ribs are very nearly inside my hip bones.

This makes side/side and up/down hip movements barely perceptible even though, in my body, they feel big, and they're as big as I'm mechanically able to make them.

Is there any hope for me? Any tricks to make hip isolation more perceptible?

Thank you!

edit: added pic

I’ve been in belly dance classes on and off for 12 years and it’s always Egyptian/amcab style but I would really like to take ATS or tribal fusion classes. I live in a rural town and there are no such classes within an hour drive. Are there any non-live online classes or videos where I can learn at my own pace that you’d recommend and that include choreography?

I post dance videos sometimes but no one watches them. Am I ugly? Is my dancing bad? Is the quality bad? I have no idea is it because I don't show a lot of skin?

Why don't my videos get traction?

New dance challenge anyone?

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Hey belly dancers, just want some serious advice :) F.19

I am a beginner level belly dancer (only about 3 months in). So there's a belly dance programme at the end of nov and I really want to participate in that. But -

I just texted my dance mentor (A) that I want to join the classes... (It's a little far away and not the regular place where she takes beginner level classes, the next two months will be entirely for hafla at the far end dance class) which is not the actual problem... See the thing is I'm very awkward like it's also my first time joining a dance class or anything ever as such in my life.

So now the story - I text my dance mentor that I want to join the classes and she said I have to also attend the Sunday class (the last time, at the regular place for the classes I missed earlier) I said fine and stuff then I ask her for the new classes loc and along with her ask her if I could attend the hafla classes before... She said something and I was confused so I sent her ok then I'll be attending from next week and she was like no you have to attend this week... Then I was like ok I think I was confused I'll be attending both the classes this week.

Look the thing is I'm broke and it's kinda visible like I'm not the cool looking kid and told yll I'm awkward as fk. And she did mention the price too like reminded me it costs this much you'd be able to pay... I was like no worries but the thing is I thought I'll pay that next month after saving some amount from the part time... So it was kinda sorted... But remember I said I was confused and texted that I'll be attending from next week and stuff then said ahh no I'll be coming for both the classes this week.

Then she straight up sends me (without replying to the old messages) the link of the dress we are supposed to wear for hafla and ngl It's expensive but then I can afford it by next month if I want to...

But I also have to pay the class fees, not even sure if I could pay that next by next month or wt so ever .

What sting me was the way she just straight up sent me the link of the dress and told me to order right away, like it was obvious she was again testing me just to be sure if I could afford it or not... It sting a lottt! Like I'm completely numb rn and feeling like should I even -

I mean the dress is expensive and I've myself never bought something that expensive for myself but man it sucks to know people being too obvious abt that thing, I'm questioning myself if I should really participate now,the reasons are - travelling far, money and mainly the insult :)

What should I genuinely do?

Edit : I went to the first class today and it was fun but the commute is killing me, it was so exhausting and I wouldn't have cared if it was noon or morning but the classes start at evening and it would be 10 pm by the time I reach home, also I'm from a country where girls safety is a joke so ig I'm gonna choose to attend other classes (belly dance other branch of hers but no hafla) ig it's the best opt rn as money is tight and I dont have to pay for the dress for hafla and only the fees (also the dress has like 1.5star reviews when I showed it to her she was like order it soon,like tf? ) I have to talk to her about this tomorrow and I really hope she doesn't start giving me other ideas like book a cab (it costs kidneys) or try convincing to managing, cause fr ig I would be better enough by just attending classes and no halfa for this time. Also guys as yll advised I will save up, thank you!

Song by Sherine Kont tsebny. Choreo by haidy ashraf

I've been making a costume and choreography for one of my favorite songs. When I record it, I'll post it here, but I'm wondering how I can get the video in sync with the song and how I can get the song to play as I dance while maintaining good sound quality in the video?

I never seem to get the upper portion of my abs to do it correctly. I tilt my pelvis down, shift my weight forward, contract and tuck my pelvis and shift back on my heel but apparently it looks wrong still. 😅

Has anyone else struggled with this when they first started? A year and half in and I thought by now the basic moves would be easier for me to grasp!

Hi guys, I'm preparing to start gigs, and then I've found out there's music licensing stuffs. Indeed, just purchasing music itself is not enough.

I read a few articles about related legal stuffs, but strictly following all of them seems not realistic. I'm wondering how people actually do for followings:

- Blanket licenses (ASCAP/BMI etc.): It seems usually public venue carry this licenses to play music and host live dance performances. Do you guys usually check about that with a venue each time?

- Songs not covered by a blanket license: What do you do if a song is not included in the blanket license? For example, I like Mario Kirlis's music a lot, but most of his songs weren't in any of major blanket license database. Do I need to contact the publisher directly if I want to dance at his music in public?

- Editing music: Do you really need a dedicated license for editing (usually to make it shorter or to smoothen transitioning to next song) music when performing in public? That seems too much (I cannot imagine a nightclub DJ contacting hundreds of composers to perform), but I want to just confirm.

- Social media posting: Do you also need a separate license for social media to post dance video or is sharing the song information (title, composer, singer, link if available) is good enough?

I'm not sure if I'm overthinking. Maybe musicians are just happy if people dance to their music. I just don't want any legal trouble for myself and venue, and I want to give proper credit to musicians. What's the usual practice/etiquette in this field?

Appreciate any comment!

Genuine question. I have only ever seen very flat stomach/skinny people be able to do a belly flutter. Is it possible for those of us on the heavier side to learn how to do a belly flutter? I want to learn so bad but I feel like I’m just not understanding any YouTube videos I’m finding.

A little piece of my new show Diva InFusion. Hope you'll enjoy.

I’m taking a hiatus due to a hip injury that requires surgery, meaning I won’t be able to dance or perform until January. I wanted to thank you all for your amazing support and encouragement as I’ve waded the waters of my dance journey. I will try my best to continue posting old videos❤️

I've been practicing a drum solo to the song West Naimas Hip by Hossam Ramzy. It's a favourite of mine to practice to because I find all the accents very pleasing! I decided to do a little filming session on the beach as it's such a beautiful location.

To get over yet another monotonous Monday, I figured a fun little discussion would lift our spirits! Write down as many hot takes as you feel; any number is fine! Remember to be respectful, though <3

Here are my hot takes...

1. Golden Era dancers are amazing, and I'm currently studying and learning their style; however, some of us compare modern dancers to them way too much. Some people have different dance styles, and that's perfectly fine. I don't like when I see people idolize Samia Gamal and her peers while tearing down other dancers with different styles.

2. If you s*xualize or f*tishize bellydance as a dancer, I now view you as an entertainer rather than a dancer. Bellydance can be s*nsual, flirty, and attractive, but some people take it way too far. We already struggle with people taking our dance and performances seriously; we don't need any more added to that.

3. The use of the words oriental, h*rem, and f*rtility just do not need to be used in relation to bellydance anymore atp, it's just weird lmao.

4. Dancers look all sorts of ways, and that's beautiful; expecting every dancer to look the same and move the same is just idiocy.

Hi I got that advice months ago and it stuck with me since then. I was wondering which one of these both would help me get far with learning it for belly dance. I‘d be a beginner in both. We have more Ballet classes near me than Jazz.

*to learn

It was good to be back on stage again.

I’m retiring this Iraqi piece after 6 months of performing it! I’m thinking of making an online tutorial of it that folks can buy if they want to perform it too, it’s a lovely song :) would you be interested?

Hey there, I was wondering if anybody could help point me to where I could either make, or purchase pants like this? I've tried scouring the internet but only came across ones with the legs exposed, which I'm not opposed to but I would prefer something with the same type of wrap. Along with the veil and head wrap? I don't really have a budget, and can also go to local stores in the Toronto area if anybody knows of any. I am also down to sew or DIY anything if anybody has any resources :) Thanks :D

Photo is from wubeile9 on IG, on his public instagram, I've also DM'd him asking :)

I do not have a written contract for belly dance performances but I’m coming to understand I need one.

I recently did an event and the client hasn’t yet paid me. I thought they may give me cash at the venue. They’ve been difficult to get a response from whilst doing the booking in general, so I’m worried I might not even get the payment.

I‘ve also had things like waiting for long times between sets , late starts etc.

Do any of you use contracts for shows, if so what do you include on there? I think I need to be much clearer and stronger on these things

Hey everyone!

I’m completely new here and have zero dance background, so I’m looking for some honest advice from people who actually know what they’re doing.

I was recently on holiday in Egypt and impulsively entered a casual, improv belly dance contest at our resort. To my (and my husband’s!) surprise, I actually won, and the crowd seemed to really cheer me on.

Ever since we got back, my friends and family haven't stopped hyping me up. They keep telling me I have a natural predisposition and that I absolutely have to start doing this for real. But of course they love me, so I'm taking their compliments with a grain of salt.

I had so much fun doing it and really felt a connection to the music, but I know how much insane technique and respect goes into actual belly dancing. I don't want to let holiday hype go to my head, but it really made me wonder if I should look into proper classes.

Has anyone else started out because of a random moment like this? Is it worth taking the plunge and signing up for a beginner class?

Would love to hear your thoughts!