Belly Dancing

barefootbabe

I know there are many of you out there who love it and endorse it as much a possible- I have convinced two of my girlfriends to sign up for a ten week course with me! I am nervous though- I am not heaps coordinated with dance moves, and have never really danced before (aside from ill-fated jazz lessons when I was ten!)

So I guess I am asking if you need to be coordinated to do this type of dance, and is it hard to pick up? I just don't want to be really embarrassed in front of a whole class!

Thanks!

barefootbabe

I know there are many of you out there who love it and endorse it as much a possible- I have convinced two of my girlfriends to sign up for a ten week course with me! I am nervous though- I am not heaps coordinated with dance moves, and have never really danced before (aside from ill-fated jazz lessons when I was ten!)

So I guess I am asking if you need to be coordinated to do this type of dance, and is it hard to pick up? I just don't want to be really embarrassed in front of a whole class!

Thanks!

lotusfromthemud

It all depends on you. . .everyone is different.

In my experience (as a non-dancer/dancer) some moves will probably come very easily, and then other moves will make you wonder "how in the heck am I supposed to do THAT?" In my experience, especially in beginner classes, there is an atmosphere that is very "safe" feeling. I was never really embarrassed.

You'll find that a sense of humor and patience with your body will do wonders. You'll be dancing before you know it!:flowerforyou:

Smilineyes

I wouldn't worry too much about it. A couple of years ago some of my girls and I tried it. They were way less coordinated than me and they could still do most of the moves. The important thing is that you're moving and having fun with friends!

emtink

for a beginner class, you won't use much 'coordination', but it will be a challenge. when i started, my instructor would tell me to drop my pelvis... wha?!?! after one hour, i got the dropping and tucking movement. its definitely a challenge, but totally worh it. like viviakay said, your body will move in ways you didn't think possible. hooray for you for being brave and trying something new. good luck:flowerforyou:

sweetnsassyfied

How do you log belly dancing on MFP? Do you use general dancing?

Started a beginning DVD myself a couple of weeks ago.

sweetnsassyfied

BUMP

barefootbabe

Now that I'm into to may classes (and loving them, by the way!) I have a new question for all you long timers- how do you log your belly dancing? Under ballroom dancing?

Keep in mind I'm a beginner so we don't go too fast yet . . . My classes are an hour long and I do end up pretty thirsty and even a little sweaty (oops, I mean "glowing"!) by the end . . .

lotusfromthemud

For the record, I wore my HRM to my class last Sunday, and in an hour and a half, I burned 250 calories. It's not calorie blasting, but I've been going to this ab class at my gym for months and I'm never sore from it. Every time I laughed or sneezed on Monday, I felt that bellydance class.

I would log it as "dancing general" and not log the warm up/cool down time from your class.

:flowerforyou:

barefootbabe

Thanks Viv! I can always count on you . . . :flowerforyou:

FatDancer

Erin, I am so excited for you and your friends!

Bellydance is such a natural way for a womans body to move...it is a beautiful artform....your instructor should break it all down for you...also, if you are able, it is a good idea to take lessons from more than one instructor so that you may develop your own style versus becoming a mirror of your instructor.

There may be a Middle Eastern Dance Association in your area...there are many benefits to becoming a member...you'll be up to date on all of the shows, events and workshops, and they often offer discounts.

I also log mine as dancing general.

Shimmy On!

sweetnsassyfied

Thanks for asking the logging question Erin!!

I've asked that question a few times and never got a response. Now I know! :flowerforyou: