Belly dancing?

2

Replies

  • SailorJerrysRum
    SailorJerrysRum Posts: 38
    Netflix has a few videos on instant streaming in case anyone has an account and wants to try it out.
    I enjoy the music and clothes you get to wear while bellydancing, so realistically it's something I could still to until I'm a granny.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    I used to take a class at the gym, it was fun. I also have some DVDs. I haven't done it in a while though.
  • kristen807
    kristen807 Posts: 361
    Netflix has a few videos on instant streaming in case anyone has an account and wants to try it out.
    I enjoy the music and clothes you get to wear while bellydancing, so realistically it's something I could still to until I'm a granny.

    I didn't know that! Thanks I will check it out :)
  • fitwithin
    fitwithin Posts: 210 Member
    I tried a belly dancing class years ago and enjoyed it. Bought the little symbols(sp?) and everything. Did it a couple of times and they said it wouldn't flatten my stomach, but would harden what I had...back then I thought my stomach was too big. lol. Anyway, I agree with everyone that Zumba has some great belly dancing moves and the newer moves do flatten your stomach and give you great curves. I was able to see my waist for the first time in a while. Best of luck! You will do great. Eat less, move more. That's what it is all about. You can do it!
  • ashedw425
    ashedw425 Posts: 17
    I love belly dance! I did it for years at a studio... it is a lot fun but I don't know much about the dvds... the majority belly dancers I have known, danced with, and been instructed by have not been skinny minnies like you see on those dvds... it's a good workout for your muscles but not always very aerobic. Lots of fun though.
  • PurpleEpiphany
    PurpleEpiphany Posts: 96
    It depends a lot on what type of bellydancing you do. Most videos out there are the 'traditional' cabaret or Egyptian style. I'm a tribal bellydancer, which is stylistically a little different although the muscles worked are pretty much the same.

    For tribal (specifically tribal fusion), Rachel Brice has some excellent DVDs for performance conditioning. She teaches a move, but also does yoga for warm up and cool down and to help strengthen the appropriate muscles (for example, strengthening your back to prevent injuries during certain moves).

    My favorite of hers is Serpentine, which has a massive amount of stuff on it. There are several sections to the workout so you can mix and match, and a second DVD has choreography on it that you can learn as well.
  • cheryl5115
    cheryl5115 Posts: 154 Member
    Bump
  • Stefanny91
    Stefanny91 Posts: 223 Member
    I used to belly dance with a local troupe on campus. We started every session with a lot of Suhaila squats because belly dancing requires a great deal of thigh strength! I had to quit because I had a falling out with my cousin, and the rest of the troupe was much closer to her than they were to me and very few of them made me feel like anything but an outsider. To be honest, I don't think that they really helped me learn appropriate technique or form--many of them would just let my cousin instruct me, and she was resentful of my ability to learn quickly, so she was constantly coming up to me and forcing my shoulders so far back telling me that they weren't straight enough, even though I couldn't possibly do a chest lift because my chest was already lifted as far as it would go. They also bumped me from every performance for reasons related to needing an even number of dancers, or because I missed one practice because my son was sick. Even though I have several DVDs, the experience kind of soured me on dancing. :frown:

    Girls can be really nasty!! atleast you aren't with them anymore ... we can have our own belly dancing club!!
  • gingerjen7
    gingerjen7 Posts: 821 Member
    I used to belly dance with a local troupe on campus. We started every session with a lot of Suhaila squats because belly dancing requires a great deal of thigh strength! I had to quit because I had a falling out with my cousin, and the rest of the troupe was much closer to her than they were to me and very few of them made me feel like anything but an outsider. To be honest, I don't think that they really helped me learn appropriate technique or form--many of them would just let my cousin instruct me, and she was resentful of my ability to learn quickly, so she was constantly coming up to me and forcing my shoulders so far back telling me that they weren't straight enough, even though I couldn't possibly do a chest lift because my chest was already lifted as far as it would go. They also bumped me from every performance for reasons related to needing an even number of dancers, or because I missed one practice because my son was sick. Even though I have several DVDs, the experience kind of soured me on dancing. :frown:

    Girls can be really nasty!! atleast you aren't with them anymore ... we can have our own belly dancing club!!
    I certainly wouldn't mind giving it another shot. I do love to dance!
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    I used to take a class and loved it. I've only tried one dvd (by kathy smith) and i have to say i greatly appreciated having learned the proper form of the moves beforehand.
    After my first class i felt like i was so not flexible. but that changed. and when you realize how much work it is to make the movements look effortless, you appreciate the workout.
    funny note on the side, my teacher kept telling me to relax my chest - i kept thinking, but i am relaxed - turns out, my sports bra stopped things from jiggling like they were intended to :tongue:
  • shimmygirl411
    shimmygirl411 Posts: 100 Member
    I started with a couple DVD's too, but I found taking an actual class was the most beneficial. I have been taking classes for 9 years and performing for 8. It is great fun and great exercise!! I absolutely love it!! And of course, the getting to play dress-up is fabulous! :wink:
  • onandoff
    onandoff Posts: 122 Member
    For classic bellydance, Ansuya's Hot Moves and Jillina's dvds are pretty nice (love Ansuya's choreography in Hot Moves). For a more romantic approach, you could try Sensual Bellydance or Luscious.
  • MrsWonderland
    MrsWonderland Posts: 107 Member
    I need to start belly dancing again. Mentally and physically I felt different after wards, not like arobics or any other workout I had done. The more I danced the more I felt amazing even with a few days break in between. I have one of The Goddess workouts. I need to look into Zumba.
  • violetsprings
    violetsprings Posts: 7 Member
    I'm considering going to a belly dancing class at my local gym. I figure, if it's available, why not? The only thing I worry about is if it's too difficult for someone like me. I don't have experience with any kind of dancing and I don't want to make a fool of myself... It puts me off. Will I still enjoy it?
  • ser67
    ser67 Posts: 28 Member
    I have been going to belly dancing classes for a couple of years and they are really good fun. It is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. The youngest in the class is six and the eldest is in her 70s has had a hip replacement operation. It is better when you wear a coined scarf around your hips. That way you feel and hear the effect of subtle hip movements. Afterwards you do feel really good about yourself.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    I'm considering going to a belly dancing class at my local gym. I figure, if it's available, why not? The only thing I worry about is if it's too difficult for someone like me. I don't have experience with any kind of dancing and I don't want to make a fool of myself... It puts me off. Will I still enjoy it?

    if it's a beginners class, you don't have to worry about a thing. you may feel like you are totally stiff, but with some practice, you'll loosen up and use just the right muscles. oh and everybody feels that way at first.
    the classes i went to, focused on isolated movements first, then combined them and slowly added a bit of choreography (as opposed to a dance workshop i went to once, where they put the music on full speed, went through a choreography once, and then expected everyone to 'get' it - ok everyone but me did).
    If it's an advanced class, i'd say give it a try to see how you feel, but maybe wait for an intro course.
    Bellydance is definitely one of the most enjoyable fitness type classes i've ever taken...
  • 0MissErin0
    0MissErin0 Posts: 92 Member
    It can be quite fun, i have tried it before and considering trying again. The more advance you get the more of a workout :)
  • 0MissErin0
    0MissErin0 Posts: 92 Member
    I'm considering going to a belly dancing class at my local gym. I figure, if it's available, why not? The only thing I worry about is if it's too difficult for someone like me. I don't have experience with any kind of dancing and I don't want to make a fool of myself... It puts me off. Will I still enjoy it?

    Go to a complete beginners class. And you will find plenty of people feeling the same way. You will have fun regardless :)
  • mamaturner
    mamaturner Posts: 2,447 Member
    I used to do it on the FIT Channel on my directv and I loved it. I ended up losing like 10 pounds and quite a few inches! I would love to have a dvd since we have ATT now and I don't have that channel. It's so much fun!

    Have fun with it! And remember laughing at yourself helps you lose more calories! :bigsmile:
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
    I started with a couple DVD's too, but I found taking an actual class was the most beneficial. I have been taking classes for 9 years and performing for 8. It is great fun and great exercise!! I absolutely love it!! And of course, the getting to play dress-up is fabulous! :wink:
    I have to agree with Shimmygirl. I tried the DVD's but didn't get as much out of it as taking a class. I have been taking classes for almost 10 years and performing for 8. It's addictive!
    I would recommend checking out the instructor that you go to, I've seen a lot of women who are teaching bellydance after taking classes for a year or two (I know one who can't even play zills and is teaching classes-not fair to her students, they will not get a well rounded training) and they don't have enough training to teach correctly (I know there may be exceptions, but I haven't seen any yet) and a lot of times the Zumba instructors that include bellydance in their routines have never bellydanced.
    I do not want to discourage you from trying DVD's because I do know one dancer that learned entirely from DVDs and is a beautiful dancer (she could not take classes because she cannot drive since she is losing her vision at a young age).

    Best I can recommend is no matter how you learn, have fun with it it is a great exercise
  • RavenhairedWoman
    RavenhairedWoman Posts: 661 Member
    I take a belly dancing class and the one thing that I would say is that working with an instructor really makes sure that you are working with the right muscles and doing the moves properly. I haven't tried any belly dancing DvDs but I love it as a workout! :)
  • violetsprings
    violetsprings Posts: 7 Member
    I'm considering going to a belly dancing class at my local gym. I figure, if it's available, why not? The only thing I worry about is if it's too difficult for someone like me. I don't have experience with any kind of dancing and I don't want to make a fool of myself... It puts me off. Will I still enjoy it?

    Go to a complete beginners class. And you will find plenty of people feeling the same way. You will have fun regardless :)

    Thanks for the advice :)
  • violetsprings
    violetsprings Posts: 7 Member
    I'm considering going to a belly dancing class at my local gym. I figure, if it's available, why not? The only thing I worry about is if it's too difficult for someone like me. I don't have experience with any kind of dancing and I don't want to make a fool of myself... It puts me off. Will I still enjoy it?

    if it's a beginners class, you don't have to worry about a thing. you may feel like you are totally stiff, but with some practice, you'll loosen up and use just the right muscles. oh and everybody feels that way at first.
    the classes i went to, focused on isolated movements first, then combined them and slowly added a bit of choreography (as opposed to a dance workshop i went to once, where they put the music on full speed, went through a choreography once, and then expected everyone to 'get' it - ok everyone but me did).
    If it's an advanced class, i'd say give it a try to see how you feel, but maybe wait for an intro course.
    Bellydance is definitely one of the most enjoyable fitness type classes i've ever taken...

    Okay, I will definitely check with them what level the class is for. What if they say 'all levels', should I still find a beginners class?
  • heatherloveslifting
    heatherloveslifting Posts: 1,428 Member
    I just have to post here- bellydancing is the best exercise EVER!!! :heart: :heart: Seriously, it's low impact, intensity can be very high, really improves the tone of your abs, and it's so much fun! I would recommend Rachel Brice, Suhaila (the "mother" of US bellydance), or Zoe Jakes (superstars). These ladies are amazing! And if you can find a class to physically go to it's even better for technique. And if something seems out of reach...keep trying! I have been doing this 2.5 years and have improved a ton, but have sooo much more to learn.
  • heatherloveslifting
    heatherloveslifting Posts: 1,428 Member
    I'm considering going to a belly dancing class at my local gym. I figure, if it's available, why not? The only thing I worry about is if it's too difficult for someone like me. I don't have experience with any kind of dancing and I don't want to make a fool of myself... It puts me off. Will I still enjoy it?

    if it's a beginners class, you don't have to worry about a thing. you may feel like you are totally stiff, but with some practice, you'll loosen up and use just the right muscles. oh and everybody feels that way at first.
    the classes i went to, focused on isolated movements first, then combined them and slowly added a bit of choreography (as opposed to a dance workshop i went to once, where they put the music on full speed, went through a choreography once, and then expected everyone to 'get' it - ok everyone but me did).
    If it's an advanced class, i'd say give it a try to see how you feel, but maybe wait for an intro course.
    Bellydance is definitely one of the most enjoyable fitness type classes i've ever taken...

    Okay, I will definitely check with them what level the class is for. What if they say 'all levels', should I still find a beginners class?

    Yes, still go, but don't expect to "get" everything right away. Be patient and enjoy!
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    What category would you put belly dancing under? Would sticking it down as moderate calisthenics be good? I know MFP has it as a category, but I don't track exercise here.
  • FeebRyan
    FeebRyan Posts: 738 Member
    I love Bellydancing!

    Currently i do

    Egyptian style - on a Wednesday evening for 1 hour - its your generic bellydance really, think women with scarves over the face and sparkly hip belts.

    ATS (American Tribal Style) this is brilliant, the moves are slower and the idea is that you all work as a team rather than it being a single person dancing. Much better if you're a bit nervous about being in it 'alone' so to speak and i find the excercises are really focused and fun. I do a monthly 3 hour intensive of this. Starting on the 29th September

    Gothic Tribal Style - more like ATS but really slow and 'shoal of fish' like. Often taught to modern dance music and great costumes and so on. I do a 2 hour session on Sundays.

    Love it! Its brilliant.
  • FeebRyan
    FeebRyan Posts: 738 Member
    I love Bellydancing!

    Currently i do

    Egyptian style - on a Wednesday evening for 1 hour - its your generic bellydance really, think women with scarves over the face and sparkly hip belts.

    ATS (American Tribal Style) this is brilliant, the moves are slower and the idea is that you all work as a team rather than it being a single person dancing. Much better if you're a bit nervous about being in it 'alone' so to speak and i find the excercises are really focused and fun. I do a monthly 3 hour intensive of this. Starting on the 29th September

    Gothic Tribal Style - more like ATS but really slow and 'shoal of fish' like. Often taught to modern dance music and great costumes and so on. I do a 2 hour session on Sundays.

    Love it! Its brilliant.
  • FeebRyan
    FeebRyan Posts: 738 Member
    Had such fun today at my tribal bellydancing workshop - two hours though! Killa!

    Will be practising for next week!
  • Dead_Darling
    Dead_Darling Posts: 478 Member
    I loooooooove belly dancing!! I've taken a few classes but it's stopped now :\

    Gonna have a look for rock/metal belly dancing classes in London. That sounds so awesome!!

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