Facts and Fiction about Belly Dance

What is belly Dance?

Slang term for a dance which uses the body, especially the middle region in a much more flowy way than other dance forms and whose origins are from what is now described as the "Middle East." . Like the word "Pop music" it therefore covers a vast range of dance styles and types all the way from cabaret styles used in restaurants to highly skilled performance styles, folk and solo styles, energetic and wild gypsy styles but all of these characterized by the way the middle region is not kept rigid as in some other styles of dance. Like "Pop music" has been a "People's culture" and hence may be said to be more "natural" and "freer" than many other dance forms. 

Where does belly dancing come?

Originating in the Middle East, a vast collection of exotic countries, all the way from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria then Egypt and the Gulf states, then you have Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. You have Iraq and then another major grouping of countries around Iran. Finally you have Turkey and various surrounding countries. 

 Where did the name originate from? 

No one knows for absolute certain but most authorities seem to put this down to a Mr. Sol Bloom.  He was an entertainment impressionario considered to be the first to popularize the dance in the United States by bringing authentic Middle Eastern dancers and musicians to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and using the term "belly dance." This term shocked the straight laced Victorian audiences then and only served to fuel its popularity but did little to give it respectability.  

Do you need to have a large belly to do belly dancing?

Not at all, in fact the hips and lower back are the major elements in the dance. large belly or small belly it really makes no difference. 

What are the benefits of belly dancing?

All styles of dance have major health benefits as would any activity that involves movement. However belly dancing does focus on the troublesome areas in the middle region that create so much health problems, the lower back and hip regions. Also the dance can accommodate a far wider range of fitness and age ranges than many other styles. 

Can anyone do it?

Yes, being a "natural" dance age or body shape does not really matter at all. Within belly dance there are so many different styles and types so you will find a style just right for you, no matter what your shape, age or experience. LIke pop music it is a "People's Dance."

Is it only for women?

In the Middle East men dance as much as the women but separately of course. From Iran have emerged quite a few famous male belly dancers. In the West it seems to be women only who have taken to it, but there is no reason why men can't take to it. 

What sort of people come to your belly dance classes?

A huge range, quite a wide range of professional people, One barrister, consultant anesthetist, various doctors, an airline pilot, and many other high ranking professional people. Then there are numerous quite young people and students, then a number of retired people and a collection of people in quite ordinary jobs. But what is common to them all is that they seem to be quite a characterful bunch of people, being attracted to something that is a bit out of the ordinary. 

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