General Data about this Dance Form

by Nacheska

More to Middle Eastern Dance than meets the delighted eye

Middle Eastern Belly dance has lots of names and much to contribute to our lives.  Of course the obvious name of Middle Eastern Dance that we hear often is Belly Dance.  It is also known by Raks Sharki, Danse Orientale, and Danse du Ventre (dance of the Stomach) and there are more names and types that I will elaborate on in future articles. 

Aside from the diverse names it has a rich and fascinating history, promotes fitness, is gentle to our feminine bodies, makes us feel pretty, feeds our creative spirit, and promotes sisterhood.  In fact, rarely have I seen a downside to this art save what we might bring to it ourselves.  Sometimes I see jealousy and arrogance, but it is rare in the classes that I find myself teaching and taking.

As for men, it is much the same, giving them a sense of history, story telling, strength, grace and esteem.  They have a similar role in this art with the benefits they can lend to the art and the art giving back to them.

Some of the History

Generally estimated, this dance form is 5000 B.C. years old….roughly translated, that is 7000 years old.  This is proof that this rich dance form has something that intrigues and captures the artist and art connoisseur as well.  What dance form that we engage in has this experience and stamina?  Even ballet, in all its technique and majesty is not this old...

 Misnomers and Misconceptions

Belly dance is not a dance strictly of the belly and there are many schools of thought on how it got the name "Belly Dance".  Was it because of the shocking showing of the Belly in its earlier introduction to the United States by "Little Egypt"?  Was it the Belly Rolls that can be done as a result of the small isolations that are so much a part of this dance.  Or perhaps it is the word "Beledi", (meaning "ofthe people") a culture and rhythm of the Persia???  It is not and will not be anything but an incredibly beautiful art form that is in no way similar to "striptease", or "exotic/erotic dancing".  It is exotic and unique, old and resilient in its changes throughout history or is that "her story".  This dance holds a warm flow of delight to women that cannot be explained...it is the embodiment of nurturing and growing....healing and celebrating all the wonderful things we are.

And as for the belly part, if you have ever attending a "Belly Dance" class, you will well know all the body from the top of the head to the tips of the toes gets an amazing workout. 

Belly Dance is for Every "Body"

The core of my belief in dance as a whole, is that it is for everyone and belly dance uniquely encompasses so many body styles, abilities, and age groups.  After only one class with a generous teacher, you will feel intrigued, refreshed, happy and yes...maybe frustrated that you cannot catch on at a quicker pace.  Remember, this form of dance is ancient so give it a year or so to mature and ENJOY THE RIDE!

Finding the right "fit" in an instructor

In the course of my 32 years as an instructor of dance, students come and go...some stay a month, a year and some for a decade or more becoming more like family.  I hear stories from students that "overstay" with a teacher because of fear to move on, or fear of hurting feelings, or even veiled threats of being ostracized  by the other dance sisters.  The important thing in life and in art is to grow and be nurtured.  Once this is not happening then move on and be generous with praise and love for where you have been.

To find an instructor you have the normal means...friends, phone book, internet.  Once you have identified a few that are conveniently located for you then ask if you may visit a class.  Do not watch, but participate so that you may grasp the "feel" of the class, studio, and instructor. (sometimes there is a fee but better this than registration for the unknown)  If the instructor/studio will not let you participate or watch, be wary...why?  I personally will not allow watching but it is for the comfort of the paying students...I love to have interested dancers take my class to get the feel of my particular (or is that peculiar) personality and technique that is uniquely mine.

One more thing to research besides the obvious do you like this instructor, can they relate to you, the physical studio, space to dance, etc. is "do they want you to perform?"...and "do I want to perform" or even "are there opportunities to perform if I want to?"  I often hear of "pay to play" types of studios meaning the dancer pays to perform even a booking where the instructor is being paid.  Set your comfort level with performing, do I want to, am I ready, do I have talent to offer that would be appreciated.  There are so many facets to this topic but set your expectations up front so that down the road, when you are ready to perform, you know what is available through your studio and troupe. 

What do I wear?

Ahhh...the absolute best part of belly dance is the costuming, even for class.  Some instructors would like you to be toned down for class with a simply shimmy belt and crop/choli top, however, I do not mind what my students wear as long as they are comfortable.  Some of you will not perform but still enjoy the beautiful costumes so why waste them in the closet.  I love to see the finery and imagination of the clothing that is associated with the dance.

Nacheska's Class

Basically my classes are split into 3 parts warm-up technique, floor and locomotor technique and finally "the dance".  We warm-up isolating each body part in the unique style of Belly Dance, secondly we move with veil or locomotor or do more combinations (combining isolations), then finally we put all our technique into a dance which can be performed for ourselves or others....

The "feel" of my classes is nurturing and warm, friendly and upbeat, but also technically serious...I try not to insult the dance by too much personal talk, gum chewing, or breaking the spirit of the dance inside the class hour.  We are sisters in the dance and we do chat gaily  throughout the dance class....water is available in the class setting and students should hydrate themselves as needed.  Since I am formally dance trained and love the dance, it is my hope that if you come to class, you are there to learn and share the art of the dance while making new friends and dance family...

Sometimes shyer students will take private lessons as schedules permit until they are ready to join a group setting....classes are very small (4-10 students)  I take my role as teacher very seriously and hope to grow and nurture all in the dance.