Common Myths About Belly Dance

Belly dancing courses have become a popular alternative form of exercise for women of all ages and fitness levels. The Middle Eastern dance targets the core, and strengthens and tones the abdominal muscles, thighs, calves, hips, buttocks, back and arms. Because empowering and exotic belly dance is so intriguing and mysterious it’s not surprisingly there are many common myths about belly dancing.
Belly dance is only for big women
Your physical shape and size has absolutely no bearing on whether or not you can belly dance. Belly dance beginners courses attract women of all age groups, body sizes and fitness levels. This is one of the reasons why belly dance lessons are such a popular alternative method of toning up, strengthening muscles and becoming body confident. Instead of working out at home alone, or in a sweaty overcrowded gym, lots of women are opting to have fun in a community spirited environment with other women just like themselves.
Belly dancing beginners quickly learn that body size doesn’t matter. You can be super slim, average build, or on the larger side, to learn all the traditional moves during belly dance lessons. Belly dance teaches you to love your body, whatever it looks and feels like.

Belly dance is entertainment for men only
The belief that belly dance originated in harems, for the sensual pleasure of men, is pure fantasy. During the late 1800s, the Hollywood film industry made many movies featuring glamorous sensuous dancers wearing exotic costumes, while entertaining men with their hypnotic belly dance gyrations and seductive movements.
In the traditional societies where women and men were often segregated, women got together in groups to belly dance solely for their own amusement, entertainment and empowerment. Belly dancing shows that feature dancers wearing midriff revealing belly dance costumes provide entertainment for everyone. The empowering dance does not discriminate. Men can also perform belly dance if they want to.

Belly dancing is repetitive and too easy
Belly dancing involves a series of movements that are natural for the body to perform. The movements that are performed in belly dance belong in groups that target specific areas of the body. The repetitive undulations, figure 8s, lifts, drops, shimmies and slides, create flowing movements that allow you to put together a choreographed dance. On belly dance advanced courses you can learn all the styles of belly dance and what makes them unique.
As for being too easy…to master belly dance it takes a lot of time, dedication and practice to perfect the synchronized motions of the lower body, mid body and upper body.

You have to wear an exotic costume to belly dance
The traditional two-piece bedlah belly dance costumes emphasise a bare midriff, and typically feature a low neckline and a long flowing skirt. Decorative coin belts are sometimes also worn to highlight the swaying of the hips. Exotic belly dance costumes are usually reserved for theatre dance show performances and other special events and occasions.
When you’re just starting out as a belly dance beginner, you will be encouraged to wear comfortable clothing that you can easily move about in. You decide whether or not you want to add some sparkle to your outfit.