General FAQs

Q. Do I need to be some sort of contortionist?
A. Actually the movements used in bellydance are totally natural to the human body. Many people are used to a very stiff posture where the torso is thought of as one immobile block, however it is not only natural to move this way, but healthy. (see "physical benefits")

Q. Is bellydance good exercise? 
A. Yes, bellydance is most similar to resistance training. Shimmies are good cardio, but most of the benefits come from muscle toning. It is a very low impact, weight barring exercise, and it will keep you WANTING to do it, because it's FUN!

Q. What are the physical benefits to bellydance? 
A. Strengthening the core muscles is essential to good posture and balance, which sure is helpful when walking around CNY in the winter! Flexibility and circulation often improve, and the movements themselves can feel almost like a hands-free massage.

Q. Am I too ____ to bellydance? 
A. No! as a folk dance bellydance can be done by any body type, and at any age. It is very safe for most people, and an excellent way to tone core muscles which are important for posture and balance. For professional performance the dancer must be strong, but no specific body type is required. (As always, ask your doctor if you have an injury or health concern.)

Q. Are classes only or women? 
A. Everyone who wants to learn to dance is welcome, regardless of your gender expression. Please ask your teacher for any differences in class-wear you might need.

Q. What are the mental/emotional benefits to bellydance? 
A. There are many. From increased confidence, to an outlet for creative expression, to meeting new friends: everyone benefits differently. Bellydance allows the dancer to exercise a positive and healthy form of control of her body and can provide an atmosphere that encourages experiencing and expressing emotions. 

What to Wear and Bring to Class

Q. Do I need to bring special equipment to dance class?
A. Bring: a yoga mat or other stretching pad (a thick blanket works), water bottle, and notebook.
After a few classes you’ll be given the option to try out finger cymbals, then you'll want to pick out a pair you like and bring them as well!

Q. What should I wear?
Wear on your…

• Head: Please wear a well fitted mask to class, unless we are meeting outdoors. This is a required act of kindness to yourself, classmates, and teacher.
• Torso:  A relatively fitted shirt so the teacher can coach your movement, and chest support for your comfort. Shirts do not have to be skintight; you should feel mentally comfortable, crop tops are optional. Long sleeves or a sweater are good during winter warmups.
• Hips: A hip scarf is a must! Loaners will be available at the studio, but any kind of scarf or fabric strip will work. You can use them to express your style ^_^
• Legs: Wear leggings or yoga pants, really anything stretchy. Sweats are OK during warmups, but it’s better if the instructor can see your knees.
• All genders are welcome. If you have something to put inside a dance belt, please wear one.
• Feet: In the summer, students may choose to go barefoot or wear foot undiez, but shoes are especially recommended for your comfort when it is colder. Hanami flats (order 2 or 3 sizes larger than street shoes), ballet flats, or shoes designed for dancing with a pivot point are all good options! To protect your knees during turns, do not use street sneakers.

Class Logistic Questions​

Q. What if I have to miss a class?
A. Although students will receive the most benefit from class by attending regularly, our teachers understand that life events sometimes take priority. If a student should need to miss class for any reason, please email or call your instructor in advance to let them know. Missed classes are non-refundable, however some make-up options are available, as detailed in the missed class policy below.

Q. Will this class turn me into a bellydancer extraordinaire?
A. As you can see from the levels of classes offered, becoming a professional bellydancer takes years of practice and study. As with any class, you get out what you put in. But, if becoming a professional is what you want, the material in  classes provides the tools to build a solid foundation, and will help you enjoy doing it!

Q. What if I just want to cut loose and have fun an hour a week?
A. No problem! Bellydance should be fun at every level, and whether you prefer exercise or recreational dancing our teachers are happy to show you safe technique and to share information that will enhance your enjoyment.

Q. What style will I be learning? 
A. Lisa's styling leans towards Am-Cab and Retro Egyptian, but class focuses on creating a solid foundation, exploring different music, and finding your personal voice in the dance. 

Missed Class Policy​

Please notify the teacher as soon as possible if you know you will not make it to class. We understand that important life events occur, and do not what that to be a barrier to your signing up for classes.

• Missed classes are non-refundable. Your teacher books and pays for space and sets aside their time based on who has paid for class, and we thank you for your understanding. 
• ​Incase of emergency or weather related cancelations: Sessions based classes are extended by a week, all scheduled lessons shift back in accordance. Likewise, for ongoing/mixed level class cards, their "use by" dates are also extended.
  • Class cards are good for 10 classes or 12 calendar weeks, which ever occurs first. Weeks with no class scheduled or if class is canceled for weather do not count against the 12 weeks.
  • 5 week session purchases are good for 5 classes or 6 calendar weeks, whichever occurs first. Weeks with no class scheduled or if class is canceled for weather do not count against the 5 weeks.​
• All private lessons must be canceled a minimum of 24 hours in advance or full payment is required.
• If you need to miss class due to a serious injury, contact your teacher. Depending on the class topic and nature of your injury an exception to this policy may be granted. (EX: if you're in a cymbals class and need to sit, you can still attend class. But, if you're in a floorwork class and won't be able to bend your knee for the next month, we can work something out.)
  
  

General Bellydance FAQs

Q. Where does bellydance come from? 
A. Bellydance is a stage presentation of Middle Eastern social dance. Performed well it is a visual representation of the music as well as the emotions and personality of the dancer. Its roots particularly trace to Egypt and the Levantine region and the Awalim performers.

Q. How old is Bellydance? 
A. There is no way of knowing for certain, since records are usually oral and there was no YouTube back then. The social dance has been around for centuries and professional dancers such as the Awalim performed for other women in early Islamic times. The modern staging and costuming came from this background at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. We do know that finger cymbals, strongly associated with bellydancers, have been around since pre-history, but have no way of knowing how or if they were danced with in ancient times. 

Q. Where is it danced now? 
A. Bellydance has spread over the years and is now performed all over the globe. You can find communities from Britain to Japan, and from Australia to Canada. Major stylistic centers include Turkey, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Frequently Heard Myths

M. Doesn't it come from harem girl's dances?
A. Bellydance is part of everyday people's social dancing, or it can be sparkled up and modified to fill a large stage, much the same way Salsa can be done socially or performed by professionals. The medieval Arabic world did trade dancing girls, who were highly educated in poetry, music, singing, and dancing, rather like geisha. However, who they entertained depends on what era one is looking at, in Egypt in the 1700s, for example, the Awalim (the professional decedents of the dancing girls) sang and recited poetry behind a screen when entertaining men, and danced for women only parties. In Turkey, the Ottoman court entertainment included many imported dances, but bellydance is not described as one of them until after the fall of the empire.

​M. Isn't it a birthing/Goddess-worship ritual?
A. There were Goddesses worshiped in the pre-Christian/pre-Islamic Middle East, however due to the nature of documenting dance, we cannot know if their worship included any dance. What this dance is, is a dance about LIFE. By not limiting the dancer to portraying the mother or the seductress we can avoid typecasting, and become free to express all aspects of ourselves (assuming an appropriate venue).

M. Bellydancers can roll quarters and perform tricks with their stomachs, right?
A. Some can, however the focus of the dance is actually in the hips, the belly muscles are used to create these movements as well as the legs. As bellydance became popular entertainment tricks like sword balancing and quarter rolling were added.

M. Don't bellydancers have to be thin/fat/young/mature? 
A. No. as a folk dance, raqs beledi can be done by any body type, and at any age. It is very safe for most people, and an excellent way to tone core muscles which are important for posture and balance. For a professional raqs sharki performance, the dancer must be strong, but no specific body type is required.

M. Isn't it only for women? 
A. Although the styling differs, "bellydance" is done socially by men and women. Professionally, women tend to outnumber men, but some very skilled male professional performers are out there, Tito Seif of Egypt is an example. Turkey also has a long tradition of male dancers, sometimes called cochek, or zeine. 

M. Bellydancers are a type of contortionists, right?
A. Actually the movements used in bellydance are totally natural to the human body. Many are used to a very stiff posture where the torso is thought of as one immobile block, however it is not only natural to move this way, but healthy. (see "physical benefits" above.)

M. Can't you learn it in a few hours/from TV?
A. When done well, bellydance looks deceptively easy. Unlike more acrobatic dances, where the skill required is more apparent, the bellydancer is a picture of power under serene control. 

For hobby and social dancing, the basics can be picked up relatively easy, depending on your level of body awareness and control. It's always a good idea to have an in-person teacher who can check your technique and help you prevent injury. Beyond learning the movements well, a professional must learn musicality and cultural nuances, as well as a higher level of technique and presentation. This takes years to accomplish. The misrepresentation of bellydancers as flailing women with no dance skills happens when some dancers present themselves as professionals without first taking this time, either because they don't know there is more to learn, or don't care.

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