15 Tips For Belly Dance Students



Work on your posture
 It doesn't matter how good your shimmies are or how well you can perform that amazing dance routine you choreographed if your posture is out of line everything will be. If you are learning practicing abd performing dance with poor posture It can cause not only bad habits but also injury. 


Think About Your Feet

Just because your told belly dancers traditionally dance bare foot it doesn't necessarily mean not wearing shoes to dance will beneficial for you,it also doesn't mean that the information is correct. 
Shoes were actually worn by Egyptian dancers of the golden era and this is wear modern day dancers take inspiration from. 
You have to consider if the floors you dance on are clean and from germs that can cause nasty viruses such as verrucas as well as safe from items that may cause injury such as glass. You may also have foot conditions where it is safer for you to wear shoes. Assess your feet, Are they a little on the flat side? Do your feet and ankles feel weak? Do you struggle with your shimmies? Does your body feel out of line? Maybe you need to strengthen your feet and ankles or get a pair of special dance or medically fitted shoes with a heel or a cushioned innersole placed at the heel inside your shoes. Maybe what you have been taught is technically incorrect or you may have been over practising and need a rest or suitable stretches?
 Think about what is going on and observe yourself and what you are taught or better still make an appointment to see a physio therapist to get to the root of your problem if need be.

Observe
Watch as many performances as possible whether in person or on YouTube or video. Find out what style you like and which belly dancers inspire you. Observe the small and intricate movement of dancers and see how this makes their performance extra special. However do not copy rather take inspiration and let the music move you.


No Need To Ditch The Mystery but Make Sure That Your is Teaching Factual Histor
y

If your teacher has only taught you mystery or mythology about the dance based upon their own personal preferences and somthing seems fishy it is  worth checking out what you have been  taught.  If you like researching maybe put this into play and find out more for yourself. Invest in books visit blogs and attend other classes.  If you do not live in an area with many other teachers or classes search the Internet and find teachers who come across to be more trustworthy.  Send emails and ask questions or get involved in online belly dance commgrouos where information is shared. A good website I recommend is www.shira.net where lots of factual information is shared.

The history of belly dance is important for all dancers to learn. You should have learned history before you start Performing as a profssional dancer. There's nothing wrong with adding mythology or mystery into dance routines that have been Choreographed and it's great to learn mythology or ideas but the fact still remains that all is not based on historical or archaeological fact. It will save you a lot of time if you are taught the difference from the beginning.


Get To Know Styles
At the very least a teacher should be teaching you how to differentiate between the main types of belly dancing styles and music. You wouldn't want to be caught out dancing Turkish style with floorwork at a strict Egyptian wedding or doing a full cabaret set in a skimpy costume at a reenactment event or Museum. Although there is a place for everything it's helpful to understand early on what fits where and why. Even cabaret style needs to be named and understood.  

 Practice Makes Perfect
It's not just a myth there is actual fact to this little quote.The body has muscle memory so the more you execute and repeat a move the more your body remembers it automatically. There us scientific evidence to suggest that micro practice for around one minute a day is better than one hour practice once a week. 


Stay Hydrated 
Always always always drink plenty of water throughout class. Take regular sips. Ward off dehydration.


Eat Sleep Belly dance Repeat
When working on a choreography listen to the music repetitively so your brain remembers it. Watch the choreography 
Go through the choreography without music in your head. Try this before falling asleep and don't forget to practice. 

Additional Workout 
Add other forms of dance and exercisers to your daily routine.This helps with posture, performance, Stamina, Strength and flexibility.
Weight training, Restistance bands, pilates and yoga are all great additional workouts for dancers. 


Protein Is The Way Forward
Protein helps your body heal quickly after exercisers. Did you know that the aching feeling we get the next day after a workout is actually torn muscles. We need protein to help us heal and avoid muscle wastage. When the muscle heals properly it grows leading to a more strength tone and  support in the body.After your belly dance class or exercise eat some protein like nuts dairy lean meats beans or drink a whey protein shake.  When taking a protein supplement it is advisable for Women to avoid creatine when not trying to body build. Men and women take creatine when trying to mass build and put weight on the body usually for body building.


 Culture
Remember belly dance comes from The middle and North Africa we essentially borrowing the dance so it is important to make an eff
ort to learn more about history and culture of the place the dance comes from. Do this out if respect fir the Dan e and the people it belongs to.

Learn From Many Of Different Teachers
Go to as many classes as you can to learn. The more you learn the more skills you will develop and you will avoid becoming a copyof your teacher.  By going to many classes it helps you develop into your own unique dancer.


Think Yourself a Good Dancer
Watch your language and what you say and think about yourself. Every class I teach I hear students put themselves down because they feel insecure or vulnerable. It's okay to feel like now abd again but don't sit in it for to long instead start to see your strengths and play up to them. Work on your weakness so you can improve but dont be hard on yourself. Try meditation affirmations or accepting compliments you get. 

 Remember most students are thinking the same as you. You are all in the same boat even if some students don't show it. Start to grow your confidence today attending a class is getting over the first hurdle


Don't Let Others Dictate Your Dance Confidence 
Don't look to others to affirm your progress or success. Unfortunately not everyone has your best interests at heart and not everyone is of sound mind. It's known that in all  communities there are some negative people who like to pick on black ball and even lie about their ex student's new teachers and professional dancers. It is important to keep records in the case you may need them if the malice continues however it is important not to focus on the people being malicious or the malice they say and do. Focus on yourself in a positive light, on what you are doing and see anything as background noise.  Remember you own you and as long as you are within the law no one gas the right to control what you do or tell you what you can and can't do. No one has power over you. As good dancers and teachers we put beauty healing and goodness out intothis world and those who make it their business to try to stop that they must be rotten apples from the core. Pay them no mind.

ncourage Your Teacher With Ideas
If you are serious about learning more approach your teacher and ask about alternative workshops. Ask if he/she would considener putting a troupe together or some kind of performance opportunity like a hafla or show. How will they know if you don't ask or give feedback?