Welcome To Belly Dancing By Thia

Any belly dancer is required to master four essential skills -Dance Counting, Weight Distribution, Muscle Isolation, and Body Posture – before learning the basic elements of the dance. These elements of the belly dance can be later combined artfully to build complex, mesmerizing dance routines. Here are some of the crucial elements of Belly Dance:

Hip Drops: This beautiful element is prevalent in all forms of belly dance. The step requires dancers to isolate their hips in upward and downward motions using the leg and pelvic muscles. This motion is mainly an illusion created by alternating the weight distributions on each leg.

Hip Rolls: Hip roll movements draw attention to the hips; however, it is the movement of the legs that makes this element practicable. In hip rolls, the hips are first lifted up using a dramatic arch movement of your leg and tightened core muscles, then rolled in a smooth circular motion. Another variation of the hip roll is the reverse hip roll. The reverse hip roll is more subtle merely because of the female anatomy that prevents a more dramatic movement.

Hip Twists: Hip Twists are one of the most fun elements of belly dance and can be performed while moving or staying in a single spot. Hip Twist performed on the spot has different variations, such as Forward Hip Twist and Backward Hip Twist. Another variation of this element performed in between each walking step is called Hip Twist Walk.

Hip Thrusts and Hip Snaps: Hip Snaps can be performed as swift movements from left to right or from front to back. Hip Thrusts are another important element of belly dance. A slight variation of this element is the Hip Thrust Return.

Belly Roll: Belly dance is characterized by the distinct Belly Roll movement. This element requires complete control of the abdominal muscles, alternatively engaging and isolating lower and upper abdominal muscles. In belly roll, the lower abdominal muscles are typically engaged before the upper ones. A simple variation of this element is the reverse belly roll, in which upper abdominal muscles are involved at the start before moving to the lower one.

Shimmy: This widely recognized step unique to belly dance is a representation of the feminine act of giving birth. Shimmy doesn’t emanate from the hips but from fluid bending motions of the knees. Alternate bending movements of the knees automatically lift and drops the hips into a fully-fledged shimmy.

Belly dance is believed to have originated in Egypt. The mesmerizing art form of belly dance focuses on torso and hip movements that flow rhythmically to the music. However, the term belly dance is the literal translation of the French term ‘danse du ventre,’ meaning ‘dance of the stomach’ and is believed to have originated after it was first performed in Paris at the Exposition Universelle in the 1890s. The dance form has since evolved into different distinct forms depending upon the regions in which it is practiced. Belly dance was introduced to the world by European travelers of the 18th and 19th centuries, who extensively wrote about the dances they saw in the Middle East. In Egypt, the belly dance is believed to have taken two different forms- folk or social dance -depending upon the two distinct social constructs where they were performed. Belly dance first came to America in the 1890s, when the exotic dance was performed at the Chicago World Fair. Hollywood then popularised belly dance as art for self-expression through movies and shows. However, belly dancers are still not respected in more conservative areas due to the strong stigma attached to their clothing and dance moves. Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Morocco are some of the places where the dance form is still respected and celebrated.

Belly dancers, especially women, gain a particular sense of empowerment and self-confidence while practicing this art form. It is a chance for artistic self-expression and socialization. The success of any belly dance performer depends on core muscle engagement and the skill of isolation of shoulder and chest muscles. The classic steps of a belly dance routine are Shimmy, Undulation, and Hip Hits. Vibrating one’s hips by making use of the lower back muscles is called Shimmy. In belly dance routines, Shimmy is often done front to back or side to side. The fluid movements pulsating throughout the body ending in a circular twist of the hips, is called Undulation. Hip Hits are the sharp side-to-side movements of hips, an illusion created by alternating the weight distribution from one leg to the other.

The costumes of belly dancers have not changed much over the years. Belly dancers prefer clothing that doesn’t restrict their body movements in any way. Belly dancers usually choose clothes that expose their mid-section, allowing the hips and belly to show. The commonly used costume consists of a fitted bra top, long skirt, or flowing pants covered in embellishments like coins, jewels, sequins, etc. The costume also features a belt attached with jingling coins that rides low on the hips. Belly dancers may also use props such as swords, snakes, wings, veils, candles, etc. The clothing belly dancers commonly use light-weight and flowing to perfectly express the carefree feminine nature.