Belly and Egyptian Dance Classes

It is fair to say that a great many dance classes can feel very similar. Same atmosphere, same format – warm up then learn a short routine. So far, so familiar.

Not so in an Egyptian Dancing Class. Although it is true that you will first warm up your body and then learn steps to combine into a routine, the whole atmosphere of one of these classes is totally different.

We’ve frequently seen Egyptian Dance teachers sound cymbals and bells, or spray the room with a fine mist of rose water prior to the class. All this helps to change the atmosphere of the studio. It clears the air and certainly in the case of the rose water, does a great job of masking the smell of the sweaty feet of the previous dance lesson.

It is very refreshing to see teachers take such good care of things like the way the studio feels or smells, and it certainly helps to focus the pupils.

Clear Instruction

Perhaps because the popularity of Egyptian Dancing is still on the increase, we have generally found that it is very well explained by most of its teachers. This clear instruction will help you pick up the moves quickly.

Great emphasis is put on breathing patterns and how to use your breath rhythm. Again, it isn’t often that you’ll get useful information on breathing techniques in other dance forms.

You will be encouraged to breathe through your solar plexus and to let go of any congestion or stress you’re holding in your diaphragm. Find a deep, natural breathing pattern – it’ll help your dancing and your focus greatly.

Warm Up

A clever technique in these classes is to use ‘watered down’ full Egyptian Dancing moves as the warm up. This makes the class flow very smoothly – and you’ll feel as though you are making good progress. You are learning the moves straight away.

So pay close attention from the very start and you’ll be picking up the moves well by the time you dance your routine.

The music will be incredible atmospheric – you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing to it – it absolutely entices your body to move.

You’ll experience power, balance and breathing combined with the most mesmerizing small movements of the hips and arms.

It truly is beautiful to dance. And your routine will come together surprisingly quickly.

Moves

The look of the moves is important – and it’s the attitude that you communicate that’s almost as important as the moves themselves. You can really lose yourself in this dance – it’s bliss.

The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music.  Bodies never lie.   - Agnes de Mille

Although you could be moving the hips, arms and hands all at the same time, the moves are so small and simple that it is really easy to get it right.

You will probably dance your routine fairly slowly to begin with. The moves can be tiny so it is important to get them absolutely right. It is as important to feel these moves as to dance them. So to do these moves slowly really is the best idea – you get the opportunity to dance them rather than just go through the motions.

Be patient at this stage – it’s likely to be a lot of instruction and not much music.

But when the music does kick off and the routine is danced faster, the rhythm and the sound of the hip and arm jewellery is fantastic.

These dance routines, even at a beginners level are incredibly satisfying.

Right at the end, you may get a chance to dance with a veil (usually about 3 yards of chiffon), the addition of which make the moves ever more graceful. Everyone dances in a huge circle and simply follows the lead from the person in front. As the teacher is generally part of the circle, not many people could mess this up.

It is a colourful carnival procession. There is lots of spinning, dipping and undulating. At the very end of the routine everyone drops their veils – Ooooh this is seductive!

If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it.  - Isadora Duncan

Such an ancient dance form has a rich history of moves and styles. You will get out of this dance what you put in and progressing through the levels, although necessarily slow, will be rewarding and satisfying. And this dance is something that it is as fulfilling to practice as it is to learn new moves.

Progression in Egyptian Dancing is possible for any woman – regardless of size, age or shape.

There probably won’t be a cool down at the end of the class – but this is one dance where you won’t need one.

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