Why Get Certified?

Let’s face it. There is not likely to be a rush of demand for belly dancers any time soon. The demand for higher quality doesn’t seem to be around the corner either. Certification is not a requirement. The disparity in certification programs is huge. It takes a lot of time and money. And there is [...]

What Music Theory Does For Your Dancing

I was asked how knowing music theory helps in dancing. Let me break this down a little bit more. Think of learning dance like learning how to write. When you learn moves, that is like learning words. Combinations are like learning to put together sentences. Choreography is reciting something that you have already read. Music [...]

Don’t Work Harder Than Your Students

Enthusiastic teachers often want their students to succeed so much that they end up working harder than the students do. Although this may feel like helping, this actually inhibits growth because it doesn’t allow the student to learn how to think, make mistakes, work out solutions, and develop creativity. Not sure if you are one [...]

Finding Your Happy Place

Belly dance is a wild community. There are so many different varieties: American Tribal Style, Turkish, Classical Egyptian, neo-tribal, burlesque, Ghawazi, Bollywood-esque, cabaret, Saidi, vintage cabaret,  Fallahi, modern Egyptian… (sigh). You get the idea. Beginners routinely mix with professionals at shows and workshops. Big names are easily accessible via the internet. Beginners can look as [...]

Should You Join A Belly Dance Troupe?

When I started taking belly dance lessons, the possibility of joining my instructor’s troupe was raised before I could even do basic moves. It was just taken as a given that I would some day be a part of it. When I moved on to my next instructor, it was the same assumption. But is [...]

Using Life Experience to Enrich Your Dance

Dance is an expression of life. If you want to keep your dance exciting and fresh, you have to keep your life exciting and fresh. Challenge yourself. Visit unexpected places. Do new things. Talk to people you wouldn’t normally find in your circle. Read something new. Eat something strange and different. Dress in something unusual [...]

Learning to Critique Yourself and Others

In my opinion, worthwhile critique is the best thing you can get to improve your dancing. However, not all criticism is created equally. Learning to discern what to listen to and what to discard is as important as having a source that provides critique. So, how do you learn to critique? You learn by giving [...]

Don’t Let Ego Stand in the Way of Your Growth

I have seen a lot of teachers get to a certain level then stop. Their work looks the same way it did 5 years ago, 10 years ago, or even 20 years ago. There are different reasons why this could happen, but I think a common one is that the teacher “can’t” do things that [...]

Students Thrive in the Environment that Suits Them

The question of, “What makes a good teacher?” has often been asked. There is the obvious criteria of knowing the subject matter, being able to convey information to your students, willingness to share knowledge, and inspiring the student to learn. But the relationship of teacher and student is a special one that requires something more [...]

Basic Belly Dance Posture

Most teachers give the same posture instructions: “Feet hip width apart; shoulders down and back; shoulders, hips and feet in alignment; bend the knees; tuck your butt. Some add, “Engage your abs.” But what does all that mean? How do you know if you are in proper alignment? Let’s look at each one. Feet Hip [...]