Northland Belly Dance Forum

I'm headed for the biggest event of the year here in the Midwest. In Minneapolis, Minnesota this weekend (Feb. 27th-Mar 1st) I will be in the presence of the greatest in our area. Cassandra Shore, Julianna, ALiya and AVA FLEMING from Phoenix, Arizona!!!! The training will be extensive, the calories will burn and I will have had another experience of a lifetime.

-Sophia

Free Profile Page for Belly Dancers

This is for a limited time only, because we don't know how many Belly Dancers we can accomodate. So, while time and space allow this we are offering this to you: The Belly Dance Movement will give you a page on the website dedicated completely and totally to you; with your bio and your photos... and you can advertise your classes or services, and take advantage of a little bit more exposure.

The Belly Dance Movement is a brand new website, but our traffic is growing daily. We would love to have you join us. The only requirement is that you link back to use from your website. Pretty simple and it's free! So please visit The Belly Dance Movement and have a look around. And while you're there, have a look at Sophia's Belly Dancing Profile Page and see for yourself what we are talking about.

Interested? Who wouldn't be- it's a win, win deal that costs you nothing! Contact The Belly Dance Movement and lets get your page up!

Bikinis and Bras to Belly Dance Top

This is one of those tips for those that like to get creative and make things themselves; in this case-practice bras for dance class.

If you are new to Belly Dancing, it's possible that you have started acting like a magpie- every shiny object catches your attention. If you like to create or like to sew, you have no doubt begun to develop ideas in your mind about costuming. Here is what you can do with a simple bra or last years bikini top. All you need is your imagination; some beads or trim; sequins and coins... the possibilities are endless. With just your imagination alone, you can create beautiful bras for dressing the part and getting in the mood for class; and baring the belly to really see how you are doing with the moves in front of those mirrors.

So, don't retire that Bikini from last year just because it's time to get a new one- Reuse. Recycle. Reinvent... dress it up and take it to Belly Dance Class! And as for bras- watch for your favorite bras on sale, buy extra and buy the colors you love. (preferrably underwired and padded to support extra weight of the decorating) There is no limit to how many ways you can decorate a bra for Belly Dancing.

The Belly Dance Practice Bras shown above were all created using Underwired Bras or Bikini Tops. Material used were sequinned trims, premade ribbon trims, coins, beads, scrap fabric, and even plastic jewels. Most of the trims with beads and coins were actually created from scratch. (in a future post, we will show you how to make beaded trims)

From the author: When I first took up Belly Dancing, I became obsessed with the wardrobe and the costuming. I started buying fabric and beads and trims and every type of bauble I found. Nothing in mind really... just started buying and creating. I was doing internet searches and looking into "how to do things" from other dancers and began making bras and skirts. I was buying hip scarves like crazy and was always getting very dressed up for Belly Dance Class. (overkill in fact) But this is what I wanted to do and no one stopped me. It got me "totally" in the mood and it was fun for me. I got some really great ideas about Belly Dance Bra decorating and (even bra construction) from Dawn Devine Browns Book- "Embellished Bras". Need to jump start your creativity? This may be the only resource you'll ever need.

Finding Belly Dance Classes

Much has already been written about how to find a Belly Dance class with a good teacher. We will try not to be too redundant here. If you live in a large city, this may seem quite easy at first. But then again- having so many to choose from can present some difficulty, too. People learn differently and teachers have different methods of teaching. You want to find the class that is perfect for you. If you do live in a large city, the first thing you can do is compile a list. If you are in a small town, this may be a short list- but don't give up.

Using the Internet: Do internet searches for Belly Dance in your city, (Ex: belly + dance + minneapolis), leaving out the + signs. Also use other search terms like "middle + eastern + dance + minneapolis". Gather names, locations, email addresses and telephone numbers.

Using the Newspaper: Go to your city newspaper online and search the archives. Ads or feature articles containing your search terms will show up. Dance Schools will usually use the newspaper for advertising a show. Community Education Classes are often announced in the newspaper as well.

Using the Phone Book: Save yourself some time here and go straight to the yellow pages. Look up "Dance". Most of the time, Belly Dance is not listed in the yellow page ads for dance studios. Call them and ask if they offer Belly Dance Classes. If they don't, ask if they know anyone.

You don't have to stop with one name. As we said earlier, you want a good fit for you. One very common thing is for Belly Dance teachers to offer an introductory class, which is often free. Take advantage of this and check out the teacher, the studio, the dance style and the atmosphere. Ask when you are making your phone calls if they offer this.

If you are in a large city, you should have many options. In small communities, you may have to dig deeper. Use Craigslist to search for ads or post one yourself. You can also search in Belly Dance Forums and discussion boards and ask the members about Belly Dance Classes in your area. It's possible you may even have to travel a bit to your nearest class or workshop.

One thing we want to stress here is that a Belly Dance Class may be closer than you think. So ask around... there may be a dancer living right in your neighborhood.

Be the Belly Dancer of Your Dreams

Is it really possible to break free of the hidden blocks that keep you from experiencing total self-confidence, unbound creativity, and joy in your dance? Kathreen Saab says: "This Amazing And Simple Formula Will Unlock The Power Hidden Within YOU!" It has been called The Secret, but it is only a secret to those who have yet to develop this natural and simple technique that has brought so many people to the pinnacle of success in all areas of life.


"As a Dancer You Have the Perfect Opportunity to Manifest Personal Power and Magnetism Far and Beyond Your Wildest Dreams..."

We all come from different walks of life, with different life experiences. These experieneces, whether we think about them consciously or not, are part of who we are and sometimes create blocks for us. If you are experiencing fear or lack of confidence, this can affect progress in your life and can also affect your learning progress as a dancer as well. If any of this rings true to you, please be assured that even though a problem may be within you- the solution is within you, too. And that's what Kathreens eBook is about- manifesting change within you; to heal and to overcome any blocks that may be in your way; to become the Belly Dancer of Your Dreams.

Do you feel inhibited by Low Self Esteem? Lack of Self Confidence? Poor Self Image? Destructive Self Talk? Frustration in Learning? Blocked Creativity? Any one of these can cause us to be blocked from our full potential, but usually they are all tied together. If you feel it's time for you to start overcoming these challenges, then it may be time to take a look at Kathreen Saabs' book. Learn about the "Art of Deliberate Creation", and apply it to your Belly Dancing with the ebook, "How to Be the Belly Dancer of Your Dreams"

So- Power Up Your Self-Esteem; Tap into Your Inspiration and Creativity; Build Excitement and Passion and Perform With Grace and Confidence; Take Your Dancing to a New Level as You Unleash Your Personal Power.

Sadies Complete Guide to Belly Dancing

Even if you have only been curious about Belly Dancing for 5 minutes, you have no doubt seen Sadie, even if you didn't realize it. The belly dancing community has their eyes on her- and for good reason. Sadie is recognized world-wide as an incredible Belly Dancer, Performer, Choreographer and Teacher. She is a very gifted dancer and has this incredible knack of making the toughest techniques look so easy. Watching her belly dance is hypnotic and inspiring.

In the Complete Guide to BellyDance DVD, Sadie will introduce you to 'key' foundational moves which will help you develop your own unique skills and techniques. Now- we all want to dance like Sadie, and you will be learning from one of the absolute best as she helps you to get an understanding of the mechanical basics of the moves of belly dancing.

Here is what Sadie Covers in the Complete BellyDance Guide:

1) Warm up-Hands and Arms

2) UpperBody Isolations

3) Lower Body Isolations- horizontal

4) Lower Body Isolations- vertical

5) Posture and Carriage

6) Figure 8's- horizontal components

7) Figure 8's- vertical components

8) Figure 8's- variations

9) Undulations

10) Undulations with Variations

11) Vertical Hip Isolations & Basic Shimmy

12) Traveling Hip Movements

13) Basic Egyptian Variations

14) Traveling Hip Variations & Undulations

15) Traveling Hip Circle Combinations & Layering Variations

This 130 minute DVD is for all levels of experience, from beginner to advanced. No matter how long you have been dancing, there is always something to learn from Sadie. The DVD concludes with a mini Drum Solo Choreography and a Bonus Performance by Sadie.

Online Belly Dance Classes-Ansuya

Ansuya, one of the worlds premier Belly Dancers is now producing On Line Belly Dance Sessions. Sessions or classes are between 45 and 60 minutes long. Talk on the web is that her sessions are awesome, but may not be suitable to try learning Belly Dance without having had any dance classes at all. While the best way to really learn "The Dance" is to find a good teacher and take actual classes, this is an excellent alternative if making it to class is just not possible, or especially if you want to learn and practice with Ansuya and her unique stylization.

The great thing about these online classes is that you can do it whenever you like- if you need a substitute because you had to miss class; or maybe you want to do something really fun and exciting with your girlfriends.

Ansuya offers the first class as a free session, so you can get a feel for them. All classes that follow the free one are paid and currently the cost is $12.50. You can watch it as many times as you like, back it up; pause- just like any DVD, as long as you are logged on. The only negative thing about this is once you log off, the paid session is over. (Recording or copying is not possible.)

We will be watching how this goes. Try Ansuyas Free Online Belly Dance Class. Let us know what you think.

Belly Dancer Travel Mug Series

The webmaster of The Belly Dance Movement has begun creating a series of products which will be posted as they materialize. This is the first of the Belly Dancer Travel Mugs. Be sure to watch for new additions to series available on the Books and Gifts page at The Belly Dance Movement.

About Belly Dance Shop and Talk

Hi there ladies... this is "Day 1" of trying out something new as an outlet for the obsession with Belly Dancing. Since you have stopped by here, you probably already know what this means...

If you are interested in anything having to do with Belly Dancing, like Shopping, DVDs for Practicing, Music for Belly Dancing, or anything else- Please go visit The Belly Dance Movement.