Four Ways to Be a Great Belly Dance Student
(Besides Just Coming to Class!)
1. Practice outside of class!
It may seem obvious that practice is important...so why don't all belly dance students do it? Everyone knows that a student who is trying to learn a musical instrument won't become proficient just by coming to class for one hour every week. It is the hours of outside practice that create outstanding musicians. It's the same for any new skill, whether it is playing a musical instrument, speaking a foreign language, or (guess what) dancing! Belly dance practice is important for the following reasons:
- Practice allows you to review and retain what you learned in class.
- You can identify problem areas before your next class so that you can ask your teacher for help with specific problems.
- Practice helps you develop an "ear" for Middle Eastern music and rhythm.
- As you become comfortable with technique and musical interpretation, you begin to develop your own personal style as a dancer.
Granted, everyone has a full life and a busy schedule. It's difficult to find the time to practice. This is where goal-setting is important. Those who are taking class once a week for fun or to get fit can get away with less practice. But for the serious dancer, practice is not optional. Try to schedule practice sessions that are at least one hour in length. Here is a possible structure for a one-hour practice session:
- Warm-up/stretches* - 10 minutes
- Technique drills (focus on specific areas, such as hips, abdomen, ribcage, shoulders, arms) - 30 minutes
- Combinations - 10 minutes
- Improvisation to a song you enjoy - 5 minutes
- Cool-down/stretches* - 5 minutes
- Spend half your time facing TOWARD your mirror, and half your time facing AWAY from your mirror (focus on the FEELING of your movements).
- If you are learning a new choreography, you may have to budget your time differently or even add extra time.
*Note that more intensive stretching should be done AFTER your muscles are already warm. If you have additional time, spend the end of your practice session on stretches. Depending on your body and your day-to-day habits of posture and alignment, some areas may need stretching more than others (for example, to correct a "sway back" and to create the proper pelvic alignment necessary for belly dance, it is usually necessary to strengthen the abs and to stretch the lower back).
It's not always possible to schedule a full hour for practice, so try to squeeze in practice whenever you can. Also, remember that practice includes more than just technique. A variety of activities can contribute to your progress as a dancer, including reading books and articles about Middle Eastern culture, listening to Middle Eastern music, watching videos of other dancers, and more.
2. Take notes in class!
Take a notebook with you to class and jot down important information such as new movements, difficult combinations, rhythms, zill patterns, etc. Your teacher won't mind if you do this (though many teachers prefer that you wait until the end of class to take notes, so be sure to ask). You will be much more likely to remember the information that was covered in class. Also, you will have a good basis for structuring your practice sessions!
3. Attend performances!
It's one thing to experience belly dance in class; it's another thing entirely to experience it in a performance. At a performance, you can experience firsthand how music, movement, and emotion are woven together through the dancer's artistry. Watching performances also allows you to experience different styles of Middle Eastern dance and to discover which styles resonate with you the most as you grow as a dancer.
Performances provide an opportunity both to learn new information as well as to exercise the knowledge you've already gained. When you are watching a dance performance, ask yourself the following questions:
- What style of music is the dancer performing to? (classical Egyptian, Arabic pop, sa'idi, khaleegy, etc.)
- Does the dancer's style of movement match the music? (For example, if the music is classical Egyptian, is the dancer performing raqs sharqi style movements?)
- Is the dancer's costume appropriate to her music and movements? (For example, if the music and movements are khaleegy style, is the dancer wearing the appropriate thobe?)
4. Attend other classes and workshops!
A good teacher will encourage you to take classes from other teachers in order to broaden your experience. Take a class from another teacher in your area. Take workshops from other instructors if and when they are available in your area. Above all, if you have the opportunity to take a class or workshop with an instructor from the Middle East, do so!!! They have unique insight into the culture behind the dance.
When you attend your first workshop, you will probably feel overwhelmed. Remember, instructors condense a lot of information into a single workshop. Workshops are dense and fast-paced, even for advanced dancers. Don't expect to remember everything! Take a notebook, and during a break or at the end of the workshop, jot down important information. Focus on the information that will be the most relevant to you; don't try to write everything down! Again, goal-setting is important. For example, if you know you have a lot of trouble with undulations, write down undulation-related tips from the workshop. If fancy footwork is your weakness, jot down some new steps.
Safe Dancing
Belly dance can contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The movements of belly dance, when practiced regularly, can improve coordination, flexibility, and muscle tone. However, like any other physical activity, belly dance holds the potential for physical injury. All belly dancers, whether students or professionals, must be aware of this potential. Instructors, in particular, have a responsibility to educate themselves about safe physical practices. If you are unsure whether a particular posture or movement is safe for you or for your students, you should consult a fitness professional and/or a physician.
Below are some useful web sites which deal with safe physical practices. Remember, though, that consulting a web site is not a substitute for speaking to or training with a professional!
