Thanks to stars like Shakira, belly dancing has become an international attraction. And why shouldn't it be? It allows for effective physical activity, it is an art that anyone can practice - and perfect with time and patience. If you want to know how to train yourself, just follow these steps.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Assume the Starting Position
Step 1. Stretch
Warming up before you start dancing helps prevent muscle strains or injuries. Just bend over to touch your toes, rotate your neck and shoulders, stretch your wrists to feel fit and loose. If you know how to bridge, do one to help stretch your abdominal muscles.
- As you prepare for belly dancing, you should pull your hair up and wear a top that exposes your belly.
- Practice in front of a mirror to check your movements.
Step 2. Choose the right music
Any music with a strong repetitive base will help you acquire the right mental attitude. Try using some Middle Eastern music and learn to master a good understanding of rhythms. There are many pieces of Arabic music composed specifically for belly dancing, containing musical cues that will help you decide whether to perform decisive movements or prefer the smooth and graceful ones. Being able to dance to the beat of Middle Eastern music will teach you to appreciate belly dancing.
Step 3. Get into the starting position
Start with a position that allows you to keep your torso straight. Don't arch your back and don't hunch over. Push your buttocks in so they line up with your back. Bend your knees slightly - never keep them completely straight. The feet should be parallel and placed approximately 30cm apart. The chin should be raised slightly, the shoulders gently bent back.
Step 4. Raise your arms and gently contract your abs
Use your abdominal muscles to "pull" or guide the movements of the hips. The lower back shouldn't arch much. Some schools insist on this from the beginning, in order to train the belly properly. Lift your arms and let them hang in the air, so that they are almost parallel to the floor; raise your wrists slightly.
Method 2 of 3: Mastering the Technique
Step 1. Master the lateral movement and the one that involves going back and forth
For the first, just lower your left hip and lift your right, then drop your right hip and raise your left. Start slowly until the movement is perfect, then accelerate to shake your hips. For the second, you simply move your hips back and forth, using the center of the pelvis for the movement to be graceful.
- Keep your arm raised at a 90 ° angle, move your fingers to give balance and grace to your movements.
- To move from side to side, first lift your right foot; raise your heel so that only your toes touch the ground. Use this motion to make your right hip pop out sideways for 2 times, then drop it to a lower position than normal for 2 more times. Repeat this movement with your left leg and hip, then alternate until you can quickly shake your hips.
- Use your knees to help you lean and move, don't leave them motionless.
- To master the movement of the hips, try to mentally divide the torso vertically in the center. This helps you learn to move one hip up and down, without affecting the movement of the other.
Step 2. Make small circular motions with one hip at a time
Try to "draw" small circles in the air with one side. Once you become more familiar, try creating eights, arcs and swirls. Don't forget the other side. With a hip it will always be easier and you will be stronger, this depends on whether you are left-handed or right-handed. Keep your arms raised, hint a smile, and move your fingers as you master these techniques.
Step 3. Combine the movements
You don't have to do belly dance using the same movement all the time. Once you have mastered a few techniques, you can vary. Create a circle with the left hip, a circle with the right hip, two circles with the right hip followed by two with the left, move the hips back and forth, then switch to lateral movement. Remember to keep using your abs to guide your hips in different directions.
Method 3 of 3: Learn to Sway the Belly
Step 1. Try belly sway and practice:
this determines the forward and backward movements. There are three main muscles you will use: a crescent-shaped muscle that sits right on the pubis, the area between the previous muscle and the lower part of the navel, the part that extends from the upper navel to the ribs. (the one that hurts you when you laugh a lot).
Step 2. Try to isolate or contract each muscle individually
Isolate the first muscle group, then the second and finally the third. Once you isolate and contract these muscles, you are well on your way to swaying your abdomen. Practice squeezing and releasing them individually, then combine the movements.
Advice
- Start barefoot or in sneakers. No high heels.
- Don't feel uncomfortable. Be safe and have fun. Unleash your sensual side.
- The head must always remain on the same level as you move.
- Leave the central part of the body uncovered to be able to see the movements.
- The arm movements are more beautiful when the fingers are extended gracefully. The spiral movements are particularly pleasant.
- Use music that you are familiar with to get started, especially if you have already used it to dance (for example Shakira's). In fact, if you are actually interested in the Colombian singer's style, watch one of her videos and try to follow her movements. Even if you dance fast, take each step slowly so you can learn. Try using YouTube, so you can pause and restart the movie if necessary.
- Use anklets and bracelets to add a jingle - they will distract attention from your beginner movements.
- Try flicking your hips quickly, as if you were chasing a fly with this area of the body.
- Move with your feet flat, and spread them at the same distance as your hips to keep yourself balanced.
- Sign up for a belly dance class. Remember that there are different styles, from traditional Egyptian to modern tribal. Your teacher will explain hers to you.
- If you don't have a full length mirror, buy one to practice. Also, buy a fringed shawl to wear around the hips and some belly dance DVDs. The following are recommended: Amira's Veena and Neena's Sensual Art of Bellydance series, Dolphina's Goddess Workout Video or Bellydance 101.
- The aesthetic result will be fantastic if you wear low-rise pants.
- If you can, take a course. It's a completely different (and better) experience than videos or articles.
- Try buying a hip shawl with bells or pennies. These additional sounds help a lot to set the mood. Some accessories, such as chain belts, feature bells; they will be useful if you cannot find shawls for the hips.
Warnings
- Always warm up before doing belly dance and cool down at the end of your workout.
- Always be careful to avoid getting hurt.
- Go slowly, don't move your hips too fast.
- Do not fully extend your knees.
- Dance teachers vary their techniques and course content; if possible, inquire at different schools before deciding where to enroll.
- Don't lean on your heels as you move.
- Be well informed before choosing a belly dance class. If a school does not convince you, it is better to avoid it, otherwise you will not go there with pleasure. They should teach you the right positions and techniques.
