Anyone Have Info on Belly Dancing?

I did belly dancing while i was pregnant with my children and it really helped keep my abs strong. I don't recall really losing weight except that you're out there having fun and that will help you losing weight. My favorite classes that I took were from Yasmina, her website is: http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/. She has different classes and instructors on her website. You can also take them at the community college. You don't have to get naked, you can wear whatever is comfortable for you. Most people start out in dance pants (comfortable, stretchy, black) and either a t-shirt or spaghetti strap top. You'll get ideas in class on how to spruce that up. As far as the atmosphere, the girls are really fun, happy, easy going. I loved going, it made for really good girls night outs. Anything else you can email me at: ____@____.com.

I enjoyed belly dancing for years! It is so much fun and you can really get into it. Most of the community centers offer belly dancing classes. They are usually about 1x a week and the cost is about $50.00 for an 8 week class. I know for a fact that Tempe, Chandler, and Mesa have 3 levels of classes. Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced. I also know that Glendale had classes as well. You should contact your city's community center to see if they have classes and how much they will be.

When I was dancing - I wore a leotard with a long skirt and a belly dancing scarf. You can usually buy a scarf from your teacher or you can always look online. The skirts should be about ankle length, which they are easy to find in stores right now. A nice teared boho type of skirt works great.

Warning: Belly dancing can be addictive! Enjoy!

My sister belly dances and loves it. I personally prefer Zumba, but she has been belly dancing for close to 4 years and never misses a class.

Belly dancing is great, I love it. If you're into loosing weight, yes it will help in a fun way. I also like to hula hoop! I put on some music and dance with my hoop for 15-30 minutes every other day, it's great fun while getting fit. Check out your local gyms or grab a cd to try it out at home, mid drifts showing is not a must!
Have fun!

Hi J.,

The Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine (http://www.trueharmonywellness.com/about.html) offers classes.

Have fun! :)

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven, H.C.
Healthy Habits Wellness Center, LLC
www.HealthyHabitsWellnessCenter.com
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Hi J.!

You don't mention where you are at in the valley.... I LOVE bellydancing for fitness! It is so much fun that it doesn't feel like exercise, and yes, the shimmies and figure-8's you do really DO help that belly area immensely. I have had much better luck with classes than with the DVD's. I find that the laughter with the classes makes it more fun. Cost can be kind of high (in my opinion)... usually $15 per class, although there are some YMCA's that offer bellydance so check with your local ones to see. Because of my schedule, I only get to go rarely now (I used to do it 1x week when I lived in Atlanta, and saw results within just a few weeks... and I was SORE for at least a day or two afterwards).

No, you do not need to get naked ;-) but it is more fun if you are willing to show the belly area. I usually wear yoga crop pants, an exercise top, and a scarf with jangles around my hips that I got at the Ren Festival.

There is a woman in Scottsdale who holds pre and post natal classes (it's a fabulous birth-preparation exercise for labor!), but she also has regular classes too. Her name is Laura LeRoy, and her website is: www.ZoharBirthdancing.com

You could always check that out.

I hope that helps!

Hi J.,

I have taken a belly dancing class before and first let me say, no you do not have to get naked! If any class tries that, my advice is to run! Belly dancing was lots of fun. I work regular workout clothes. Sometimes we wore the traditional scary type attire around our hips to get a feel for it. But the workout itself including a warm up, cool down, and we worked on different moves each week. It does make you move you abs frequently and purposely. That may be the toning part of the workout. I took it at a local parks & rec place for about $20-30. I recommend trying it. It's also lots of fun to take with a girlfriend!

I took belly dancing for a year and it was a lot of fun and a nice change from my other workouts. Not the best work out with major results but better than sitting around and doing nothing. My advice would be to try Zumba. It's latin dance aerobics. It has CHANGED my life and for the first and only time in my life I LOVE to work out. You can find classes or a gym in your area on azzumba.com And, its a great TOTAL body workout. I have taken the class at 4 different gyms and finally settled(and love) the ALL womens gym Luna Fitness(elliot and rural) I drive almost 20 min to this gym becasue out of all the gyms in the valley they offer the most classes. With any workout your going to get out of it what you put in to it. So if you stay dedicated and work hard your going to see results. Women in the clsses who wear heart rate/calorie monitors burn 600-900 calories a class!!! I lost 20 pounds in 4 months going 3 days a week AND watching what I ate. But, the best part of it all is it is SO much fun that I look forward to going. Good luck. Try some different classes until you find what sparks your interest.

Hi, J.. I recommend that you try belly dancing. I take Belly Dancing in rio rancho and LOVE it! It works for me because I want to do it, rather than feel like I HAVE to. I take a class once a week and practice the rest of the week at home. I just practice moves while I am doing dishes, etc. So far, I have lost about 15 lbs in 6 months (would be more if chocolate and pizza didn't exist). I see a difference in my abs, have more of an hour glass figure and my lower back no longer hurts. I feel great when I leave the class. I love the atmosphere. There are all types, ages, and sizes of women. I am usually embarrassed by my body, but not there. You wear whatever is comfortable, but I find that if I show my belly, it is easier to see what I am doing. The class I take is $35 for 4 sessions. If you live near Rio Rancho , I recommend Christina's class. She's great and you can try one class for free. It's at the ATA Karate Studio (on southern, kind of by unser) at 10am on saturdays. She also has another class on the other side of albuquerque somewhere. It's one evening during the week but I can't remember which. Her email is ____@____.com.

LOL =D
Get naked..LOL. Ummm..no!
I have not gone to a class but I can tell you that you do not. I know a few people who have this in their culture and I know 1 woman that performs professionally these dances at shows and planned events. You do not have to show your belly..at first..lol. I have been to weddings that ANY size woman gets up and shakes it. You moving your body around for any length of time & you will burn calories. If it is "fun" the chore may not be so like a chore. Good Luck.