Belly dancing is gaining popularity by the day and is fast becoming the dance style everybody wants to learn. Not only is it a beautiful and graceful dance form, it is also a great form of exercise. However, it is quite difficult to learn and master this dance style. If you have been studying this dance form for several years and are a professional, you should teach others too. Learn how to teach belly dance in simple, easy to understand language.
Most of the movements in belly dance involve isolating different body parts such as hips, shoulders, stomach etc. These movements focus more on the core muscles of the body for making the dance moves. This necessitates that you maintain correct posture throughout the dance so that you are able to originate all your moves from the back muscles. The main focus and the majority of dance movements are concentrated around the waist and hip area.
Here are some simple steps to help you teach belly dance:
- You will have to first gather some props such as scarves, veils, cymbals, skirts and so on for each student in your class. You can provide them yourself or ask your students to get their own.
- Distribute print outs among the students describing the dance form in detail, its history and dance moves and also some information about yourself.
- The place where you decide to take your belly dance class should be quiet and free from distractions so that your students are able to concentrate better. The dance floor should be comfortable and preferably have a padded texture.
- Plan for your first class well in advance. Don’t star teaching right away form the first class itself. Plan out some activities which will help you students shed their inhibitions and feel free and relaxed.
- Once your students are comfortable, you can start with some hip movements using hula hoops, thus introducing the fun element in your class.
- Alternatively, you can also start the class with a small performance of your own. This will also have a positive effect on your students in the sense that it will make them want to learn the dance even more.
- Get an idea of why your students want to learn belly dance. Some students may wish to learn it for fitness, while someone else may want to learn it just for fun. You might want to segregate your students into different classes depending on their need for learning this dance form.
- Begin each class with warm up exercises and stretches. Performing yoga will also be helpful in stretching muscles and preparing your students for the class.
- Choose inspiring music for teaching the dance. You can play CDs bought form the market or you could also compile a few songs of your choice and create a music piece of your own.
- Bring something new to the class everyday such as belly dance magazines, posters, flyers, favorite DVDs, newspaper clippings and so on. You should encourage your students to do the same.
- Teach a new move every week and keep revising and practicing the old ones.
- The most important moves that you must teach your students are:
- Shiver or shimmy – this means a shimmering vibration of the hips. This vibration gives a depth to the performance by layering on other improvements. It is created by moving the knees at high speed; you may also contract your glutes or thighs for this move. This move can also be performed using the lower back muscles. This particular vibrating move can be created by moving the hips up and down, sideways or even forward and backward. You can perform the same move using shoulders, which is then called a shimmy.
- Undulations – this movement is made by rotating the hips or the chest in a circular fashion. It also involves moving the chest forward, then up, then back and finally down, to give the impression as if you are riding a camel.
- Hip hits – this is a staccato movement of the hips, but can also be performed using shoulders and chest. It involves shifting your body weight from one leg to the other, which looks like you are swinging your pelvis.
- At the end of your class arrange for a performance of your students at a local restaurant to build up their confidence.
Tips & warnings
- Introduce your students to all forms of belly dance and do not restrict yourself to only one form.
- Teach a combination of both difficult and simple moves.
- When you teach a move, ask them to repeat it and continue doing it as you move around the classroom pointing out improvements and giving compliments to your students.
- Collect your students contact information for future reference.