I'm back

I know I've been a bit slack lately with my blog, but now I'm back with a vengeance, so keep me bookmarked for loads of great belly dancing information from around the world.

I have been really busy working on a new belly dancing project which I will tell you more about shortly. Watch this space!

Lisa x

Other Cultures Who "Belly Dance"

One of the things the Belly Dance Superstars drew attention to was how other cultures created similar traditional dances to belly dancing, without any knowledge of what other cultures were doing.

The one they specified and included in their program was Polynesian dancing but I am sure there are many others. Certainly, I know the Melanesians have a similar dance (but still different) to the Polynesians which I was taught when I was in the Solomon Islands. They even gave me my own grass skirt (I'll see if I can dig out a photo sometime).

I'd be interested to find out how many cultures have a traditional dance that has similarities to belly dancing. If you know of any, post them here.

Lisa x

Belly Dancing for All Ages

While I was packing away my recording equipment, Jillina said something I wish I'd got on tape (or minidisc as it is these days).

She said that Belly Dancing was wonderful exercise for all ages because it is so low impact and, unlike other dance styles such as ballet, you can start at any age and still excel in it. She said she loves taking classes and seeing women there from teens to their 90s - all enjoying themselves and getting a good workout.

Mardi Love backed up some of what Jillina said. She told me she had been a dance-kid-dropout (you know, someone who is sent to dance classes as a kid but hates going and eventually persuades their parents to let them give up). It wasn't until she was in her early 20s that she saw belly dancing and it really captured her imagination. Now, in ballet, tap or jazz it would be virtually impossible to start training in your 20s and become good enough to perform as a professional, but as Mardi proves it is not the same for belly dancing.

Lisa x

Bellydance Superstars Part II

I had a fantastic night at the Bellydance Superstars last night. The show was an eclectic mix of styles - not just belly dancing styles, but also included ballet, Latin American, Flamenco, Polynesian, Hip Hop... I also had the opportunity to conduct an audio interview with the chief choreographer and one of the performers, Jillina.

I'll be talking more about various aspects of the show in future posts but in the meantime, here is a picture of me with American Tribal Belly Dancer Mardi Love.



Lisa x

Bellydance Superstars

I'm starting to get really excited. I'm off to see the Bellydance Superstars on Monday in Yeovil. I'm amazed they are coming to my part of the world!

Anyone else had a chance to see them?

Lisa x

More On Shakira

Hello Magazine have some fantastic photos of Shakira and Wyclef performing at the Latin Billboard Awards. Apparently, she learnt her belly dancing moves from her Lebanese Grandmother.

Check her out here.

Lisa x

Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" Video

I saw Shakira's video for "Hips Don't Lie" this week - a song she has recorded with Wyclef Jean. The video includes a eclectic mix of dance styles, including Shakira's unique style of belly dancing. I really loved it. Very visual and exciting to watch (and a great song too).

If you get the opportunity, take a look.

Lisa x

Belly dancing out, cinema in, says Hamas : Mail & Guardian Online

Belly dancing out, cinema in, says Hamas : Mail & Guardian Online: "'Bellydancing is naked women. This is not Islamic. The Egyptians come here and do it. And there are a lot of Russian belly dancers in Egypt and they come here too,' said Sibbah (58) an Islamic scholar who joined the Cabinet of the Hamas government installed last week."

The view of belly dancing as something wicked, "dirty" and pornographic seems to be ongoing around the world. It concerns me that the art form is so misunderstood.

Lisa x

Belly Dancing's Bad Reputation

Gulf Times � Qatar�s top-selling English daily newspaper - Gulf/Arab World: "Atallah Abu Al-Subbah, a senior official of Islamist militant group Hamas, said belly dancing was �a form of striptease�."

Belly Dancers have been working for years to try and make people realise that belly dancing is not seedy or pornographic but it seems there is still a long way to go!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this article.

Lisa x

Belly Dancing Miss World

New belly-dancing club far from a flop - Campus News: "Two of her teachers were winners of the Ms. America and Miss World of the Belly Dance competition"

Were you aware there was a Miss America and a Miss World in Belly Dancing?

Lisa x

Belly Dancing For Pregnant Women

Welcome to the Now - Features: "belly dancing has its ancient roots in preparing women to give birth, and celebrating life."

It always fascinates me that Belly Dancing was created to help pregnant women. I have never had children so I don't know how effective Belly Dancing is. If it has helped you, please add your comments.

Lisa x

A wonderful interview on the Benefits of Belly Dancing

Teacher says belly dancing brings out inner beauty: "belly dancing teaches grace, poise and self-esteem."

Take a look at this interview of Belly Dancing teacher Samra Karim. It really is a wonderful advert for Belly Dancing, as well as saying a lot about learning to be comfortable with who you are.

Lisa x

Belly dancing classes for Fitness

Pocono Record - Belly dancing classes are helping area women get fit: "Egyptian belly dancing has become a popular, yet unique exercise for women that generates not only healing qualities, but also aids in alleviating the mind of everyday stress. It's a dance for the mind, body and spirit."

In case you were still unsure of the benefits of belly dancing, this story says it all.

Lisa x

Young Chinese get hip to belly dancing�-�ENGLISH

asahi.com��Asia/ Young Chinese get hip to belly dancing�-�ENGLISH: "Usually considered a tradition of Arab countries, belly dancing has a devoted new group of followers you might not expect: young urban Chinese. "

Belly Dancing is taking over the world!

Lisa x

Able to stomach belly dancing class

Scotsman.com News - Features - Able to stomach belly dancing class: "'For a lot of exercise classes like aerobics you feel you have to look the part before you start, but in belly dancing you can be any shape or size, you can have a belly, and it doesn't take a lot of skill to look good doing it.' "

This is a slightly cynical article on Belly Dancing bu does give some great health and fitness reasons for taking it up.

Lisa x

What Does Ebay have to Offer Belly Dancers?

Ebay can be an incredibly useful tool for finding unusual items. Not every town or city sells Belly Dancing clothes, jewelry, dvds and books, but on ebay you can find it all, and often at bargain prices.

I have created a website that enables you to see many of the current items that have been listed under the title Belly Dance, as well as giving you a search box so you can add your own search terms (for example, if you want to look under veils, or zills, or ethnic jewelry...).

The website is http://www.homepursuits.com

It updates automatically, so keep heading back there even if you don't see what you want first time.

Also on the site there are links to articles about buying and selling on ebay. If you don't see one you like, just refresh the page and it will offer you some different articles. These will give you loads of information about making your ebay experience successful and pleasurable.

And finally, if you have gone past recreational selling and are serious about creating a business on ebay (maybe you make belly dancing costumes and need an outlet to sell them, or have your own instructional dvd for your classes and want a wider audience) then there are links to many tools that can help automate and improve your business.

I hope you will find this site useful. I love ebay and have been working through my house selling everything I haven't used in the last 2 years - you'll be surprised what people will buy!

Lisa x

Ever thought you were on your own?

I was just browsing one of the belly dancing newsgroups I am a member of (head over to google groups) and I read a great article about the International Festival of Belly Dance that was held in Salt Lake City in 2005. Approx. 10,000 people attended the festival, dance clinics all sold out, over 150 dancers wanted to participate and 30,000 dollars were donated to the free festival.

I think that shows just how many people love belly dancing and that there are loads of others out there who share your passion. So, if you are learning at home or in a small group, why not join a newsgroup and start communicating with belly dancers around the world.

And if you'd like to got to the 2006 festival, it's in August and you can learn more at http://www.kismetdance.com.

Lisa x

Great Belly Dance Interview

The Payson Roundup: Dance class: Shake your booty Middle Eastern style: "'It makes me feel beautiful,' Casta�eda said. 'Belly dancing makes me feel graceful, where I don't always feel like that.' "

If you have any worries about starting belly dancing, read this article. A great article with a performer and teacher who tells it like it is.

Lisa x

Why Belly Dance?

Times Argus: Vermont News & Information: "'I didn't want to die in a brown corduroy skirt,' says Gina Capossela"

What brought you to Belly Dancing?

Lisa x

Belly dancing good for body and soul

Belly dancing proves good for body and soul: "Today, young, middle-aged and even senior citizens are enjoying belly dancing for very different reasons: "

Belly Dancing is for all ages, all abilities!

Lisa x