Photos from Turkey

Itsy Weensy Bytes� - Turkey Part 3�: "which trip to Turkey would not be complete with the BELLY DANCING!!"

Some fab photos here direct from Turkey.

Lisa x

Fab photos of friends enjoying belly dancing

Lady Fire-Eyes in Cyberland

I love all these photos - just a bunch of friends having fun and enjoying belly dancing.

Lisa x

Belly Dancing is for Life Not Just for Christmas!

Daytona Beach News-Journal Online -- East Volusia: "Barnet was 18 when she first discovered belly dancing at a club in New York City, and more than 50 years later, she is still shaking it."

50 years on and still loving it!

Lisa x

Reality TV finds Belly Dancing!

ContraCostaTimes.com 01/27/2006 Belly dancing reality series in the works: "The cultural phenomenon of reality television may be coming to El Cerrito, with help from comedian Margaret Cho."

Is there no escape from reality tv? Mind you, this will be a major boost for Belly Dancing teachers, classes and troupes everywhere if it happens.

Lisa x

Rock Music and Belly Dancing Collide

Marin Independent Journal - Lifestyles: "Since then, Copeland's Bellydance Superstars have performed at the Follies Bergere in Paris, completed an international tour and danced at arts centers and in concert halls across the United States."

An interesting article here about Mile Copeland and the Belly Dancing Troupe he put together. Has caused ructions in the Belly Dancing world, but what do you think?

Lisa x

The new mecca for belly dancing

MiamiHerald.com 01/30/2006 SINEWY, SEXY, SURPRISING -- Miami: The new mecca for belly dancing: "South Florida has become a surprising sort of mecca -- for Middle Eastern dance.Along with Los Angeles and New York, it's one of the nation's three pillars of belly dance. Classes in gyms and studios "

It seems South Florida is the place to be if you are a belly dancer!

Lisa x

Mood Boosting

jo(e)'s page: Time to dance: "Or sometimes, I put on my pantaloons, pick up my zills, crank up the music, and dance."

Great photo and an advert for mood-boosting belly dancing.

Lisa x

Plus-Size Belly Dancing

I have received a question about Belly Dancing from a Plus Size dancer and although I have replied personally I thought that others may have something to add. She is loving her classes but they have a Spring show coming up and she is wondering whether to take part. She is plus-size and I think feels a bit self-conscious about it.

As someone who is plus-size herself, I said that the good thing about belly dancing is you are supposed to have curves, and belly dancing is about celebrating being a real woman. However, I know how nervewracking it can be to face a crowd of people and feel like I stand out. My suggestion was that she get up and dance anyway, lose herself in the dancing and enjoy it for the experience. After that, it will gradually get easier. I also suggested she wear an outfit she feels most comfortable in, and if that means not revealing as much as others then that will be fine.

I asked her to keep an eye on the blog to see what others have to say, so please add your comments.

Thanks,

Lisa x

Beautiful picture

boadicea: Arabian knights at your primitive best.

This picture is absolutely beautiful.

Lisa x

Belly Dancing for Exercise

Mine's: Belly Dancing: "'I think the recent focus on the Middle East has brought a lot of [positive] attention to the dance and music of the region,' says Reyna Alcal� who teaches Belly Moves at Crunch in New York City. 'Every body shape can do it. I think for people who feel self-conscious in the gym, this is a good start for them.'"

This blog post is fantastic! Explains the benefits of Belly Dancing to fitness, as well as a for mental health and self-esteem.

Lisa x

How does Belly Dancing feel?

wunderuswuman: BD: "Second week of belly dancing has come and gone. I love it! I cant even begin to explain it.

First, it's like nothing else exists for that hour, it's me, and dancing, and the music. The music... OMG i LOVE the music... "

I love how people react to Belly Dancing. This is a fantastic advert for the art!

Lisa x

Grapefruitseason: Belly dancing

Grapefruitseason: Belly dancing: "Watching me belly dance is like watching the tin man try to swim."

This really made me chuckle!

Lisa x

American Tribal Style

"They perform the American Tribal Style, which is different from the Egyptian Tribal Style.
In the American style, the troupe provides backup for a solo dancer, she said."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20060118-9999-m1m18tfjul.html


A simple explanation of the difference between Amwerican Tribal style and Egyptian style Belly Dancing.

Lisa x

Hip Scarves

lindayi: oOoOO I like this belly dancing hip scar

Check out these pics of belly dancing hip scarves. I have to say the second one looks beautifully crafted.

Lisa x

A Fusion of Styles

An interesting article about the different styles of belly dancing, and how many styles have now fused into one.

Lisa x

http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060112/ENT/601120318/1059

Celebrate Your Curves

catslovehoppies: It's very cold today, but I'm happy abou: "But the good thing about belly dancing is that you don't look too awkward if you're a little heavy--or, hell, even if you're huge--and you learn to dance. I've actually decided that really skinny women look kind of funny doing it after seeing dancers about my size dancing."

This is so true. Belly Dancing is about celebrating your body as a woman. You are supposed to have curves (although some of us have larger curves than others)!

Lisa

Just Do It!

dougggie: Pleasantly exhausted: "Tai chi, pilates, yoga and belly dancing are on my 'want to try' list :-)"

I'm reading a lot of blogs like this one, where people are resolving to get fit and do something new in 2006. Belly dancing seems to be on a lot of people's lists.

All I can say is - Just Do It! It's fun, good exercise and stimulating - which means you are less likely to give it up in a month when your resolve starts to wane.

Lisa x

Not Just for the Girls

Well, there we were thinking that Belly Dancing was only for the girls, and then they had to prove us wrong! Imagine all those men trying to find the goddess within! ;-) (not sure what I'm talking about? Click on the title to this post)

Lisa x

Does this sound familiar?

K8EKOL: "This belly dancing thing is a LOT harder than it looks and it confirmed my ungraceful status. I don't think I was too terrible for a first class when it came to the whole hip shaking part."

I think we've all been here, haven't we? Sounds pretty good for the first lesson.

Lisa x

Belly Dancing to Self Belief and Confidence

a passion for belly dancing: Kind heart: "I had a very good time belly dancing in class today! My students are getting better and better each day and I am just so proud of all of them. They've showed spirit and enthusiasm, keenness to learn, and most importantly, self-belief and confidence to dance and be comfortable with themselves."

Great to see a Belly Dance instructor spreading the word! I think these are fantastic qualities to try and instil in people through such a beautiful art.

Lisa x