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

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