Classes, Teachers, & Practice

Teachers

• Learning To Belly Dance: Where To Find Instruction. By Shira.
• When Teachers Are Scarce. By Shira.
• To All Students, Regarding "Loyalty" to Your Teacher. By Amanda Niehaus.
• No Need to Be Afraid of Private Lessons. By Saqra.

Getting Started

• Can I Still Learn Belly Dancing, Even If I'm Overweight? By Shira.
• Am I Too Old To Learn How To Belly Dance? By Shira.
• The Beginner's Guide to Finding Bellydance Music. By Arabella.
• Learning to Belly Dance from Videos. By Shira.

In the Classroom

• Negative Self-Talk in a Dance Environment. By Saqra.
• Evolution of Class Attire for Middle Eastern Dance. By Vashti.
• Keep Asking. By Saqra.

Practice

• How to Structure a Belly Dance Study/Practice Session at Home. By Shira.
• How to Get the Most out of Practice Time. By Saqra.
• Why Do I Have to Attend Rehearsals? By Shira.

Workshops

• No Need to Be Intimidated by Workshops! By Saqra.
• How to Get Your Money's Worth from a Choreography Workshop. By Saqra.
• Wearing Coin Scarves to Workshops. By Saqra.
• Horrible Workshops. By Saqra.

How to Do Belly Dance Moves

By Shira:

• Belly Rolls
• Backbends
• Forward and Back Shimmy
• Walking Shimmy
• Squeezing Glutes
• Expressive Arms

By Arabella:

• Turn, Turn, Turn
• Exploring Figure Eights
• The Camel Walk - Way to Move!
• Whirl Like a Dervish!
• The Mysterious Zar - What Is It? What Can It Do For You?

By Zabel:

• The Importance of the Pelvic Floor

By Saqra:

• Belly Dance Spins Without Vomiting
• Walk Like a Belly Dancer! How to place your feet gracefully for walking and dancing.
• Exploring Undulations
• Belly Dance Tips for Arms
• Hands Off Hips for Rib Cage Isolations! Why you need different hand placement for rib cage circles and other torso movement.
• Drum Solo Accent Chains
• Pop, Drop, and Lock Technique
• Alternatives to Shimmies When Dancing to Drum Solos
• Dance Technique for Lovely Hands

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Pixie Vision Productions, Glendale, California.

Choreography & Improvisation

• How to Improvise. By Shira.
• How to Learn Choreography. By Shira.
• Hints for Remembering Choreography. By Arabella.
• Learning Choreography. By Saqra.
• Connector (Transition) Steps for Belly Dance Improvisation. By Saqra.
• How to Get Your Money's Worth from a Choreography Workshop. By Saqra.
• How We Spend Class Time: Choreography Versus Improvisation. By Shira.
• Opinion Poll: Choreography or Improvisation?
• How to Improvise in Floor Work. By Saqra.

Continuing the Journey

• Stuck in a Beginner Rut?
• A Dancer's Journal
• Belly Dance Costuming: A Basic Beginner's Costume
• Your First Performance
• From Plateau to Next Level
• Tips for Tall Belly Dancers. By Saqra.
• Dear Shira: Why Do I Need to Care About Professionalism? By Shira.
• Why Do I Have to Attend Rehearsals? By Shira.
• Wearing Coin Scarves to Workshops. By Saqra.
• Horrible Workshops. By Saqra.
• Learning a New-to-You Dance Style. By Saqra. Insights into dancing a particular style accurately.
• Choosing Costume & Acts Appropriate to the Situation. By Saqra.

Reviews of Books & Videos

• Belly Dancing For Health And Relaxation
• Nefertiti Presents... Belly Dancing, the Basics
• Reviews Of Videos that Teach Basic Moves for Beginners

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Pixie Vision Productions, Glendale, California.

Taking Care of Yourself

• Avoid Injury from Belly Dance
• Audio Levels and Hearing Damage. By Shaun Wall.
• When You Can't Dance After Accident, Illness, or Surgery
• The Art of Breathing. By Jodi Blubaugh.
• Can I Belly Dance While Pregnant?
• Reviews of Workout Videos Based on Belly Dancing
• Winter Health Tips for Belly Dancers

Health Benefits of Belly Dance

• The Mysterious Zar: What Is It? What Can It Do For You? By Arabella.
• Healing Through Oriental Dance: Part 1, Physical Healing
• Healing Through Oriental Dance: Part 2, Emotional Healing

Belly Dancing And Your Weight

• Fit And Healthy. By Despina.
• Belly Dance And Weight Loss
• Dear Shira: Can I Still Learn Belly Dancing, Even If I'm Overweight? From the Dear Shira advice column!

Healthy Travel for Belly Dancers

• Part 1, Beginning Preparations
• Part 2, Beating Jet Lag
• Part 3, Avoiding Colds
• Part 4, Maintaining a Healthy Gut
• Part 5, Foot, Muscle, & Joint Health

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by William M. Smith, Iowa City, Iowa

Starting to Perform

• Opinion Poll: Why Do You Perform Publicly?
• Your First Performance
• Belly Dance Costuming: A Basic Beginner's Costume
• Tips & Tricks for Performing
• Dealing with Restaurant Audiences
• Adrenaline Effects on Belly Dance Performance. By Saqra.
• Performer's Power Pose.
• 13 Tips for Managing Stage Fright.
• Stage Fright Dance Tip. By Saqra.
• Simple Calming Technique. By Saqra.
• Appearance Anxiety in Belly Dance Performance. By Saqra.
• Choosing Costume & Acts Appropriate to the Situation. By Saqra.

Uniting Mind, Body, & Spirit On Stage

• How to Become a Better Dancer Without Really Trying. By Arabella.
• Dear Shira: Expression and Sensuality
• Exploring Stage Personalities
• Facial Expressions for Performers. By Saqra.

Captivating Your Audience

• The 70% Rule. By Saqra. How to use restraint to keep your audience captivated.
• Continuity of Movement. By Saqra.
• Facial Expressions for Performers. By Saqra.
• Entrances, Song Transitions, and Stage Presence. By Saqra.
• Making Your Prop Dancing Memorable. By Saqra.
• Good vs Great? By Shira. Thoughts on what makes the difference between a "good" dancer vs a "great" one.
• Using Your Hair to Extend Movements. By Saqra.
• Saqra's Four-Part Checklist for Becoming a Better Performer:
  • Part 1: Appearance. By Saqra.
  • Part 2: Technical Skill. By Saqra.
  • Part 3: Entertainment Ability. By Saqra.
  • Part 4: Content of Your Routine. By Saqra.
• Choosing Costume & Acts Appropriate to the Situation. By Saqra.
• Belly Dance Commentary: Flash vs Soul. Saqra offers thoughts on different performance styles - high-energy as opposed to lyrical.

Dealing with Bloopers

• Handling Bloopers. By Saqra.
• Dancing to Distraction
• Special "Kairos" Time and Adapting Performance in Real Time. By Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan.
• Stuck on Stage? How to Escape! What to do if you want or need to leave the stage before the expected end of your set.

Using Middle Eastern Music

• Using Greek Patriotic Music in Your Belly Dance Show. By Panayiota Bakis Mohieddin. When it's appropriate, and which songs to use.
• Language of Song & Dance. By Shira.
• Why Is It Important to Know What the Lyrics Mean? By Lennie Clark.
• Habibi, You Are My WHAT?! Leyla Lanty's Essential Arabic for Dancers - Volume 1. DVD review by Shira.
• Helpful Tips When You Are Dancing to a Song. By Osama el-Gohary.
• Different Musical Sections, Different Moods. By Saqra.

Other Things to Consider

• Classy or Tacky: Which Are You?
• Go to the Light! By Saqra.
• Writing an Introduction or Bio for Yourself. By Saqra. Make the audience look forward to seeing you dance!
• 10 Red Flags that Suggest You Should Say "No" to Performing at that Event.
• Live Music Will Not Kill You! By Saqra.
• Preparing Performance Music. By Saqra.
• Performing to Alternative Music. By Saqra.
• Why Wear a Cover-Up at a Show? By Saqra.
• Tips for Tall Belly Dancers. By Saqra.
• Performing at Dancer-Oriented Events if You're a Hobbyist. By Saqra.
• 3 Basic Tips for Choosing Music for Your Performance. By Saqra.
• Okay to Show My Palms to the Audience?
• Dear Shira: The Great Armpit Debate
• Dear Shira: What About In-Costume Tipping?
• Dear Shira: To Cover Up or Not?
• Tips & Tricks for Collecting Tips from the Audience.
• Opinion Poll: Collecting Tips?
• What Is The Best Way To Move Props Onto And Off Of The Stage?
• Dear Shira: Why Do I Need to Care About Professionalism?
• Why Do I Have to Attend Rehearsals? By Shira.
• Holding Accents. By Saqra.
• Don't be THAT Person in the Dressing Room!
• Tips for Performing Greek Line Dances. Advice on bringing traditional folk dances to the stage. Placed online October 22, 2020.

Relationships & Attitudes of Others

• Gift Suggestions For The Dancers In Your Life
• Respect! By Despina.
• Joining A Belly Dancing Troupe: Is It Right For You? By Shira.
• 5 Signs You May be Relying Too Much on Belly Dance to Solve Your Problems.
• Talking to Christians about Belly Dance.
• Why Do I Have to Attend Rehearsals? By Shira.
• When Your Child Is Harassed at School Because You Are a Belly Dancer. By Maria in Boulder, Colorado.
• Should Young Girls Belly Dance?
• Is Belly Dancing Intended to Serve Men?
• Seven Reasons Why You Should NOT Lend a Belly Dance Costume to Someone to Wear to a Halloween Party

Have Hip Scarf, Will Travel

On the Road

• Belly Dance Serendipity Bag: Have Costume, Will Dance! By Saqra.
• Travel Preparations for the Roaming Belly Dancer.
• Travel: Photographing Art. Tips for taking photos of art in museums and tombs.

Travel Health for Belly Dancers

• Part 1, Beginning Preparations.
• Part 2, Beating Jet Lag.
• Part 3, Avoiding Colds.
• Part 4, Maintaining a Healthy Gut.
• Part 5, Foot, Muscle, & Joint Health.

Other Lifestyle Topics

• Christmas-Related Resources on Shira.net
• Hafla Fun for the Christmas Holiday
• Lighting for Your Belly Dance Photos and Videos. By Saqra.
• Avoiding Disreputable Vendors
• How To Be An Appreciative Audience Member
• Middle Eastern Dance: The Spiritual Connection
• What Makes a Belly Dancer's Blood Boil?
• Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals And Healing Power Of Belly Dancing

• Tips & Tricks On Costuming
• Tips & Tricks for Dyeing Costume Items
• Tips & Tricks For Dancing With A Sword
• Tips & Tricks for Collecting Tips from the Audience
• Tips & Tricks for Performing
• Tips & Tricks on the Business of Belly Dance. Gigging and teaching.
• Tips & Tricks Related to Belly Dance Footwear
• Tips & Tricks On Other Subjects

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by John Rickman Photography, San Jose, California.

General Finger Cymbal Advice

• Introduction To Finger Cymbals
• Finger Cymbal Rhythms For Arabic 4/4 Music
• Finger Cymbal Rhythms For Turkish 9/8 Music
• How to Make Crocheted Zill Mufflers
• How to Make a Zill Bag
• When NOT to Play Finger Cymbals in Your Set.

Shira's Reviews of Instructional Books & Videos

• Gems of the Middle East: A Rhythmical Analysis. Books by Mary Ellen Donald.
• Learning With Libby
• How To Play Finger Cymbals With Mesmera
• Mastering Finger Cymbals. Book by Mary Ellen Donald.

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Carol Grow Johnk, Iowa City, Iowa.

On Being a Belly Dance Student

• Can I Still Learn Belly Dancing, Even If I'm Overweight?
• Am I Too Old To Learn How To Belly Dance?
• Stuck at Beginner Level?
• From Plateau to Next Level
• Can I Belly Dance While Pregnant?
• Expression and Sensuality
• Why Do I Have to Attend Rehearsals? By Shira.

Hot Topics

• Is Belly Dance Intended to Serve Men?
• Should Young Girls Belly Dance?

Costumes, Makeup, & Appearance

• A Jewel In The Navel?
• Shoes or Barefoot?
• What About Stretch Marks Or Surgical Scars?
• The Great Armpit Debate

How to Belly Dance

• Belly Rolls?
• Learning Backbends
• Squeezing Glutes
• Forward and Back Shimmy
• Walk And Shimmy At The Same Time?
• Learning to Improvise
• Okay to Show My Palms to the Audience?

The Business of Belly Dance

• Why Does My Teacher Refuse To Help Me Start Performing Professionally?
• What About Tipping?
• Bellygrams And Boomboxes
• Any Tips for a New Teacher?
• What Is The Best Way To Move Props Onto And Off Of The Stage?
• To Cover Up or Not?
• Dealing With Restaurant Audiences

• Costume Design Ideas
• Making Your Own Costumes
• General Notes on Costuming, Hair Styles, Makeup, etc.
• Traditional Garb

• Costume Book Reviews
• Costuming & Makeup Video Reviews
• Photo Galleries
• Costuming Links

Dance Career Planning

• Belly Dancing: A Good Career Option?
• From Student To... What?
• Why Does My Teacher Refuse To Help Me Start Performing Professionally?

Performing for Money

• Do You Need A Stage Name?
• Doing Gigs
• Booking Gigs
• Planning the Gig
• Bellygrams And Boomboxes
• Promotional Photos: Get the Most for Your Money (a 3-part series)
  • Working with a Photographer.
  • Preparing for Your Professional Photo Session.
  • Doing a Successful Belly Dance Photo Session.
  • Selecting Photographs to Use for Promotion. By Saqra.
• Precautions to Protect Your Personal Safety as a Belly Dancer
• Survey: Your Attitudes and Experiences On Personal Safety for Dancers
• Stick To Your Guns
• Dance Performances: Art or Entertainment?
• Dear Shira: To Cover Up or Not?
• Why Do You Charge So Much for Only 15 Minutes of Dancing? How to respond without sounding defensive.
• Inconvenient Truths About the Business of Belly Dance. When you monetize your passion, these inconvenient truths rear their ugly heads.
• Tips & Tricks on the Business of Belly Dance. Gigging and teaching.
• Tips & Tricks for Collecting Tips from the Audience
• Dear Shira: What About In-Costume Tipping?
• Opinion Poll: Collecting Tips?
• Dealing with Restaurant Audiences
• How to Belly Dance for a Greek Restaurant Audience. By Amartia.
• Expand Your Belly Dance Business by Doing Princess Parties. By Amartia.

Teaching

• Sample Course Proposal. By Tedi Thomas.
• Beginning to Teach Belly Dance
• Teaching Beginners Courses In Oriental Dance. By Despina.
• Voice Control for Teaching Dance Classes. By Saqra.
• Tips & Tricks on the Business of Belly Dance. Gigging and teaching.
• Teaching Finger Cymbals. By Saqra.
• Keep Asking. By Saqra.
• Beware of the "Private Lesson" Fraud! By Shira.

Marketing

• Bringing Middle Eastern Dance to Your Community
• Working With News Reporters. By Christine.
• The Art of the Blurb. By Brad Dosland.
• Marketing Yourself As A Dancer
• Marketing Your Belly Dance Business via Social Media. By Amartia.
• Gig Clients, Students or Lonely Men: Who is Your Web Site Designed to Attract?
• Selecting Photographs to Use for Promotion. By Saqra.
• The Decline of Belly Dance? By DaVid of Scandinavia.

Organizing Events

• Why Many Belly Dance Events Ban Flash Photography. By Saqra.

Other Business Skills

• Your Dance Studio: An Arts Incubator?
• Secrets Of Success. By Despina.
• Avoiding Disreputable Vendors
• Protecting Against Fraudulent Inquiries. By Saqra. How to separate legitimate inquiries for classes and gigs from schemes to cheat you out of your money.
• Our Value to the Public as Belly Dancers. By Saqra. Reflections on what your performance is really worth, financially speaking.

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by "K", Santa Clara, California.