This post is a follow-up to a one of my previous posts which describes the actual Mommy & Me Experience-> in more detail, be sure to check it out!

Someday I’ll be a mommy… and perhaps I’ll have a cute little girl with big curly black hair and a round little pop belly just like I had when I was young.  And further on down the line, I’ll be a grandmother with a possible granddaughter of my own, she’ll be the cutest of all  Only then will I truly understand how wonderful the Mommy & Me Belly Dance Experience truly is for its participants.

The anticipation of knowing what the matching glittery and shiny costumes will look like when they arrive from Egypt, what song will they perform to and where, what “cool” moves & combinations are in store in this custom-made specialty choreography… Ahhhh, it’s all part of the excitement and is what creates the memories to be cherished for many years to come.

Mommy & Me on Stage at the Belly Motions 7 Year Anniversary, February 2012

Founded in the Fall of 2010, this year brings the 3rd Annual Mommy & Me Program and I am thrilled to start developing NEW and EXCITING ideas very soon!  The only thing I will need is, well, Mommies and Me’s!  If this sounds like it’s calling out to you and your princess, here’s how it works!

What is the Belly Motions Mommy & Me Belly Dance Program?

It’s an annual 8 week choreography course that begins in October, in which mothers and daughters, grandmothers and grand-daughters, aunts & and nieces, enroll to learn a Belly Dance choreography together.  We offer the opportunity to perform the routine as a group at several events within our local community throughout the following year, particularly the Belly Motions Anniversary Showcase in February.  For those that decide to perform the program extends another 4-6 weeks into what we call “rehearsals,” and this is where we pay close attention to the detail involved in presentation and performance.

Christina & Jadyn's first Mommy & Me Experience! Daddy was THRILLED to see them on stage!

When is the Mommy & Me Program offered?

This specialty program is offered once a year from October thru mid-February and classes are typically held on Saturday afternoons at Belly Motions.  Full details are issued in early Fall so stay finely tuned!

I want to participate in the Fall 2012 Mommy & Me Belly Dance Program, what should I do NOW?

If you’re a Mommy, get yourself enrolled in our 8-week Beginner 1 Program-> for adults NOW. The Mommy & Me Program is open to adult students that are enrolled in our Beginner 2 Level or higher.  Check out these BEGINNER 1 PROGRAM START DATES to help you get the ball rolling

If you’re a “Me” (you’re probably not reading this, hehe) have mommy enroll you in our C1 Program Classes for Kids-> on Saturday mornings!  The Mommy & Me Program is open to kids who have been enrolled in regular classes for at least 8 weeks.

Marcia & Christine are wonderful regulars!

Why? This Program assumes its participants have an understanding and basic ability to apply the fundamental movements of Belly Dance into a routine. It’s focus is to take your Belly Dance to a different level by using the material you learn in the Belly Motions Programs for kids and adults and applying the movements into a choreography that is unique and fun!

Is performance a requirement to participate in Mommy & Me Belly Dance at Belly Motions?

Not necessarily, although we do encourage the performance because it makes it an extra special experience for mothers to share the gift of Belly Dance with their daughters on stage.

How old do participants have to be?

Mommies: No Age limit
Me’s: 4-12

It's our Fabulous "Grand-mama" Miriam & Elise!

We’ve already done it once, twice…. and we want more!  Is that ok?

Whoa!  Do I really need to answer that?  (Miss Luisa Chuckles…) I will see you in October  I look forward to having YOU ladies welcome new members to the group and sharing your friendships… and Sparkle Treats… with the others!

If you are looking to create one-of-a-kind memories for you and your little one, they don’t get more unique than this!  GET STARTED TODAY by enrolling in the Beginner Program Classes for you and your child!

Sharing the Mommy & Me Belly Dance experience with these ladies and their girls is always a sincere honor.  I can’t contain my shimmies to do it all over again in just a few months!

What sorts of experience can you expect to gain from particpating?  Click Here to find out!

Miss Luisa is Director of Kids Programs at Belly Motions and is a leading expert in teaching Belly Dance to Kids.

Mommies can sign-up to one of her Beginner 1 Program (Belly Dance Technique) classes on Mondays or Saturdays or drop in to one of her HipNotica™ (Belly Dance Group Fitness) classes on Mondays at 5:30pm or Thursdays at 12:15pm!

Miss Luisa’s special  note to “the girls”:

Girls! It’s almost here and comes but once a year!!!  Hope to see you at our ANNUAL BELLY DANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE-> June 11-15, 2012!

Follow Miss Luisa on Twitter @MissLuisaRaks and on Facebook: Miss Luisa Belly Motions.

]]> http://www.bellymotions.com/2012/05/how-you-can-join-miss-luisa%e2%80%99s-mommy-me-belly-dance-program/feed/ 0 http://www.bellymotions.com/2012/05/when-the-art-of-architecture-meets-the-art-of-belly-dance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-the-art-of-architecture-meets-the-art-of-belly-dance http://www.bellymotions.com/2012/05/when-the-art-of-architecture-meets-the-art-of-belly-dance/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:21 +0000 admin http://www.bellymotions.com/?p=4501 The following is a post from Miss Luisa, Director of Children’s Programs at Belly Motions.

Two years ago I made a New Year resolution to take a leap of faith and work closely with Belly Motions to officially change career paths from architect to Belly Dancer.

I am now the proud Director of Children’s Programs at Belly Motions and work with women on a regular basis to meet all sorts of personal goals related to health and fitness, body image or self-esteem improvement, increasing self-awareness, etc. – all through Belly Dance!

We regularly hear all sorts of inspirational stories from our students at Belly Motions, and so I would like to share a piece of mine in return through a series of beautiful photographs.

More times than not, when I tell students and friends that I have a Bachelor’s and Masters Degree in Architecture they are shocked that I could have made such a drastic transition.  It can be difficult to explain the similarities between the two arts without having an in-depth knowledge of both.  I have often looked for a way to show them without having to explain it in words.

I recently met a Lebanese a photographer, Ayman Shurafa of AS Photography, who also shares an enthusiasm for architecture and who comes from a family of architects.  In our initial conversations over photography I mentioned to him that I envisioned a series of images that would not only capture my two passions but that would also convey to the viewer the type of relationship that I see between the two art forms.  We would keep it as basic as capturing lines, movement and perspective in both the architecture and Belly Dance.

I knew I needed a local architectural project in Miami with strong expressive gestures in movement, and one of the first ones that came to mind was Frank Gehry’s design for the New World Symphony Concert hall in Miami Beach.  Alongside the building is a public park that houses beautiful pathways and several highly organic structures that have movement written all over them!  The New World Symphony Hall is also a landmark within Miami’s emerging cultural scene.

I worked closely with Andrus Ramir, male Belly Dancer and Belly Motions family member, on creating poses that would capture the essence of the building, structures and Belly Dance.

With a new year just around the corner, I share my story to inspire others to live their dreams.  See your resolutions through, no matter how tough the process may seem.  Whether your goals are related to career, health, fitness or any other changes you aspire to make, persistence, patience and solid dedication will take you far up the ladder of success.

And ladies, of course, always keep your Belly in Motion!!! ; )

For the rest of the images related to this project please visit my Fan Page on Facebook: Miss Luisa Belly Motions

Miss Luisa is the Director of Children’s Programs as well as a full-time instructor and performer at Belly Motions.  Bring your daughter to one of her magical children’s classes or drop-in yourself to one of her HipNotica Fitness classes on Mondays and Thursdays!

Follow Miss Luisa on Twitter @MissLuisaRaks and on Facebook at Miss Luisa Belly Motions.

Once you get the hang of them, they become an extension of your personality and add texture and depth to your dancing. I’m a prop fanatic (if it was obvious already with a Prop Technique class that I teach, hehe), but that’s not to say that I haven’t had my share of crazy “prop malfunctions”. Let me shed some light on several situations I’ve personally experienced and how you can work the situation in your favor.

Beautiful..but so unpredictable!

1. The “Veil Covering”- Pretty much any dancer that has danced with a veil will have this one on their mind. You know, you’re in the zone working that veil like it’s nobody’s business, and then you pop it up only to have it completely swallow you…yeah, that one. Only mine was a tad more dramatic. In the middle of a performance I go to pop my veil over me and, OF COURSE, it covered my entire upper body and got caught on my costume!
The Solution: Typically when something gets caught on you, your response is to yank it off in some chaotic way, and your head is SCREAMING at you to get this thing off cause you’re in the middle of a performance. Do not listen to it! You’re a performer, and you must be a professional. The best solution is to wait for a moment where you can work on removing your veil as gracefully as possible off of you. You can make it into this dramatic part of your routine or it can be a very smooth transition out of it. EX: I kept dancing while my hands went to my sides and worked on gently tugging the veil until I had a grip on it and I softly pulled it over. Yes, I looked like a ghost for a few seconds, but it was over just as fast. After all, “the show must go on”!

2. Windy Day VS. Wings- Oh windy days, how you love to rain on our parade at an outdoor event when we’ve specifically planned for wings. Wings are my favorite for entrance pieces, so whenever I get a chance to dance with them, I take it. Cut to an outdoor performance a year or so ago and the wind was locked in an epic battle with my wings. What should we do?
The Solution: Well, we can’t really control Mother Nature…instead, you have to try and work with her. Feel it out, if you know your prop, powering through sometimes works. If you find it very challenging, nix the wings. They are very simple to remove even if you’ve started your routine. I know, it’s a bummer if you’ve had something planned. But it’s always smart to be a step ahead of the game. This also works the same for veils. Remember, while wings/veils are very unpredictable and seemingly have a mind of their own, you have to control the prop. They don’t control you.

3. Slippery, slick swords- This one happens way too often. It’s one of the main reasons most people are afraid to even experiment with dancing with the sword, “It’s going to fall off my head”. Let’s say you’ve got that part down and you’re feeling confident about performing with it, you’ve even got an awesome ending with turns and everything. As luck would have it, the sword slips right off at the moment when you’re going to start turning and it doesn’t feel like cooperating again.
The Solution: Continue your routine as planned, minus balancing the sword. Sacrificing your routine to take time to balance your sword is not the way to go. Try it at first, but only try it once. If it seems like it’s not going to happen, continue the next part of your routine but with the sword in hand. For example, if you were going to do several turns with it balanced, do the turns. Hold the sword and get artistic while turning. It’s more disappointing to spend an entire section balancing a sword and missing out on your dance.

4. Projectile Finger Cymbals- That’s UFFC, Unidentified Flying Finger Cymbal! My first group performance was a routine that involved playing the Zills. I wasn’t very fond of them back in the day, and I felt like they were my worst nightmare come true when one decided to fly off my finger and onto the stage somewhere!
The Solution: The best solution is to make sure your elastic fits you perfectly. I made the mistake of keeping them looser because I hated the tight feeling. Bad move! If you need help on the perfect finger cymbal fit, Caitlin Ray’s blog will aid you. If they STILL happen to fly off, no worries. During a group routine, simply continue your hand motions and go with it. It is difficult to play them with one missing, so play what you can or mimic the motions of the hands. If you’re dancing solo, leave them on, but you’ll have to wait for another opportunity to play them!

5. The “Rocketing” Shamadan- This is the craziest situation that has ever happened to me by far. After preparing for months to perform for the first time with a Shamadan (aka Candelabra), we were finally going to perform the piece at a festival. Now, sizing a Shamadan to your head is not laughing matter. It too, has to be a perfect fit. I finally had it fitted and went to play it on my head when BOOM, the part where all the candles go POPS off the helmet and crashes to the floor! Yikes!
The Solution- The truth about these props is that they are put together by hand and sometimes are not finished very well. I learned the hard way to add extra support BEFORE any performances and solder the top part to the helmet for security. If it’s even the slightest bit wobbly, this is indicative of it not being properly finished. I recommend bolting it as well, JUST IN CASE. Trust me, you’ll be grateful you did.

There you have it! While I’ve experienced some pretty sticky situations with props, it definitely doesn’t deter me from them. It just makes me all the more prepared for next time. My advice is that preparation and learning how to work with a situation on the spot are the best paths. I hope my experiences help fellow dancers in their prop adventures! Believe me, it’s all worth it in the end!

About the author:
Michelle is a Sales Associate and Instructor for Belly Motions. Drop into her Prop Technique Class and keep an eye out for Workshops in the summer as well as Choreography Programs for the Belly Motions’ Theater Show in the Fall!

You can catch her on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates!

Go to college?  Skip college?   Do both? If she went to college would she have time to Belly Dance?

I could relate to her dilemma.  I had lived it.

My entire high school career had been dedicated to working towards getting into a good college, well, actually my whole life! I had taken advanced classes in high school and even dual enrolled at my community college so I could graduate high school with my A.A. degree!  There was only one complication…I was obsessed with Belly Dance.

All of a sudden, I was an emotional teen who didn’t care about applying to universities – I just wanted to dance!

Looking for advice, I asked Rachel Brice, a professional Belly Dancer, after a workshop, “ Where should I go to study Belly Dance?” She easily answered, “Miami.” So, without my parent’s knowledge, I decided to apply to only ONE university, The University of Miami. I did so telling myself that if God wanted me to get an education, he would make sure I got in. If not? Then I’d Belly Dance for the two years that I was technically ahead, and see where it took me. A pretty silly spiritual stance to take, but hey – did I mention I was an emotional teen?!?! Disclaimer: I do not recommend this approach!

When it was time for me to go off to college, I had already been Belly Dancing for 2 years and was completely infatuated with it. No. Really. I had participated in sports and other dance classes in the past, but I had never experienced the same passion and intrinsic discipline that Belly Dance had sparked in me.

This post is a follow-up to my last exert Is Belly Dance Appropriate for Kids? Part I: Fitness Pros! Enjoy!

Wow!  To list the benefits beyond fitness that I have witnessed in my experience with kids and Belly Dance may just be enough to blog about for the rest of the year!  It’s a topic that really inspires me to continue to improve my work with children, especially because the question of whether or not Belly Dance for Kids is appropriate continuously lingers.

Exercise alone generates many positive effects on kids in general, but Miss Luisa knows that the magic of Belly Dance adds just a touch of something special to their lives…

Saturday mornings with our Beginners group are so much fun!

Time and time again I am privately approached by my “mommies” who share with me the growth they see in their daughters…. whether it be shedding away a bit of shyness, better grades in school, or a new-found discovery that, hey, she’s a good dancer!

I run my Belly Dance classes for kids with many things in mind.  Setting goals with them both in and out of the dance studio is part of our regular routine.  For example, the girls know that if they present a straight “A” report card they get an automatic reward (and this, of course, includes conduct grades )  Another example is that we’ll all make a promise to eat healthy, especially before a big show!  We share news on trips we’ve taken, foods we’ve eaten, and events we’ve experienced.

With this in mind, some of my favorite RESULTS that “piggy back” off of the Physical Benefits Belly Dance as Fitness for Kids include:

Improved Overall Health! Regular exercise strengthens the immune system thereby promoting less sick less days and enabling better sleep.

Builds and Develops Motor and Coordination Skills! Kids are in the process of developing motor and coordination skills, therefore the more they are encouraged to repeat, memorize and practice the movements, combinations and choreographies they learn in class – the sharper their skills become.  It’s a win-win!

…Add a splash of Belly Dance to their fitness schedule and you’ll see how all that glitters IS gold!

Increased Self Esteem and Overall Energy! As the girls work together in groups, perform on stage, or simply build the courage to dance in a class setting (in many cases the girls are extremely shy and this alone is quite a challenge!) they build confidence in and thereby “feel better” about themselves.  They begin to interact better in school and social situations in general.  This is so important in an era where spending hours in front of a computer is a daily ritual.

Adding games encourages interaction and overall fun!

Positive Social Skills! In Miss Luisa’s classes we work as a collective – making friends is a must!  The girls are taught to help and look out for each other whether in regular classes, backstage, or during a performance.  We get things done with physical interaction by both dance as much as verbal communication.

Bonding time with Mommy! I want to throw this one in there in honor of Mother’s Day and because it’s one of the most precious elements of the Belly Motions Kids Programs.  Sharing the gift of Belly Dance with mom is the coolest!  And mommies absolutely cherish the moments spent dancing with their daughters.  Click here to read more about the  Fall Mommy & Me Choreography Program Experience and stay tuned to learn how YOU can participate with your daughter in my next blog!

Creating a warm and friendly environment where the girls feel safe is probably one of my biggest tasks as their instructor and mentor.  Using Belly Dance as a positive tool to overcome fears while developing routines and habits that will help the girls grow to be successful teens and then adults is at the top of my list.  All the while, they are learning how wonderful it is to have a beautiful hobby such as Belly Dance as they continue to grow.

See you in class!

Miss Luisa is Director of Kids Programs at Belly Motions and is a leading expert in teaching Belly Dance to Kids.

For more information on Kids Belly Dance Classes at Belly Motions including our ANNUAL BELLY DANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE CLICK HERE!

Mommies can sign-up to one of her Beginner 1 Program (Belly Dance Technique) classes on Mondays or Saturdays or drop in to one of her HipNotica™ (Belly Dance Group Fitness) classes on Mondays at 5:30pm or Thursdays at 12:15pm!

Follow Miss Luisa on Twitter @MissLuisaRaks and on Facebook: Miss Luisa Belly Motions.

It was 2003 and I was a senior in college at the University of Florida.  Still unsure of who I was and what I wanted to do with my life I focused on my major, Sociology, and hoped to join the Peace Corps after graduation to experience the outside world.  I had spent my last four years teaching group exercise classes at the University’s Rec Center and really enjoyed the feeling of motivating and teaching people.  Little did I know this teaching experience would set me up for something magnificent…

The First Belly Motions Logo!

It was Fall and Shakira’s hit “Whenever, Wherever” was constantly on the radio. Before you knew it there was a Belly Dance class being offered at the Rec Center.  I took my first class.

After three months of taking Belly Dance, my world transformed.  I no longer cared that my butt giggled and began to gain control of a body image/eating disorder that I struggled with for years.  I found the strength to leave my physically and mentally abusive boyfriend and finally gained the self esteem that I had been missing.  My “ethnic look” seemed to find a safe place, I no longer felt ashamed to not look “white”.  I had a new sense of self.

Jeez, did Belly Dance really do that to me?  Yes, it did and I wanted more.

In the Summer of 2003 I graduated and set off on my new journey to become a pro Belly Dancer (what that meant, I had no idea!). Would I move to New York, L.A. or Miami?  I chose Miami for the weather, culture and the quality of Belly Dance teachers here at that time.

It was a sunny morning when I began the six hour drive from Gainesville to Miami.  As I drove I thought to myself, “What would Miami look like?  Where would I work?”  Once I arrived I found a small efficiency behind a beautiful home in Westchester complete with a peacock, chickens, a spunky chihuahua and cats (my favorite)!  What I enjoyed most about the property were the mango and avocado trees, it was a tropical paradise…and only $450.00 a month!

Next, I became a Kindergarten Teacher at Miami Shores Elementary to fuel my Belly Dance studies and survive financially.  As a Teacher my days were filled with early mornings, stressful afternoons and never ending lesson plans.  My day started at 5:30am and finished around 5:30pm after an hour and a half of traffic.  Once home it was off with my shoes, on with my coin belt and Belly Dance music.  I would dance the evening away in my 5X10′ space.

On weekends I would drive to Miami Beach to study at the Mid Eastern Dance Exchange.  I would learn from Tamalyn Dallal, the “grandmother of Miami Belly Dance.”  During week nights I would study at the University of Miami with Aireen, now a retired dancer.  She became my main mentor and role model.

Side note: It was at UM where I first met Valarie, who equally shared a love of Belly Dance.  Four years later this amazing women would become the Belly Motions GOD….that’s “General Operations Director”…haha, get it?  LOL

Sunset Place 2006!

Honestly, at the beginning of my dance journey I was pathetic. I could barely perform most isolations properly and my footwork was non existent.  I was awkward and clumsy with poor posture.  What I did have was a look, the drive and the fitness background.  My first goal, get a side job as a Belly Dance Fitness Instructor.  And that’s what I did.

My first teaching job was at Temple Gym, a Christian women’s gym that was located on Bird Road.  At first it was hard to convince the owners that Belly Dance was an ancient art form and not a strip tease.  They believed in me and gave me a shot!  My classes continued to grow as did my experience and love for the dance.

After a year and a half of teaching academics I was drained, lifeless and depressed.  At age 25 I felt like was 85!  I gave everything to my teaching position and it almost destroyed me.  I needed an escape, I needed to follow my passion.  It was at this very same time I got referred by a dear friend for a pharmaceutical sales position with a huge salary, company car, and amazing medical benefits.  I went to the interview.  Out of 100 people I got the job.

I called the next day and declined the position.  I recall the Regional Manager saying, “Are you sure you want to decline?  Do you know how good this position is?”  I felt confused but refocused on my dream of becoming a Belly Dancer.  That same week I put in my two weeks notice in to the elementary school.

On January 29, 2005 Belly Motions was born.

Like most businesses the first year was rough. I was the owner, the manager, the main teacher, the bookkeeper, the secretary, the studio cleaner!  Wow, talk about changing hats. During the day I answered phones, at night I taught and on weekends I performed at restaurants and at private parties. I was clueless at first but never gave up and constantly educated myself.  With time I learned how to run a business…and become a Belly Dancer!

Open House in the Old Studio

But 2005 came with many additional challenges.  If you were here in Miami, you’ll remember this was the year of storms.  Hurricane after hurricane we were hit.  With water leaking through the ceiling, no AC, and a battery operated boom box I somehow pressed on.  There were tears, fears, and doubts. Money was tight, attendance was low and I was exhausted.  I remember not having enough cash to buy a Gatorade and bag of peanuts at the Circle K Mart.  It was embarrassing but I loved what I did, so I never gave up.

Side note: 2005 was the same year Miss Luisa and her sister Alexandra began taking classes….little did we all know that one day they would be main Instructors and Performers for the company!!!

2006 was looking more promising.  I figured out how to get our website on the Google search engines, the Miami Herald did a main story on Belly Motions and students were spreading the word.  They liked Belly Dance, they liked me and they liked Belly Motions.  Things were looking up.

Side note: 2006 marks the year Caitlin Ray found her way to the studio.  And as you know, the rest is history!  She is also one of our main Instructors and Performers!

2007 brought an exciting, yet scary opportunity.  The ground floor tenant of the building was moving out, would Belly Motions like to relocate to a store front location with more space?  The construction costs would be tremendous and the rent would be double, should I do it?  I contemplated for one night and made the move! And that brings us to our current space.

2008-2009-2010-2011…this would take many more blogs to explain…to keep it short, I worked my butt off and many of the teachers and staff you see today joined the team!

After 7 years we have a full staff of Sales Associates, Teachers, Performers and even a Manager!  We’ve gone from having performances in the parking lot, to filling theaters with hundred’s of happy guests and have had over 5000 students come through our doors.  We have a full store in house and online as well as an Online School.  Yey!

Belly Motions will always be  a “Mom & Pop Shop” with down-to-earth employees, quality products and great customer service. Belly Motions is more than a dance studio, it’s a place to share stories, make friends, laugh, get in shape and find yourself.  I am proud of this company, what it stands for and the people that make it work.

Thank you for keeping us in business, your class participation enables eight wonderful employees to earn a living doing what they love.

This is the Belly Motions story.

About the author:
Portia is the founder, CEO and Artistic Director at Belly Motions®, Inc. As a professional in the field she constantly strives to inspire and educate the masses on the beauty and benefits of Belly Dance. By standardizing the presentation of Belly Dance she aims to raise the integrity, respect and professionalism for the art form. Belly Motions® is…raising the bar of Belly Dance “one hip at a time!”

Connect with Portia on Twitter: @PortiaLange and on Facebook: Portia Belly Dancer

Arabic music is infectious, passionate, and makes us want to MOVE! Like our own pop music, Arab pop can be up-beat, fun, and playful – or utterly heart-wrenching if it’s a passionate ballad. Either way, here’s my list of 7 Arab Pop Artists Every Belly Dancer Should Know!

See how many YOU know!

1. Amr Diab – Known by some as “The Father of Mediterranean Music,” this Egyptian pop singer celebrated his 50th Birthday last year! But don’t let that fool you – his music is still some of the most progressive coming out of the Middle East. Check out his new album “Banadeek Ta’ala” and you’ll see what I mean! His music successfully blends Arab and Western rhythms, while his smooth voice makes Belly Dancers melt into their myas and shimmy through class!
2. Nancy Ajram –This Lebanese pop icon was discovered on a Lebanese variety television competition, winning a gold medal at the age of 12! Now, her music and talent is a global sensation, making her the youngest Arab to ever win a World Music Award! Nancy has also paired her music success with business savvy (she’s the only female spokesperson for Coca-Cola in the Arab world) and philanthropy (she’s also a Good Will ambassador for Unicef). This woman is unstoppable!
3. Tarkan – This Turkish dreamboat is responsible for the famous song, “Kiss Kiss.” He drives us crazy with his powerful music, and his strong, commanding voice, dripping with sex appeal.  Tarkan was born and raised in Germany until the age of 13 when his family moved back to Turkey. Once there, he studied classical Turkish music and developed his passion for singing. Fun Fact? Tarkan, his middle name, is rumored to come from a famous Turkish comic book character!
4. Natacha Atlas – Born in Brussels, Belgium, with her father’s ancestry including Moroccan, Egyptian, Palestinian and Jewish heritages, and her mother being a Brit who converted to Islam… it’s NO WONDER this artist is famous for ground-breaking fusions! Singing in Arabic, English, and French, Natacha blends Arabic rhythms with hip hop, drum ‘n’ bass, and reggae! Belly Dancers love her originality and Arabic spins on Western songs like “I’ve Put a Spell on You” and “This is a Man’s World.”
5. Hakim – Born in Al Minya, a small town in Egypt, Hakim grew up around Sha’abi music and trained in folk music traditions. Later in his career he explored blending his folk style with Western influences. The result? Several CD’s filled with what have become “standard” songs that every Belly Dancer knows! His music is happy, up-beat, and easy to move to. My first dance teacher played his music all the time, so I can’t help but love him!
6. Fares Karam – This Lebanese star specializes in music for Dabke, a Lebanese folk dance typically danced in a line – though there are many regional variations! His music is especially popular in Lebanese clubs where the crowd loves dancing Dabke! However, take note: a rhythm used in Dabke sounds similar to the Egyptian Saidi. Cultural purists would discourage performing Raks al Assaya to Dabke – but in class or at home, you’re free to dance to it however you like!
7. Wael Kfoury – I had to include Wael Kfoury because his music is so different from the other artists on this list. His smooth voice will break your heart in beautiful ballads dripping with emotion. Another artist from Lebanon, he first received recognition on a Lebanese music competition where he won the gold medal  for Best Male Singer. When you’re looking for a break from the fast Egyptian pop songs, switch to one of his beautiful tracks! He’ll have you grabbing your veil and exploring your romantic side!

So, how many did you know?

Did I leave someone out?

OF COURSE I DID!!!

There are so many wonderful Arab artists, this blog could have turned into a tome! However, Belly Dancers are ALWAYS on the hunt for new music! I’d love to hear who your favorite artists are! Please share in the comments below!

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About the Author:Caitlin Ray is a performer, instructor, and choreographer at Belly Motions! Drop in to her Beginner, Intermediate,  Advanced, or even American Style Belly Dance classes, or hire her for your next event!

Follow Caitlin on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news on her creative projects! You never know what she’s going to do next!

I hear many people say, “I’ll never be able to dance because I don’t have the look” or “I’d love to start dancing but I’m really shy” and I’ll explain how this dance can open you up to such a beautiful world and how all they just need to try it. This is sometimes followed by a response that goes something like “But it’s probably so easy for you, you are so great with people and you have such an amazing personality!” Well, I’m here to tell you that definitely was NOT the case before dance!

Throughout my childhood years and well into high school, I suffered from a pretty severe case of Social Anxiety Disorder. You couldn’t get me to to talk very much, I’d panic at the thought of presentations of any kind, and I really just wanted to pull away from everything. I guess it was fear that I was being judged or I’d never be as good as anyone’s expectations. It really crippled many parts of my life and I wasn’t enjoying things the way I should.

As my 18^th birthday rolled around, I finally started taking classes at Belly Motions. Throughout my journey, a part of me awakened that I really believed didn’t exist before. I felt safety and warmth in this place, and I found strength and power through dance. I could do anything, be anything when I was dancing. Dance doesn’t care how perfect your hair is, or how tall you are, or what’s going on in your life. When I dance, I’m completely free and exactly who I want to be. I finally felt comfortable with myself and I felt a confidence that had long been absent in me. It was wonderful!

Now, that’s not to say I wasn’t terrified when I first performed, or first danced solo, or taught my first class.

Michelle performing at a Belly Motions' Theater Show!

But I pushed because I knew I’d do it, and the rewarding feeling at the end once I accomplished it would outweigh any feelings of doubt or fear. That, my friends, was what I hadn’t discovered  in my younger years. I realized that doing something I loved gave me the courage to look my fears and doubts in the eye rather than run away from them. If the person I used to be before dancing would meet the person I am now, they probably wouldn’t recognize each other! So just the same as I grew as a dancer, I blossomed into someone who was open and willing to share and connect with people! All my walls came down and I was ready to let people in.  I wanted them to feel inspired as I have been inspired. I can now say that one of my favorite parts of my job is interacting with people and listening to what stories they have to tell me. I can’t help but come in to work with a big smile on my face and excitement to see everybody else’s smiling faces as they walk in the doors of the studio!

So, if you’ve been wanting to take the leap and try a Belly Dance class, don’t let any doubts or fears stop you. I can honestly say you won’t regret it, you may even find the thing that changes your life! It definitely changed mine and as cliché as it may sound, it really changed this shy wallflower into a social butterfly.

Throw caution to the wind and open yourself up to the wonderful world of Belly Dance!

About the author:
Michelle is a Sales Associate and Instructor for Belly Motions. Drop into her Prop Technique Class and keep an eye out for Workshops in the Summer as well as Choreography Programs for the Belly Motions’ Theater Show in the Fall!

You can catch her on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates!

So, IS Belly Dance appropriate for kids?

This very common question raises all sorts of points of views on the topic.  My take on the matter boils down to this: it really depends on how it’s taught, why it’s being taught, and the teacher’s role as a leader.  In my case, I teach it for fun, fitness and to be a positive example for the girls.

Actually, one of the top reasons why I became an AFAA Certified Fitness Professional and have dedicated my career to teaching Belly Dance to kids is because of the tremendous fitness benefits this dance can contribute to their lives, and that’s what I’d like to focus on for this post!

Did you know it is recommended that kids get at least 60 minutes of age appropriate physical activity EVERY DAY?  Whoa!

Belly Dance encompasses many of the aspects of fitness which kids should incorporate into their weekly exercise schedules!  Wahoo!

Throughout the years I have developed and continuously improve my lesson plans for Belly Dance classes for kids to promote the authenticity of Belly Dance technique yet maintain a proper and well-rounded fitness routine that is both attractive and beneficial to kids.  In short, I take the adult Belly Motions teaching model and translate it into one that is digestible and fun for the little ones!

I recently began to incorporate a bit of HipNotica™ Fitness into their classes as well and find they have even MORE fun!  What’s HipNotica™?  Well, it’s a unique adult group exercise class founded by Portia Lange, Artistic Director and CEO of Belly Motions, that uses Belly Dance music, movements, and easy-to-follow combinations and choreographies to deliver a low-impact and cardiovascular workout that is fun, effective and completely hip-notizing!  I hope to open a class dedicated to HipNotica™ Kids in the future, because it truly maximizes the positive effects of Belly Dance fitness on children.

But HOW is this whole Belly Dance thing a workout for my CHILD?

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services outlines the key guidelines for active kids to include Moderate to Vigorous Aerobic Activity, Muscular Strengthening and Bone Strengthening exercises.  Here’s a little breakdown with a few examples of how Belly Dance, when taught through a fitness model, contributes to a young one’s fitness fun!

Direct Physical Benefits of Belly Dance Fitness for Kids:

Moderate to Vigorous Aerobic Activity! Belly Dance is an excellent form of low-impact cardiovascular exercise that also improves flexibility, muscle coordination, and strengthens core muscle groups.  Movements such as Hip Slides, Figure 8’s, Hip Drops and Shimmies (to name a few) all fall under this category!  A Belly Dance technique class focuses on learning the authentic dance movements and would primarily consist of moderate activity with spurts of movements that promote vigorous activity (like shimmies!).  A HipNotica™ Kids class would focus on the cardiovascular workout and would include more vigorous activity.  Both are outstanding ways to EXERCISE!

Pssst! Mommies: It’s an EXCELLENT way for these little ones to EXPEND THAT ENERGY – you know what I’m talkin’ about

Muscular Strength! The very nature of Belly Dance is to isolate major muscle groups – and this promotes the conditioning of core muscle groups such as the abdominals, gluteals, quadriceps, obliques, rhomboids, deltoids, biceps, etc.  It is when I incorporate HipNotica™ concepts that, with a little creativity, I am able to introduce actual conditioning exercises with a twist of Belly Dance.  For example, we may do a series of traditional squats but incorporate beautiful Snake Arms with them.

Bone Strength! Whether we include the Folkloric Egyptian Cane Dance (Saidi), which incorporates “hops” and “heel taps” as part of the actual dance, or Choo Choo Shimmies (Shimmies executed on releve and by alternating  tiny ball changes of the feet to produce a shimmy) Belly Dance for Kids also promotes healthy bones!  The force on the bones produced by the impact of the hops, heel taps, and alternating ball changes support bone growth and strength and this is important for kids because they are, well, GROWING!

So, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Get your Princess into a Belly Dance class!

If you are not a local to the South Florida area and are not sure how to select your cutie’s Belly Dance Fitness Instructor, here’s an Important Tip!  If the Instructor claims to teach Belly Dance Fitness, verify that she/he is certified as a Primary Group Exercise professional by either the Aerobics Fitness and Association of America (AFAA) or the American Council of Exercise (ACE).  This will ensure that your cutie is getting both a safe and effective dance-based workout!

Stay tuned for my follow-up post:  Is Belly Dance Appropriate for Kids? Part II: Results Beyond Fitness!

Miss Luisa is Director of Kids Programs at Belly Motions and is a leading expert in teaching Belly Dance to Kids.

For more information on Kids Belly Dance Classes at Belly Motions including our ANNUAL BELLY DANCE SUMMER INTENSIVE CLICK HERE!

Mommies can sign-up to one of her Beginner 1 Program (Belly Dance Technique) classes on Mondays or Saturdays or drop in to one of her HipNotica™ (Belly Dance Group Fitness) classes on Mondays at 5:30pm or Thursdays at 12:15pm!

Follow Miss Luisa on Twitter @MissLuisaRaks and on Facebook: Miss Luisa Belly Motions.

I usually answer this question in a sweet, sarcastic way by in turn asking, “Does running make your legs fat?”  In response I often hear a moment of silence or a look of confusion…

I joke here but the truth is that Belly Dance DOES NOT make your belly fat. Quite the contrary.  Belly Dance is a physical activity just as an aerobics class, a Zumba class or a yoga class that expends energy.  Participating in any group exercise class that involves movement not only burns calories but also conditions specific muscles being used and increases range of motion (ROM).  Hence you loose energy (fat), not gain it.

And by the way, Belly Dance can burn a ton of calories!  This is excellent because most of us are so focused on our technique and the music that we forget we’re working out!  Think of Belly Dance as “exercise in disguise”.

So, “NO!” Belly Dance does not make your belly fat, if anything it makes it SMALLER, TIGHTER AND CURVIER! Wow!

Now, here’s the reason many people ask this question in the first place…

Because ANY WOMAN can learn to Belly Dance, and many heavy women do, people often assume a correlation between the two.  Belly Dance is so gentle on the body, most movements are attainable no matter what the size of your belly or hips, and this is why we see all shapes, sizes, and ages participating.  How awesome is that that a women who is over weight can become inspired, sensual, confident in herself though Belly Dance?  Good luck finding a chubby Ballet dancer that can actually perform, the body just isn’t meant to handle the un natural work load. Belly Dance, however, can be performed for life.  If you can breathe, you can dance!…and if you walk with a cane we’ll throw in some “Saidi!” Cheers!

I actually enjoy watching performances by the curvier dancers, such as those of Egypt, their movements are so fluid and graceful.  Their shimmies are so volumptous and charismatic, moving at ease.  Heck if you have belly fat, be happy, some of us look like we’re having convulsions when we shimmy, especially when all that’s shaking is our legs!  So take it all in girls, whether your slimmer or thicker, Belly Dance can move you, and YOU can move it!

Now, I’m not barefoot and pregnant YET, but when I am, and after I’ve given birth to many little ones, I know that when my belly is bigger I will still be able to Belly Dance.  This gives me hope and encouragement to continue studying the art form I love knowing that although I will be older and curvier, I will be more skilled and refined.  So bring it on “flabby belly!”, I’m ready for you…heck, my butt’s been flabby since I was 12, thank God I don’t have to show that for a living!  And if you do happen to have a belly and want to get rid of it, get it to class!, we’ll tighten those muscles right up!

And I’d like to end by sharing a little saying from Egypt: “A woman without a belly is like a sky without stars”…that should be a t-shirt!

About the author:
Portia is the founder, CEO and Artistic Director at Belly Motions®, Inc. As a professional in the field she constantly strives to inspire and educate the masses on the beauty and benefits of Belly Dance. By standardizing the presentation of Belly Dance she aims to raise the integrity, respect and professionalism for the art form. Belly Motions® is…raising the bar of Belly Dance “one hip at a time!”

Connect with Portia on Twitter: @PortiaLange and on Facebook: Portia Belly Dancer