Expectations When Taking a Belly Dancing Class

So you’ve decided to take a class, congratulations! People come to dance classes for a wide variety of reasons; it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, or it’s a unique form of exercise, or you used to dance years ago and miss it, or you have an injury or physical situation that would benefit from the low-impact moves. Whatever your reason, be prepared to learn, have fun, and make mistakes. After all, if you already knew how to bellydance, you wouldn’t need to take a class would you

If this is your first time in a dance class, be prepared to feel very awkward at first. Remember bellydancing is something new and you’ll be using muscles you didn’t even know you had. You’ll be learning to move your body in new ways to music and rhythms you’ve never heard before, so it’s perfectly natural to not immediately master every move you learn as soon as you try it. Just as there are many different bellydance classes available, each bellydance teacher offers something different ranging from the style they teach to the music they use to the general ‘feel’ of the class You may find yourself trying a few different bellydance classes before you find a teacher and style that fits what you are looking for.

Once class begins, focus on what the instructor is doing and saying. For example a general comment to the class such as “keep your feet hip width apart” may be directed at you or at the entire class, so check your foot placement if you hear something like that. Instructors do not often “single out” individuals in class, it’s awkward and embarrassing for everyone, so general comments are made to the entire class.
Above all, don’t compare yourself to other students in the class. What’s important to remember is everyone in the class feels the same as you do, awkward, and it’s not a competition. Each move will look different on each student depending on their body type, that’s one of the great things about bellydance! We all do the same moves, but because of how unique our bodies are the same move will look slightly different on each dancer. This is a dance class, not a competition. If you think you’re ready to move up to the next class level, ask your instructor for her feedback. Don’t move up to a higher level for your ego, move up because you are ready for the next level.