What do I need for class? Attitude! The right attitude makes all the difference.
Footwear - Bellydance is traditionally performed barefoot, although nightclub performers often wear heels or ballroom shoes. For classes I recommend slippers, dance shoes, ballet shoes or socks. If you have foot issues you can try dancing in running shoes but you may have difficulty with some of the pointed toe moves or those that involve being up on the ball of your foot. Please remember that street shoes are not permitted inside the Martial Arts studio location. Bare feet, socks, slippers or dance shoes only.
Clothing - Any exercise type clothing is fine, but since I do get asked…
Pants - Yoga pants, sweat pants, leggings, shorts but not skirts. (As your instructor it helps me to be able to see what your legs and knees are doing so that I know if you are doing a move correctly.) Jeans are not recommended because as stretchy as your jeans are - they can still constrict your movements.
Shirts - It is generally a better idea to wear a form fitting shirt so that you can better isolate your upper body movements - but really any shirt is fine.
You may wish to bring bottled water to class.
Do I need a hip scarf? If you have one, or you want to wear one - Awesome! Many of my students have them, others don’t. It is a matter of personal choice. It certainly adds to the fun. Some instructors don’t like hipscarves with beads or coins, because they make a lot of noise and it is difficult to talk over them. If they start shedding coins or beads, these can become a floor hazard. There are a few places in Windsor where they are available, or you can try online shopping. Occasionally I do offer them for sale.
But I don’t want to show my belly - You certainly don’t have to show your belly. After you have been dancing for a while you may find that you want to see what your muscles are doing, especially if you practice in front of a mirror. But you need never show your belly if you don’t want to. In fact, there are many beautiful performance costumes that don’t expose the abdomen at all. Or you can get ‘power mesh’ body suits that allow you to cover your abdomen but still give the illusion of a bare midriff. That’s if you want to get into performing.
But bellydancing is like stripping? right? NO! Not at all. This dance is an expression of whatever you put into it. It certainly is not about taking off your clothes. I’m teaching movements that increase your awareness of your own body. Learning to communicate with your own body can only have a beneficial effect on other aspects of your life.
Will bellydance help me lose weight? Sure - any physical activity done regularly, several times a week will increase the number of calories burned. Bellydance will also help you celebrate your curves and find muscles you never knew you had.
I’m too old/too young. No one is too old for bellydance. Traditionally bellydance is performed by everyone: men, women, children and grandparents. In addition to my adult classes I am currently offering a Parent/Child class for children under 12 attended with parent. Newly added a Belly dance props class which is open to both Teens & Adults. I have taught children as young as 6, and ladies … who were grandmothers - so yes - belly dance is an all ages activity. 
I’m a terrible klutz and have no coordiantion. Well then, you can only get better from here. Try it. You’ll love it.
Please feel free to contact me with any other questions you might have. - A.
