Addicted to belly dance!

[willow of the wooded fortress]

Ok, I stated my belly dance class and I am now in love! Wow what a fabulous way to move. We had about 16 girls and women in the class and we danced in a big circle. The room was oozing with Goddess energy! I am officially addicted, she said that with my dance backgroud if I was really dedicated I could work towards being a part of her dance troup. I am SO there! Maybe in a years time I'll get to perform, this is my new years goal!

Please send any suggested sight for more belly dance wear ladies!

[DoñaNina]

For practice, I like to wear bike shorts and a sports bra. I also like to have a mirror nearby, to see EXACTLY what I'm doing. I like to practice without the coin belt, because it gives me a clearer idea of what my body is doing without the distraction. The coin belt is really a blessing and a curse, because it can make most dancing look good, even if you're not moving the way you're supposed to.

However, if you can make your dancing look good WITHOUT any help, then you're on the right track. I'd reccomend going bare foot, too. You need flexibility in your toes, arches, ankles, ect.

[Rhia]

Welcome to the addiction!
Fabulous isn't it!!

Fat Chance Belly Dance/Flying Skirts is nice if you are looking for performance stuff...

For practice, I wear the equivalent of faire bloomers or wrap pants and either a smaller t-shirt or one of the cholis I made - there are tons of patterns out there for various styles if you are sewing inclined.

[*Gremco]

I have some tights that are lowcut so they sit at hip level. I usually put on a fringe scarf so I don't have the noise distraction. For practice shirts I would either wear a tank top or tuck my shirt under my bra.

[Adriana Rose]

there are some really killer sites out there for belly dancing cloths here are a few that I love!

www.moondancebellydance.com they have a good selection of cloths and they are pretty cheap and ship fast!

Domba they have great stuff! they are kinda pricy though but it is waaayy worth it!

Also if you are going to any fair soon there is always at least one shop that has cloths for belly dancing. And there is always sewing your own stuff!

[willow of the wooded fortress]

Thanks for all the tips. Oh well, another garb addiction!

[Sorcha Griannon]

Welcome to the addiction!
I am in the process of making my own stuff...I have a 10yd skirt finished, pants are in process, and my choli is 97% done. Those I got from a pattern at folkwear.com. I did change a few things, namely, I added a back to the choli, took in the pants a great deal (even on my size 26 butt, the amount of fabric they say to use is WAY too much...you could get away with 1/2 the fabric and look right), and because I didn't measure twice and cut once, lol...the 10yd skirt is more like and 8yd skirt, but it's a nice full skirt thats a bit more than a full circle at the bottom. I recently bought a pattern at from Madame X patterns for a beledi dress that has lacing at the front and back to make it totally adjustable, and it's coming together nicely. Simple, fast pattern. Looks like it'll be perfect. http://www.madamexcostumes.com/newpages/patterns.html
I am rather fond of the tassel belts that I seem many of the tribal dancers use, so I made my own. Instead of costing 80+ dollars for the one's I liked, mine has only cost 24-ish (most of which was the Iranian coins). So far, I'm loving it's swing, and the coins aren't loud, it's just enough of a sound to let you know they are there, but nothing like the fake "coins" on most coin belts.
Good luck with your dancing, and go find clothing that you like to go with it. For my it helps me get in the mood.

Sorcha

[Savantage]

I would like to find some how-to dvd's on belly dancing. I always liked the movements and my doctor says it will be good exersize (low impact) and not to mention I have a new boyfriend and I'd like to show off something new for him
any suggestions on titles?

[DoñaNina]

Neena and Veena are my favorites. ^^

http://www.bellytwins.com/shopping.htm

[Sorcha Griannon]

I would like to find some how-to dvd's on belly dancing. I always liked the movements and my doctor says it will be good exersize (low impact) and not to mention I have a new boyfriend and I'd like to show off something new for him
any suggestions on titles?

I have the twins...but a friend is borrowing it. I also have one by Jillina, whos is on the Belly Dance Superstar tour that I got at Target. Ummm...my newest one is from FatChanceBellyDance, and is called Tribal Basics Vol 1. It's pretty good, only I haven't had much of a chance to use it yet. www.fcbd.com
I wold suggest going to amazon.com and searching for belly dance in the dvd section and seeing what they have. Read the reviews and then decide with sounds best for you. There are quite a few reviews there, and a good 85% are helpful.


Sorcha