How to Combine Belly Dancing Moves

Combining belly dancing moves is called layering. This basically mean that you start with one basic movement and add other movements to it. It is the start to creating different moves in a dance performance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin layering with a hip movement. Most belly dance routines are created from the hips upwards in order to create the best movements. This is because some movements can't be combined, like a shimmy and rib circle, and the movement of the hips dictates the rest of the dance.

2. Practice the hip movement so that you can do the motion without having to think about it. You want to be able to concentrate on the next motion and the two motions together at the same time.

3. Decide what to do with your upper body. Make sure it is something that you will be able to do with the motion of your hips. Start off with simple combinations.

4. Repeat the upper body motion until it is familiar.

5. Start your hip movement. For example, if you choose a hip shimmy, you'll want to begin the shimmy before you start any other motion.

6. Go into your upper body motion while at the same time continuing to do the hip movement. So if you're doing the hip shimmy and decide to add a motion like snake arms, you'll will begin with the shimmy and focus on that until you have the motion and then add the snake arms.

7. Put the two motions together. It will take more concentration and coordination to do the two motions together. Start them slowly so that you can focus on form and then slowly build up the speed you want.