How to Learn to Bellydance Like Shakira

Ok, maybe not EXACTLY like Shakira, but you will learn the basics like I did. The art of belly dancing is very complex and extensive, so I am going to just focus on how to isolate and move the midesction!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. While trying to learn to belly dance I discovered that it uses techniques I learned in Modern Dance. One major aspect of belly dancing is about moving the midsection. First stand up straight with feet apart.

2. A major component of movement involves breath. Put both hands on your midsection. Now breathe in, then out. Do this a couple of times just to start to understand how the stomach area contracts.

3. Now place both hands on your hips. Move only your midsection from right to left while place your hands on your hips. Feel the pull of the muscle from side to side.

4. Now, we will go from front to back. Push your stomach out as far as it can go and inhale, now pull your stomach in and really contract. Exhale. Repeat this a couple of times.

5. Now we can combine all of the movements. Start with the right, out, left and in. Isolate the midsection and make sure your hips do not shift while you are moving. Make one "circle" with your midsection to the right. Then reverse and do this to the left. Keep your shoulders straight and head high.

6. Now you can move your middle like a belly dancer. Keep perfecting this movement and pretty soon you can go on to the next steps to all of the aspects of belly dancing and give Shakira a run for her money!

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've mastered your midesction, you can go the next level of learning, which is leg movements.
• Belly dancing is an intense art form that takes years or practice so start now!
• Try a belly dance DVD for shortcuts and more skills.
• Stretch before dancing

[SimplyCuttings]

on 2/18/2009 If I could dance like Shakira, I probably wouldn't have to keep writing...lol