Home | Yoga | Belly Dance | Healing | Birth | Schedule | Fees | Bio | Photos | Email

Belly Dance

Belly dance is a form of dance that originated thousands of years ago in the Middle East and North Africa and is one of the oldest dance forms, natural to the body, with a rich and diverse background. Early matriarchal cultures believed that women's bodies were sacred for their ability to give birth. There were birthing rituals and exercises to prepare young women for the physical stress of childbirth as well as helping the baby to get in the most optimal position. These were an aspect of the temple dances and there were also folk dances that were performed at social events and celebrations. These dances spread throughout different regions and took on different characteristics and flavors and developed to reflect their surrounding cultures.

Devadassi or temple dancers in Northern India left around 500 BC and spread the dance throughout Persia, Middle East, North Africa and up into Spain; the dance in Spain became known as Flamenco. Gypsies that traveled the "Gypsy Trail" from India to Spain and Europe influenced many regions along the way with their music and dance. Each region developed its own style of folkloric dance, music, and costume, although a common thread flows through each. There are:

• Saidi and Beledi (Egypt)
• Khaleegy (Saudi Arabian Gulf)
• Debke (Lebanon)
• Karsilama (Turkey)
• Chiftitelli (Greek)
• Tunisian, Persian, Nubian
• ...and more

Elements of these folkloric dances evolved into today's belly dance. In Egypt, the dance evolved into a refined art form, was put on stage, and this developed into the Cabaret style. There are several styles of belly dance such as Modern Egyptian, Turkish, Modern Lebanese, American Cabaret, American Tribal, and Fusion.

American Tribal & Fusion

The type of class I teach is a combination of these two styles which can be called Tribal Fusion, Tribal Urban, or Urban Fusion. It encompasses all that I have learned and am continuing to learn from my beautiful teachers and other incredible dancers. The idea for the fascinating art form of American Tribal was born when Jamila Salimpour's Bal Anat troupe abandoned the glitzy, sequined cabaret costumes in search of the dance's ethnic roots.

In the mid-1980's, Carolena Nerriccio created the FatChance Belly Dance troupe, which sparked the fast–growing Tribal dance style. Dancers were thirsty for something completely different and it caught on like wildfire. Dancers often dance in groups and have developed innovative cueing methods of improvising, giving the appearance of mesmorized choreography (something I am working on). Fusion combines belly dance moves and costuming with other dance forms, such as flamenco, jazz, modern, Turkish and Indian Dance.

Belly Dance Classes

Level 1 Tribal Belly Dance
This class is for the beginning to continuing student incorporating basic posture, basic hip movements and undulations, basic arm movements, upper and lower body isolations, and an understanding of the basic principles of belly dancing. It is a lot of fun and it is a real dance class so please bring water to every class and be prepared to get a great workout. The class begins with a yoga-inspired warm-up and ends with a gentle cool-down. Bring a mat for yogic floor work.

Level 2 Tribal Urban Belly Dance & Choreography
This class is for students who have completed at least two level 1 sessions and are ready to move to the next level. Taking a level 1 class while taking a level 2 class is strongly encouraged. We will be learning more urban, jazzy type movements, improvisational skills, floor work, choreography for performances, and possibly sword balancing and zils (finger cymbals).

Important Notes

• Bring water!
• It is important for beginners to wear form fitting clothes so that the movements of the body can be seen to better learn.
• Wear clothes that help you feel like a goddess such as yoga pants, pantaloons, skirts, cholis, sports bras, or other cute tops.
• Wear bangles, make-up, belly-chains, anything that helps.
• A hip scarf or hip belt is essential to see the movement of the hips.
• Moon Haven has accessories available for purchase.
• Practice barefooted or wear dance/ballet/lyrical footwear.
• Practice at home to some awesome music. We have CDs to purchase
• If you must arrive late, please warm-up/stretch before jumping in.

Performances by Nanda Devi - Belly Dance Troupe

Moon Haven is proud to present Nanda Devi, a group of women dancing for others as well as themselves. We enjoy performing at family celebrations, fund raisers, and social events. We especially have a passion for raising money for and awareness of women in need. Please feel free to contact us for an event already planned or to propose an idea.

Other Names for Belly Dance

• Danse du ventre (dance of the stomach) French
• Beledi (dance from the country) Upper Egypt
• Raks Sharqi (dance of the East)

Benefits Of Belly Dance

• Improve coordination, balance, muscle tone, and posture.
• Bond with other women
• Reduce Stress
• Low to high impact aerobics
• Detoxify and promote lymphatic drainage eliminating fat cells and cellulite
• Tone and sculpt the abdominals
• Get really strong quadriceps
• Strengthen and increase flexibility of the spine.
• Learn new music and culture
• Gain self-confidence
• Self-expression
• Exploring Femininity and Sensuality
• Personal Achievement

INSTRUCTORS

Lori Bilbrey

Mindy Haworth

With thanks to the following for permission to use their photographs on our site:
Steve Prosseda, reddoorimages.com, jopic.com, k2.com, and soul-flower.com