Why do we Love this dance?

 Let us count the ways...  

What I also heard from my students was:

• They love belly dance because it’s a FUN way to exercise
• The teachers of other subjects like the experience of being a student again
• Some students like the challenge of enlightening people about belly dance
• The “mystique” - it’s fun creating a stage persona or belly dancing alter ego
• The circularity of the movements, as opposed to the impact of step-aerobics, feels better and also seems to integrate their body-mind
• Learning about other cultures is enlightening
• Belly dance has more of an internal focus than other dance forms they’ve studied; and it’s provided them with more dance opportunities as well
• Props like sword and cane are fun! And, they enjoy the history behind the props
• Belly dance is more accepting of all body types than other dances (that got a big response in class!)
• The exotic music intrigues and soothes them
• Their classmates are very diverse compared to their usual social circle
• When they dance everything else disappears and they escape to another world
• The belly dance community is more supportive than they’ve experienced with other forms
• The flowing energy of the dance feels therapeutic and builds their body instead of breaking it down
• They have become more graceful and feel beautiful
• Belly dancers are more beautiful than other dancers(!)
• Belly dance performers all dance in their own unique way instead of looking the same as other belly dancers
• They enjoy the feeling of achievement when they reach their goals, and there is always more to learn
• They like having their loved ones join them in related activities like drumming (& costume making!)
• Their social life outside of class has been boosted because classmates often get together to celebrate anniversaries, attend each other’s musical concerts, or see their art exhibitions.