Let me know I have been training for 8 months. Might have some gigs this fall bit looking or more.

Recently a popular instructor released her masters thesis and made some fairly egregious errors in academic research, including misquoting and apparently completely misunderstanding the existing research.

This is exactly why doing historical research in certain art forms (like belly dance) is difficult, to say the least. This particular researcher cited sources that did no primary research of their own, and misunderstood the primary research of other sources. Added to that, this instructor neglected to reference any recent research, work done in the last decade. It's almost as if they were only familiar with popular names and didn't actually dig deeper to see what had already been published.

Whenever a person attempts to research something that is so multi-faceted as dance history, there is a tendency for that person to cherry pick evidence or just jump on the work that reinforces their own beliefs and personal mythologies. This is why peer review is SO important. We don't know all our biases, and while we may not have specific political or economic motivations for publishing our conclusions, we are swayed by what journalists call our "faultlines" -- the areas where our bias shows to our peers.

It doesn't help that a great number of "researchers" in this field have been white-washing the statements and attempting to rewrite the histories of luminaries in the bellydance world in order to make their favorites shine more brightly and cast doubt on the statements of those who disagree with those favorites. I'm all for letting individual people reinvent themselves, as long as that doesn't fly in the face of actual facts.

At any rate, I think this video is, while understandably a bit salty, a great example of why peer review is necessary and how respecting primary research--even when it goes against what we want to believe--is essential. I think I can link it here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DxDhGd34J/

I have a ton of music from when I started dancing in the late 1990s through to about 2010. It’s all great but what new music are dancers liking these days? I’d like to get music that is more modern.

Suggestions welcome! Thanks!

Any dancers or teachers in the area that would like to gig, practice to live darbuka, etc? Will be in town end of August and would like to meet the community.

Hi there! Wondering if any redditors will be attending KC Raqs with Bozenka next weekend? It’s my home studio and I’d love to meet some friends!

Are there any oriental belly dancing classes in Alliance Fort Worth (North FW) Texas? I’m Lebanese and grew up dancing and need a place close by! Most of the places are too far for me! Please help!

I want to start belly dancing because it seems really fun and cool!!

im white and an american, would that be cultural appropriation for me to start bellydancing?

if its not

any tips on how to start bellydancing??

(edit) : please dont try and talk for other people if you are white like me, respectfully i dont need your approval, i want theirs, because its their culture, not ours.

Going into my 2nd year of consistently dancing and I am feeling like all my previous performances were people just being nice. I stopped performing because its hard to feel good about yourself when most of the dance community around you have been dancing for a decade or more and you haven't.

I know I can be hard on myself too and I was told some moves take a long time to grasp but it's hard to stay motivated. No one is mean or anything but I still struggle as a new dancer. I've been drilling more now and trying to learn more musical history and rhythms so maybe I can flow better when I dance instead of just listening with a Western ear.

Am I being too hard on myself? I just turned 40 and I feel so late in my journey.

Join us in Peoria, Illinois, for an exciting weekend of dance seminars on September 19–20 2026, featuring the internationally renowned Jasmin Jahal and her Stars of Sakkara

For event details please click here

I'm a latin woman from Brasil, and I've been practicing fusion for 2 years. I've been listening some latin rhythms on a electronic remix, and I'd like to try some movements merging fusion and rumba, tango, cumbia, salsa, etc. I've seen some dancers of my country merge to Brazilian rhythms like samba, pontos de terreiro, funk carioca and northeastern music. But I'd like to try something folklore-related to other latin countries. Do you have some dancers to indicate that do something like I've been looking for?

Salam alaikum, fellow girls!

Maybe a bit strange question but hear me out, I'm half way O Clone (telenovela uncovering cultural differences Brazilian vs Moroccan).

Muslim girls there perform belly dance for their husbands - it's not just a dance but a whole performance in a vibe-y setting, well you know. Above artistic expression It seems to me a nice bonding ritual which I miss in my western culture.

I'm wondering is it something that actually happens in real life and if so, how often do you do it, ladies?

​Hey Reddit,

​I just started taking belly dance classes, and the lack of flexibility is really holding me back. I’ve been dedicatedly stretching for the past two days, but everything feels incredibly tight and difficult.

​As a complete beginner, I have a couple of questions about the mechanics of stretching:

​How do you actually expand your stretchability? What is the best way to safely push past that initial "wall" of stiffness?

​Realistically, at what time frame do you exactly start becoming flexible or noticing measurable progress?

​Any tips, science-backed advice, or timelines from your own journeys would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi there, I’m happy to be finally taking my first belly dance steps with Datura online classes and am looking for some advice.

I’d love for you all to list out what a progressive move list is from first foundational steps to Advanced level.

I kind of understand the path, but I can’t find it listed out in a cohesive format anywhere. It would really help me wrap my mind around what progression looks like! I’ve found a road map to advanced, but It doesn’t include exact skills.

Thanks!

Edit: here is the Roadmap I found that doesn’t give me exact moves but an overall concept

https://ahlamacademy.com/performance-skill-mastery-roadmap/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Daf9t_qzxIY/?igsh=bXI1Mnl5anNxZmFo

I am not able to find an offline class that is convenient.

Should I -

Join an online class? (Any recommendations?)

Learn more and practice through YouTube?

Hi everyone! I'm looking for online group belly dance classes in Turkish. Does anyone know of any instructors or schools offering live group lessons (I am not interested in recorded videos)? I'd really appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

I’m sharing this today! It’s 38°C, and I’m already sweating just from watching Safira move. The worst part is that it looks pretty hot over on her end, too.

Anyway… I finally finished animating these longest 13 seconds of my life. This took forever, and I couldn't have done it without Laura Pacheco Cadena’s references.

Cheers!

Such an amazing opportunity to play with a drummer, accordion player, keyboardist, and singer! We’re all at a dance retreat in Greece 😊

I'll DM a video clip to anyone who's willing to help, please and thank you 💕

Edit: here's the link below :)

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSCVcQ5d7/

The only demonstration I can find, is from Anastasia Grace on Tiktok

F18. Hello my fellow belly dancers, I've joined a belly dance class which starts from Sunday onwards.. Could you pls suggest some tips on this journey and tell me things you wish u knew at the beginning stage of your career..

I've never participated in anything before! This is the first class I'm ever going to and also I'm kinda introverted, also I have no idea how I'm at dancing.

Could u pls tell me -

1. Steps I could learn as a beginner (from yt before the classes start cause I'm too nervous, and excited yhh)

2. Outfits? Like what would suit the best while learning.

3.Any other tips u wish that u knew it earlier

Thank you :)