Egyptian style Bellydance in Manchester, UK
Ballet. It's a comparison that inevitably comes up when discussing any issue in the bellydance world. For a lot of people in the West, "dance" is ballet, and it's the standard against which all other dances get compared. Unfortunately, in discussions on bellydance, I don't believe that this comparison is very useful, because the two …
Continue reading "Bellydance vs. Ballet: Comparing Apples to Anteaters"
I am many things. A dancer, a teacher, a performer, a blogger, and in my 'other' life a geek, a feminist, an occasional goth... And an introvert. The idea of a shy or introverted performer doesn't make sense to most people. It doesn't seem natural for somebody who finds social interaction stressful or tiring to …
Continue reading "The Performer’s Paradox – It’s the Quiet Ones You Need to Watch"
I'm reasonably sure that one of the secrets of being a great dancer (or for that matter, a great musician, artist, writer, or just about anything) is having good habits. When something becomes a habit, you don't have to think about it or make an effort anymore, it just happens. It's the path of least …
Continue reading "Habits and posture – more bellydance musings"
Recently, I've been thinking a lot about music, and how we relate to it emotionally. Since becoming a bellydancer, I've gradually begun to listen to more and more Arabic music, until it has become almost the only thing I ever listen to. I love the complex rhythms, the melodies that can soar majestically before diving …
As we (hopefully!) all know, the only way to become a better bellydancer is through regular, focused practise. But this can be a daunting prospect! When you have lots of time commitments already - work, study, family, and even just keeping yourself fed and clothed - it's hard to set aside a big chunk of …
Continue reading "Stealth Bellydance Practise – Part 1: Public Transport"
The Bellydance Trophies 1st selection round has been and gone, and I've spent the last couple of weeks recovering - I'm mostly relieved that it's over, and it feels a bit like it was all a dream. Lots of people have been asking me how it went, so I'll do my best to tell you... …
I'm still (slowly) working on a post about Bellydance Trophies, but in the mean time, here are some thoughts which perhaps you will find interesting... One of the first skills we begin to develop as dancers is called proprioception. This basically means knowing the position of your body, without having to look. This sounds like …
I've been a bit quiet for the last few weeks since starting this blog. The reason? I decided rather impulsively to enter Bellydance Trophies this year - a unique bellydance contest held in London, where rather than being judged on a single performance, contestants are whittled down by selection rounds, quarter finals and semi finals …
A few weeks ago, I did a bellydance party in Bristol for the hen night of an old school friend. We had a wonderful time - everyone from the bride's little sister to her grandmother joined in, and I was amazed by how quickly the assorted friends and relatives forgot their awkwardness and began smiling …
Here's an old one to get things going... I originally wrote these tips for performers at the OMEDS Spring Hafla in 2011. They are intended to help performers to avoid some common costume pitfalls, and to give some useful hints and tips for looking polished, professional and classy onstage whether you are a first-time performer …
Continue reading "Looking good on stage – tips for new performers"
Bellydance by Rachael 
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