I came across this article on the web and it intrigued me as I’m new to belly dance (just over a year). 

I know many people even here in the U.S. assume or believe that belly dancing is a middle eastern form of striptease. I would disagree. I personally feel it’s sensual, but it’s sensual in that I feel feminine and sexy when I do belly dance but it’s not a strip tease act in and of itself. 

Read these two articles and decide for yourself. 

http://www.eijkhout.net/rad/dance_specific/bellydance4.html

http://www.eijkhout.net/rad/dance_specific/bellydance5.html

http://youtu.be/Dsp_8Lm1eSk

My friends who know me are sick of me talking about this song, but I love it and I love the video. I know people in the belly dance community debate as to Shakira’s true belly dance skills, but I love the way she moves. Truth be known since starting to take belly dance, I aspire to move even as half as good as Shakira and I want her abs. Reality is I’ve had two kids by C-Section and more weight to lose. Mine may not ever be exactly like that, but I plan on getting damn close, so this song inspires me. This song is sexy and the moves are sexy and I love it. Somehow though, I don’t think it would sound as sexy in English. But no matter what, this song will remain on my iPod for a while and from time to time I will dance in my living room to this song. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, what songs inspire you?

I am sorry this took me a while, but here’s my story. In October of 2010 I started working on my weight. See attached picture of me on the golf cart. I was 365lbs and on heart medication and could barely move.

I saw this picture of me and cried. I couldn’t believe how big I had gotten. I can’t explain it but something in me clicked. I started with a belly dance class. I saw the movie “The Bucket List” with Jack Nicholson and that movie changed me. I had lost my dad to Cancer and the movie inspired me to do something I had always wanted to do. That was belly dance. I started taking the class in October of 2010. Taking the class gave me the self esteem to want to exercise more.  

I am now at 215lbs. I feel like a 21yr old again. The above picture was me at a Career Fair recently. I have new found self-esteem and I feel great. It’s not about taking a supplement and magically the weight comes off. It’s a hell of a lot of hard work. I hope this helps you. In my weight loss journey, I have come to discover that I have inspired so many people. That makes me feel good. I love belly dancing and will continue to belly dance until I otherwise decide not to.

I just love Suhaila Salimpour, every since I tried one of her videos I’ve been hooked. Suhaila Salimpour is a highly acclaimed performer, teacher, and choreographer of belly dance. Trained from an early age in jazz, tap and ballet, Suhaila began integrating her extensive classical background with the Middle Eastern dance passed on by her mother, Jamila Salimpour. If I’m not mistaken, I believe Suhaila’s grandmother was a dancer as well. 

I highly recommend you check out her videos.

http://www.suhailaonlineclasses.com

I have been studying belly dance for a little over a year and I love it. This is a blog that I love the pictures and posts about belly dance.