How to Belly Dance

Co-authored by Emilia Richeson-Valiente

Last Updated: September 26, 2023 Approved

Courtesy of stars like Shakira, belly dancing has become an international sensation. And why not? Belly dancing is great exercise, and it's an art that anybody can practice and, with time and patience, perfect.^{[1]
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Research source} If you want to know how to belly dance on your own, just follow these steps.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Getting Into Position

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Stretch. Getting warmed up before you start to dance will keep you from straining a muscle or getting injured. Just bend down to touch your toes, roll your neck and shoulders, and stretch your wrists to feel nice and loose. If you can do a backbend, do one to help stretch out your stomach muscles.^{[2]
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- As you get ready to belly dance, you should put your hair up and wear a shirt that exposes your belly.
- Practice dancing in front of a mirror so you can monitor your movements.
Any music with a strong repetitive base will help get you in the right frame of mind. Try to use some music of Middle Eastern origin and gain an understanding of the rhythms. There are many pieces of Arabic music that are composed specifically for belly dance and contain musical cues which will help you to understand when to make earthy movements and when to make flowing, graceful movements. Being able to dance to middle eastern music will help you to gain appreciation for belly dance.

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Begin in a position so that your upper body is straight. Don't arch your back or hunch. Tuck in your butt so that it also aligns with your back. Bend your knees slightly and never, ever, lock them. Your feet should be parallel and about a foot apart.^{[3]
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Research source} Your chin should be raised slightly, and your shoulders should be bent gently back.^{[4]
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Use your stomach muscles to 'pull' or lead your hip movement; the lower back should not have a large arch. Some schools insist on the stomach pulling from the start, in order to train your stomach. Lift your arms in the air so that they're slightly above parallel to the ground and lift your wrists slightly.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Mastering the Technique

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Master the side to side move and the back and forth move. For the side to side move, just drop your left hip to raise your right hip, and then drop your right hip to raise your left. Start slowly until you perfect this motion, and then speed up until you're shimmying your hips.^{[6]
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Research source} For the back and forth move, just move your hips back and forth, using the center of your pelvis to make the movement look graceful.
- Keep your arm lifted at a ninety degree angle and move your fingers to add balance and grace to your movements.
- To move side to side, first lift your right foot and lift your heel until only your toes are touching the ground. Use this movement to pop up your right hip for two counts, and then let it fall lower than normal for two counts. Repeat this movement with your left leg and hip and then alternate until you can shimmy rapidly.
- Use your knees to help generate momentum and movement, not your hips.
- To master the hip movement, try to mentally divide your torso vertically down the center. This will help you learn to move one side of your hip up and down without affecting the movement of the other hip.
Try 'drawing' little circles in the air with your one side. As you get the hang of it, try 8's, arcs, and swirls. Don't forget your other side. One side will always be easier, or stronger, depending on whether you are left or right handed. Keep your arms lifted, a slight smile on your face, and your fingers moving as you master these techniques.^{[7]
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You don't have to belly dance using the same motion all the time. Once you master a few techniques, you can switch things up. Do the left hip circle, the right hip circle, two right hip circles followed by two left, or move your hips back and forth and then transition into moving them from side to side. Remember to continue using your stomach to pull your hips in different directions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Mastering the Stomach Ripple

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^{[8]
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Research source} There are three main muscles that you will use: (1) a crescent shaped muscle just above the pubic area; (2) The area between the 1st muscle and below the navel; (3) just above the navel to your ribs (the one that hurts when you laugh too hard).
Isolate the first muscle group, then the second, and then the third. Once you can isolate and clench these muscles, you'll be on your way to doing the stomach ripple. Work on clenching and releasing them individually and then combine the movements.

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dancing, check out our in-depth interview with Emilia Richeson-Valiente.

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Question

I don't have big hips, or smaller waist, can I dance belly dance?

Community Answer

Of course you can. Belly dancing is for all shapes and sizes. Just remember to have fun .

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Are my legs and knees supposed to move when belly dancing?

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Yes, you are supposed to start with bent knees and then straighten you legs to move your hips up and down.

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How can I do a belly dance if I have a fat belly?

Community Answer

Just because you have a larger belly doesn't mean you can't enjoy belly dancing as well. In fact, the larger the belly, the more intriguing and enjoyable the dance as the belly is the feature. So go for it, live it and enjoy it, belly dancing is for all shapes and sizes.

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Tips

Start with bare feet or sneakers. No heels.

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Arm movements look better when your fingers are extended gracefully. Swirly movements look especially good.

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Don't be self conscious. Have a little confidence and lots of fun. Feel sexy!

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Warnings

Always warm up before belly dancing and cool down afterwards.

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Take it slow don't move your hips too fast.

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Always be careful not to strain yourself.

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Don't lock your knees.

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Don't step on your heel.

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Dance teachers vary in their teaching techniques and what they teach; if possible look around before deciding who to go to for lessons.

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They will usually advertise their classes in such shops if they support this. It can be a pain if all you want to do is learn the dance, and move on as the teachings do not physically enhance the look of the dance, or help with techniques, etc.

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