Belly Dancing Basics

by Laura A. Cooper, Sarah Skinner (Photographs)

Sumptuous color photography combined with comprehensive and detailed easy-to-follow instructions demonstrate a unique way for women to get and keep fit while expressing their sensuality through Belly Dancing. Would-be dancers who have longed to learn the intricacies of this ancient dance form can now experience the pleasure of learning and mastering all the basic steps, putting together an individualized routine and adding magic to their performance with veils, swords, and the tiny finger cymbals known as zills . Each complex movement of the body is painstakingly broken down into concise step-by-step directions that are easy to follow. Perfect for the basic beginner, the instructions also offer alternatives and additions to the movements to accommodate a dancer’s growing skill. The lavish sequence of images captures each delicately curved hip and splayed finger; the arch of a foot and the arc of a backbend; and the careful placement of a leg. You can practically see the stomach rippling sinuously, the hips shimmying wildly, and the hair whipping around as the dancer twirls.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Bloodorange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting introduction to bellydancing, with a focus on steps and veil work (separate, detailed chapter). The book also contains a chapter on props - candles (on a tray), scimitar, Isis wings, and zills. I enjoyed this chapter, since it really gives a sense of what it is like to work with each prop, and gives many practical tips (how to make the candle tray stay put; how to work and PLAY the zills). I also appreciate the fact that the book offers variations for nearly all (if not all) exercises, and possible combinations for many, as well as tips on creating your own, 6-part routine. I really like the fact that this book gives beginners a sense of where their skills may realistically take them. The only thing I was not happy with is that sometimes the models presenting dance movement are photographed in harem pants that obscure, to me at least, some of their leg movements.

[Jodee Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Pictures and descriptions of the moves but I think this would be better learned in a classroom setting. At least for me.