Thread: Learn bellydance online

Hi i learn bellydance from clips on the net. I know its not as good as learning from a teacher. But i thought it great if i posted some videos i refer to occasionally

YouTube - genieshanu's Channel

and

YouTube - cassiopeia222's Channel

Please do tell me if you know more online bellydance video channels

Thank you :)

*kicks back*

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

*kicks back*

*reaches over* May I? My popper's busted.

Here, help yourself! What's mine is yours!

Want some JuJu Bees, too?

.w.:

I don't know about the rest of you...but I can't watch a video without a good bottle of wine! Anyone care for a glass?

Hi Mickeyxena,

There are some belly dance instructional videos on expertvillage.com. Here are a couple I found:

How to Belly Dance | ExpertVillage Videos

Egyptian Belly Dancing Moves | ExpertVillage Videos

I think all this talk about popcorn is because someone is probably going to tell you to stay away from online bellydance teaching videos and take a class, but you already said you knew a class would be better, so I'm guessing that's not an option for you right now. So, at least stay away from any online belly dance clips where the girl teaches half naked in her bedroom. Try to find one that talks about the right posture so you don't hurt your back.

Also, to learn more about belly dance and its history, a great website is:

Belly Dancing -- Art Of Middle Eastern Dance -- Bellydancing in Iowa City

MickeyXena, forgive the jokes. It's just that a lot of us don't have a very good feeling about beginners learning strictly from video, although I think casseopeia's good and she's also a Bhuzzard. Stay away from Queen Cassie, please!

It's really important to start out with a live teacher who can correct bad habits before they become ingrained. In order to do that, she needs to see you. :-)

ETA: Ooh, I notice that Cassieopeia offers video critiques. You might want to look into that.

Yes....all wine, popcorn and partying aside, the ExpertVillage videos actually aren't too bad. I've actually learned a lot from watching tons of videos of Egyptian dancers from the Golden Age, modern Turkish dancers, the Bellydance Superstars, and everybody in between.

Please, whatever you do....make sure that any instructor you learn from on YouTube is wearing pants. Enough said.

On a semi-related note, back when I was a poor college student at Marist, my very first BD teacher, Sarah Bell taught us the 4 Cardinal Rules of Bellydance:

1. Lift your chest for good posture
2. Always keep your legs together
3. Never do a backbend with your crotch facing the audience
4. Don't bellydance naked

These four rules stuck with me for a lifetime and it's probably the reason why I was so quick to bust out the popcorn.

Once again, MickeyXena, please forgive my momentary lapse in maturity....if you have any questions on technique, we're always here to help!

Welcome to Bhuz, Mickey! Pay no attention to the fuss, not all youtube instructors have great technique and sitting down with popcorn means people are expecting some drama on this thread. The truth is, not all LIVE instructors have great technique either, so you have to be an educated consumer either way.

I hope you can find a live instructor. Not only is it easier to learn (and get correction, and have a full hours' worth of new material each week) but a good instructor can put you in touch with the local dance community. Then you can meet other dancers, go to shows, watch movies as a group, perform in student shows, find the local shopping hot spots, and more. That's where the real fun begins!!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

4. Don't bellydance naked

At least, not in public. ..l;,

Originally Posted by Taj

At least, not in public. ..l;,

Yes. However you choose to present your dance to your boyfriend or "marriage covenant partner" is your business and your business alone. Or, if you're single, the same logic applies to those Risky Business moments, where you're bopping around your house in your underpants.

Enjoy your naked time however you wish, just don't broadcast it online or perform like that in a public venue unless you're cruisin' for a 3 a.m. zill brigade.

:soapbox:

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Or, if you're single, the same logic applies to those Risky Business moments, where you're bopping around your house in your underpants.

:

If this is the case, never do a backbend with your crotch to the window.

Much as learning belly dance strictly from video is warned against, i know that some of us have no other avenues for this pursuit. I have quite a few playlists on my YouTube channel for belly dance instruction videos.

YouTube - spicedjellybeans's Playlists

The instructional playlists start with "BD-Instr".

Originally Posted by Kash13

If this is the case, never do a backbend with your crotch to the window.

LMAO!

Words fail me, at this point. Where's some sort of appropriate beaver-policing emoticon when you need it most?

.p::

Although I'm sure you got the idea that a good live teacher is the best, my next suggestion would be videos/DVDs, vs. YouTube. I can't think of any, but I know there are threads on them.

Originally Posted by spicedjellybeans

Much as learning belly dance strictly from video is warned against, i know that some of us have no other avenues for this pursuit. I have quite a few playlists on my YouTube channel for belly dance instruction videos.

YouTube - spicedjellybeans's Playlists

The instructional playlists start with "BD-Instr".

Wow, you have done a masterful job of organization. As a former book indexer I applaud you!

Souzan

Originally Posted by mickeyxena

Hi i learn bellydance from clips on the net. I know its not as good as learning from a teacher. But i thought it great if i posted some videos i refer to occasionally

YouTube - genieshanu's Channel

and

YouTube - cassiopeia222's Channel

Please do tell me if you know more online bellydance video channels

Thank you :)

And did we all note that genieshanu has a montage created by PAWN1787 ( yes it's pronounced porn) who is the self same and much missed Sorcerer.,r:;

Mickyxena..if you are serious about belly dance find a reputable teacher.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1sGRETa9yY]YouTube - Video Edited by Pawn1787 + Michelle 4 u!!!![/ame]

another of the master's little montages not to learn from...

Egads, where's the eyeball bleach? .w.:

I am still trying to decipher the writing on the chick in orange's stomach. Not to mention, think I tore a groin muscle just watching all that "floorwork."

Yeah, definitely DON'T file this one into your library of must-see instructional vids. Unless your goal is to become the second coming of Mango, Chris Kattan's exotic male dancer of SNL fame.

The orange belly says, "hip circles from" and the rest is covered by her belt

This whole clip is just.....I don't even have words.

Mickeyxena,
I too use dvd's to learn the bulk of my dancing as the closest class isn't too close at all. So What can a girl do? If you are in love with this dance as I am, you do what you have to do. There are some great dvd's out there to learn from. Here are some past threads:

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/search-som...asics-dvd.html

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/rest-belly...ggestions.html


http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...ance-dvds.html

Originally Posted by spicedjellybeans

Much as learning belly dance strictly from video is warned against, i know that some of us have no other avenues for this pursuit. I have quite a few playlists on my YouTube channel for belly dance instruction videos.

YouTube - spicedjellybeans's Playlists

The instructional playlists start with "BD-Instr".

Not bad at all. Thanks for sharing!

Don't bellydance naked? Now I know why they've been throwing loonies at me, lol.

I figured out what's written on her tummy. "Move over Delilah." lol

I started out learning on videos. I just wasn't ready to expose myself yet. (That didn't come out right) Bhuzz's very own Michelle Joyce has some awesome DVD's for every level. I highly recommend! I did eventually go to a teacher tho cause vids can only take you so far. My dancing has improved greatly. Do what you can at home and when you get the chance to go to a class, even if it is a workshop, go so that you can get some feed back from someone in the know! Welcome aboard!

Totally off topic.....holy crap! I have three stars! When did that happen?

Originally Posted by lizajuk

YouTube - Video Edited by Pawn1787 + Michelle 4 u!!!!

another of the master's little montages not to learn from...

does he always use the same bdss music?..c::

Aha! Miles' new music marketing strategy - revealed!

Originally Posted by Linnyg

Totally off topic.....holy crap! I have three stars! When did that happen?

Haha, another Bhuz addict! ..l;,

If there is a class, even far from you, that you can get started with it would help very much! Learning from DVD isn't horrible once you've been dancing awhile (prefer a live teacher as most of us would!). However if you start with DVD you might be thinking you are doing great and find out later that you may have wasted your time with no correction.
If you are shy about taking a class please try to keep in mind that MOST people are very nervous about it! As we age to adulthood we do less and less new things because we are afraid. EVERYONE in a beginner class is nervous. The great thing is you are doing it together! I would say (and I am sure most teachers here would agree) that we do not expect beginners to come to class with any skills at all, that is our job to teach you. So if this is the reason, try a class, you might be really surprised how much fun you have learning with others instead of by yourself!