I'm new here!

[qimissung]

I'm new here and started bellydance last winter. I really enjoy it but am mainly using dvd's because of the expense of driving to lessons. The nearest teacher that specializes in bellydance is 40 miles away. It's good I had a dance background, it made learning from dvd's easier. I live out in the country in Minnesota. I hope that I will find others here that I can chat with. No one I know is interested in bellydance. It sure helped to flatten my tum, something that those of us at 40yr mark have to do.

[emijane]

to bhuz!

[sabrinabellydancer]

welcome!

[angelique2]

Welcome to bhuz!

[*Shira*]

Originally Posted by qimissung

I live out in the country in Minnesota. I hope that I will find others here that I can chat with. No one I know is interested in bellydance.

Hi there! Welcome to bhuz! I live in the Midwest too - I'm just south of you, in Iowa. Which part of Minnesota are you in?

There's a fabulous weeklong belly dance event coming up in Minneapolis in mid-October. I know Minnesota is a huge state, but if you can pry yourself away from your normal daily routine long enough to spend a week (or shorter, if necessary) in Minneapolis, you can immerse yourself in belly dance from a number of great instructors. I'm coming up for it (I'm teaching a workshop as part of it). Here's a link to the web site with information about it: http://www.jawaahir.org/Classes%2CCa...tivalForum.htm

In case you haven't found it yet, there's an article on my web site with suggestions for rural folks who would like to try learning belly dance without a local teacher: www.shira.net/no-local.htm .

Good luck with your studies!

[Egyptianangel]

Hi there, qumissung. I've only been dancing for a couple months and I love it. I went to my first hafla a couple days ago. It was so much fun, can't wait until the next one.

[deelybopper]

Welcome to bhuz, qimissung!
D

[wigglewhiz]

Pull up a thread, grab a cuppa and get comfy with us.

[eeyore]

Hello! Where are you in MN? I'm on the edge of the suburbs so it's about 20 min to the nearest class, in community ed. I've taken classes in the cities, which I would love to do more of, but it's a drive.

[qimissung]

I'm just north east of Austin. There is a place in Austin that offers bellydance but, I don't know prices or quality. Basically I'm in the middle of nowhere, 40 miles from Rochester or Owatonna.

[eeyore]

You are a bit out there. Maybe save up for a workshop here and there. I know there a few a year in Rochester. I hope to make it to one of those one day, but I have to make sure I can take the hubby's truck, as I don't trust my car for more than a few miles.

[Lisa Michelle]

Originally Posted by qimissung

I'm new here and started bellydance last winter. I really enjoy it but am mainly using dvd's because of the expense of driving to lessons. The nearest teacher that specializes in bellydance is 40 miles away. It's good I had a dance background, it made learning from dvd's easier. I live out in the country in Minnesota. I hope that I will find others here that I can chat with. No one I know is interested in bellydance. It sure helped to flatten my tum, something that those of us at 40yr mark have to do.

Hi Qimissung,

Isn't "Cassandra" somewhere in Minnesota? If so, not sure she would be near you.

40 miles...hmmmm, if that is one way and you are able to time and money wise, and the teacher is good...it could be worth it. For four years I travelled about 90 miles one way to study with a teacher 1 - 2 times a week. I made the trip more often some weeks for rehearsals because I was also in her troupe. Yes, I finally hit travel burnout, but I feel it was all worth it for how much she helped me grow as a dancer. I wish I had time to travel to study with her more!

Lisa

[qimissung]

Time I could work with, money for gas and lessons is very short. My other half and I are both divorced and it wasn't cheap. Cassandra is about 200 miles from me. Maybe when my business picks up more clients.

[Lisa Michelle]

Originally Posted by qimissung

Time I could work with, money for gas and lessons is very short. My other half and I are both divorced and it wasn't cheap. Cassandra is about 200 miles from me. Maybe when my business picks up more clients.

I would agree, 200 miles is too far for weekly classes but good for a workshop distance. I wish you the best in finding an instructor within affordable driving distance!

Lisa