This e-book is designed to help you learn the basic beginning moves of Middle Eastern Dance. It is best used as a learning aid while taking classes from a professional teacher.

A comprehensive guide to the art of belly dancing • Covers the origins, mythology, and history of the Middle Eastern dance, including its physical and mental health benefits • Contains practical instructions with easy-to-follow photographs • Includes recipes for perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food from the Middle East Belly dance is pure sensuousness and has enchanted humans since ancient times. Yet beyond its erotic aspects, belly dancing offers many physical and emotional benefits. On the physical level it helps with muscle stiffness, autonomic nervous system disturbances, mobility of the abdominal region, and strengthening the back, which in turn enhances the body’s overall posture. Belly dancing also relieves menstrual problems and has been shown to be extremely useful during pregnancy and childbirth. On the emotional side belly dancing increases the libido and has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues and regain healthy feelings of sensuality and sexuality.Belly Dancing covers all aspects of this ancient art, beginning with its origins and mythical connections to the moon goddess. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs for the most important dance movements as well as guidance in costuming and related accoutrements. Additional information on foot reflexology and Indian chakras aid the further understanding of the art. The book also contains recipes for Middle Eastern perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food as well as suggestions for musical accompaniment.

Spice things up with exotic music, the twirl of silk, and the rhythmic clapping of finger cymbals. This instructional book includes floor gymnastics, back bends, poses, and stretches--and proves that belly dancing can be as easy and fulfilling as yoga.

Beyond Moves, Combos, and Choreography

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.

Are you ready to teach belly dance? Are you looking for ways to change up your teaching techniques? Are you keen to find a fresh approach to bring to your existing classes? This is the book! Sara Shrapnell will help you set up, plan, teach and enjoy your belly dance classes. From exciting games to make learning fun for your students, to understanding the individual needs, desires, and hopes that each dancer brings to class, Sara will help you hone the learning experience to achieve their goals. This book touches on every major aspect of the teaching process including: * Tips for finding the perfect teaching venue* Promoting yourself as your teacher* Planning interesting semesters * Methods for developing comprehensive lesson plans * Understanding your students aims and goals* Providing useful praise and critique* Teaching to a variety of learning styles* Organizing your own events and troupe* Picking music that connects to the learnerAlso includes a glossary, handouts, and sample waivers.Sara Shrapnell has taught belly dance for more than a decade, presenting thousands of belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She teaches privates, groups, workshops, and provides coaching for dancers and teachers worldwide. www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com

"A beginners introduction to the ancient Arabic art of belly dance as a pre natal and birthing tool."-- From title page.