# I survived my first belly dance class!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 23, 2002, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640 "2002-03-23T00:20:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/1 "2002-03-23T00:20:26Z")
It happened Monday. I go there, get all signed up, pay for the classes (surprisingly inexpensive.) The first thing the teacher tells the class is, “We’re going to be doing some floor work today because the girls don’t have strong legs.” OK, I’ve been working out, I can handle this, right? Twenty minutes later, I fell over sideways. I ended up sitting on my ass for the whole second half of the class, because my legs felt like overcooked linguini. I’ve been resisting the temptation to not work out, even though I was sore for three days. Long hot baths with epsom salt did not help. Sleeping with a heating pad on my aching thighs, however, did. I’ve been making an extra effort to work those thigh muscles, so that I won’t fall over again Saturday. Yeoch. And this instructor looked like she was pushing seventy, and she was down there on the floor doing the exercises with us… and wasn’t even breathing hard. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/2 "2002-03-23T01:02:26Z")
Yeowch! Floor work the first day? Your teacher is a sadist! BTW, what is her name? ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/3 "2002-03-23T02:58:33Z")
Ooo boy, floor work for beginners? Aiee! (Unless by floor work, you were refering more to exercises and stretching rather than actively dancing?) Welcome to the wonderful world of belly dancing! Where else is a poochy belly a GOOD thing? 😃 And remember, a lot of what you’re doing boils down to the right attitude. And do NOT EVER EVER EVER wear a dance top (glorified bra with decoration) that has a front closure. At least with a back closure, if it gives way, you may just be able to make it through the dance… * * * \<\< Belly dancers do it better. \>\> ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/4 "2002-03-23T03:10:29Z")
And don’t belly-dance at the office Christmas party! ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/5 "2002-03-23T03:11:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nightsong \* > **Welcome to the wonderful world of belly dancing! Where else is a poochy belly a GOOD thing? 😃** [You said it!](http://www.zilltech.com/gallery/abs.jpg) Nightsong - where do you dance? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/6 "2002-03-23T04:27:17Z")
Okay, ladies, we’ll take this from where we left off on the alternate board. Zyada, do you have your zills ready? Yada-yada “jewelled harem slave/stripper” yada-yada “the point of Cootch Dancing of any sort?” Action! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/7 "2002-03-23T04:39:00Z")
_eyes pic, and laughs_ Ain’t that the truth! Me? I’ve danced in CA, SC, and now TN: ended up not taking classes this time 'round beacuse off a conflict with times. (Dance classes are at 6:15, I don’t get out of school class until 6:55 at the very eariliest.) I take classes along with my Mom: everyone seems to think it’s really cute. 😕 (But then again, it makes for a great mirror dance!) I really should work on finishing up my cabaret-style costume one of these days… and get the tribal one going. All these wonderful patters, and not enough time… * * * \<\< With rings on her fingers… \>\> ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/8 "2002-03-23T05:16:12Z")
Dropzone - did you see the reply I made to your comment? Aw, heck, I’ll repost it anyway… :beats dropzone over the head with her zills: [icily]Belly dancing is not “Cootch Dancing”[/icily] You mean you can’t understand why a woman would enjoy expressing her sensual nature through dance? Can you not conceive of there being something between the overt, pornographic sexuality of stripping and the almost complete lack of sexuality in dance forms like jazz, ballet or hobby dances such as square dance? Are women only allowed to be sensual if they are forced into it, such as harems, slavery, or stripping which is often percieved to be exploitative, and only intended for the audience, not the dancer? Why do you assume that we dance only for you, and not for us? My teacher was complaining about the treatment she got from a restaurant owner and said “If I wanted to be a stripper, I could go down the street and make $300 in one night. Here I make $50 per night. I do this because I love it” Belly dancing is an ancient dance that is being re-invented here as women take control of their sexuality. It is not about titillation; it is about exploring the beauty of our bodies and our souls. I’d hate to waste a good rant. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/9 "2002-03-23T05:41:24Z")
Yes, I did, but I might have been the only one. You wrote such a lovely rant I thought you should be able to share it with more people. But, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back into character. (clearing my throat, taking a cleansing breath, and clearing my brain) So, belly dancing is not like cootch dancing 'cuz it pays less? What’s wrong? Can’t ya get a job at the strip club? And before you get all huffy talking about athleticism and such, think about the hard work it is to be a pole dancer! I mean, didn’t you see _Showgirls?_ Do you know how cold that pole is on delicate tissues? (Actually, ya’ll can get back to your discussion. I watch a lady belly dance and all I can think of is how she’ll need a chiropractor if she’s not careful. Thoughts like that when faced with a beautiful woman celebrating her sensuality are the price of age.) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2002, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/10 "2002-03-23T05:46:47Z")
(Just quickly ducking back in to comment on the cartoon) LOL! Yeah, I can relate to that! Through much of history, back when the rich were fat and the poor were thin, I would have a “prosperous-looking figure.” ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2002, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/11 "2002-03-24T00:35:31Z")
Actually, dropzone, if a belly dancer isn’t careful to avoid ‘duck butt’, they can literally grind their backbone down… owie… :eek: * * * \<\< (space intentionally left blank) \>\> ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/12 "2002-03-25T04:20:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nightsong \* > \*\*Actually, dropzone, if a belly dancer isn’t careful to avoid ‘duck butt’, they can literally grind their backbone down… owie… :eek: > > * * * > > \<\< (space intentionally left blank) \>\> \*\* Actually, my back problems have diminished since I started working out with a “Bellydance for Fitness” video. Nightsong, what is “duck butt”? ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/13 "2002-03-25T04:34:41Z")
Not to hijack this thread or anything, but I just survived my first African dance class taught by a woman from Zimbabwe. And I’m totally addicted. They let my son accompany on drums, too. - Jill ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/14 "2002-03-25T04:45:28Z")
Oooo. We have an African teacher at our studio now that gave an intro seminar one evening. I was just wiped afterwards! Great fun, but I’m getting to old for some of the stuff she was doing. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/15 "2002-03-25T04:47:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zyada \* > \*\*Oooo. We have an African teacher at our studio now that gave an intro seminar one evening. I was just wiped afterwards! Great fun, but I’m getting to old for some of the stuff she was doing. \*\* It is a seriously athletic, aerobic style of dancing. Very strong. No such thing as too old! Jill ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2002, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/16 "2002-03-25T23:44:39Z")
“duck butt” = dancing (unintentionally a lot of the time) so that your butt is sticking out. (Waggle, waggle, quack, quack.) When you dance, you want to keep your hips tucked under to avoid this. Kinda hard to explain with out using pictures… Basically, you know how your butt tends to slide ‘out’ as you sit down upon something? You want to do the opposite. Kinda like the motion if you’re trying to flatten your back to the wall, for instance. Tucking your hips under doesn’t work too well if you’re standing with un-bent legs, so it also helps keep you in a better dance posistion. While you’re practicing, it may look down right goofy. Then again, a lot of moves do… 😉 While you’re in full costume, the costume’ll hide what your legs are doing, so don’t worry about it. If you legs are bent more, your hips can move more, and your dance movements will have more impact. (Whew, I’m getting long winded!) * * * \<\< Bubble gum. \>\> ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/17 "2002-03-26T02:24:21Z")
Thanks, Nightsong. I have a rather, um, prodigious posterior, which, when I’m tired, tends to stick out more. I’m finding that keeping my abs firm (strong and well-toned, but not going for the “six-pack” effect, which I think is downright unattractive) helps keep my hips properly tucked under, as well as giving me better back support. If I don’t do my crunches for a couple of days, I do tend to feel it in my lower back. BTW, I ordered my first real costume (I have this homemade thing that’s ok for class or practice, but I wouldn’t want to dance in public wearing it- I can’t sew worth a darn). Check it out- [www.turkish-emporium.com](http://www.turkish-emporium.com) . Go into the value/economy priced costumes and look at #23. I ordered it in russet brown, and I also got a seven foot veil to go with it. They threw in a nice coin necklace for free. Interestingly, I think that their most beautiful costumes are in the low- to mid- price range. And I called Turkish Emporium because I wanted to make sure I got the skirt length I need- I have short stubby little legs, so I need a short, stubby little skirt, and dance skirts tend to have a standard length of 36" The customer service guy I talked to was an English dude named Andrew, and he was very helpful. So, now I get to wait for probably three weeks to get the thing. I keep logging onto the webside and drooling over #23. ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/18 "2002-03-27T14:18:22Z")
_peeks at costume_ Oooh. _peeks at rest of the site_ Ooooooh. _goes and runs to hide her paychecks, just in case_ 😃 Very good pricing! Even the professional level costumes are reasonably priced. \*I will not spend all of this month’s salary. I will not spend all of this month’s salary. I will not… \* * * * \<\< Drool. \>\> ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/19 "2002-03-27T21:56:16Z")
Yeah. Try knowing that your costume is en route to you from Istanbul, probably by camel caravan. You know that blue velvet number, the one that’s going for $109? I’m having a very hard time not ordering that one, too. Probably I’d get that one in hunter green- don’t look too good in blue. **I WANT MY COSTUME** \ ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-survived-my-first-belly-dance-class/99640/20 "2002-03-28T14:25:03Z")
\*suddenly has this image of Thea Logica, crouched next to the mail box, lying in wait for the carrier, a.k.a. Garfield… \* 😉 * * * \<\< Foo. \>\>