About Belly Dancing

Belly Dance, also known as Oriental Dance, came to the West during the late 1800's when there was a fascination with the culture of what was then called the Orient. At the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, Little Egypt appeared and the audience was entranced. Since then, Belly Dance has evolved into a performing art in the West, and has been refined in the Middle East where it is known as Raks Sharki.

The last two decades have seen a revival of interest in Belly Dancing. Dance artists and instructors are suddenly in demand for their knowledge and expertise, and can be found worldwide.

The movements of Belly Dance are quite distinct from Western dance forms. The dancer makes use of the torso and especially the hips. It requires concentration and coordination between mind and body, and is deeply rooted in the music itself. A dancer's performance is a tangible expression of the music being played. Many performers use traditional music today as well as new compositions with a Western influence.

Belly dancers range from solo performers to groups and even men. Today, Belly dance is a way for people to entertain themselves as well as a professional presentation. It is an exciting, healthy and beneficial body conditioner that works muscles that most people don't use with regular workouts. It is also a great opportunity to learn about the music and culture of other countries.