Learn to Dance DVD

How effective are DVD’s to learn belly dancing?

To dance socially and have a lot of fun is really easy but if you want to be a good dancer you need an excellent teacher and a lot of dedication.

If you possibly can, take some classes as nothing beats a teacher showing you the moves, criticizing and correcting. Its also a very sociable activity with haflas (parties), workshops, festivals, performances, costumes etc.

It is possible to learn from DVDs – but it’s not easy to see every detail of arm positions, posture, how to use your feet etc. Most dancers use DVDs to back up what they learn in class, expand their skills and learn styles that their teacher may not be interested in.

Amira’s Bellydance 101 Belly Dancing Basics For Beginners gets consistently good reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Amiras-Bellydance-Dancing-Basics-Beginners/dp/B001W2HZ0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1274657261&sr=8-1

Then haunt youtube to find out which dance styles you like before you start spending more money.
General resource http://www.shira.net/
Fat Chance Bellydance http://www.fcbd.com/
Bellydance Superstars http://www.bellydancesuperstars.com/
The Indigo and Rachel Brice http://www.theindigo.net/

I was going last year, but had to stop. I felt like I couldn’t dance for toffee, it took me longer to pick stuff up than everyone else. I felt like everyone was laughing at me, like the teachers and stuff. I never saw this happen, but felt it was. And I hated looking at my self in those mirrors.I thought I wasn’t cool or pretty enough to dance. I ended up feeling depressed and leaving. It’s not the dance learning to a dance DVD and I really enjoyed it when I first went to the classes before the paranoia set in. Is it worth going back and trying again?

Yes, hun, go back! I promise you they weren’t laughing at you, dance instructors don’t do that! If they are, then they have a right to be fired! They are supposed to help you and encourage you with whatever you do! Go back since you miss it, you’ll get it.