| If you thought that belly dancing was simply | | | | outfit was adopted by dancers in Egypt in the |
| moving your stomach around in circles, you're | | | | 1930s, and its style stems from vaudeville, |
| wrong. There are also a lot of common | | | | burlesque and Hollywood rather than the |
| misconceptions, which accuse belly dancers of | | | | actual Middle Eastern dress. This outfit was |
| being "strippers" because of the types of | | | | largely adopted due to the fact that the most |
| movements involve. However, there is a much | | | | popular venue for belly dancers was and still |
| more extensive history to this style of dance | | | | remains in night clubs. Belly dancing is |
| than most people realize. According to | | | | largely an improvisational dance form that |
| Wikipedia, belly dancing is a western name | | | | focuses on moving the muscles around the hip |
| for an Arabic style of dance that developed | | | | and pelvic area. The idea of the dance seems |
| in the Middle East. It can also, sometimes, | | | | to be to isolate this one area while keeping |
| be referred to as "Middle Eastern Dance". | | | | the rest of the body as still as possible. |
| Belly dancing is based on one of the oldest | | | | Many of the dance moves that belly dancer |
| social dances in world history. There are | | | | incorporates require a lot more flexibility |
| two forms of belly dancing: 1) raqs baladi | | | | than one would realize at first glance. |
| and 2) raqs sharqi. Raqs baladi is a social | | | | Americans fascination with belly dancing |
| dance performed by people of all ages and by | | | | began around the 1950s and has since spread |
| both sexes during festive occasions such as | | | | throughout the United States. People can now |
| weddings and other social gatherings. Raqs | | | | attend belly dancing classes and seminars to |
| sharqi is the most popular form of bell | | | | learn how to move like a belly dancer. You |
| dancing in America today and can be performed | | | | can also go to popular cities like New York |
| by both female and male dancers alike. Just | | | | or Las Vegas and see professional belly |
| like a lot of social dance forms, children | | | | dancers at nightclubs and other venues. |
| learn how to belly dance from an early age by | | | | There is still a lot of speculation by some |
| watching their parents and other elders do | | | | as to the criticism that belly dancing is |
| it. Due to the fact that belly dancing | | | | somewhat sexual in nature and not something |
| incorporates so many different dance styles | | | | that children should be exposed to. Also, |
| into its art form, there has been much | | | | usually we see female belly dancers as the |
| speculation as to where exactly belly dancing | | | | primary gender in belly dancing. However, |
| originated from. Perhaps one of the most | | | | although not as common, male belly dancers |
| noticeable things about this dance style is | | | | can also be found such as in Turkey and other |
| the outfit. The type of outfit that is | | | | countries. Male belly dancers are not as |
| typically worn by belly dancers is called | | | | popular or as commonplace as female belly |
| bedlah, which in Arabic means suit. This | | | | dancers in the United States. |