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If you look beyond the author's often obnoxious tone ("If you're bored, bloated, stooped, and draggy..." or chapter titles like "So You Want to Become a Sensuous Belly Dancer") and take this for the 1970's relic that it is ("The Ladies' Home Cabaret"; "Now you want to surprise your man"), you'll find a surprisingly well-rounded book that has some useful informtaion. This book begins with a whole chapter on warming up, a series of yoga-inspired exercieses, and several preparatory exercises for getting used to the isolation of movements that is one of the most "foreign" aspects of belly dance. Chapter Four teaches "basic dance movements". At times the descriptions of individual movements seem overly detailed in an attempt to make up for lack of a teacher's live demonstration. In general this is one of the problems with learning from a book and why the advent of video/dvd makes learning a dance form so much easier. However, one part of these descriptions is very important and often overlooked: under the heading "making it great", the author describes what is needed to take the move to the next level, i.e. variations on the sizes of movements and which extraneous movements to watch out for. This feature makes it more versatile to different levels of dancers. Instead of teaching how to combine moves and flow smoothly from one to another using one's own sense of creativity, the author creates pre-formed "dance master patterns" for the reader to learn. It gives one cause to wonder if the author's real life students were ever able to learn to do their own choreography. Though you may roll your eyes at the subtitle of the veil work section ("Dance of the Seven Veils"), it does offer some good descriptions and pictures of wrapping your veil and getting out of it gracefully. However, there is pretty much nothing about what to do with your veil after you get it off, the author goes right into "Disposing of the veil" after a very brief paragraph beginning "You and the veil can now dance together" and encouraging the reader to "experiment in front of a mirror." One plus to the section on floor work is how the author suggests movements for both when one is down to the floor and for when one is trying to get upright again. Chapter Six includes some information on how to make some of your own costume pieces. The out-of-date factor is particularly apparent here when the author suggests some $0.79/yard material! Dental floss is suggested as good for attaching coins to a bra, something over which there has been some debate. Instead of a beaded belt or hip scarf, the reader learns how to make "the costume girdle." Typically, the author includes two levels of costuming: one for the trained seamstress who understands terms like "selvage" and knows how to make and use their own patterns, and one for those who can "add an old necklace or two" to a bikini top. Chapter Seven- "The Ladies' Home Cabaret". I would recommend simply skipping this chapter except for maybe the caption on Pg 152 describing what a Taxim section is and what to do during it. You may find some useful information in the glossary as well as plenty of misleading "definitions" (i.e. "CLARINET - Often used in Middle Eastern musical combos...mostly used in Greek music"). Overall, this book offers some useful and sometimes neglected information but should not be a reader's sole source of gaining knowledge about the art of belly dance.Read full review
I was very happy with the beginning techniqe that you must go through before you begin any belly dancing as an exercise. They is a lot of prep and stretch work that must be done first. The book was an older print but just as self explanitory and useful for ANY beginner. Even the photos were extremely helpful in understanding the text. Plus an added bonus ; how to make your own top and different bottoms. Belly dancing is not something you can learn in a weekend. It does take lots of pratice but is well worth the changes it makes in your natural movements outside of the dance. Grace must be practiced before it becomes natural. And I am still working on it !! This book is great for all ages but better suited for middle age and up. Like working at your own pace and sneaking small exercises in during your daily routine. To achive a finale personal goal. I purchased this book to learn how to belly dance for Halloween, but didn't buy it early enough ( 6 weeks ). Still praticing and loving every minute any way. Great exercise and wonderful confidence booster, and yes it does change your waist line. I have also purchased some DVD's but haven't opened them yet. I feel that this book is preparation, and I need to be comfortable and flexable before I jump into a full routine with flawless motion.Read full review
I bought this book back in the 70's when I wanted to learn to dance. It's excellent, and really helped me get started. The photos were helpful as well, and I still have the book. I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about belly dancing and does not know where to start.
Verified purchase: No
Good material re: belly dance in the 70's.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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