Dear Shira

"Dear Shira" is an online advice column for people looking for answers to their questions about belly dancing. These are real questions, from Shira's "In" box, posed by real people!

For Beginning Students Hot Topics Costumes, Make-Up, Appearance	How to Dance Going Pro
Ask Your Own Question What's New!	Important Message

For Students

Can I Still Learn Belly Dancing, Even If I'm Overweight? Trying to decide whether your abundant curves will be out of place in a belly dancing class? Read this!
Am I Too Old To Learn How To Belly Dance? You've dreamed of learning Oriental dance for years--have you waited too long?
Stuck at Beginner Level? When should you move up to an Intermediate class?
From Plateau to Next Level. Feel stagnated in your dancing? Here's how to break free.

Can I Belly Dance While Pregnant? You just found out you're pregnant, and you're not sure whether it's okay to continue dancing. Includes pointers to other web sites and videos that deal with the subject of belly dancing and childbirth.
Expression and Sensuality. Add passion to your dance.

Hot Topics

Is Belly Dance Intended to Serve Men? Did it originate as a dance of seduction?
Should Young Girls Belly Dance? Of course! But please approach it with sensitivity to the issues.

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo of Shira by John Rickman, San Jose, California.

Shira Posing With A Veil

Costumes, Make-Up, Appearance

A Jewel In The Navel? What's the deal with wearing a jewel in the navel, anyway? Do "real" belly dancers do it or not?
Shoes or Barefoot? What should you do with your feet when dancing for Middle Eastern audiences? High heels, sandals, or barefoot?

What About Stretch Marks Or Surgical Scars? Your teacher wants you to cover the stretch marks from your pregnancy or scars from your surgery. Now what?
The Great Armpit Debate. You like having hairy armpits, but other people are pressuring you to shave. Now what? Placed online May 2, 2008.

How to Dance

Belly Rolls? Can't figure out how to do belly rolls? Here's help!
Learning Backbends. Which exercises will develop the muscles needed for those fabulous belly dancing backbends?
Hip Bumps and Squeezing Glutes. How to isolate those pesky butt cheeks.

Forward and Back Shimmy. What is it?
Walk And Shimmy At The Same Time? Can't figure out how to do it? Here's help!
Learning to Improvise. How can this useful skill be learned?

Going Pro

Why Does My Teacher Refuse To Help Me Start Performing Professionally? What can you do about it if you're eager to start a performing career and your teacher won't help?
What About Tipping? Should you go around to collect tips from your audience? If so, how do you do it?
Bellygrams And Boomboxes. How to cope with your boom box when going on a gig without someone to help.
Any Tips for a New Teacher? How can you make your classes a success?

What Is The Best Way To Move Props Onto And Off Of The Stage? Here are suggestions on how to make smooth transitions from one song to another when props are involved in a troupe performance.
To Cover Up or Not? Professional dancers usually advise against mingling with audiences while in costume. But are there situations where it might be acceptable?

Need Advice About Your Own Situation?

Submit your own question to Dear Shira! Send email with your question. I can't promise to answer all the questions I get, but I'll post as many as I can!

Recent Changes To This Menu

On May 2, 2008, added The Great Armpit Debate.
On January 31, 2004, added Any Tips for a New Teacher?

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