To be honest with you Aphil, I am a bit shy about putting up my picture maybe later on when I have worked up the nerve

I would love to make my own belt but finding the coins/beads and then actually having the time to do it it would probably fall into the box with all my half started-never finished sewing projects

Hello everyone!
I just put up a pic of myself in tribal styled bellydance gear! It is in the general diet plans part of the forum, under the thread Doin' it the Old Fashioned Way-on page 11. I only wanted to put it up here once, to save space on the site. I hope you all take a look, and ignore the camera "red eye" that I have! I have lost 26 pounds so far, but I am still in the 180's-and I wanted to show you all that you can look great in bellydance wear no matter what your shape or size!
Aphil

Hey Aphil! I just checked out your picture-you look great! very sexy and exotic!

I will try to take some pics at class in the next week or two.

I have lost about 25 lbs total too and my weight goal is 145lb which puts us in the same range. I found that bellydancing helped lose some inches off my butt, hips and thighs which are the difficult parts for me to lose on- I usually lose up top and through the waist. I am finding that I am getting more toned in those areas too by dancing.

Last weekend we practiced dancing with canes in more of an egyptian folklore type dance -it was fun! We are hoping to make up a routine using the canes in the next season's class.

I seem to have the same problem as you! I lose easily in my waist, face, and bust-but my hips and thighs are where I really need to work it-luckily, bellydance costumes can very well cover up those parts!
I can't wait to see your picture!!! I am sure you are a very sexy redhead!
Thanks for the compliment-I will get another one up later with the works on-coin bra and all that-and maybe get a picture up that shows my skirt and pants-I had to shrink it down and cut my lower body out of the picture!
My class starts Tuesday-I am so psyched! I cannot wait to work with canes and swords in the more advanced classes! We will start out with veils and zils this year.
You are right about it being a great lower body toner though-I really feel it in my hips and thighs after practicing shimmies-which I do a lot! I put in a middle eastern cd and try to shake it through a whole song for practice! One of my cds is called Bellydance Superstars-which is bellydance performance music favorites chosen by bellydance stars-and there is a song called "Drum Solo" which is my favorite. Very Tribal and shimmie friendly.
Amy

My mom used to be a professional belly dancer when I was a kid.

Back then I was just sooooo embarassed that my mom was dancing that I never even thought of learning.

Well - now I'm interested in learning. I'm a HUGE broad though. 300 lbs so I'll be starting slow and secret and maybe when I've lost some weight I'll try taking classes.

But looking like I do now... well let's just say I don't even want to see how I look trying to learn this stuff!

I also want to build up some stamina before I try a class.

But I want to thank you all for encouraging me to take another look at this beautiful art form. And the cool thing is if I have trouble with a move I can ask my mom for help!

Now I just have to figure out which tape to start with!

P.S. - I found the Bellydance Fitness for Beginners DVD's at Amazon.com for 16.99 each (each DVD contains two of the videos). I think I'm going to order them!

Thanks again!

Welcome!
The best one of the two Veena and Neena dvd's is the one with the Basic Moves on it-it has more bellydance basic moves-the rest has a lot of exercises incorporated into it. To better learn the dance moves-try their Discover Bellydance series-more like a dance class with actual dance moves-start with the Basic Dance and Beyond Basic Dance dvds-althought Amazon did have a special on the 3 dvd set the last time I looked. Very good for learning the basics, and it teaches a choreographed dance in each one.
Aphil-Amy

I ordered the "Bellydance Fitness for Beginners - Basic Moves & Fat Burning" and "Discover Bellydance" DVD's.

I really appreciate the input! I wouldn't have known where to begin otherwise!

Carole- that is so cool that your mom was a belly dancer!

Good luck with your tapes, I think you will have fun doing this

Thanks for the encouragement Aphil- have fun at your class!

Hey-
want to know a little surprise I have up my sleeve that sort of incorporates bellydancing? Some of you on these boards know that my husband and I are Star Wars geeks-and I do movie replica costumes for sci-fi/fantasy type movies such as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings...well they have huge costume contests at a lot of these sci-fi conventions that I always enter-and for a very special one in two years-I have a great costume idea that I am going to do. Do any of you remember the green colored slave dancer that Jabba the Hutt had? With the two tentacle looking tails coming off of her head, and the scant bellydancerish attire that she wore? I am going to do one of these for a con in 2005-it will probably take me about that long to make this one! Some of my costuming friends are really excited about this one! I figure I can shed a few more pounds and be in good enough shape by then to perform a dance at the contest as part of my act.
So-this will be like my biggest upcoming bellydance performance in front of an audience. The last contest of this type that I entered had some great SW celebrities and behind the scenes people there watching. What an incentive to tone up my butt!!!!

clkchef-mauvaisroux is right. I think whether or not you end up getting serious and taking a class later on and performing someday, or just tie on a hip scarf and shimmy around your living room with your videos-you will have a great time doing this. It is really a fun and sensual dance-and looks good on all shapes and sizes of girls. Did you check out the website I mentioned above nearer to the beginning of this thread? The one of full figured bellydancers? If not, check it out. These girls look great. My mom-who would never dance in front of anyone even has fun coming over now and then just to do one of the tapes with me-I lend her one of my fringe or coin scarves, and we have a blast together!
Amy

Hey Aphil, speaking of cons...are you and your hubby going to Gencon in July?

That last Star Wars Celebration was a blast- I am hoping to be at the next one too.

I am actually working at a con in London England in April -should be fun!

I have always wanted to wear my belly dance outfit to one on the cons as I have seen a few others there in costumes they made. Your idea for the green dancer sounds amazing!

What is the date and location of GenCon this year? I have been so busy making things and working out, that I haven't checked. You are free to pm me about the con stuff since it is very likely we will get off topic.
My Valentine's day present came yesterday from my husband. He ordered me a SWEET tribal style hip belt. It is made up of a black braided rope type of material, and it has cowry shells woven into the belt all around, and there are silver bells and authentic old silver colored middle eastern coins hanging all along the bottom. It also has small cowry shells and bells hanging from the ties. It is VERY COOL, and pretty heavy for the size. I have some stuff like hip scarves and such withe the fake costume type coins on it-but I wanted something authentic and old looking for my tribal costume. For my more "mainstream" bellydance costume, he ordered me a pair of sheer black harem pants, and a black velvet hip scarf with silver coins-the lesser expensive brighter type of coins that are on most hip scarves. It was like Christmas when the mail came. Although, unless I get a solid color skirt, or a much more toned rear end-I don't think I am going to be wearing the sheer see through pants for anyone but him!
I am counting the days until my class starts! (4) I am really excited!
I am also really interested in hearing about all of everyone's progress-what moves are their favorites, what they are learning now in class or video-what move if any they are having trouble with, and what cool little trinkets they may be buying! Speak up everyone!
The move I am having trouble with is shimmies. I am getting faster, but it is hard for me to keep a steady rhythm going for a while. They are fun though! I am also having a bit of trouble with belly rolls! (these are only taught in a few videos out there-not in any of the Veena and Neena videos I have) if anyone has any helpful hints or suggestions, I would be glad to hear it-and I would be glad to help out with any moves anyone else has trouble with that I can do more easily.
Amy

Aphil- Gencon is being held in Indiannapolis this year at the same convention centre that the Star Wars Celebration was at.
I think the dates are on the 3rd or 4th week in July but I will have to check on that and get back to you and will PM you on that.

Back to Belly dancing! The move I have the most trouble with is the "Camel". It has become my nemesis move I will conquer it someday soon

One of my fave moves is in the veil work where you are holding your veil above your head so that it drapes in front of your face and you only see your nose and eyes-very cheeky and come hither Chest cirlces are fun too but a bit tough - I should have abs of steel in a few months

Aphil, your belt sounds gorgeous! What a great gift from your DH!

What music does everyone listen/practice to? I am always on the look out for new music and would appreciate any sugestions.

One of my favorite artists is Natacha Atlas.

Hello everyone!
I am counting the hours-my class starts tomorrow night!
Some of my favorite music to practice to at home...hmmm....well, I have the cd Bellydance Superstars-the one of performance music chosen by bellydance stars like Veena and Neena, Rania, etc. and there is a song I really like called "Drum Solo" on that disc. There are a few others I like on there too.
I also like the cd from the Goddess Workout by Dolphina. The cd is all of the music from the workout. It isn't real exciting, no big tempo changes or riveting drum solos-but smooth, even tribal beats in most of the tracks...really good when you need a steady tempo to practice moves with at home that you are trying to master...I also like the cd that goes with the Fat Chance Belly Dance instruction videos...because of the same thing. You can pick it up at www.fcbd.com.
If you need something "funky" I like Oojami. It is more like bellydance music given to a rave techno deejay.
As far as practicing to "regular music" some songs that I think have great beats for bellydance is No Doubt's "Hellagood" and a lot of stuff by Shakira.
BTW...yeah...the camel. I would have to say that while I am having trouble with shimmies...I like to do them more than the camel. Nemesis move is right!
Aphil

Hello Ladies, thought I'd let everyone know that I just attended my first bellydancing class and it was alot of fun...hard work - yes, but fun.

I was so worried about my weight (211) so I called the instructor and she reassured me that anyone who can move, can do this. When I went to the class, it was true . About 25 women all sizes, shapes, and ages came together. All of us beginners so there was alot of laughs.

I decided to take the class because it was something I've always wanted to do and the local college offered it.

I encourage everyone who is interested in taking a class to just do it!!

rejoicee-
I was exactly 211 pounds just a few months ago in August...do not be self conscious-just learn all you can in your lessons and have a great time with all of your new friends in class. Bellydance is a great exercise-if you continue to take class and practice at home...your weight will start to come off before you know it. I am so glad you have joined us!
Amy-Aphil