Aww, thanks, Aphil.

Delilah ROCKS. If you can get a hold of her instructional videos-I highly recommend!!!

While we're on the subject of video opinions , do you guys have any strong opinions about the *best* videos/DVDs to use as a reference for practicing isolations in conjunction with a class? I'm less interested in a "fitness" video than one that will go through isolations in a helpful way. I am LOVING my class so far but really get frustrated with trying to remember everything when I try to practice between classes.

p.s. Aphil - It just occurred to me the other day that I think I'm taking class with a DIFFERENT Delilah than the really famous one! My instructor is quite good, but when I went to some different websites, I discovered a different Delilah!

Isolations videos:
~Ruby Jazayre videos (at www.dahlal.com or www.rubyjazayre.com)
~Absolute Beginning Bellydance with Delilah (you may have to look a little online for this one)

These both have basic isolations in them. The Ruby ones are really great-all the basics.
~

I just ordered the set of Delilah DVDs. My husband will kill me if he ever figures out just how much my collection of DVDs has cost (the belly dancing DVDs are just the tip of the iceberg )

I have The Dance Volume 1 with Carrie Konyha, and it is my absolute favorite of all of my bellydancing DVDs. She goes through everything with clear explanations and visualizations that really have made a difference for me in understanding the correct method to do various moves. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other options out there, but there is a lot more instruction than most of the DVDs I have.

Hi all. I am trying to find a mesh middle leotard for belly dancing. I found one on the internet and forgot to bookmark the page. I am desperate! Can anyone help!?!

Yes! You can look at the following places:

www.dahlal.com (under accessories section)

www.whosesarinow.com

www.chandras.com

www.shimmyshimmy.com

I just started belly dancing 2 days ago. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but it's so much fun. I've been doing "Bellydance Fitness for Weight Loss: Cardio Shimmy" I think by Rania. I have learned just how uncoordinated I am

I'm a new dancer too. I take a class at my gym. And I was doing the goddess workout by Delilah. If you really like it you should try a class it is so much fun dancing with other klutzy people

After just 3 days I can feel a difference...wow Muscles I forgot I even had are sore....the outsides of my hips, my thighs, back, and on around the front of my waist. I'm going to have to go back and read some of the dvd recommendations....my birthday is coming up

Just a quick note to see how everyone is doing! My first 6-week class has ended, but I also have been going to a second class at Morocco's studio (www.casbahdance.org). It's an amazing space, especially for Manhattan - spacious and bathed with light. Just being in there for an hour is wonderful, let alone dancing! I like the class a lot so far; the style is traditional Egyptian rather than the cabaret style of Delilah (different Delilah than the super-famous one!), but I think they're both very complementary. Delilah is much better at breaking down the isolations, but the other class has a more "natural" style that I like. I'm also practicing several times a week with some DVDs.

I am LOVING this so far and think I have more fun dancing than just about anything I do these days! For those of you who are really experienced dancers, how long did it take before you felt fairly comfortable with the basic isolations? I feel fairly comfortable with some (hip lifts/drops, figure 8s, basic shimmies), but still so awkward with others (bicycles, traveling shimmies, camels). All in good time, I suppose!

The traveling shimmies will come in time when you least expect them. The "shimmy walk" is one of my absolute favorite (and easiest for me now) moves!!!
How are you doing with shoulder and chest/ribcage isolations?

Actually, not too bad. I'm decent with the shoulder/ribcage stuff. I will confess, however, that undulations still have me a little stymied, and it's hard for me to make my arms and hips look graceful at the same time (still trying to concentrate on the hips!).

I think I have a harder time with the choreography stuff (embarrasingly enough, as this comes so naturally to some people). I grew up in a household where we weren't allowed to dance, so I don't pick up on steps as easily as others. But I have a good sense of rhythm and I'm starting to "feel" when I'm doing the isolations right, if you know what I mean.

I can't believe how empowering belly dance is... I wish I'd done this years ago! Can't wait until my belly is "exposable." I'm getting there!

I've been looking for books....I've found a few that were reccomended;

Bellydance:A guide to eastern dance by Keti Sharif

Bellydancing: The sensual art of energy and spirit by Pina Coluccia, Anette Paffrath and Jean Putz

Belly Dancing Basics by Laura Cooper and Sarah Skinner


Have any of you read these? Are there different ones you'd reccomend?

If you are looking for a fun book about bellydancing that isn't at all instructional, I highly recommend Snake Hips by Anne Thomas Soffee.