Queenie426 started this discussion ·
There is a studio in my area and I was thinking about giving it a go. I thought it might help me with my pole flow. I feel so ungraceful when I move! And who wouldn't want to wear one of those fancy, blinged-out bras and hip scarves that jingle when you move :D
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I danced for years, and taught it for almost 2 years. I naturally use it in my poling. I am actually going back myself after a several year break. I say give it a go. It will definitely help you in getting the flow of pole, plus it's a lot of fun and a good workout. If you tried a tibal version it will really work out your shoulders and upper back cuz you keep your arms up A LOT! (not as much in the cabaret style.) It will also give you that sexy feeling and help in coordination cuz you eventually start layering moves while playing the zills (finger cymbals.) Also, you eventually learn how to improvise, which is another good asset for pole! :) Have fun!
LOL you convinced me. I am going to sign up this week. Im so pumped! What is the difference between Cabaret and Tribal style? Both are mentioned on the studio site. Thanks a bunch!
Cabaret is the original form of bellydance. It is very flirty, bouncy, wiggly, etc. The costuming is usually those expensive beaded costumes. You can improvise, but a lot of dances are choreographed. Here is an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fv8lzoAf7Y Tribal has several categories: American tribal style was born in the U.S. by Carolina Nericcio of Fat Chance Bellydance. It's main feature is it is a method of cues and transitions that enable group improvisationl dancing. The dancing itself is very structured and tight. The costuming has a mix of ethnic influence, but a lot of moroccan and latin influence. Here is an example, Fat Chance Bellydance (they are improvising in this video; you can see them watching the leader for cues): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnOoe6rgXbo&list=UUAsRx6KXrYDnGdMiMEb6JxA&index=5&feature=plcp Notice how much their arms are UP in the dance??? It gets tiring. It will definitely strengthen your arms. Tribal fushion is newer than ATS. It took ATS and gave it a modern twist adding modern dance influence, modern music, more modern costuming intermingled with the tribal look (they usually ditch the flamenco skirts; melodia pants are a common thing in tribal fusion.) A lot of dances are choreographed, but not all of them. Here is very popular tribal fusion group (Unmata): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnOoe6rgXbo&list=UUAsRx6KXrYDnGdMiMEb6JxA&index=5&feature=plcp and a really popular tribal fusion dancer (Rachel Brice): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnYYK07lGFc
Hmmm, apparently a new form cropped while I fizzled out of the scene...gothic???
Yes, I love belly dancing!
I love Rachel Brice. She would rock in pole. I think she should transition.
Yes, it is definitely fun and very great exercise. I dance for two years and also warn to get back into it after a break for school. I miss it so much. You will definitely have fun! :) I like tribal fusion. Like Sensualscimitar listed, Rachel Brice is awesome! The way she is able to control every little movement and make it look so easy is amazing!! Also, Zoe Jakes and Sharon Kihara are also well known for their dance styles in tribal fusion. All groups mention are really awesome in their own unique style. :D Another group I would suggest checking out is Belly Dance Superstars (BDSS). They have a variety of dancers from all belly dance styles and even have performances/improvisational with the drummers and other musicians. Anyway, just a warning, once you start, you will be hooked!! Lol! Have fun with your classes! :D
I've been bellydancing for 7 years and pole dancing for 3. They compliment eachother well. I suggest taking a variety of different styles and making it your own. The best teacher I've ever had was Suhaila Salimpour. She will drill you so that the moves are in your muscle memory. Both cabaret and tribal are based on her style. Your muscles will just know what to do. I apply bellydance movement in my pole dancing unconsciously. It's just the way I move now. Some terrific teachers that I've loved are Rachel Brice, Amy Sigil, Asharah, Kaeshi Chai, Belladonna and Azin Mahoozi. You can get a great start with simple isolations at your local bellydance studio and just take workshops from your absolute favorites. It will definitely help you smooth out your pole moves and make your routines super sexy. Just be careful with the coins though. They can scratch your pole.
I did it before I got into pole. I'm actually thinking about getting back into it. I say you should go for it. Contact that studio close to you and talk to the owner and get some information about it. That will be a good start. It's really fun and the clothes are fun to get into as well :)
I practice bellydance too. After an hour in bellydance class, I feel so flexible & fresh. I often stay back to do some splits & back bends before the next class starts. My husband loves watching me doing bellydance at home & he often tries his (big) belly roll as a tease LOL.
Haha, Rachel would be a good pole girl, with those backbends of hers!!!
nolaelle ·
I took bellydance on and off for a few years and loved it!! I would probably still do it if pole wasn't already so expensive haha. The one thing that I really love about pole over bellydancing is the pace, but that may have been my teacher!! Bellydance was much faster (most of the time) and a good cardio workout! vs. I feel pole I like slowing down and I consider more strength training. (obviously both have elements of both). Definitely give it a whirl (or a twirl if you will haha) and let us know what you think!
Those videos were awesome! When I first started thinking about bellydance I was nervous that I would be the biggest one in the class. (I have a VERY distorted body image) But it was very cool to see the range of body types. Apparently all shapes are into this form of dance. I liked Mariah and she's from Ohio so that's cool. I am going to go observe a class tonight and hopefully sign up for the beginners class that starts the 30th. Its only 100 dollars for 2 months. The poling lessons around here are 99 for 1 month. Anyways. Im super excited! Thanks for the input everyone!
Queenie - You bring up an interesting point. Though I am on the heavier end of the spectrum in the pole community, I am the smallest one is the bellydance classes. ;)
A comment on youtube said a bellydancer should be a little overweight. That makes her look good in her movement. A skinny bellydancer is not attractive. I agree on this. However I think a pole dancer looks better if she's skinny. I'm struggling on this that if I want to look good in bellydance, I look too fat for poling lol.
That is not true. Some of the best bellydancers have been both big and thin. The key with bellydance is to be able to work the movements and the muscles properly. Have you seen Rachel Brice? She is quite thin and muscley and she is AMAZING!!! Watch this video and you'll see what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqJsaqykhLo
JeHanne ·
The sensuality of bellydance and muscle control can transition well to pole. Articulation of movement and drawing attention to certain parts of your body through movement cross over wonderfully as well. The visual astehtics of a dancer are personal opinion. I have seen all heights, shapes and sizes captivate in both pole and bellydance. The stage presence and execution of movement is how a dancer catches my attention. Give it a try and see if you like it. There are so many varieties of dance you can find exactly what pleases you. Or even study more than one simultaneously. Let us know how it goes!
sensualscimitar, I'm a big fan of hers for years & love all her videos. I love most when she suddenly let her upper body fall back & knees down (similar to a back bend) but doesn't let her head touch the floor, then she gracefully raises up. I don't know when I can be able to do this! Just amazing! She didn't perform this move in your link. She's not thin. She looks just right. What I meant thin was the look those young girls in ftv: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHzruTJurao&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
I agree with JeHanne. That is one thing I forgot to mention. Stage presence is everything. Body type won't come into play when you are up on stage with confidence. If you are looking for a thinner bellydancer, Ansuya is pretty thin. I took a workshop with her and she is TINY! Here's a video of her dancing. She's another amazing dancer and very well known. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5_f4u9U1Hc http://www.miamibellydancers.com/sitebuilder/images/Ansuya_bluemoon-366x496.jpg Then there is Kajira of Black Sheep Bellydance who is also really good and very well known. I also took a workshop with her and she is also amazing. http://theyogacollege.com/images/kajira.jpg Honeystly, I had a dance partner with your body type and she danced beautifully. It's all in the technique and stage presence. You just gotta work it!
Here are some pix of me and my MUCH thinner dance partner I was talking about: https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4f198868-d944-4081-a0f8-41ec0ac37250 https://www.studioveena.com/photos/next/4f198868-d944-4081-a0f8-41ec0ac37250 Here is a picture of me at my chubbiest: https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4f19866c-853c-4b66-b403-42720ac37250 and then me 10 pounds lighter: https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4f1987f5-1830-4c68-acf4-42330ac37250 https://www.studioveena.com/photos/view_photo/4f198986-a2e8-445f-84e6-41ee0ac37250 I personally think I looked way better thinner. I am trying to get back down to that weight.
Sensualscimitar....even at what you said was your "chubbiest", you still looked beautiful and had a good body IMO.
I have personally always wanted to try bellydancing. However I would be to embarassed to go. I almost took some classes with some the girls I worked with at my old vet office, and even though they not only ranged in age from 25-50, and we all had different body types I STILL felt I'd be to embarassed to wear those clothes and try and belly dance. lol I have a disorted self image too apparently.*shrug* So I steer clear of any types of public classes personally....anxiety I suppose.
Thanks dear. I look back on those pics and it makes me sad. I actually weigh more now than I did then, but I have a lot more muscle now though. You SHOULD try bellydancing. Don't let insecurities run your life. Get into the mentality that you only live once, and you should try everything you want to before you die. I always get nervous before trying new things, but it is awesome once I get there and I always have so much fun. Nobody is looking at you in classes (except the teacher), they are all focused on themselves and trying to figure out the movements. One thing that some people don't know is that there are actually costumes that cover the tummy for women who are insecure. I had a girl in my troupe who was a little overweight, so she made a top that covered her stomach but was open in the back. There are also tops that have mesh over the tummy. Also, when you start making your own costumes, you can add kuchi pendants to the middle of the bra that dangle down your stomach. Notice in my pics too that I am wearing something under my bra top. I only went without some sort of top under the bra once and I felt soooo naked. Also, in class, you don't have to wear less clothing. Some girls worse tank tops to start and as they got comfortable would transition to a sports bra or choli top. I can't tell you how many times I got hit on while in costume. I was probably 19 or 20 and getting hit on by men in their 40s. 😀 Something about a bellydancer makes the men go crazy! Hahaha! It's definitely a confidence booster.
I have to disagree pole dancers look better skinny and that statement actually offends me a little because I can do more advanced tricks than many of the thin girls I know, but I am not skinny, the curvy girls can do harder moves too. I used to belly dance and taught group classes for two years. A lot of people have said they can see belly dance in my dance style sometimes so I think it would help you move for sure and help with your body awareness. And it's really fun too 😀
I also don't really think size makes it or breaks it for either belly dance or pole if you've got the moves. Didem the turkish belly dancer is model thin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlrPRmHF058 ; She seems to have gained popularity - I don't know whose who of the belly dancing community and I've seen negative comments about her size but she has 5 million views for the link I posted. At the very least I like to watch her vids lol Although a certain size might be an advantage for some forms of dance, for me it just depends on how much time and dedication is put into developing your skill big or small :)
