Learning to Dance
If you want details on Shimmer's classes, or just want some general info on learning belly dance, you have come to the right spot.
Taking a Class
Who can take classes?
Shimmer's classes are open to all ages from 7yrs up. You are never too old to start. Mums and daughters are welcome. Come along and join the fun!
Can I watch a class before I join?
At Shimmer, you are welcome to take an experimental class to decide if you want to join us, with no obligation. Please consider, though, that ladies in the class may have begun dancing to help them through/over self-esteem or image issues, and may not feel comfortable with a complete stranger "evaluating" their class. Anyway, how are you going to know if you will enjoy our teaching methods and the dance form if you don't try it out first hand! Jump in- we will let you hang around the back row if you want to- and have a blast! It is the best way to know if you want to continue.
What should I wear?
Anything that you can move in easily and that is comfortable will be perfect for your first classes. A long, loose skirt, gym gear or tracksuit pants are ideal. Jeans, short skirts and other tight fitting clothing isn't recommended- you won't be able to move! Many of the ladies wear a coin or bell 'shimmy' belt to class. These are now widely available throughout SA, but you might want to start by tying a scarf or similar around your hips, just to emphasize your movements. It isn't essential, though.
What should I bring?
Your sense of humor! Also, particularly in summer, you might want to bring yourself a bottle of water and maybe a towel, though most of the studios Shimmer uses have drinking water available on the premises.
I want to perform someday/right now. Will I be able to?
Shimmer teaches through to performance level, and we have our own professional performance troupe, In Harem's Way. To maintain the highest possible standards of dance, we usually ask that dancers who want to join IHW have a minimum of two years dance training before they consider performing professionally.
Does that mean you will have to wait that long to do ANY shows? Not at all! Every student in Shimmer is encouraged [with a big stick- ;) ] to get out there and perform at our annual celebratory concert, "Shimmer, Rattle and Roll". The studio also performs yearly at the belly dance jamboree, and we 'dance out' at local community functions regularly throughout the year. So you will have plenty of opportunities to see if you enjoy performing for an audience!
Tribal? Oriental? Huh? Which class do I want? I am just looking for Bellydance!
There are many, many styles of belly dance worldwide. These can be grouped loosely into 2 main categories- Tribal and Traditional bellydance. The traditional styles are probably what you think of when you think of bellydance , and are likely what you looked us up to find. Shimmer teaches an Egyptian influenced American Caberet style bellydance, with our own unique South African twist, for those who are curious about our precise style. We reccomend most people start of in the traditional classes, at least to begin with, as they offer an invaluble grounding in the techniques of Middle Eastern dance and a chance for you to get to know more about the wide variety of bellydance out there.
We also offer classes, starting from beginners level, in tribal fusion bellydance. Check out the 'What is bellydance' page, final paragraphs, for a detailed description of tribal, but in short it is a slower, more emphasised form of bellydance with heavy influences from yoga. It utilizes a wide range of music, some of which you may not recognise as 'middle eastern', and the costuming is certainly not what pops into most peoples minds when they think 'bellydance!' If you fell in love with the glitz and funk of traditional bellydance, it might not be for you. But if you are looking for a different twist with a heavier influence on exact muscle useage and interaction, or the style is what led you to look for classes, or are already a bellydancer and are looking to re-train in this style you may enjoy starting here.
I am a guy. Am I welcome in the Belly dance world?
If you mean, 'Can I dance', the answer is yes, men certainly can participate in Middle Eastern dance, and they have their own unique ways of performing moves to suit their physiques and musculature, just like we do. At the moment, all of Shimmer's classes are designed for women only. Some of our ladies cannot dance with/in front of men due to their religious beliefs, and some may just feel uncomfortable and less able to relax and enjoy their dancing in a mixed-gender environment. Amira has had some experience, however, with the masculine form of bellydance, having previously danced in a mix-gender folkloric troupe. If you are a man looking for individual tuition, or if you have a small group of guys who genuinely want to learn, feel free to e-mail her. She would be more then happy to discuss forming a class, or assit you in finding a teacher currently offering such a class.
If, however, you are one of the growing number of belly dancing widowers, well, all we can suggest is that you learn to sew. Next time your lady is up to her eye-balls in misfiring sequins, beads and bells, you will at least be able to help her dig herself out! Otherwise, the only advice we can offer to you is- grin and bear it! We belly dance goddesses only get worse!
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