World's oldest belly dancer, 82, will continue 'beautiful' tradition as long as she can. Tina Hobin insists she'll never stop celebrating the 'beautiful' tradition of belly dancing – which she says has huge health benefits for women and has helped keep her young.
Unlike a lot of dance classes, there isn't an age cap on starting a Belly Dance class. Some instructors will take children (but not me *) through senior citizens.
Britain's oldest belly dancer shows she still has the moves aged 82 - and believes it's the secret to a long and healthy life. Tina Hobin has been teaching women the ancient dance for half a century and says she has no plans to hang up her hand cymbals and coin belt just yet.
Thought to have originated in the Middle East, belly dance has become an international dance form often incorporating local costume and dance traditions. Known as “The King of Belly Dance Music”, singer-bandleader George Abdo and the “Flames of Araby” Orchestra performed for many years in the Boston area.
1. Egypt. Egypt is La Mecca for belly dancers all over the world, especially the cities of Cairo and Luxor. Egyptian belly dancers are considered amongst the best in the world and Egyptian belly dance teachers are extremely sought after.
1. Alla Kushnir – Greatest belly dancer. The list cannot be complete without the big name in belly dance – Alla Kushnir.
Origins in Egypt
The first belly dancers were a group of traveling dancers known as the ghawazee. These women were considered gypsies in Egypt in the 18th century, and were banished from Cairo during the 1830s, but went on to perform in Upper Egypt and later in the Middle East and Europe.
Belly Dance pays an average hourly rate of $182 and hourly wages range from a low of $161 to a high of $207. Individual pay rates will, of course, vary depending on the job, department, location, as well as the individual skills and education of each employee.
It is definitely possible to become a professional belly dancer beyond the age of 40. In particular, it is certainly possible to teach, organize events, give lectures and talk at seminars.
When everyone is in the proper position, there are no joint issues or pain.” So get your shimmy on and consider belly dance for exercise. Whether in classes or at home with the help of online instruction, DVDs, or classes via Zoom and other video meeting apps, it's good for you and your back.
The biggest misconception about belly dancing is that it helps you lose the flab on your belly. Although it does strengthen your core and give you stronger abs, if you are aiming for a six-pack, you are better off sticking to your gym routine. "Belly dancing doesn't require you to become thin.
"Belly dancing doesn't require you to become thin. In fact, you need that fat on your stomach to balance swords and coins. You might not lose your belly, but you'll begin to love it," says Kohli.
The bra is also a well know costume part for bellydancers. It's the only thing standing between you and your audience, so make it sturdy and reinforce the closures to prevent embarrasing accidents.
Learning belly dance can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. It is important to understand that this dance form, like any other dance style, requires significant dedication and practice in order to truly master it. On average, it may take a beginner 6 months to 2 years in order to become proficient.
Overall, there is no universally accepted proscription against dancing in Islam. Some Muslims may feel belly dance is acceptable, but less so when it is associated with alcohol, drugs, or sexuality outside of marriage, while others may feel only each individuals' behavior and relationship with God matters.
Origins of the Dance
According to some, the dance form that today many call belly dance is extremely old and traces of it can be found up to 6,000 years ago, in some pagan societies who used to worship a feminine deity, to celebrate women's fertility as something magic.
Belly dancing can be done at any bust size, it is mostly dependant on belly and hips and waist, but can still be done by anyone. Bust size will largely not effect a dancers ability to dance but it does have a few effects on the types of moves they can perform.
Belly dancing is part of Egyptian culture, with tremendous influence on Arabic culture as a whole. Throughout the Middle East and the Arab diaspora, belly dancing is closely associated with Arabic music that is modern classical (known as "al-jadid").
2. Mikhail Baryshnikov. Mikhail is a Russian-American dancer, choreographer, and actor. He was a classical dancer but subsequently became a dance director.
The longest belly dance shimmy is 3 hours 0 minutes 7 seconds in duration and was achieved by Melanie White (Australia) at the Moruya Live Life Expo in Riverside Park, Moruya, Australia, on 25 February 2012.
Belly dancing is a fun way to get fit, so give it a whirl with this exercise video for beginners. As well as the physical benefits, the combination of music and exercise can help to lift your mood. This 45-minute class gives you an aerobic workout and helps to improve your flexibility and core strength.
Styles of belly dance. Egyptian Persian Turkish, Tribal and cabaret.
Belly dancing can be practised by anyone (male and female).