Frequently-Asked Questions
What should I wear or bring to class?
Students should wear comfortable workout-type clothes (no jeans please) that you can bend and stretch in. You might like to tie a scarf around your waist to better see your hip movements, and there are coin belts and hip scarves for sale in the studio. Our studio floor is polished hardwood that is cleaned regularly, so students are free to dance barefoot. It is more comfortable for most and easiest to feel the movements that way, although you may wear tennis shoes or ballet/jazz slippers for better traction if you prefer.
It is a
good idea to bring your own bottle of water, as
hydration is important in any fitness regiment. There
are accessible water fountains near the studio, but
having a bottle handy will keep you from having to leave
class for water.
You might
find it a good idea to bring a notebook to write down
new movements or make notes that your instructor offers,
so that you can practice throughout the week.
Do I have to show my midriff in class?
Absolutely not. Students are NOT required to show their midriff during class - what you wear is 100% up to your own comfort level! It is easier to see your movements when you aren't wearing a baggy T-shirt, and your teacher will most likely bare her belly so that you can see exactly what is going on, but no one will ask you to do so!
You might
find, though, that after a few short weeks of bellydance
class, you are much more comfortable in your own skin.
Often, students will start classes out in baggy tshirts
and loose sweatpants, but by the end of the session,
they are comfortable showing off their curves, and maybe
even a little tummy skin!
Are men allowed to participate?
There are certainly male bellydancers, and many of them are a joy to watch perform! However, as this style of dance is built on the movements of a woman's body, most male dancers learn to bellydance slightly different techniques than women. At this point, there are no men in any of our technique classes in midtown. There are, however, a few male participants in the Bellydance for Fitness classes at the French Riviera Spa. |
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Are people allowed to view classes in session?
Prospective students are allowed to arrange a sneak peak with the class instructors in order to preview the structure of classes before committing to a session. However, drop-in viewers are not permitted to ensure the comfort of our students. |
How physically
demanding is bellydance?
The beauty of
bellydance class is that the more you put into it,
the more you will get out of it. Whether you
are looking for a relaxing, low-impact exercise that
will be easy on the knees and back, or if you are
looking to add a new aerobic workout to your
exercise regiment, you'll find it at Memphis Raqs!
Our technique classes are suited individually to
students, based on your personal goals. Only you
know your body, so only you can set your
limits and your instructor will push you
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Am I
too _____ to bellydance?
No
matter what you fill in the blank with, the answer
is NO! There is no such thing as too old,
young, skinny, heavy, etc to bellydance! Memphis
Raqs prides itself on creating a very open,
welcoming atmosphere for all of our students. We
currently have an eclectic range of students, from
16 to 65 years old... homemakers, computer analysts,
physical therapists, lawyers, students, and more!
Head over to our
students'
page to get first-hand accounts from some of our
students...
