FAQs about Moon Belly

Why moon belly?

Moon Belly is a safe and nurturing environment to learn belly dance technique. It is unique from other dance schools in that it focuses on the relationships between dancers as a central component to both the culture of the school and to personal health and well being. It is more than a dance school, it is a way ti connect with both self and others.

Why belly dance?

Belly dance is an ancient and beautiful art form that makes women feel sensual, powerful and magical. It also creates happy chemicals in the brain, makes you smarter, is a cathartic release of old baggage, and is actually a fun workout. Check out Kandi's blog post on 10 Reasons to Belly Dance.

Do i need to preregister for classes?

No. New students can start classes at any time. You just simply show up.

do i have to have previous dance experience?

Absolutely not. We pride ourselves on teaching adults who have no previous dance experience. Many women who claim "they cannot dance" or "have no rhythm" are amazed at themselves after committing to 16 weeks of classes at Moon Belly. 

do I need to be in shape? or a certain age?

Absolutely not. You will get in shape by coming to belly dance classes. Belly dance is a grounding and  safe art form and we encourage women of all shapes, sizes and ages to join us.

do i have to perform if i start taking classes regularly?

Absolutely not. The option to perform is always just that: an option. Some students never decide to perform and maintain belly dance as a personal practice of fitness, beauty and empowerment. 
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What do i wear to class? do i have to show my belly?

Please wear comfortable workout pants and a tighter fitting top. No shoes required. We dance bare foot. You do NOT have to show your belly to do belly dance.

what do i need to bring?

A water bottle, a good attitude and sometimes finger cymbals, if specified. There are many online sites for purchasing finger cymbals that range from very inexpensive to very expensive. Once committed to the art form, they are an absolute necessity and we encourage a quality pair from either the Suhaila Salimpour Belly Dance Store or Turquoise International. 

how much does it cost and how do i pay? 

All classes at Moon Belly are one-hour in length and cost $10.
​Sometimes intermediate/advanced will expand to a 1.5 hour and cost $15. Advance notice is always given when this is the case.
We accept cash or check only. We do NOT accept payment via credit or debit cards. 

what is the curriculum?

Every class teaches posture, hip movement, an upper body movement, some form of travel and a short combination. You will learn something new every class and you will re-learn something old every class. 
Hip movements are offered on a 10-week rotation:
1 shimmies
2 downs
3 3/4's
4 slides
5 figure 8's: vertical
6 figure 8's: horizontal
7 pelvic contractions
8 squares
9 circles
10 twists

when am i ready to start intermediate?

Typically after a beginning student has taken classes on a weekly basis for approximately 16 weeks, she is ready to move forward. However, this varies student to student. If you think you are ready, simply show up and try it out! If you are unsure, talk to Kandi about it. She can help determine if it is time to move up.

When am I ready to perform? how do i join moon dance company?

Dancers interested in joining MOON dance company should attend weekly classes consistently and take the choreography classes offered in 2016. The option to perform the choreography in the 2016 recital will be given at the end of the session. 

MOON rotates every other year with a large staged performance. In 2015, MOON successfully produced "Mother Nature." All large staged productions require auditions at the beginning of the year. The next scheduled audition is in January 2017. In 2016, MOON will be performing a fundraising recital and is open to new dancers.

Why should i take private lessons?

There are many great reasons to take a private lesson. If you are a beginner, this is a great way to introduce yourself to the technique. Many students start with a private lesson before they start the group classes simply to feel more comfortable when they show up. If you are a more advanced dancer, privates are a great way to hone your craft and fine tune movement. Privates are also great for creating and cleaning up choreography. With more than 20 years dance experience, Kandi will be able to tailor each lesson to your specific needs. Lessons are usually available on most Saturday afternoon's between 1-5pm and cost $40/hour.