| Class FAQ |
| Where is Dublin Park Recreation Center? |
| In Madison. If you are coming from Madison and go down Hughes Road, turn east at the intersection of Hughes Road and Old Madison Pike (toward Huntsville). Dublin Park will be on your left. It has a sign. You will turn into the drive, and the main building will be on your right, across from the soccer fields. Once you park and go into the main building, classes are held in the room just past the front desk. If you go straight, you can't miss it! If you are coming from Huntsville, you can either take 72 or Madison Blvd. to Hughes Road and follow those directions in, or you can take Old Madison Pike from the Space & Rocket Center/I-565 all the way in to Madison. Once you pass the Slaughter Road intersection, you will go through 2 more lights and pass the Church of the Nazarene. Dublin Park is the next right. If you come this way, you can't see the sign until you pass it! |
| What should I wear to class? |
| Wear comfortable workout clothes, but don't wear something baggy. I need to be able to see your posture and your movements to help you learn the dance. Footwear is optional; I personally am a barefoot dancer, but jazz sandals, ballet slippers, or modern sandals are all acceptable. You will not want to wear anything with "grippy" soles. Most students acquire a hip scarf at some point, but it is not necessary to begin class. They can be as simple as a shawl tied around the hips or as elaborate as the beaded and coined ones that cost $50 or $60. I do allow coined hip scarves, since the audio feedback is nice for students. |
| Should I lose that 10 lbs before I come to class? |
| No. Just come to class. We are all ages, sizes and body types. If you wait until you lose weight, you'll miss all the fun we're having while you're waiting! |
| Will I lose weight if I bellydance? |
| You will if you dance everyday, for at least 30 minutes, and follow a low-fat/low-calorie diet. In other words, bellydance only works if you do it, regularly, just like any other sort of exercise. If you don't use it, you won't lose it - just like the exercise bike in the corner of the bedroom. |
| What is the history of bellydance? |
| That's too big a question for a little ol' FAQ! The Art of Middle Eastern Dance is an excellent general site for that and all sorts of other questions. Another site I love is Morocco's Meanderings . |
| What style do you teach? |
| Good question. I teach what most folks call "traditional bellydance". I tend to use a lot of Arabic music . I do not use a strictly Egyptian-style stance, which affects how your movements work, but I especially like the Egyptian folkloric music. My style incorporates a blend of influences from the Middle East (Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey mostly) and also America - sometimes you'll find modern or jazz tones in there. |
| I'll continue to update this page as I come across more good questions. Last update: Jan.6, 2006 |
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| Where is The Studio? |
| The Studio is located on Jordan Lane in Huntsville. If you take Jordan, go north of University Dr. Across from Chuck E. Cheese is Penny Plaza. The Studio is in the corner next to the tanning salon. It is a beautiful space with hardwood floors and plenty of mirrors. The Studio hosts classes, workshops, and is the home space of Masmoudi & the Naughty Nomads, a World fusion bellydance troupe. The Beledi Club also holds meetings there on occasion. |
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