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For the women who are interested to learn more about Middle Eastern Dance, there are many options that you can choose. But first it is advised that you do your own research and find out more about it to make sure this is the right physical activity for you.

Next, find a class in your local area that you can join. Drop in once or twice to get a feel of the class. As there are many styles of belly dance, do remember to ask the instructor what style is she specializing in and observe her teaching style.

Look for styles of dance and styles of teaching that work best for you. Most importantly, always come to class with an open mind and the intention to learn to improve your health and general well-being.

If you are shy or if it’s not convenient for you to join a class, you can always buy an instructional video and learn on your own from home.

Good instructional videos will be able to help you understand the basic movements and help you practice.

However, nothing beats a real instructor as they can help and guide you to do the movements more effectively and safely.

Naziehah is a Muslim Malaysian Home-based Entrepreneur and Blogger. She teaches Middle Eastern Dance for women. For more on Elwarda Dance click here.

My journey into Middle Eastern Dance started about 8 years ago, while I was doing my degree in the UK.

I was attracted to the dance because it was an all ladies class, and the movements are very elegant and feminine. I fell in love immediately after my first class and I never stopped learning and dancing ever since!

For me, Middle Eastern Dance is a combination of gentle physical workout and a creative outlet. The dance helped me to improve my posture, increase my awareness about my body, developing greater strength in my core muscles and it also has improved my flexibility. Besides that, my creativity is nurtured by having to create beautiful movements and a combination of routines.

I started teaching Middle Eastern Dance to women a few years after learning the dance. From freelancing as an instructor in a fitness center, I then proceeded to start my own business under the name Elwarda Dance. I conduct classes, workshops and events for ladies only. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to touch women’s lives and build friendships through my teaching of the dance.

Naziehah is a Muslim Malaysian Home-based Entrepreneur and Blogger. She teaches Middle Eastern Dance for women. For more on Elwarda Dance click here.

This is the first in a three part series on Belly dancing.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where Belly dancing began. Some believe it originated in the Middle East and over time evolved as other cultures began to influence the style of dance. And some feel it was simply a dance shared amongst women for centuries. Nowadays it’s more commonly referred to as Middle Eastern Dance or Oriental Dance.

Depending on your source, you will read many interpretations and stories on the background of the dance, but my favorite version of the story is that this dance has always been a dance for women to connect and socialize with each other after a hard days work, or during a celebration. I also like the version of the story where grandmothers passed the skills of the dance to mothers and mothers passed it on to their daughters and it became a female bonding ritual in the family.

Western media is keen to portray belly dancing in it’s most compromised angle, with skimpy costumes and provocative movement. But, the truth is belly dancing is a rather elegant and simple dance that can be enjoyed by almost all women. The movement of the dance that is natural to woman’s body allows women to freely express themselves. Besides that, belly dancing is also a very good exercise, toning and strengthening core muscles while also improving one’s flexibility and balance.

Next week Naziehah shares her story on how she got involved in Middle Eastern Dance.

Naziehah is a Muslim Malaysian Home-based Entrepreneur and Blogger. She teaches Middle Eastern Dance for women. For more on Elwarda Dance click here.