Q: What should I wear?
A: Suggested attire: Sports bra/tank top/T-Shirt, and yoga/sweat/exercise pants. Skirts are discouraged since it is hard to see the dancer’s feet and knees for technique purposes. You do not have to show your belly. However, any size or shape of belly is welcome to make an appearance. We dance barefoot or in socks. No shoes needed.

Q: What should I bring? Do I need a jingling hip scarf?
A: Linda brings hip scarves, veils, and finger cymbals for you to borrow during class. She also has a variety these items for sale as well as jewelry, CD’s, and sometimes related clothing. It is suggested that you drink 16 oz. of water an hour before class and to bring a bottle of water for while you are there and after class.

Q: I’m overweight/very thin. Can I still Belly Dance?
A: Belly Dance classes focus a lot on body acceptance and fostering a sense of physical and mental pride in oneself. Belly Dance is for all body types. You can see wonderful professional dancers of all shapes, ages, and sizes. We are here to share health, freedom, strength, and appreciation for all that we have. That includes those lovely 5, 10, 50, or 100 extra pounds AND our slender sisters. As far as belly dance is concerned… YOU & YOUR BODY ARE PERFECT!!!

Q: I’m too shy to attend group classes. Can I just do private lessons?
A: Yes. Private lessons offer a lot of valuable attention to detail, are tailored towards your needs and schedule, and of course are much more… well… private. However, do not let your timidness keep you from the wonderful bonding experience of a group class. The atmosphere is very loving and non-competitive. Though many students are shy at first, eventually they all see the class as a room full of friends; a safe place to explore and learn about themselves. It will also help you get a sense for what a normal learning pace is and to be patient with yourself. So come to the group classes too!

Q: What is the average age in your classes? Am I too old/ too young to join?
A: You are never too old or too young to start belly dancing. There are very famous and accomplished dancers as young as 10 years old and as mature as 65. The average class age for Linda’s classes is usually about 40-45 years old. But students range from children to adults in their 70′s.

Q: I’m pregnant. Can I start belly dance now or should I wait?
A: Although you may need to modify stretches and movements, most healthy pregnant women do not need to wait to start class. However, you are required to talk to your doctor before beginning any new exercise while you are pregnant. In fact, Belly Dance for centuries has been used to help women strengthen, tone, and stretch all of the necessary muscles to give birth naturally. It is used before, during, and after the birthing process.

Q: When do classes meet?
A: See the Classes page for links to specific class information. Any class cancellations will be listed on the class’s page or sent in an email so make sure you join the mailing list!

Q: Where do I get those cute, jingling hip scarves?
A: Linda sells a wide variety of hip scarves including plus sizes and children’s sizes. She also carries jewelry, CD’s and sometimes clothing.

Q: What if I miss a class in my package?
A: If you are in Beginner-1 classes and purchase a package, you have 6 weeks to use 5 classes or 12 weeks to use 10 classes. If you do not use all classes before your package expires there is no make-up. If you find that you will not be able to complete your package because of a medical or family emergency, contact Linda for an extension.
If you are in Beginner 2 or Intermediate 2, you may drop in on a Beginner 1 class or use the cash equivalent towards a private lesson.

Q: Is Belly Dance really a great workout?
A: It sure is… the more you do it, the better the workout. It tones your abdomen, arms, legs, and even your tush!

Q: How long do I have to take classes before I can actually do a dance?
A: Most students need at least a 4 to 6 months in a Beginner-1 class to get their feet wet and build up the technique to really dance a song. Every student is different. The next step is coming joining the Beginner troupe which will teach you choreography and give you opportunities to perform in a group. There you really will learn to do a dance and the more choreographies you learn, the better you will be at making your own dances.

Q: What about dancing at a restaurant, wedding, or party? How long do I have to take class to do that?
A: To become a professional dancer takes years of practice, training, and amateur performance experience. You wouldn’t promote yourself as a professional Ballet or Ballroom dancer after only 1 year of training. And especially here in TN, where many people know very little if anything about Mid-East dance, Belly Dancers are representing an entire art form when they perform. It is a great responsibility. You should never accept a professional or even an unpaid gig until you are ready for that responsability.

Here are some suggestions if your goal is professional performance: