Throughout my dance career I have seen and personally experienced the many benefits of dancing, and especially the positive impact that belly dancing can have on periods, pregnancy and mental wellbeing. Since my own pregnancy I’ve also discovered many links between how complementary therapies like acupuncture, reflexology, mediation and yoga tie in with the movements […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, July, 8th, 2019 in Belly Dance & Pregnancy, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body No Comments

The beauty about Belly Dance is that it’s suitable for most people to try and enjoy, but at the same time a lot of people think you either need to be slim to do it, or that you’ll get a six pack from turning up to class every now and again. Neither is true, but […]

By Ishtar Dance on Tuesday, July, 2nd, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body No Comments

When looking for a dance class, or as a teacher organising one, you may wonder what level is best for you. Most dance schools have a structured and clear progression of classes starting from beginner and going up to advanced or professional. But how do you know when you’re ready to move from one to […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, June, 10th, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body No Comments

Last week in class I mentioned the Egyptian dancer Tito Seif in one of my classes, and I often refer to the technique I’ve learned from various male belly dancers, so this week I thought I’d share a bit more about this on the blog too. As many before me, I probably didn’t really consider […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, June, 3rd, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning 2 Comments

This week I’ve been exploring the humble shifting hip circle – and discovered how difficult it can be to stick to just that move using a percussive rhythm! Check out my tutorial on how to limit yourself to gain range. The shifting hip circle is typically one of the first belly dance moves I teach […]

By Ishtar Dance on Tuesday, May, 28th, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body No Comments

Who doesn’t like a snaky vertical figure of 8… Whether going up or down, this is one of my favourite smooth belly dance moves, because you can deconstruct the move and use it in so many ways. As part of my ‘Improvisation Station’ series, this post is therefore looking at fabulous vertical 8, and how […]

By Ishtar Dance on Tuesday, May, 21st, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body No Comments

Oh how I love a good hip drop: one of the most versatile of belly dance moves, and although percussive and strong, it can also be gentle and soft. As part of my ‘Improvisation Station’ this post is looking at the humble hip drop and how to improvise with it. Check out my previous post […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, May, 6th, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body No Comments

Ever feel stuck when having to improvise and make stuff up on the spot? Always feel you resort to the same old combinations and moves? Then check out this essential improvisations tip that will help you develop exciting combinations, create completely new ones and not least take the fear (hopefully) out of having to dance […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, April, 8th, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Entrepreneur, Dance Inspiration, Learning No Comments

Understanding and knowing rhythms is essential for dancers of any style, but surprisingly many belly dancers are never taught this. This makes it harder to learn the technical nuances needed for strong technique as well as for creating choreographies and not least improvising. You may think it’s only needed for professional or high level dancers, […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, April, 1st, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning 2 Comments

Dancing allows us to use all our body to move, but the positioning and use of the head is more important than most people think – and I’m not only talking about what goes on inside! – but the actual physical positioning of the head. The average human head weighs around 5-6 kilos and it’s […]

By Ishtar Dance on Monday, March, 25th, 2019 in Dance Coaching, Dance Inspiration, Learning, Your Dance Body 1 Comment