Music is behind the behavior of the belly dancer, the alternative rock musician, the hip hop artist, and the ballerina. There is a reaction to music, whether it is sensual or not. As defined by Google’s search engine, “music is the only sensual pleasure without vice”.

Just the mention of belly dancer stirs all different kinds of thoughts. Some associate belly dance with sensuality, while others, sadly, associate belly dance with sexuality. Not too long ago, a friend of mine told me she mentioned to her new boyfriend that I was a belly dancer. She told me that he got concerned. I asked her why and she explained. He believed that belly dancers were similar to strippers. What?!

First, I feel sorry for those who think that strippers and belly dancers are alike. They are not. Second, a female’s body is curvy, beautiful, and built to give life. Third, a woman should love her body and feel beautiful; feel sensual.

Feeling sensual is how you love your own body. It can also be something that makes you feel sensual. This can be the clothes on your body, the fragrance on your skin, the movie that empowers you to love yourself.

As belly dancers, we have the right to show off the feminine spirit through dance. By design, our hips can move in circular motions and our chest can lift and drop. So it should come as no surprise that a belly dancer loves this about her body and expresses it.

Women who first start taking belly dance lessons are usually timid. They are very reserved when moving their hips, sometimes giggling because they think they will look silly. Without the proper encouragement, women will lose that opportunity to feel sensual. And without feeling beautiful, there is no confidence while dancing.

Let the hair down and look at yourself in the mirror while you move your hips. Do the movements slow, so you can see just how beautiful your hips look.

I look at my hips when I do hip circles, especially while performing. When my hands are doing circular motions, starting from the top, looking at them makes the movement even better. I frame my body while I shimmy.

Belly dancers should avoid touching their bodies while dancing. Strippers touch themselves; thus, inviting that sexual response. Belly dancers usually have their legs hip width apart, while strippers spread their legs.

A true belly dancer will even go as far as starting her hip circle to the front, instead of the back. In fact, long time ago, belly dancers did a half hip circle to the front and that was it! So, out of respect, hip circles should start in front.

Of course, the costume will say much about you as a performer. You want to make sure that all parts should be “tucked” in.

Keep all of this in mind. The art of belly dance is always sensual.