Q: Can any body type do Middle Eastern Belly Dancing?

Aziza Sa'id: Yes, any body type can do this dance - it's one of the truly wonderful things about it. Of course, if you want to be a professional performer, you do need to adhere to a stricter standard of appearance, but even that is more forgiving than most dance performance arts. In addition, no matter what your body type, learning this dance will give you more control over your body, improve your flexibility and fitness, and help you feel more at home in your own skin.

Monika: Why do other dance forms require a certain shape? Instead of embracing people they set them up in a hierarchy and make many individuals who don't fit into the model type body feel inadequate. I feel this undermines the original purpose of dance, which is to express onesself freely and joyfully. Middle Eastern dance seems to have the opposite affect, making women (and men) feel empowered and like they belong somewhere.

Alia Michele: I used to be a ballet dancer with a regional company in NJ. Though weight was always an issue, it wasn't a negative for me. I loved ballet more than anything else, and to this day I rarely have felt the pure power and exhilaration of being in complete control over one's body and one with the music. I never did achieve the Balanchine look. At some point in my 20's I decided that I didn't want to fit into someone else mold as a dancer and I struck out on my own... and discovered ethnic dance forms. The wonderful thing about dance (and I wish more people knew this,) is that just because you don't fit what company X wants doesn't mean you should stop dancing. Many dancers who didn't fit the stereo type go on to create there own companies, some even invented their own dance styles.

Balanchine was the one who really started the super thin look- it was part of his overall philosophy. He wanted ballet to be pure dance. In the beginning he took out the story lines, the star system, the acting. He wanted only the music, movement and strong supple slim sillohettes. His early ballets where geometric in nature. Balanchine ballets do indeed look best with this figure type. Alvin Alley on the other hand, has dancers with a little "more meat on them", he had a different vision. Each company has a different looks and style.

Natasya K.: This is one of the differences between folk dance and art dance. For instance, in ballet there is a good logical reason for needing petite dancers--the man has to LIFT the woman in many complex moves. Height and weight requirements are logical and necessary for certain forms of dance or acrobatics. Meanwhile, that is one of the blessings of Near Eastern Dance. Since it is based on a FOLK dance form, it is suitable for ALL body types... as are other folk dances like flamenco, etc. It is sad and unnecessary if popular prejudices try to demand a ballet body type for these dances. I have seen wonderful Flamenco and Raks performed by women (and men) of all shapes and sizes.

Dina: I danced for years in the "Big Three" of Western forms -- ballet, jazz, and modern -- and never felt that my body type fit in, even at my thinnest. A few observations about dance forms and body preferences:

Modern - On paper, this is supposed to be "inclusive" and breaking of stereotypes, more feminist/avant garde, etc. But the unspoken rule is the ballet body is preferred.

Jazz - Thin and muscular at the same time. But you're at a loss if you have a big chest -- all that hopping, jumping, and running is too "bouncy" for Bob Fosse.

Ballet - Need I say more. Eat enough celery sticks and eventually you may look like one. I used to envy these girls, BAD. But I've realized that if you're not born this way, it's better to take up bellydancing.

Hip Hop/Funk - You can have a booty like Jennifer Lopez, as long as you're otherwise fit. Personally, I like this style. It's fun, ethnic, and inclusive.

Tap - See Jazz.

Ballroom - Almost any body type is fine, but you have to bring two of them.

Country Western - As long as you've got the cowboy boots.

Irish Step aka Riverdance - See Jazz. And try to look like Nicole Kidman, if you can.

All kidding aside, I think that the popularization of bellydance is helping us get back to a healthier "ideal" body type, i.e. that curves are OK.