How long does it take? (To do what? Enjoy the workout? Dance for your husband? Perform professionally? Be a good dancer?) That depends on the individual, and like all things worth doing, will take far longer and require more effort than you realize when you start. But that's ok, because you love it and it is great for your mind, body, and spirit! Belly Dance is an art form that requires much practice and discipline. It is not something you can learn in a few easy lessons. But it is something that most people can learn, and at any age. You must be willing to spend some time and money on it if you want to perform. You must love the costuming and that costs time and money as well. Many women love this aspect because it is a chance to play dress up. We have many ways to enhance our beauty through the costumes. We transform into Goddesses when we dress up to dance!

But I'm too fat/old/thin/clumsy!! Baloney! This is a dance that can be enjoyed and performed no matter what your size, shape or age. It is all natural movements. You can benefit from this exercise regardless of how well you do the movements. Most of the best performers and teachers are in their 50's and 60's.

What are those ching-ching things? They are called finger cymbals, or Zills. The Arabic word for them is Zaggats. They are made of brass, and are often confused with Spanish castanets, which are made of wood and played very differently. It takes a lot of practice to learn to play zills, and it helps if you have a good sense of rhythm.

Where can I get the Music? From vendors online or at various Dance Events. Amazon.com has a big selection of Belly Dance music. ebay is also great if you know what you want! Look in the international sections of major cd stores under Egypt, Turkey, or Middle East. Two of my favorite musicians are Hossam Ramzy and Omar Faruk Tekbilek. www.hossamramzy.com and www.omarfaruktekbilek.com

Where can I get a costume? Some of us make our own costumes, and many of us purchase them from Egypt or Turkey, where they are all handmade. Again, ebay has loads of costumes, but many are really poor quality; Get advice from your instructor, and don't buy the cheapest thing. For a great listing of all belly dance resources, check out www.shira.net.

How much do they cost? A good student costume can be made or bought from $100 - $200. A new professional costume runs $300 ­ $800 or more. A used professional costume can be had for much less, and ebay is a good source if you know what to look for.

Can men do this too? Yes. Historically men danced as much or even more than women. In Turkey and Egypt, men performed the dance because women were not allowed to perform in public. The men played male and female roles in the dance. When Western men began traveling to the East, they were enamored with the fantasy of the exotic female dancer. It became quite lucrative for women to perform for tourists in private indoor settings, and men performed the dance less and less. Today, within the home and at wedding celebrations, both men and women dance well.

Are you Arabic? No. You will not find very many Arabic girls performing in costume because it is still considered improper for a Muslim woman to be seen dancing in public by men outside her family, especially in a costume. This is quite a double standard, because in Egypt, Turkey, and Lebanon many of the dancers have become much admired celebrities. Many are also singers and actors. But very few families would want their men to marry them.

How can you dance this dance so well if you are not Arabic? I love the art and the music, and have worked on it since 1985. This dance is very popular in the USA and Europe, and all over the world. There is a huge belly dance community and many dancers who travel, teach, and perform. There are events, publications, musicians, venders, costume makers, and many web sites devoted to this art. With the political climate what it is today, this art form must thrive outside the Middle East in order to survive. .

How did you get the name Layla Katrina? Many dancers take on an Arabic or exotic sounding stage name. Mine came about one night in a Moroccan restaurant where I performed. A bunch of us were sitting around tossing out names. My given name is Catherine, and I liked the name Layla, and the next thing I knew I became Layla Katrina.

for Classes on Kauai contact Garden Nile Belly Dance Troupe, (808) 822-7994

www.gardennilebellydance.com

Layla teaches basic techniques of posture, hip articulation, upper torso movements, and undulations. Students will learn how to isolate each part of the body and move it separately from the rest. These techniques can be difficult for those who have never worked their bodies, but they are all natural movements which almost every one can learn. It takes patience and practice. We work first on basics, than combinations of moves and choreographies. Later we will introduce veils, finger cymbals, balancing. classes will also include warm up and cool down stretches. Students will work all of the body, including arms, head, shoulders, upper torso, lower torso, hips, legs, and feet. Most people discover muscles they never even knew they had!

Dance Meditation

In this class Layla will focus on combining movements with breath, featuring basic repetitive moves that are very connected to the music. She will also lead deep stretches and isolations of the hands, arms, shoulders and torso from a seated position. In the Dance Meditation Class, there is little verbal explanation. This is to keep the thread of the meditation in tact. The meditations can last up to 20 minutes or more, with possible breaks in between. Some of the stretches are similar to yoga postures. We may dance in a circle with each student getting an opportunity to lead. The student may be asked to close her eyes and dance on her own, experiencing the music and the movements from the inside out, without the stress of trying to follow another person. We also dance together, giving each other energy and interacting with each other's movements. This class is ideal for all levels of dance experience.