New Year. New You. Time to Discover Bellydance!

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, looking forward to the coming year. It's a time to contemplate the changes we want to make and commit to improving ourselves over the next 12 months. If you're a bellydance student, it's a great time to think of ways to UP your dance level. Here are some suggestions to help you get dancing into 2014! 

Flexibility
Bellydance requires long, limber muscles. Take time to stretch out before class. Come in 15 minutes early and spend time while you wait for your class to do some stretching in the areas specific to your body that need a good stretch. Your muscles will love you for it and you'll find you get even more out of your class time. 

Work Your Core
All Bellydancers need to have a strong core. This strength allows you to move quicker, be more agile on the dance floor and protects you from injury. Incorporate push-ups and some ab crunches to your daily routine. You will strengthen your upper body, tummy and lower back which will help improve your posture and make you a stronger dancer. 

Challenge Yourself
Don't be afraid to challenge yourself and step out of the comfort zone. Perform a solo. Learn to improvise. Have a custom choreography made for you to a song you've always wanted to perform to. Buy your first costume or make your own costume. Experiment with new music. Try a new style ... Melaya, Saidi, Khaleegi for example. Learn to master a new skill....finger cymbals anyone?  You'll never know what you can achieve if you don't try. Make a list of 12 challenges and add one to each month of your calendar. Then spend time working on your monthly goal every month. Imagine looking back next year and reviewing all these achievements? Go for it!