The Laws of BellyDynamics

Over the years, we hear and observe some things so often, they seem like Universal Truths. Other things we may hear only once, but immediately recognize their Truth. We've collected a number of these Truths into what we call the "Laws of BellyDynamics".

• The Golden Rule of Middle Eastern Dance: You are a musician, and your body is your instrument.

  (Or, to phrase it another way, "Do as the music does unto you.")

• The Law of Conservation and Equalization of Muscle Mass: The sum of the movements of the dominant side must be balanced by an equal number of moves on the opposite side.

• Rule of Conservation of Dance Momentum: If you do a move faster, you also have to make it smaller.

  Bàraka's Quantification: If you double the tempo, it has to get half the size.

• Fahtiem's Rule of Magic: There are no magic steps that will make you a great dancer, there is only the magic you put in each and every step!

• Hossam Ramzy's Admonition: Do not do more than the sound that is coming out at you dictates. And of course, don't do less.

• Beata's Application of the Law of Gravity: Every chest lift must be accompanied by a pelvic drop.

• Horacio's Rule: When in doubt, spin.

• Cassandra's Theory of Relativity: It's always faster with the music.

• Ibrahim Farrah's Certainty Principle: Be there.

• Egyptian Uncertainty Principle: Change!

• The Choreographic Time-Space Continuum: The dance always gets shorter once you know the steps.

• Beata's Multidimensional Slide Rule: If you slide your hips, wrists, and head to the left, you have to slide your ribs to the right, or else you'll fall over.

• Karen Barbee's Observation: For some reason, it's harder to do rib movements when your arms are raised over your head.

• Aelura's First Law: Safety pins are a belly dancer's best friend.

• Aelura's Second Law: If you make a mistake, do it again.
  [Ed. note: This appears similar to a Law of Acting.]

• Hossam Ramzy's Rule of Four: Whatever you do, do it four times.

• Bert Balladine's Entrance Rule: If a dancer is very good, when she enters she will proudly walk onstage and walk in a large circle around the stage to greet her audience before she starts to dance. If she is very, very good, she will do it TWICE.

• Jamila Salimpour's Advice: You only get one chance to make a first impression.

• Aszmara's Motto: Dance is emotion in motion.

• Aziza Sa'id's Rules:
  1. No matter what you do, if you do it with 100% commitment, the audience will get it.
  2. No matter how 'right' what you do is, if you don't believe in it and commit to it, the audience will know.

• Leila Gamal's Rule: In movement, don't be afraid of nothin'.

• Shanna's Rule: Always leave them wanting more. Never leave them wanting less.

• Saqra's Theory of Quality Relativity: You can be a pretty great dancer by having moderately strong levels of any two of these three factors: appearance, technical skill, or audience entertainment ability. Strengthen your strongest and weakest factors for the best results.

• Closest thing to an Absolute Rule: Never look into your own armpit.

• Shakira's Wry Observation: The more a dancer's publicity writings make her sound like God's supreme gift to dance, the more likely she is not to live up to them in person.

• Shakira's Hypothesis: Whoever tells you there is only one right way, has something to gain by having you adopt that way.

• Marta Schill's Motto: You never know...which is a great reason not to ever say you do!

Other Relevant Laws

These are some "laws" which were originally developed for other fields, but which also have special significance in Middle Eastern dance:

• The Law of Gravity: What goes up, must come down.

• Martha Graham's Admonition: Don't just do something, stand there!

• Theatrical Rule: A bad dress rehearsal makes for a good opening night.

• First Law of Acting (also known as one of the Things your Cat Teaches You): Whatever happens, look as if it were intended.

• Berra's First Law: You can observe a lot just by watching.

Special Rules

The following aren't really of the same type as the preceding. They're more prescriptive than descriptive, but they're too good to omit.

Laurel Victoria Gray's Prayer:

• May our dance always be a bridge to understanding.
• May our dance always be a celebration of diversity.
• May our dance always be an instrument for peace.

Thanks to Joani, Shira, Aziza Sa'id, Leyla, Shakira, Leila Gamal, Marta Schill, Laurel Gray, Aszmara, Shanna, and Saqra for their contributions!

We welcome suggestions for more "laws"! Contact Sherezzah at sherezzah@beledy.net.

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