A: Yes! Each single class makes perfect sense and teachings will be specific to those you attend so you'll always know what you're doing. Starting on the first week of a term gives you the option of pre-booking your space at each class throughout that term but you can drop in any week and not feel lost.

A: For all classes, wearing something stretchy is a really good idea as this allows you to move freely and without risk of injury. We traditionally bellydance bare foot, this gives us natural grounding although soft soled shoes/ballet pumps may be worn if preferred and for fitness focused classes such as BellyJam indoor trainers are recommended for extra grip. Wearing a hipscarf is popular and adds many dimensions to your dancing experience whilst being physically beneficial in all classes, these are available to buy in the shop and in class, good quality, good price.

Additional helpful stuffs:

• For technique focused classes, such as BellyBasics, wearing something figure hugging will enable your technique to be developed properly by the teacher as she can see your movements more clearly, think vest top & leggings/yoga pants
• For styling focused classes, such as ChoreoImpro, wearing practice costuming & accessories is encouraged as this can assist in your creativity of movement, think circle skirts/harem pants, vest/belly tops, light jewellery
• For fitness focused classes, such as BellyJam, wearing sports fitness clothing will keep you comfortable and supported. Indoor trainers are recommended for good grip

A: Some water to rehydrate during the session and perhaps a small piece of fruit for afterwards to refuel. Bellydancing props such as veil, cane etc. may be used in some classes, in this case you'll be informed in advance.

A: The average age changes all the time, on a term-to-term and even week-to-week basis as new friends join us all the time. Ages in any given class can range from around 16-67 years and the more diverse the group the richer the experience.

A: This is possible only for new or pilot classes where stated to ascertain the interest for the proposed class or workshop. For all other classes pre-booking is advised or 'drop in' on the day as an alternative. This helps to ensure we have enough committed attendees to run a class.

A: Your best option is to buy an 8 Class Pass. You then have the card punched at each class you attend and carry over any you can't make it along to.

A: All classes are 'open level' or as we like to call it "free range" People shouldn't be pigeonholed as beginner, improver, advanced as we all have different strengths and at times we might like to revisit a class for a refresher. We do have classes that focus on the basics covering breathing techniques, posture and all the fundamentals, classes that focus on learning about dancing choreographies & improvisational pieces and classes with a real fitness emphasis. We leave it up to you to decide which classes you'd like to take and you're welcome to mix and match. If you can't decide which is right for you get in touch and we'll advise you, the important thing is that the options are there!

A: All styles. Basics classes give you good grounding across all styles and in other classes we explore each style in more depth based on the interests of the class as a whole.

A: Most classes run as 8-week terms or "blocks" of lessons. This is considered the optimal length for learning, we usually then take a short break before learning more in depth.

Great care and consideration is taken in the planning of each lesson to ensure it is tailored to the group of women attending. No term is ever repeated and fresh learning & progression for all attendees are high on the agenda. You can do a number of blocks of the same class and carry on learning or mix and match classes and blocks to gain the different dimensions of Bellydancing.

Safety is paramount and this is always at the forefront of the teachers mind. You will be given a short health questionnaire to fill in at the start of the 8 week block, this is optional and is hugely beneficial to teacher and student. If you missed the week this was handed out you can fill one out next time.

Each week registration, souk and circle time happens at the start of class after we are changed and ready to dance. We dance a varied warm up, main section and follow with relevant cooldown stretches. Finally we congratulate each other on being fabulous ladies and usually talk about how alive we feel afterwards! Many of the girls stay on for a second class and some do 3 classes a week.

A: Interestingly there are no formal qualifications or body that govern 'Bellydance', anyone who tells you otherwise has misled you or they have been misled themselves (This would be akin to trying to obtain patent rights to the world's first loaf of bread!)

We are 100% qualified to teach any Health, Fitness and Exercise and have undertaken several years of fulltime study within the Fitness Industry to ensure our teachings are physically and mentally safe and healthy. We are public liability insured and advance first aid certified. With over ten years of quality Bellydance study and a very colourful experience CV to match we are health & fitness professionals who specialise in teaching and performing Bellydance.

A: You will have been given a short health questionnaire to fill in in class. Filling this in is entirely optional but doing so will enable your teacher to keep you safe within your bellydancing/fitness classes. It will also assist you in setting any goals you may have and allow your teacher to give you an experience tailored to your interests, aims and objectives. The more detail you provide the better! Your details will be stored and protected in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and destroyed when no longer required. See our Privacy Policy page.

A: You may be entering the wrong password. The password for Lesson Summaries is the one given to the group in class. It changes each term. Your Chat Profile uses your own personal password that you either stated on your questionnaire or set online yourself. EMail: info@bellydancingbarbie.com and we'll help you out with access to the lesson summaries and your chat profile!