Belly Dancing Basics by Laura A. Cooper
Reviewed by Anala Rabari
This book has 8 chapters and a resource section. All the chapters are short and even subdivide into smaller sections, making the book a quick read and easy to find a stopping place if needed. Like most books it starts with the history and origins of the dance. It then covers how to get started such as what to wear, how to relax, and how to select music. The next chapter goes into more details such as how to count music, posture, and warm-ups. Chapter 3 covers basic moves, Chapter 4 focuses on the art of veil work, chapter 5 features the sword, chapter 6 highlights Isis wings, chapter 7 covers candles, cane, and zills, chapter 8 discusses performance topics such as stage fright, costumes, make-up, repertoire, and etiquette. The book concludes with a resource section with suggested books, vendors, music, classes, and dancers.
I think this is an excellent book to cover the basics of the dance. The moves that it covers are broken down in easy to understand language and a number of photos. For instance, wrist circles are broken down into 7 steps and there is a photo to accompany each step. I also think the book does an excellent job of featuring all types of women in the photos( there is a pregnant woman, some senior citizens,and women of all sizes and ethnicities). And the variety of costumes used is stunning. I do have a few criticisms. Even though a number of props are covered in this book, tips on how to select props to buy, how to make them, and how to take care of them is not included. I also feel that candles, cane, and zills should have been covered in individual chapters with more information included on each rather than being lumped into one chapter. But I remind myself that as the title clearly states this is a book on belly dancing basics and in my opinion just by including props it delivers more than the title promises. This book will be a great beginning to any dance library.