Belly Dancing May Appear Sexy, Sensual, Or Both

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Belly dancing may be considered sexy, sensual, or both. It is a matter of how a person defines these words. And the definition of these words is confusing. When you announce to your family and friends that you will be taking belly dancing lessons be prepared for an avalanche of criticisms. Know the difference between a person being sexy or being sensual. 

​Women who have come to appreciate this dance understand the sensuality and the spirituality of this art form. Yes, you can fit this dance into the bedroom to meet the definition of sexy and conclude with sex. But dancing for the general public as a professional is sensual.
 
Sexy usually refers to whatever may be appealing to another as it arouses basic sexual instincts and interests to be heightened or excited. However, sensuality has more to do with physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual sensations of our six senses without sex. It can be confusing at times as there may be some overlapping within these definitions.  

​Private belly dancing may incorporate belly dancing movements mixed with sexy suggestions for your mate in the bedroom. These movements would never be used in a public performance. 
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​The public performance by a professional has her focus on creative choreography, steps and movements, facial emotions to help tell the story, and focused on hearing her music for cues. There will be some flirting in the dance, but no deliberate actions to create sex or to be sensual. To do so would be a comedy act.

​During dress rehearsals the costume and the choreography are rehearsed. The costume and movements are reviewed for appropriate and correct usage in the choreography. A public performance is final and no one can erase any costume malfunctions or inappropriate movements which has been caught on cameras held by the audience.

​Think about this for a moment. The dancer’s choreography includes a story line of a young girl living on a farm and she describes her chores with dance movements. For the audience to think that the dancer is being sexy would be cause for laughter considering the story line.

A dancer is performing with a live band and she and the drummer are having a contest interpreting the rhythms. She is using her body and hips to interpret the beats and the drummer is pounding his drum or drums with his fingertips trying to outdo the dancer. They and the audience are caught in the excitement of the percussion rhythms and having fun watching this duel.

 How can a person think this is sex when the dancer is using her techniques, skills, and talents to creatively interpret the rhythms and the drummer is beating away on the skin of the drum? Neither of these performers is thinking sex. They are both preoccupied with a contest of wits.

​Learn more about Belly Dancing - Sensual Essentials.

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