How To Attend a Belly Dance Workshop or Class: Etiquette and tips for making the most of your instruction

Over the past decade, I have attended more classes and workshops that I can count. I've amassed a list of etiquette and tips for students of belly dance, both new and veteran, to help make the most of the instruction given at classes and workshops. Some of it may seem like common-sense, but all of the points below are there because I have observed the behaviors from which they are inspired...ranging from mildly distracting to down-right rude. I don't understand why students think a belly dance class/workshop should warrent any less respect than the school classroom. (Maybe they were the ones sitting in the back, shooting spit-wads and passing notes?) Nevertheless, for the malicious or just oblivious, the inexperienced or those who just need a refresher, here is

How to Attend a Belly Dance Workshop or Class:

Etiquette and tips for making the most of your instruction

Suggested items to bring:

• Notebook and pen
• Footwear (if applicable)
• Hipscarf (preferably without coins or with few coins)
• Water bottle
• Folding fan and/or small towel
• Snack (banana, granola bar, etc)
• Zills, veil (or other props, if applicable)
• Camera
• Sweater/shrug/hoodie during cold months
• Any leg warmers, braces, or wrappings (if applicable)
• Cash, check, and/or CC (not all vendors can accept CC!)

Before the workshop/class:

Register as soon as you know you can attend the workshop. Events can sometimes be canceled if the sponsor thinks there is no interest. This also makes it easier for the event organizer to plan.

Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes (ex.skirts, t-shirts). It will be much harder for the instructor to see your movement. Recommendation: yoga/tribal pants and a tank top. It is also wise to wear a sweater/shrug/hoodie during cold months until you are warmed up.

Do not wear perfume, body spray, essential oils, or strong lotions.

Inform the instructor prior to the workshop of any injuries or physical restrictions you may have. Instructors can often offer an alternative move/stretch to accommodate you, or at the very least can advise you not to do a certain move/stretch.

Turn your cell phone on silent mode. If you MUST be on-call for whatever reason and you receive a phone call, take it outside/in the hall/as far away from the area of instruction as possible to limit the disruption.

During the workshop/class:

No street shoes on the dance floor.

Let the instructor know if you cannot hear them. If it is a large workshop, feel free to ask the instructor to rotate rows if they do not do this automatically.

If you have a question, ask the instructor, not a fellow student. It is best to raise your hand to signal to the instructor that you have a question (yep, just like in school). If you have a specific, personal question that you are not comfortable asking in front of everyone, ask during a break or after the workshop.

DO NOT TEACH or give advice/feedback unless the instructor has specifically asked you. You are there to listen and learn, no matter what your skill level. If a fellow student asks you for instruction, encourage them to ask the instructor. Quell the urge to “help”, no matter how small you believe the matter may be.

If someone asks a question, pay attention. You may not realize until you hear the answer that the question is of interest to you as well. 

When the instructor is talking, shut your mouth and listen. Workshops are allowed to be fun, but limit the joking and conversation to breaks.

If you are drilling and the instructor decides to assist individuals, do not stop working on your own. Continue until the instructor gives direction to stop the exercise.

Keep an open mind. Just because you have been taught to execute a move one way does not make it the ONLY way. Make every effort to execute the move as instructed, even if you have learned it a different way. There are many different modes of execution, styles, and names for movement in belly dance. Learning more of them will make you a better dancer, even if it is not your particular style or taste.

Do not shimmy or play your zills if the instructor has not asked. The noise can be distracting to others.

Refrain from negative self-talk (aloud or in your thoughts). It will NOT help you and it can dampen the mood of others around you. Realize that you may not execute everything perfectly on the first try and that you will need to practice to master it.

Avoid whispering about others who may be performing/demonstrating. This is extremely distracting, even if you are whispering good things.

ASK before you take video of anything. If the instructor requests you do not record any aspect of the workshop, respect that and do not record. Most will not allow you to record them, but they generally do not mind if you record yourself after the workshop or during breaks. Do not purposefully record other students without their permission. If you are allowed to video, do not redistribute, post to YouTube, etc. Video taken at workshops should be for your personal reference ONLY.

If you disagree, have issue with the instruction, or just have something helpful to add, approach the instructor privately during a break or after the workshop.

Take notes and water breaks as needed! The instructor will NOT be offended if you leave the dance floor to do this.

If you have to arrive late or leave early, do so quietly. Do your warm-up or cool-down to the side of the room/in the hall.

After the workshop/class:

If you make a mess, clean it up. If you move tables and chairs, put them back. Respect the venue.

If you learn choreography and intend to perform and/or teach it, make sure you have the instructor’s permission and you give them credit for it. (Ex. If performing, note it in the printed program, include the information in your announcer’s notes, etc. If teaching, tell your students and include credit on the choreography notes.) If you alter the choreo, you still need to give credit to the original choreographer (Ex. Choreo by ____, with adaptations by ___.)

Unless you have permission from the instructor to make an announcement or someone has asked you privately, do not blatantly cross-promote your own or your teacher’s class/event/studio.

If there is a costume vendor present, you decide to try something on, and realize it is not going to fit, do not force it. You can ruin a costume by stretching it out and you can tear out seams. Ask the vendor if it is available in your size if you love it.

It all boils down to R-E-S-P-E-C-T…

…respect your instructor…

…respect your fellow students…

…and respect yourself!