About Belly Dance

Why Belly Dance?

The better question is "why not bellydance?" Here are just a few reasons why we think that belly dance is amazing.

Belly dance is for EVERYbody
There truly is no "perfect belly dancer body." Belly dance is for every size, shape and age. Every body looks beautiful doing the movements. This dance form looks uniquely amazing on each and every person; that is one of our absolute favorite things about it. No two people will look the same doing the same movement!

Deepen your understanding of Egyptian art & culture

Listen to the enticing rhythms and melodies of the Middle East and explore the history behind this dance. Immerse yourself in this incredible art form that is literally a whole world for you to discover. Egypt is an incredibly diverse country. Often when people think of Egypt, they think of ancient times - but Egypt is modern, thriving and evolving constantly, as is Egyptian dance!

It's a workout for your brain

Learning new dance movements and steps is a great workout for the mind. As adults, we are no longer learning new things all the time. But learning is good for your brain! Learning a new dance form is always challenging, but oh-so rewarding!

Movement benefits
Many students begin belly dance as part of a fitness journey and fall in love with the music, dance and culture. Belly dance is a wonderful low-impact way to get moving! Our classes are absolutely never geared toward weight loss. There are so many amazing reasons to get yourself to a belly dance class - it's fun, you'll build body awareness, you'll develop strength, flexibility and mobility, and dancing can be a great addition to your self care routine.

You'll walk out of the studio feeling great
There's something about a great dance class that leaves you feeling like you can conquer the world after. If you're tired or having a bad day, all the more reason to come take class. Dance = an instant mood boost! Enjoy the dancing and also the people you will meet in class!

Why Oasis?
We pride ourselves in being unique among dance class offerings in Buffalo, NY. Browse our website, Facebook page, and come take a class and you'll see what we mean. Everyone is welcome in our beautiful studio. In fact, what truly makes our studio so gorgeous are the amazing students that dance in the space. We are so passionate about spreading our love of belly dance to you, and to the entire WNY community. As instructors, we are constantly training and studying to bring the very best to you! Join us for a class and find out what this amazing art form can do for you.

As Sahra Kent, founder of the Journey Through Egypt program says, "it's complicated!"

Often the general public isn't quite sure what belly dance is, where it originates, etc. Belly dance is a beautiful, expressive dance form, giving a visual representation of the varied and complex rhythms and melodies of the Middle East. Belly dance has its origins in the Middle East (Turkey, Lebanon and more), with Egypt being the epicenter for Raqs Sharqi (which means "dance of the East").

There are many misconceptions about the origins of this dance form. Raqs Sharqi, the performance version of belly dance, emerged from folkloric/home style Egyptian dance styles. While it is often described as an "ancient art," belly dance is actually quite modern - in modern times, this dance form has really thrived. It has been infused with movements, styles, and music from many cultures, while still preserving its Middle Eastern cultural roots.

Belly dance is G-rated, family friendly, and perfect for all women, men, and children to enjoy. In its classic form, belly dance is practiced, performed, and enjoyed to Middle Eastern music. There are many new forms of belly dance being performed and taught in the U.S. and across the world. At Oasis, we study and teach Egyptian styles of dance including belly dance (raqs sharqi) and folklore.

To register for classes, contact Faaria at 716-698-0288 or faaria@oasisdancecenter.com