Belly Dance and Confidence
Written by Nizana

One of the great things about Belly Dance is that it builds your confidence. When you are feeling good about yourself and are proud of your accomplishments, your technique, your choreography, etc., then you present better to your audience. When you feel assured, you can dance more freely and comfortably and not only feel, but emit joy. It allows your creative juices to flow. It helps you expand your horizons and attempt and accomplish new goals. Practicing belly dance builds stamina, provides exercise and improves balance, all assisting you to feel more confident and healthy. Feeling sure about yourself makes for a better performer.

But what about the dark side of confidence? When does it cross the line to arrogance and acting “better than thou?” Are you confident of your abilities, or are you over-confident in that you’re exhibiting diva-like behaviors that may be impacting your fellow dance sisters? Sure, you’re a great dancer and you’re lovely and all that, but that doesn’t negate the fact that there are others who feel the same way about themselves or whom others feel that way about as far as their dancing and loveliness, too.

Everyone has different tastes. Opinions are subjective, because some people only root for their friends and not everyone can drag friends and families along to cheer the loudest and feed your ego. There are a lot of competitions saying who’s the best, but that makes for a lot of “bests.“ No one has been crowned the “Determiner of Who’s the Best Dancer.” I know of popular, top name dancers who audience members have expressed not caring for their presentation, performance, etc. Getting a spot or a gig because you know someone or schmoozed someone doesn’t make you the best dancer in town. Neither does having a nice body or throwing hissy fits when you don’t get your way.  So confusing confidence and being the best thing since sliced bread are not the same thing.  

If you’re demanding the limelight, the best lineup spot, the longest dance times, what is that doing to other dancers and the promoter? Does that mean someone else loses an opportunity or everything has to be worked around to accommodate you? Is treating the rest of the dance community that way in the best interest of the dance community? There are a LOT of dancers out there these days, and dancers should be mindful that other dancers enjoy dancing, too. They’d like some of the same opportunities, but they go about finding them without acting over-confident or stepping on toes.  

Confidence should look and feel good to you and to others. If you are promoting yourself and your capabilities, you can do that without infringing on others gigs, or without creating hard feelings. It should be a positive experience, one that is uplifting without bringing others down or creating drama. Belly dance has history with community and sisterhood, and while with the growth under the umbrella of belly dance, there will be differences, dancers should strive to be more inclusive and considerate and less about “it’s all about me.” Recently saw a fitting post on FB that said “Always remember, too much ego will kill your talent.”

Develop and maintain confidence, by all means! I mentioned a list of benefits and I’m sure there are more. Walk tall, and carry yourself proudly. Take command of the stage when it’s yours. But share the stage and the limelight and the opportunities with your dance sisters (and brothers) so that everyone has their chance to shine, too.