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Gilana · 12-06-2007, 12:20 AM

Chani,

I think you did an excellent job in costuming! They both look like oriental dancers, but they also look like the little girls that they are.

My 12 year old has been dancing with me since she was 7. She is very expressive when she dances, but so far, she has never expressed anything sensual in her dance....primarily because she is a little girl and doesn't know anything about that yet. That is the beauty of this dance, I think, is that we can express whatever emotion that is appropriate to us at the time we are dancing it...does that make sense?

I also make sure that she does not do moves that would be considered overly suggestive or inappropriate for a 12 year old. I am addicted to YouTube and have seen many videos of children that just horrify me, one of which someone posted to this site of a very little girl dancing in a competition, I believe. I saw her do many things that I thought were suggestive, and which should be saved until a much later age. I also do not allow my daughter to do floorwork in public, even though she is very good at it and begs me to do it just so that she can show off.

As others have mentioned in their posts, I have been the Bellydance Police when it comes to her costuming. I am her mother and it is my job to guide and protect her, not to pimp her out (hope I can say that!). So, she has always worn harem pants with a full, non-sheer skirt over it, and if she wears a coin or beaded bra, I always make sure she has some sort of sleeves or choli top with it.

I have been fortunate in that she is aware that she needs to be modest in how she dresses and behaves, and all of her instructors have been just as concerned and diligent with how she comes across.

12-06-2007, 12:20 AM	#38 (permalink)
Gilana Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 65	Chani, I think you did an excellent job in costuming! They both look like oriental dancers, but they also look like the little girls that they are. My 12 year old has been dancing with me since she was 7. She is very expressive when she dances, but so far, she has never expressed anything sensual in her dance....primarily because she is a little girl and doesn't know anything about that yet. That is the beauty of this dance, I think, is that we can express whatever emotion that is appropriate to us at the time we are dancing it...does that make sense? I also make sure that she does not do moves that would be considered overly suggestive or inappropriate for a 12 year old. I am addicted to YouTube and have seen many videos of children that just horrify me, one of which someone posted to this site of a very little girl dancing in a competition, I believe. I saw her do many things that I thought were suggestive, and which should be saved until a much later age. I also do not allow my daughter to do floorwork in public, even though she is very good at it and begs me to do it just so that she can show off. As others have mentioned in their posts, I have been the Bellydance Police when it comes to her costuming. I am her mother and it is my job to guide and protect her, not to pimp her out (hope I can say that!). So, she has always worn harem pants with a full, non-sheer skirt over it, and if she wears a coin or beaded bra, I always make sure she has some sort of sleeves or choli top with it. I have been fortunate in that she is aware that she needs to be modest in how she dresses and behaves, and all of her instructors have been just as concerned and diligent with how she comes across.