The Belly Dance Chronicles Jan/Feb/Mar 2020 Volume 18, Issue 1 | Page 56

By Nizana Working on having great technique in order to best translate the music with your body will enhance your performance and endear you to true enthusiasts of the dance. Musicality, stage presence, and costuming are, of course, all very important, but the focus of this article will be on technique. You want to demonstrate mastery of the dance’s movements that “sing” with the music and make your audience appreciate your presentation all the more. You want to ensure integrity 56 The Belly Dance Chronicles  January 2020 of the cultural art form, just as other dance forms demand integrity to the movement, to ensure it makes it what it is. To be strong in the area of technique, you want to have clearly defined and non-mushy isolated movements, smooth transitions, and following through of the movements. Regular practice builds muscle memory and strengthens your ability to perform the movement correctly. This is