What to Expect in a Beginner Belly Dance Class in Gainesville, FL

Nervous about your first belly dance class? I've got you covered with what to expect and tips for easing any first dance class anxiety you may be feeling.

Most belly dance classes will tell you if they are open to all levels or if they are specific to set levels — beginners, intermediate, or advanced. Begin with a beginner's or all-levels class for your first belly dance experience, where you can learn the foundational movements of the dance, enjoy Middle Eastern music, and discover the history and culture behind belly dance.

What to Wear & Bring

The most important things to prepare before your first belly dance class are what to wear and bring. Whenever I wear an outfit that makes me feel good, I get excited to attend dance classes. In addition to feeling good, wearing comfortable clothes and knowing what to bring with you will help you get in the "it's time to belly dance!" mindset.

Outfits that work for belly dance classes

Your outfit should be comfortable enough to allow you to move around freely. Ideally, you'll wear something that makes you feel good and is anything but uncomfortable. Wearing fitted clothing instead of loose-fitting clothing is nice, but it is never mandatory for visualizing your movements in the mirror and for your teacher to help you adjust your movements and strengthen your technique skills.

Some outfit ideas for belly dance classes:

• Yoga or fitted athletic wear

• Asymmetrical skirts

• Leggings

• Skorts

• A fitted top and sweatpants.

Aliza Shoshana posing for a photo at the Orlando Belly Dance Convention in 2025. She wears a comfortable outfit and Apolla barefoot ankle brace-like socks and slides.

The coin belt or hip scarves

A coin belt is not only fun to wear while belly dancing, but it serves a purpose. In beginners and all-level classes, the coin belt will help you hear how your moves are matching the music. You'll also begin to learn how to use the sound of a coin belt or hip scarf to make playful and intentional accent moves to the music.

Your belly dance teacher may have coin belts or hip scarves available to borrow or purchase. You can buy your own belly dance coin belt or hip scarf from small businesses like bellydance.com or Joharah International. You can also find them for sale on Amazon.

Wearing shoes or dancing barefoot in belly dance classes

In most dance studios, you are welcome to dance barefoot or with dance shoes. If street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor, there will usually be signs indicating this or announcements made before classes begin. Some may have guidelines on wiping your shoes before entering the dance studio flooring to protect the floors. In general, it's best to ask your teacher or the dance studio if you're unsure.

Dance shoes and feet protection options for belly dance

• Barefoot

• Regular socks: I wouldn't recommend wearing socks, but you totally can if you're comfortable doing so. Please be extra careful and check to ensure you won't slip or injure yourself.

• Dance footies: these cover the top portion of your feet to add protective padding to the balls of your feet

• Apolla socks and half-sole shoes: Protective performance socks, braces, and half-sole shoes that prevent injury and support your ankle. I have the barefoot ankle brace-like sock, and it helped me reduce body fatigue during one performance season, when I was training and rehearsing Persian dance while also running through belly dance rehearsals with two troupes and preparing for my solos. 😮‍💨

• Ballet shoes: You can wear full-sole or split-sole ballet shoes to belly dance classes.

In a beginner belly dance class in Gainesville, FL, you will learn how to move your feet in patterns to move around the room as you dance. This is called your footwork in dance. You may find it beneficial to practice barefoot to feel grounded as you execute the movement, learn to point your toes, and get used to the footwork patterns.

Pack the essentials

Stay hydrated by bringing a water bottle that closes (to avoid spills on the dance floor). Since most belly dance classes are scheduled in the evening after work and classes end, you may find that bringing a snack with you helps you stay energized and focused on class.

What is the structure of a belly dance class?

Most weekly belly dance group classes are one hour long. In belly dance classes, you can expect to begin with a warm-up. Most of the warm-up will consist of dynamic stretching and basic movements. The warm-up will focus on areas of the body that will be used most frequently in class. For example, if you're learning a hair flip in class, your teacher may have the class focus on neck stretches more than they would if the class were focused on learning how to do hip-focused movements.

Next, you'll learn the technique behind the moves as you begin to try them. Your teacher will guide you through the movements and kindly offer tips and tricks to help everyone master the movement.

You will likely begin to learn a belly dance combo (combination of dance movements) set to 8 counts. Think: 5, 6, 7, 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. The combos can eventually be put together to create choreography (choreographies).

Lastly, you may have the opportunity to improvise and dance with one another. Moments like these are always meant to be fun and provide a safe space to truly embrace belly dance and give yourself the freedom of expression through dance. Belly dance classes in Gainesville, Florida, are a place for community and connection through dance. Most belly dance teachers in Gainesville are friends and are part of a community performing together at local festivals. Most belly dance teachers in Gainesville would agree that they want their students to feel welcomed and safe in their classes.

You may need time to get comfortable with improvisation or dancing in a group, but you can always follow your teacher's movements during this time until you feel ready to try mixing together belly dance movements into your own flow of movements or combos. No matter what, try to focus on having fun and making the most out of your time in class.

Your progress is unique to you.

You'll find that your belly dance class peers learns at different paces, come from various backgrounds and life experiences, and have different learning styles. It's important to remember that your belly dance journey and progress as a student of the art of belly dance is unique to you. Be patient and kind to yourself and your peers.

Every belly dancer started somewhere. I've been sharing my belly dance journey on social media for many years now, from serving as secretary of the University of Florida Belly Gators while I was a college student, to becoming a professional belly dancer and gigging in North Central Florida. I'm in the yellow coin belt/hip scarf in the post below!

Get the most out of your beginner belly dance class in Gainesville, FL

To get the most out of your belly dance class, follow these tips:

• Plan to arrive before class begins. This allows you to check in, set your belongings down, and find a spot in the dance studio that suits you.

• Ask questions during class if you're stuck on understanding or executing a movement.

• Practice what you learned in class at home.

• Connect with your local belly dance community by

  • Following belly dancers in your community on social media

  • Asking them questions about their experiences as a belly dancer

  • Attend belly dance events in your community.

With these tips on what to expect in your first belly dance class, you're ready to get your shimmy on like Shakira. Ready for your first class? Book your first belly dance class today.

Sign up for classes