Studio Etiquette/FAQs

STUDIO ETIQUETTE GUIDLINES

Arrive 10-15 minutes prior to class. Zero-lateness policy. 
Our doors are locked 5 minutes after the class starts. Arrive early, sign-in, grab your spot and warm up on the floor for your class. 

If you are sick, please stay home. 
We appreciate you staying home if you are sick. 

Maintain a positive attitude. Leave those troubles at the door. 
Keep a positive mindset in class. Enjoy the journey of learning something new and exciting. 

Cell phones turned off or muted! 
All personal devices should be muted or turned off before the class begins.  If for some reason you need to use your phone, take your phone to the reception area. Do not sit and text during a class. 

No videoing during class. 
You are welcome to video yourself after the class. But during class no videoing is permitted. 

Good personal hygiene.
Since we dance in an enclosed space, it is essential that everyone maintains good personal hygiene in every class. If you need to freshen up prior to class, we have products available under the bathroom vanity. Please help yourself. 

Don’t leave and come back into your class multiple times. 
Remember that this is a dance studio and not a gym. If you wander in and out of class for a personal breaks it is disruptive to the students in the class and the teacher.    

Leaving early.
If you have to leave early for some reason, be sure to tell your teacher before the class starts and situate yourself close to where you'll exit once you need to leave. 

Don't teach other students in class. 
While we know you're only trying to help, student's who try to teach other students during a class when the teacher is also trying to teach, only creates disruption in the class. 

Don’t talk while your teacher is teaching.
Please don't chat or whisper while the teacher is speaking or demonstrating.  If a student asks a question this is not your invitation to start chatting. Be respectful, listen and learn from the question being asked and the answer being given. Talking before class or during water breaks is fine. Just be aware enough to quiet down when the teacher is ready to start. 

Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy
BellyUp provides a safe haven for dance students to come and enjoy dance and self-expression. Acts of bullying, harassment, and other forms of aggression and/or intimidation will not be tolerated. We promote a respectful environment based on trust. Bullying or harassment is considered any gesture or written, verbal, graphic or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts such as cyber bullying via internet and social media, cell phone, hostile, threatening behavior or otherwise that would provoke fear of physical harm or emotional distress. Any negative or disruptive behavior such as this will result in the immediate dismissal of the student without refund. Please report an instances of bullying or harassment to the studio staff so that these situations can be addressed immediately. 

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

I've never tried Bellydance before, what can I expect? 
Anything new is challenging. Give yourself lots of time to learn and be patient with yourself. Learning the basics is key to advancing, so put your energy into building a strong foundation. This may mean you take the Intro course multiple times as most students do. In fact we urge students to repeat the course at least 3 times. Try to attend your weekly class without missing a week. If you do miss a class try to do your make-up class within the same week so you don’t fall behind on the curriculum. And of course, practice what you learn at home. It's all about building muscle memory and this this will help you build strength, endurance, flexibility and coordination. Most of all have fun!

What is each class like? 
The course builds week to week and a short review of the previous week takes place after the warm-up. In every class a new family of movements are taught that relate to both upper and lower body. You'll be training the particular muscles required to execute every movement. And because we don't stand in the same place for an entire class, you'll also learn different travelling steps and ways to transition from in-place movement to across the floor including turns. 

Can people see me dancing in class from the street? 
We are downstairs/lower level and there are no outside windows for people to see through. 

May I try a class before committing to a course? 
You can register in advance for a single class. Cost is $25 plus HST for a 1 hour class. And $35 plus HST for a 90 minute class. No walk-ins. Advance registration only. There are no refunds or transfers for no shows.  

What should I wear to class? 
Wear something comfortable that you can move freely in. We recommend something form-fitting so your instructor can see your body moving. Leggings, Yoga pants, tank top, t-shirt, or crop top. It is not mandatory to bare your belly, that’s entirely up to you. Bring a scarf to tie around your hips. We dance in bare feet or use ballet slippers or dance sneakers. 

How do I register for my classes? 
You can register online through our web site. Send an e-transfer to info@bellyup.ca or call with credit card.    

Refund Policy
Absolutely no refunds, transfers, extensions, carry-overs, credits on classes, workshops, or unused classes including drop-ins. Once you are registered all sales are final. You must use your classes during the session which you are registered for or you lose your unused classes.  

What happens if I miss a class? 
If you register for the full 8 week session you're entitled to 2 make-up classes per session. 

Where are you located and what are your hours of operation?
Click here for our location info. We are open during our class times. 

Where can I park? 
Downtown Burlington offers free street parking and Green P parking after 6:00pm. and on weekends. There are many parking lots around the studio to access as well as street parking.

Are your classes for all sizes and age groups?
Our classes are best suited for adult women however we encourage teens and young girls with a genuine desire to learn this dance form.  Our students are all sizes, ages, shapes and nationalities and we come together to share the universal language of Bellydance. 

How long is a session and how soon can I get started?
Our sessions run for anywhere between 8 and 10 weeks.
Advance registration is required. You are welcome to join mid-session pending space availability.  

Which level should I register for?
Please refer to our class levels page. We have descriptions and videos to help you understand what you are learning at each level. Even if you've taken another style of dance, we recommend everyone starts at the Beginner level because you need to learn the proper step and movement vocabulary of the dance form. 

How many students are in a class? 
A minimum of six students is required for a class to run. BellyUp reserves the right to cancel or change a class that is under-registered. 

How long will I have to stay at each level? 
We recommend Beginner students take at least 3 consecutive Beginner courses with us to build a strong foundation of skills that will equip them for more advanced levels. 

I'm Middle Eastern and know how to Bellydance. What level should I take? 
While you may be very familiar with the music and common rhythms found in Middle Eastern music and have your own way of dancing at parties and weddings, this is much different than the full vocabulary of Egyptian dance movement we teach at BellyUp. It is a lot like saying "I'm Russian therefore I'm a Ballerina". Learning the art form is much different than social dancing. Students no matter what their background who have never taken professional Bellydance training before should start with our Foundation Level I and move on from there. We're certain you'll be challenged throughout the entire session but it is your decision which level you would like to enroll in. 

I've never taken Bellydance before but I've taken other dance forms? 
We think it's great that you've studied other dance forms and hopefully that will help you in learning the art of Bellydance. But just like when you were learning other forms of dance you started out as a beginner, you need to do the same thing with Bellydance. Bellydance is a very particular way of movement and even though you may have taken Tap or Ballet for many years, the vocabulary of movement for Bellydance still must be learned from the roots. 

How many times a week should I come to class? 
That is totally up to you but if you are able to attend more than one class a week you will certainly see more advancement in your Bellydance skills. 

How do I know how I am doing/progressing in the class? Will I get individual feedback? 
Your instructor is the best judge of your progress in relation to the rest of the class. If you have concerns or questions about how you are doing, we recommend you schedule a private consultation with your Instructor to go over your progress and map out a plan for your advancement if this is important to you. Your instructor will always over corrections in class to help you improve. 

Is there a student recital? 
BellyUp typically has one if not two recitals or shows each year for our students to perform in. No one is under pressure to perform but we encourage you to attend either way! Students can join classes to learn a choreography that can be performed as a group. Some students like to take private lessons to learn a solo choreography that they can perform.  

Will I get a good workout from belly dancing?
Belly dancing is an awesome way to increase core strength, tone and sculpt, improve posture and poise and build your stamina. It is a medium level aerobic exercise. All the upper and lower body isolation work and combinations/sequences of steps are also fantastic exercise for the brain!  Bellydance builds stamina, coordination, grace and poise and so much more.

How physically fit do I need to be to start taking Bellydance classes?
Before starting any new workout or physical activity you should talk to your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to start bellydance classes. We think you'll find that most physicians will encourage you to start.

Will I feel comfortable with my body?
That depends mainly on you. Lots of women struggle with this issue and we believe Bellydance is the perfect catalyst to help you love and appreciate your body more. Moving in the Bellydancer way builds body awareness and self confidence over time. How quickly that happens is really up to you. Our major message is that you embrace the body you have, honor it and let it enjoy the movements. 

Can I belly dance if I'm pregnant?
It is a perfectly healthy form of exercise for the mom-to-be, but of course always get approval from your physician. In the third trimester we advise you to exclude shimmies, hip drops and fast travelling steps from your class and stick to the very soft, and soothing movements...figure 8's are great for the reproductive system and your digestive organs. And undulations are wonderful strengthen your abdominal muscles for the baby's delivery. Many of our students who are new moms have told us how useful their belly dancing skills were during labor.

Can't find the answer to your question? Email us at info@bellyup.ca. We're here to answer your questions. 
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