Last Month's Question:
What do you think of certification in belly dance?
1. It's a good idea. It's a step toward raising the level of the dance.
2. It's a bad idea. who's to say what is certified?
3. I'm not sure.

Here are some more of your answers:
What a tough and thought-provoking question. I think it is a good idea for teachers to be certified in anything they teach, however, much work would have to be done to standardize everything first....the names of the movements and the techniques vary greatly and many teachers do not understand how to count music.
-Karima Aliz

I believe having the instructors go through some kind of certification program would help weed out the "instructors" that don't have the true knowledge and skills set required to properly train others in this art form.
-Yamil, Miami, FL

So many people offering some kind of certification these days who decides that they have any credibility?
-Linda Kovach

I think it's OK for individual teachers to have their own certification programs, as long as they don't try to dominate the entire industry by pushing their standard as the only legitimate one. It gives dance students a way to measure their progress, and provides a consistent background for an ensemble or troupe. It also builds camaraderie among those who have endured the stress of being tested.
-Rebecca

Certification: Yes! It's a wonderful idea! Keeping within certain "guidelines" for this wonderful Art Form! ... But what of those of us who enjoy teaching and passing along and "introducing" this "beautiful" form of dance to other women and are not certified? Should that "ban" us from attempting to teach? What if we live far away from the Suhaila Dance School? Or we can't afford to fly or travel out there for said classes ... I would love to do that, but ... There are a lot of women who are introduced and taught this style of dance by other women who are better than most and maybe not as good as others but they can teach!
-Zoe H., Louisiana

I have heard some well respected dancers say: "who are you to give a certification"? or "It is just a way of taking away people's money". I can not say this is the truth because I have never try to be certified in dancing. That is the reason why I choose option # 3 because I can not strongly agree or disagree. A certification does not really guarantee anything, If the certification is done by someone responsible and knowledgeable, then, that is the difference. Because that person will not certify someone who is not ready. Also, it depends a lot on the student and the reason behind wanting to be certified. Is it to be able to teach that format? Or for personal dancer's growth, or may be it is just a challenge? I believe all these factors are important. But, then again, if someone does not believe in certifications in belly dance, just don't become certified.
- Julissa A. Liranzo, New Jersey

Certification could be a good thing. It would set a standard, a bottom line, which could be very helpful to beginners. (Though I doubt there's a very big racket to cheat innocent women by giving sub-par or faux belly dance lessons.) It depends what the qualifications are. Would dancers have to be certified in history of the dance, culture of the dance, moves, or have a knowledge of the body and how it works? I think there are too many aspects, too many different things to focus on, and too many different ways to teach and interpret the dance to make a quantitative test to deem whether someone is "qualified".
Sarah Scheinman, Pittsbugh, PA

As a group fitness instructor and personal trainer I have had to get many certifications. If you wanted to take a yoga class from me would it make a difference to you if I was certified or not? My guess is that it would. What probably would not cross your mind is that there are many, many different certifications that I could have gotten. Anyone can make up a certification program and take your money. In fact you can take test on-line and presto you are certified. You don't know if I spent years training and studying or if I went to a weekend workshop. However the certification will get you into the class. It is then up to me to show you that I know my stuff and retain you as a student. Certification can make a world of difference in a first impression. Certifications do not always make a good teacher or dancer. I believe a certification adds a lot to a portfolio and I am all for it. What makes a difference in the long run is your ability to be good at what you do. I believe the best way to achieve that is to never stop learning yourself. Never let a certification be a end all to your education.
- Crystal Dunlap

The thing about belly dance is that there are so many ways to do it. By putting it in a capsule, certification, it sort of takes away some of the spontaneity, artistic value. Although, the workout is good and the methods are beneficial, I sort of rebel against certifying the steps. I think to really get good dancers, they need to take from a variety of teachers and methods. I have learned a ton from Suhaila's methods, but I only incorporate them into the ever evolving style which I am developing for myself and my students. I also bring in many different teachers to enlighten my students of the various ways you can perform belly dance. Through the assortments I hope to convey that there is a zillion ways you can present this art form.
-Saiedeh

I think this is important for many reasons. Mainly, because so many people need to know they can injure themselves if movements are done incorrectly and done this way through time...How many times have we been to gyms and signed up for an annual membership that a trainer makes it mandatory for the new member to go through the correct ways of lifting weights? It is mandatory for insurance purposes and I find that belly dance instruction is the same.
-Beth Flasker AKA Bethsheba Almah

This Month's Question:
Do you feel you need to be a specific "body type" to perform professionally?

Send your answers or comments to:
bellydancesurvey@yahoo.com