Frequently Asked Questions
Perhaps you're new to Lotus or new to bellydance. Hopefully we can answer some of your general questions. If you have any particular questions you can contact us directly.

Q.  Do you have to have previous dance experience?
A.  Sure don't! Quite often new students tell us that they have no rhythm or have two left feet. Most times they find that it's not nearly as bad as they think, and they do very well in class.

Q. It's summer time and I'm going on vacation during one of the sessions. Do you still recommend that I register or should I wait?
A. You don't have to wait! There are a couple ways that you can still participate. You can attend class earlier/later in the week that it's offered so that you can remain on time with choreography (we don't hold you to a particular day), or if you feel that you'll be gone too long you're always welcome to attend any of the drop in classes (classes that don't offer a choreography) and still get your bellydance on! Also feel free to talk to the instructor for other possible scenarios.

Q. What types of payment do you accept?
A. We take cash or check payable to Lotus Dance Studio.  Ask us for details on online payments!

Q. What are your hours?
A. Please check our class schedule page for details.

Q. I have too much belly to dance! What body type do you need to bellydance?
A. There is no body type requirement to learn how to bellydance. In fact, we find that a vast number of our students like to dance for exercise as well as technique. We have designed classes to cover both fitness and technique.

Q. Can I come and watch a class?
A. We will allow you to watch a couple minutes of class, but at the comfort level of the students and the consistent offering of class that you're welcome to participate in that are free, we cannot allow you to watch an entire class.

Q. Isn't bellydance stripping?
A. Goodness no! We don't remove clothing during our dance. Bellydance is very sensual, and most students quickly get in touch with their inner goddess, allowing them to feel good about themselves. But it is most certainly not stripping.

Q. What are the benefits to bellydancing?
A. Most of our students have found the following benefits thanks to bellydance:
Alternative way to lose weight and tone the abdominal area, meeting new friends from various backgrounds, great bonding experience with other students, feeling good about themselves, learning a new dance style that they can incorporate into other aspects of their dance.

Q. What is the Free Intro to Bellydance About?
A. In the last week of the session we like to offer a free class to try before you buy. You can always check out the Events Page for the next upcoming class. So bring a friend and see you there!

Q. What should I wear to class?
A. We suggest you come to class in comfortable clothing that allows for movement. Yoga pants and a form fitting top is a good place to start. It's not a requirement to wear a coin scarf, but it does allow you to see your moves when you dance. We do use zills (finger cymbals) in our Complete classes and the instructor sometimes has some for purchase, but feel free to visit The Bellydance Shop at www.thebellydanceshop.com to purchase them.

Q. What's the maximum number of students to a class?
A. This varies based on location.

Q. I registered for Beginner Complete. Am I restricted to the same day each week?
A. No. We don't hold you to a particular day, so if you find that it's better to switch to another day that the class is offered feel free to do so. Or if you find that you have another commitment on your class day, you still have at least 2 other days in the same week to come in and still be in sync.

Q. I took one session of Beginner Complete. When can I move to the next level of Bellydance?
A. At Lotus you are only able to move into the next level at the permission of the Lead Instructor. If you're new to Lotus but not new to bellydance, you're welcome to take an assessment so that we can place you into the proper class. We do this for a couple reasons: a. You don't feel overwhelmed with technique in a level too high (or bored when too low), b. You don't feel the frustration of having to wait while we get others caught up. Our goal is to make sure that everyone is at a level that provides a proper challenge for them. We do have other classes that allow introduction into the next level and you are welcome to take those classes if the criteria applies to you. Students may move up to the next level at different times, but we don't cover all of the moves for one level in one class session.