That IS interesting. :p
For me, it doesnt' matter how transformed the environment is because usually I feel as if I've been transformed from within, therefore, no need to transform the outside, if that makes any sense :p The only thing I usually change is from sweat pants into a flowy skirt so I can dance freely. But I do think it's a great idea to try and enhance your surroundings. We all need to 'get away' from daily life sometimes.

Awesome topic, Karen!

I thik I'm and inbetweener. I always wear my tribal belt at tribal class. And now I have a nice scarf I will enjoy wearing every egyptian class. BUt I sometimes dance in my liveing room in just jeans, or sometimes full get up. It deepends. I find I'm more morking on technique when I'm not in costume though, and when I'm dressed up I'm more juts feeling it.

Fun question hun!

I tend to switch around my accessories for classes just to enhance my experience there. One of my bd friends mentioned dancing with candles in the room. I fully intend to give this a whirl at home...dimmer light, candles...for the right music and dance session.

I tend not to practice very often at home, or not really an official practice. It's more of a shimmy through the kitchen or glute squeezes in bed or while watching television. I play in the bathroom mirror as I'm getting ready in the morning. What's sad is I actually have a studio in my house for the sole purpose of practice, and yet I don't. Perhaps I'll have to set the mood in the studio...tree with lights, candles, fresh coat of paint, etc.

Good question...
For me it really depends on the situation and where I am but generally, my dancing is always better if I'm in BD gear. If I try practicing at home in jeans or other '[street' clothes I just don't 'feel' like a belly dancer. I always wear a hip scarf of some sort for classes (whether teaching or studying) and a 'girly' top and always form fitting.

In class I like to keep the lights low... avoid the whole ceiling full of flourescents if possible.

At home when I practice I change into BD gear and dim the lights. If I am dancing for the meditative therapy of it I'll light candles and burn incense or smudge or resin for enhanced transformation.

If at home practice is for performance rehearsal then I wear the costume I plan to perform in. A dress rehearsal of sorts. The costume needs to be rehearsed too, just to ensure it moves properly or will not get caught up in jewelery, hair decor or head piece, that me feet will not get caught up and that the costume has no weaknesses or adjustments to be fixed.

I am very much effected by the affectations though. Low lights, candles, incense, costume or BD attire all add to the experience for me and my dancing is better when I'm in full costume on a stage with an audience. It's as though a new persona takes over and says "hey, these people paid to see a great show and you will give them one" so I do my best.

Great thread! I agree that I have been "internally transformed," but external ambiance supports my artistic (and athletic?) goals related to the dance. I have a spare "bed"room at home that I have transformed and dedicated to dancing/yoga purposes, with various flags and scarves on the walls and ceiling, incense and candle holders, 3 big mirrors, and a coffee mug rack I use for belts, pants, headpieces, and assorted other "frequent rotation" costuming items. I usually wear stretch pants and a tank top at home to practice drills, sometimes with a simple hip scarf, but only wear costumes when I am rehearsing for performances. In class, I wear a bit more in the hip scarf department, and usually some sort of sleeves over my tank top/crop top.

60 pounds ago (2005) I wouldn't be caught dead dancing without a full-body coverage leotard in class or on stage, but all these hours of practice in my new yoga room have really paid off! :) Sometimes, in full English teacher regalia (pretty mundane), I have been spotted doing glute squeezes or undulations (I just did a couple), too!

This is a good question. I have recently noticed that it depends on whether I am practicing my troupe routine or my solo. Even though I really enjoy it rehearsing with my troupe mate and teacher, I'm usually in work mode, so it doesn't matter what I'm wearing so much. What matters more then is the warm up. It's the signal to my body that we are transitioning out of my head into my body.

But if I'm working on my solo, I need more to get inspired. So I do end up adding an extra hip scarf or a fancy top. My warm up also changes. I'll do my usual stretches, but before I start working on the solo, I do a little freestyle work to some music I like. I think I do this because I'm more conscious that it's just me out there and I can easily start over thinking the chorography. It's harder for me to get out of my head and into my body.

Tammy