The abdomen is often a large, blank area for some dancers. Beginners in particular, neglect this vital part of their bodies as they struggle to master the isolation techniques of hip drops, figure eights and shimmies.

In Egyptian dance, the abdomen is used extensively, and often in subtle ways. There is an "internalised" quality to the movements due to mastery of the muscles circling the torso.

The dance originates from this area of the body. Be it arm movements, hip drops, shimmies or undulations, it all centres around the abdomen, the true powerhouse of the dance. Something as simple as lifting the arms should originate, not from the hands or wrists, but from the diaphragm. Layering of shimmies is impossible without using the belly effectively. Figure eights are powered by the waist.

The impossible belly flutters performed by such dancers as Suhaila Salimpour are a combination of muscle memory, co-ordination, strength and the expertise of years and years of practice. The wonderful abdominal "drum" movements performed with such perfection by dancer, Mona Said, uses the same technique but larger and slower.

Always use your stomach when you dance. Strengthen the muscles by practising pulling your belly button into your spine in time with a regular, easy rhythm such as Saaidi. Reverse the movement and relax the stomach in time with the beat. It will make the muscles in your stomach ache, but is the fastest way to control this area and make it do as you wish.