Belly Dance Every Day - Belly Rolls
Focus your attention on your abdominal muscles. Try to locate a top set (up near your ribcage), a middle set, and a lower set (just above the pelvis). There are, of course, more than three sets of abdominal muscles, but locating these will be a good start.
Tighten and release the upper set several times. Do the same with the middle set and the lower set. This will help you get a feel for the muscles. When you tighten and release the middle muscles, you will get a “pooch” - don’t be self-conscious of it, it helps you see what you are doing.
To roll the belly, tighten the lower set of muscles, then the middle, then the top. Now release the top set, the middle and the lower. It’s not as easy as it sounds and this will require a lot of work. I learned laying on my back, so try that if needed.
Remember to breathe during all of this. It is tempting to hold your breath.