Get a great workout and boost your self-esteem!
WHEN I decided to explore the fitness aspects of belly dancing I had no idea I would fall in love with this ancient dance.
My journey began delightfully one afternoon at the home of Habiba - aka Barbara Siegel, a retired University of Pennsylvania librarian and owner of Habiba Studio in South Philadelphia.
I liked Habiba from the moment we met. Her warm and embracive demeanor let me know I was about to embark on something special. Over a cup of coffee in her living room, she shared her life and passion for Middle Eastern dance.
"I was a shy librarian prior to belly dancing," said Habiba. Sitting across from her, I found it hard to believe that this effervescent, confident woman was ever shy. OK, so just how does a retiring, and retired librarian become a world-class, critically acclaimed belly dancer?
Habiba answered that question with one word: "Passion."
She discovered belly dancing while in college. "I was looking for exercise and heard this was really good, and then I got totally hooked. When I moved to Philadelphia, I continued to study and took belly dancing at Bryn Mawr College. When that teacher left, I took over the class, and then it just mushroomed."
Habiba said most people are attracted to belly dancing as a fitness routine, not because they want to become professional dancers.
There is no mistaking Habiba's love for belly dancing. Since 1985, she has quite literally dedicated her life to preserving and presenting this ancient dance. Besides teaching and performing, she has traveled to Egypt and the Middle East to study. She lectures and writes on the subject and has made several instructional DVDs.
During my first belly dancing class at Habiba's, I knew immediately that this was a missing link in my training. The form's head slides, ribcage circles, figure eights, shimmies and undulations knew my body's language. More than exercise, this dance spoke to my spirit.
During our conversation the issue of stereotypes about belly dancing came up. According to Habiba, "Western misperceptions view the dance narrowly, as a dance to seduce men. In reality, belly dancing is the national dance of the Middle East, based on old folk dances, usually performed at weddings in Cairo, for example. It is typically women dancers."
Added Lurainya Kober, a professional belly dancer, teacher and owner of Moon Gypsy in Montgomery County, "Belly dance is a form of the oldest documented dance. It is a dance created by women, for women and was used as a form of childbirth preparation."
Hungering for more, I decided to delve deeper into the Philly belly dancing scene, taking classes with local legend Valerie Rushmere of Studio 1843 in Fairmount.
Another renaissance woman, this 23-year dance veteran, also is a mezzo soprano, a yoga, Pilates and fitness instructor and the founding artistic director and choreographer of the Shake Charmers Dance Company, a professional belly dancing company.
Class acts
Classes vary depending on the teacher, but you will be pleasantly surprised to see women of every age, shape, and ethnicity. There's no competition. Instead, your classmates will help and encourage you. Classes come in various levels, but I'd suggest you start with a beginner session.
Dance like an Egyptian
Habiba Dance Ensemble will premiere "Nile Opus" as the exhibit "Amarna: Ancient Egypt's Place in the Sun" opens Sunday, Nov. 12 at the University of Pennsylvania Museum. Performances will be at 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. in the Upper Egyptian Gallery. There will be a belly dancing workshop at 4 p.m.
The museum is located at 3260 South St. It will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and admission will be free. 215-898-4000 or www.museum.upenn.edu.
Classes start with a warm-up designed to loosen up the body and prepare it for dancing. You will learn basic belly dance posture, technique, moves and combinations. Depending upon the teacher, you may begin with head isolations, rib circles or basic hip, and move into shimmies, undulations and snake arms.
One thing is for sure, you'll be dancing and floating on cloud nine before the end of the class.
What to wear?
While you can wear whatever you like, I think it's more fun and interesting to don appropriate garb. Besides, you'll gain a better understanding of the movements - and like what you see in the mirror - if you're wearing the right stuff.
Habiba Studio
611 S. Leithgow St.
215-925-5436
www.habibastudio.com
Studio 1831
1831 Brandywine St.
Valerie Rushmere
215-665-1991
www.studio1831.com
Moon Gypsy
Lurainya Kober
www.moongypsy.net
That doesn't mean you have to bare your belly, unless you want to. However, I think a hip skirt is essential, at the very least. You can wear traditional tights, jazz pants or workout wear as a base. As you progress, you'll want to invest in a veil and maybe finger cymbals (zills), too.
Fitness for all ages
I found belly dancing to be an excellent low-impact, full-body workout, one that can improve balance, grace and strength. I also enjoyed the opportunity to dress up and tap my inner goddess.
More importantly, I love belly dancing's accessibility to every woman, regardless of her age, weight or ethnicity. This is good medicine for women who need a self-esteem boost!
Young, old, thin, voluptuous, or plus-size, you can belly dance, connect to your beauty, free your spirit, and celebrate you. *