Electronic Highways
An exotic way to get in shape
Looking for a way to beat the winter blues and get active in time for spring? Consider taking a class in an increasingly popular form of exercise and self-expression—belly dance. There are many opportunities in Buffalo and beyond to study this style of dance—and to keep fit in the process.
“Belly dance” is an American term for Middle Eastern dance, oriental dance, or more properly, raqs sharqi. The most well-known forms of this dance come from Egypt, as well as Lebanon and Turkey. In our part of the world, what we see most prevalently is American cabaret-style belly dance, which adopts Egyptian techniques with heavier use of props, such as veils and swords. Cabaret style also uses costumes, called bedlah, that feature sparkling bra-and-belt sets over chiffon skirts adorned with beads and sequins.
The best place to get started finding out more information about this beautiful dance form is Shira’s All about Middle Eastern Dance site. This source provides articles explaining the history and culture surrounding belly dance, how-to pieces on learning basic movements and recommendations on relevant books and Middle Eastern music. This is one of the most comprehensive sites addressing modern and historical belly dance.
Yasmina’s Joy of Belly Dancing also contains useful introductory information. She includes articles addressing belly-dance movements and costuming, reviews of music and videos, and even a list of belly-dance magazines. There is a link to the author’s personal blog and to videos of her performances.
One particularly noteworthy site is BHUZ's Belly Dance Central, which has a dynamic assortment of materials. Included are announcements of current belly-dance events nationwide and video clips of new instructional videos, as well as an active message-board community with an area dedicated to new students of the dance. There also is a list of online shops and auction sites selling belly-dance costumes and other accessories.
For fun reading, check out the online magazine for belly dancers, iShimmy, as well as Amazon.com for belly-dancing titles. My personal favorite is a memoir entitled “Snake Hips: Belly Dancing and How I Found True Love,” by Anne Thomas Soffee, which is a well-written and humorous account of a beginning belly dancer.
If you are ready to embark on classes, there are a number of places to begin. Belly Dance Classes as well as Shira’s site maintain a directory of instructors () indexed by state and city. An even easier avenue is to enroll in a beginner belly-dance class through your municipality’s community education department. Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda regularly offers beginner belly dance, as does Williamsville. A number of gyms also offer beginner classes, such as nearby Amherst Slim and Tone.
Women of all levels of skill and dance experience take part in this beautiful and feminine form of dance. Try it!
—Tiffany Walsh, Arts and Sciences Libraries
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