Belly Dance classes Press articles




LIKE most women I'm not great friends with my belly. The very thought of flashing that fleshy part of me makes me want to hide. So I didn't arrive at a belly dancing class thinking I would manage the Dance of the Seven Veils. In fact I was worried that I was more likely to border on Birdy Song. However, I knew a little of what to expect. I knew my weary hips would be expected to change from their usual resting position slumped at my desk. I knew it originated in the exotic countries of the Middle East and demanded a sensuality I couldn't muster on a rainy Saturday morning. And I know that it was yet another fitness fad that I was stupid enough to be trying as I pulled on my tassled skirt trying desperately to get into the mood. Having ventured into the gym, to aerobics class, yoga, Salsa and circuit training - and railed to stay longer than a week - I assumed I would be equally bored at belly dancing and just as self-conscious. But I was wrong.

I walked into the room and felt immediately at ease.

I was a little late, you see, and the women were already in full flow and shimmying around the room without a care in the world. I opened the box of spare accessories and grabbed a green scarf decorated with gold sequins and tied it around my waist. I slipped off my shoes. That's it, I was ready.

Running into the circle, finding a place amid the flying tassels and ringing bells, I followed the moves of Zehara, the teacher, as best I could and realised to my dismay that I can't shake my bootie as much as I'd thought I could. These women would make Beyonce look lazy.

In my defense, I wasn't as experienced in the belly and bum shaking as the others because I hadn't mastered the basic moves and this was an intermediate class, but I gave it my best shot.

Besides, the music was so upbeat and catchy that I couldn't help but wiggle.

The type of dancing is called Tribal Gypsy Belly Dancing a fast, energetic style influenced by African dance and created by Zehara.

It's a foot- stomping sexy dance that could inspire any would be Amazonian to move - and being lazy and a mere five foot three I can do with all the help I can get.

Zehara is an inspiration too.

Looking at her trim waist and curvy hips is an advert in itself, and watching her come off her feet as she swung her hips made me all the more determined to give it a go. Before I knew it I'd worked up the sort of sweat I could only dream of at the gym: you now, while walking on the treadmill watching Bargain Hunt with the sound down.

But belly dancing isn't about achieving the sort of results that are forced upon you down the gym and certainly not about conforming to the fashionable androgynous look of models. I was surrounded by all shapes and sizes and all ages, some dressed in full belly dancing gear and others in the sort of thing you'd wear down the gym.

In fact, it was also great to be among women only. I didn't worry that any second some sleazy Salsa man would slide over and insist on having he next dance. No-one laughed when I inevitably tripped over my clumsy feet. And seeing myself in the mirror next to the other class members made me feel more like joining in - rather than holding my belly in until it ached.

Belly dancing focuses on the middle area of your body, including your lower back and can be beneficial to people who are better off not putting too much strain on their ankles or are too old to be competing with a bouncer at the gym. It also works your arms as you wave them in the air and try a few slinky had movements.

It is also hugely entertaining but, most of all, it is about being who you are, not desperately trying to be Kate Moss.

I was so happy when I left I treated myself to a falafel kebab on the way home.

Belly Laughs -- Inhibitions, tasteful clothes and the blues all shaken off with belly dancing

Nicki Franklin, who goes by the stage name, Zehara, is the founder and coordinator of the Zehara Dancing group and wholly emblematic of the celebratory nature of the dance form she embraces. Dressed in gypsy attire, big headgear, massive flowers, a tassled belt and a flowing skirt we sit in the bar area of the Northern Tennis Club where she has finished teaching tow hours of belly dancing. I'm sipping lager at 10pm, exhausted: she is talking exuberantly about the dance she loves. "Belly dancing is suitable for all ages and shapes," she tells me, "our sessions focus on the joyous and celebratory aspects of the dance, rather than slow slinky movements, this way you use all of the body." Perhaps she senses that I'm unconvinced - aren't there any dangers? "I've had a lot of people with joint problems who've reported increased mobility, it's more entertainment than purist and traditional. We focus on group dances rather than solo performances, you should give it a go!"

Intrigued by her passion, I opt to join the beginner's sessions at the Aquatics Centre. Despite my protestations that I'm there to watch and that I really don't think I should be swinging my hips without some sort of wide-load warning signal, class leader, Rachel insists that no I won't provoke an earthquake and that I should grab a scarf, tie it around my waist and give it a go. The session starts crazily' erratic jumping followed by a rapid side-skipping circle with flailing arms, swishing scarves and trailing tresses. 20 minutes in and we're perfecting the sultry hand - on - hip shunting. After mastering a few basic moves, we put them together to the shrill warbling of Shakira. The formation resembles at times, an overgrown birdie-dance, but a few moves later the glum-in-the-bum office workers are transformed into a troupe of dancing goddesses. By the end of the session my usually stiff lower back was slicker, shoulders dipped without creaking, and I felt entirely liberated.

It comes as no surprise than that not only is belly dancing beneficial to physical health, but has also proven to be combat depression and mental illness. So much so that when foot and Mouth hit England early last year, Ruralmind (an offshoot of MIND charity), called in belly dancing professionals to teach Northumberland farmers some grooves. Which goes to prove, the wellied ones of Tyneside can do it, then anyone can.

Every wondered where all the hippies went? Try one of Zehara's popular evening urban gypsy dancing classes and you'll find out. Urban Gypsy Belly Dancing derives from the tribal dances that migrated north from North Africa to Turkey and Romania. The style of belly dancing here relies heavily on North African and Middle Eastern music using the traditional hip drop, shimmy and a lot of whirling dervishery. Zehara developed this particular form herself and regularly performs with her own group of urban gypsies around the UK.

Zehara herself is an eccentric looking lady, wrapped up in layers of earth coloured fabric and tassels, who enthusiastically leads the class through an African mango song to a version of "Tequila" heavy on the drum beats. The class is full of women following her lead, togged up in scarves and fringed belts as if they've raided the fancy dress box.

Unlike the jewel in the navel stereotype of the dance form, it's less about the promise of what's beneath the veil and more about skilful dancing, energy and enjoyment. The trick seems to be to separate the top half of your body from the bottom half so that everything below your navel is swinging seemingly disassociated with your top half. And then you bring your arms out on the call of "Shimmy" and try your hardest to wobble yourself in time with the music.

Highlights of the class include a jig around the room to pop's favorite belly dancer, Shakira and the initial rummage around Zehara's tasseled scarves to find a shiny one to borrow. You'll come home with a smile on your face and a wiggle in your walk." Laura Dixon

WOMEN in Middleton are taking part in a peaceful revolution - the drive to dispel myths surrounding belly dancing.

In most European countries, belly dancing has had a certain "Carry On" reputation, associated with young, scantily- dressed women, gyrating in seedy cabaret clubs and budget restaurants.

But, in the UK at least, dance pioneers have been working hard to reveal the reality of an ancient art form for at least 50 years.

In Middleton, Katy Donnelly has a growing number of pupils in her dance classes, which have been quietly gaining in popularity since she started them in August 2002.

Katy caught the belly dancing bug herself, about four years ago, when she started looking for an alternative to the other activities she'd tried, such as ballet and tap, and even kink - boxing.

What started as a hobby soon became an all-consuming passion and Katy was asked to join the Urban Gypsies. This is s tribal bell-dancing group led by an exotic female called Zehara, who styles herself as "Britain's most controversial, flamboyant and exciting belly dancer"!

Zehara soon recognized Katy's potential as a teacher and specifically trained her to carry on the good work in the Greater Manchester area.

Belly dancing has been around in one form or another, for at least 7,000 years and in different parts of the world it has various names, such as The Oriental Dance of Raqs Sharqui.

It has taken elements of style from Egyptian, Turkish and North African folk dances, and is said to have evolved with influences from gypsy peoples around the world.

Katy says, "The benefits of belly dancing include increased stamina, flexibility and muscle tone, and, of course, it's good all round exercise. In some cases, it's great for lower back stiffness and a lot of people swear it's great for helping with "women's problems", too.

Those that take an interest in these things tell us this might be because a lot of the movements in belly dancing focus on the pelvic region, engaging pelvic muscles, increasing blood flow and strengthening the pelvic floor. In ancient times, belly dancers claimed it aided fertility. These days, it's said it even helps with Irritable Bowel Syndrome!
Katy says anyone can attend her classes, irrespective of their size or age, and there is no need to buy special clothing. Shawls are provide for those who don't have one and dancing is done barefoot. The emphasis is on enjoying the dance as a form of relaxation and exercise, and benefiting physically, emotionally and mentally.

Classes are held at Middleton Civic Centre, on Wednesdays, at 7pm (beginners). Starting on 10 September, there will also be an improvers class (8.15pm). It costs �3.50 per class, or �5 for two.

The Journal, Wednesday, February 26, 2003 --page 13
and the
BURY TIMES, Friday, February 21, 2003 ---Page 26

On a nippy Tuesday evening, the last thing you would expect to see in the Longfield Centre car park is an exotic-looking lady with bangles and beads, dressed in a turban and showing her midriff beneath swathes of colourful material.
But belly dancing tutor, Katy Carmichael, likes to look the part. "It is easier to dance in than trousers," she explained. "and it captures the ambience. The students feel more comfortable if I am dressed up."
If there's one thing Katy is very good at, it is making her class feel at ease as -- the prospect of gyrating to strange music in public can fill some people with dread.
Katy, who is a trained barrister but currently works for Manchester Social Services, took up belly dancing four years ago when she was looking for something new to do.
What started off as a hobby became a second career for the 38 year old, who is one of the founder members of a touring performance belly dancing troupe, the Urban Gypsies, and has been teaching the skill for the past 12 months.
Katy said "It is good exercise but it is mainly about having fun -- we don't take the dancing particularly seriously. I know people who have suffered from depression think that belly dancing has helped them."
From children to grandmothers, the packed class of more than 50 lost their inhibitions and allowed their bodies to move to the music.
Belly dancing classes are held at the Longfield Suite every Tuesday evening form 7pm to 8pm for beginners and from 8.15 to 9.15 pm for the more advanced. Contact Zehara on 0161 487 4134 for details.


DANCERS brought a party atmosphere to Todmorden Town Hall at a successful event for charity. .... "The dancers wore glorious costumes with wonderful colours and designs. Everybody loved it and all the performers were brilliant."

What the papers say about the belly dance classes