Bellydancing Adventure
Yesterday, I took a bellydancing class at Serena Studios (http://www.serenastudios.com). It was fun, but hard! I thought that I’d show up with my pedicured feet (courtesy of Kris at Think Pink nails) -- since it’s a shoes-off class -- and my belly (courtesy of Sean Coleman, my son of three months); shake my hips and my arms a little bit and call it a day. I was wrong!
It was not “easy” and as one of the teachers said, “It’s not supposed to be.” There were specific body positions and 8+ basic dance moves that were learned in this Basic Beginner class. I heard “drop your tailbone; lift your chest” so much that it’s now a mantra in my head. Although the teachers were firm, they were also friendly and kind. They said that I did “good” even though I didn’t (I’m an optimist, but I’m also a realist.)Word to the wise - if you want to get into Serena’s classes, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to get a good space. Serena is a great bellydancer and she has a very calming, gracious personality. Speaking with the various students, I learned that there are different instructors to fit different personality types/ goals (i.e. some have hard abs while other have more stereotypical bellydancing "bellies"). In any event, my class was a great workout…there were lots of arm, stomach and hip movements. It was also a great feminine bonding experience (despite the student who pushed me out of her way, instead of just asking me to move!). There were moments when we were all shimmying our hips and floating our arms in unison…I felt so feminine and strong, thinking “I am woman. Hear me roar!” All in all, I highly recommend this class…especially for those who have the time to “master" the body positions and basic dance moves.
