http://www.therecord.com/whatson/artsentertainment/article/533956–belly-dancing-undergoes-revival
By Valerie Hill, Record staff
Belly dancing undergoes revival
Krystina Bednarowski leads Rebecca Balaz (left) and Amanda Elgie-Boettger in a class of Egyptian bellydancing at the Down Hips Dance Studio in Kitchener. Framed by the arm of another dancer, the women use precise muscle isolation to perform belly dance moves.
Melissa Tait/Record staff
By Valerie Hill, Record staff
KITCHENER — The hips sway, the bellies wiggle, the arms move like reeds in a soft breeze and in the eyes of the dancers there is peace, tranquility.
“It’s a bit of a unique dance form, a bit of exotic but not too risqué,” said Mandy Habermehl. She is the founder of Down Hips Dance Studio on Guelph Street, where she teaches belly dancing, a dance form that has become surprisingly popular with children, seniors and everyone in between. Except men. They just can’t seem to attract the guys, which is too bad because traditionally, men danced as well.
Habermehl said belly dancing captivates women, largely because it’s so feminine as well as low impact. But don’t think for a minute it’s easy, because belly dance requires developing muscles, particularly abdominals, that are rarely used in day-to-day life.
Although there are many legends about the origins of belly dance, Habermehl said what is practised today is part traditional, part fusion, though it is basically true to its ancient Middle Eastern roots.
“Traditionally, women danced for each other and the men would do the same,” she said, adding belly dancing also helped pregnant women, given the exercise opened the pelvis and strengthened muscles necessary to both carry the fetus and to give birth.
“It’s a fun and athletic way to get moving,” she said.
Karin Wendorf has been in the class for two years and said both her 61-year-old mother and 10-year-old daughter take classes as well.
“She’s so excited and so proud,” Wendorf said of her daughter.
Habermehl explained that for children, belly dancing gets them moving, an important advantage when so many children are less active than in decades past.
“It’s child-friendly — no exposed bellies,” said Habermehl, adding that the dance is also not competitive. Youth classes at the studio range in age from six to 13 and in her senior class, ladies in their 60s and 70s swing their hips with the best of them.
“They didn’t want something as traditional as a gym,” she said of her older students. “It helps them get moving, helps their knees and hips with muscle isolations.” At the same time, belly dance can also be aerobically challenging, though not in a leaping around the dance floor sort of way.
Habermehl describes how students will break into sweats though they don’t seem to be moving that hard. It’s all about challenging the muscles.
“When people first come, they’re a little bit weak,” she said. “You’re with women of all shapes and sizes. You struggle and struggle at first, then one day, you get it.”
Tamara Macdonald has been dancing two years and said that although she considers herself a larger woman, she has gained tremendous confidence and satisfaction with her body just as it is.
Rebecca Balaz echoed Macdonald in terms of belly dancing helping them gain self confidence, particularly when they are performing.
“You get up and shake all your flabby bits in front of people,” she said. After an experience like that, getting up and doing a presentation at work is a piece of cake. “Everything is easy,” she said.
When Balaz saw belly dance for the first time she was smitten. “I thought it was so beautiful.”
Habermehl said she used to be heavier and it took her awhile to “come out of the closet” as a belly dancer, fearing the first time she had to expose her midriff and make the connection between mind and body. “It’s really empowering.”
Balaz said belly dance is deliciously challenging. “It never really gets easier,” she said. “You learn something, and then they add something new.”
Habermehl said Guelph and Waterloo Region has become a belly dancing hub, with many dance studios teaching the art form. She thinks it might be partly the influence of pop stars such as Shakira and Beyoncé, both of whom have introduced belly dancing on their music videos. “Hollywood plays a role,” she said.
vhill@therecord.com
Belly dancing
Egyptian and fusion belly dancing classes
Start the week of May 16
Down Hips Dance Studio, 900 Guelph St., Kitchener
www.downhips.com
519-742-5348
info@downhips.com