Learn Belly Dancing And Get a Workout
Big City Swing (1012 West Randolph Street Chicago, IL 60607)
- Full Price:
- $40.00
- Our Price:
- $20.00*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Belly Dance Class for Beginners have expired.
The last date listed for Belly Dance Class for Beginners was Friday June 8, 2007 / 8:00pm.
Goldstar Member Reviews
Mary C.
The only thing missing was a mirror to see how you were moving. Other than that, the teacher lead the class at a good pace, stopped when asked to go over a technique and was very pleasant. I'd consider taking another class with this instructor.Written on Jun 11 2007
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More Information About Belly Dance Class for Beginners
Description
MORE INFO. ON BELLYDANCING
The term "belly dancing" (believed by some to be a mis-transliteration of the term for the dance style Beledi or Baladi) is generally credited to Sol Bloom, entertainment director of the 1893 World's Fair, the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Although there were dancers of this type present at the 1876 Centennial in Philadelphia, it was not until the 1893 fair that it gained national attention. There were authentic dancers from several Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Syria, Turkey and Algeria, but it was the dancers in the Egyptian Theater of The Street in Cairo exhibit who gained the most notoriety. The rapid hip movements and the fact that the dancers were uncorseted, was considered shocking to the Victorian sensibilities of the day. In fact, there were attempts by many, most notably Anthony Comstock, head of Society for the Suppression of Vice, to have the Egyptian theater closed.
HEALTH & BELLYDANCING
The benefits of belly dance are both mental and physical. Dancing provides a good cardio-vascular workout and helps increase both flexibility and strength, focusing on the torso or "core muscles", although it also builds leg strength. Many belly dance styles emphasize muscular "isolations", teaching the ability to move various muscles or muscle groups independently. Veil work can also build arm, shoulder, and general upper-body strength, and playing the zils can build strength and independence of the fingers. Belly dance is suitable for all ages and body types, and can be as physical as the participant chooses. As with starting any new exercise routine, people would be wise to consult their doctor before starting a belly dance regimen. It's also important to talk with the belly dance instructor to find out the level of difficulty in the classes. The practice offers mental health benefits including an improved sense of well-being, better body image and self-esteem, and the generally positive outlook that comes with regular, enjoyable exercise.