Learn Belly Dancing And Get a Workout
Big City Swing (Chicago, IL)
Rated 2.5 by 2 members who went.
Originally hailing from the Middle East, belly dancing was first popularized in America at the Chicago World's Fair. Get a sexy, toning workout from this beginners' class taught by a professional belly dance instructor. Learn how to swivel your hips, tone your tummy and build your body confidence. Grab a bunch of girlfriends or come alone!
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
* Additional fees apply.
Currently at Big City Swing:
- Full Price:
- $55.00
- Our Price:
- $27.50
Big City Swing offers a group class for anyone who thinks they can dance -- and even those who don't. The instructors of this two-class series have the talent, experience and sense of humor to make swing dancing accessible to everyone -- even the true beginner. These well-paced classes offer plenty of practice time, and participants will rotate partners. Learn More
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More Details About Belly Dance Class for Beginners
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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.
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