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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-10-12, Page 10Page 10 October 12, 2005 • The Huron Expositor News Belly dancing class teaches sensuous grace New class at Vanastra Recreation Centre attracting close to 50 women a week Ashley Eddie Swaying rhythmical- arm movement is ly back and forth, hips are moving to the sounds of Eastern music as a roomful of women try the ancient art of belly dancing for the first time at Vanastra this fall. Teacher Ingrid Stryker, an employee of the Vanastra Recreation Centre, is teaching roughly 50 women a week how to move their bodies to describe the sensuous grace of t h e dance. "It is a dance done by women f o r women," said Stryker. "It's very freeing." T h e class has attracted an amaz- i n g turnout, harder than it looks. Kim Chambers, of Harpurhey, agrees. "Within five minutes you're sweating." "Ingrid is really won- derful," she said. There's nothing com- petitive about belly dancing, said Stryker. "The prerequisite is to be able to not only laugh at yourself, but be okay with being laughed at by others," she said, "because the things you don't want to be jigglin', you're going to be jig- gling!" T h e class starts each week with a warmup, and then moves to t h e Taxeem, a slow move - `It's a dance done by women for women. It's very freeing,' -- Belly dancing teacher coming from Vanastra, Seaforth, Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, and Bayfield with ages ranging from Grade 4 to retirees. While the goal of most work-outs is a slim body ready for a bikini and the beach, belly dancing stresses enjoyment. "We just wanna have fun here. That's first and foremost," explained Stryker. "They're not expecting perfection." However, belly danc- ing does provide a work-out. The stu- dents realized early on that belly dancing with correct hip and ment of the hips glid- ing back and forth. "From there, they've learned popping their hip up to one side," said Stryker. "They've done lateral circles and figure eights" as well. The class then goes into that day's lesson, whether it be arm strengthening, leg strengthening or learning muscle con- trol. The last 20 minutes of the Monday classes is spent in the water, which provides for more controlled move- ment. "When you're in the water just walking, it's 14 times more of a Ashley Eddie photo Belly dancing instructor Ingrid Stryker demonstrates arm positioning to a class full of girls and women from throughout Huron County at the Vanastra Recreation Centre. The new class has been so successful that it will be offered all year in 10 -week sessions. workout than on can use any kind of land," she said. music to dance and Belly dancing pro- express themselves vides immense muscle with movement used toning and a fun way in belly dancing. of working out. "So we go out into "We get to dance and the pool and do it to work out at the same modern music," time," said Stryker. explained Stryker. While traditional "Whether it be music is used to teach Shania Twain or Kid belly dancing, Stryker Rock, the diversity is tells her students they endless." The classes are being held on Monday nights, 7 to 8 p.m. for $60, and 8:15 to 9:15 p.m. for $50, as well as Thursday nights at 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. for $40. Because of the large numbers interested in the class, belly danc- ing will be offered all year in 10 -week ses- sions. As well, next year there is going to be a beginner and an advanced class. "We'll just keep building off of that," said Stryker.