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Forget the Gym. Have You Got the Stomach for Belly Dancing?

Posted on: Monday, 30 May 2005, 15:00 CDT

EXERCISE fads come and go - but belly-dancing looks as if it's here to stay.

City classes in the exotic form of dancing are packed, with women of all ages flocking to try it.

Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre was packed at the weekend for a spectacular display by the US troupe Bellydance Superstars.

KATHLEEN MANSON got caught up in the craze - and tried it out for herself in Drumchapel

THIS is like no other exercise class you have ever seen. A grim- faced aerobics session it isn't. People are wrapping brightly coloured scarves edged with coins around their hips.

The class, when it gets underway, resembles a flock of exotic birds - and so far, it's all women.

Even amid such an eye-catching display, it's easy to spot the teacher.

Laura Monteith is resplendent in a bright green, tin-foil shiny, floor-skimming skirt and a matching beaded bra with tassels, displaying her voluptuous midriff.

And hers is not the only midriff on show.

The next hour is a whirling, undulating, exhilarating experience unlike any other dance class I have ever tried - and with a lot more laughs too.

There's a sense of liberation in the air as Laura urges the women, bellies bared, to move their hips to the music.

She tells us to relax our stomachs, and shouts words of encouragement over a soundtrack of exotic Arabic music.

She makes it look easy, but it's actually much harder than it looks.

To recreate that classic hipshaking harem move, you have to lift and drop your hips, moving certain muscles independently of each other, which is quite difficult.

The music swells into a rousing final chord and the entire class spot-turns to face an imaginary audience with a flourish. In less than a month's time, the audience will be for real, and Laura's women will be performing in front of 300 people at a hafla, a traditional Arabic party, at Henry Wood Hall in the west end of Glasgow.

It's one of around half a dozen haflas that are held in Glasgow every year.

One of the dancers in this free, council-run class, is Anne Inglis, 58, from Drumchapel.

She's been dancing for about a year. "I never imagined that I would be performing on the stage, " she says.

"I am always very nervous , but it's over so fast and then you are on such a high.

"I've definitely got the belly for it. I made it myself - well, me and Mr Cadbury!"

Looking at Anne, flushed and happy after the class, it's difficult to imagine that she has suffered from depression for more than 20 years.

She has tried medication, counselling and alternative therapies, but nothing has made much difference - apart from dancing.

Having a reason to get out of the house once a week, she says, makes all the difference.

"Sometimes I don't feel like going but I always make myself go. I know I'll enjoy it once I get there and I always have a good laugh. The girls and the class always lifts my mood, even if I have been feeling a bit fed up.

"You can belly dance no matter what size or shape you are and Laura is a very good and patient teacher.

"I don't think she realises what a big difference a class like this can make to people's lives.

"It's great having somewhere you can go to meet friends, and you don't have to be fit or have any special equipment."

It was Anne's friend, Margaret Mackay, 56, from Drumchapel who suggested they go to the class together.

Margaret, an administrator in a Yoker nursing home, thought it would be a good way to exercise.

"Going to the gym is boring and lots of people my age can't stand the loud, thumping music.

"Here, though, I love the outfits, the music and the belly dancing. It's very feminine.

"It's not your average hobby for someone of my age and people can be quite surprised when you tell them you are a belly dancer.

"I don't think age matters.

What's outside may look 56, but inside I'm still 18, especially when I'm dancing."

Laura, 32, from Clydebank, is the teacher.

BY day she's a project co-ordinator for a computer company. By night, she belly dances in restaurants, and teaches at the weekends.

"There are a lot more teachers and classes in Glasgow now than when I started five years ago.

"People try it at first because it's different but then they get hooked on the whole social scene.

"The gym leaves me cold. I went to a belly dancing class with my mum to see what it was like and was instantly hooked. I loved the music and the moves felt natural.

"I'd tried all sorts of dancing before belly dancing, but with belly dancing you just come along and join in.

"You'll be welcome and can perform as part of group."

"It's a wonderful, liberating, empowering dance, full of attitude. Even just being in bare feet is a way of reconnecting with yourself. And dressing up in the costumes is fantastic, it's so feminine."

She added: "99-per cent of the moves look great on people, no matter their size or shape.

"Some moves can be tricky for beginners because our bodies get stiff as we get older.

"Moving parts of your body in different directions is hard to get your head around, but when it clicks and people get it they run around showing off!

"Fitness sneaks up on you when you belly dance. Dancing uses up a lot of energy and also your posture improves dramatically.

"I used to suffer from terrible back pain before I took up dancing but now I'm fine."

Laura's mum, Joan Monteith looks trim and spry, but is coy about her age ("let's just say I'm over 60, " she says).

SHE adds: "It's more like a social club here. Everyone supports and encourages one another. It's not competitive and everyone is so friendly.

"Getting fit is just a side effect. I especially enjoy the haflas, you get to meet all sorts of people and watch different styles of belly dancing."

Laura adds: "Belly dancing is going to get bigger and bigger in Scotland.

"The standards of classes and teachers are going to get better and better - it's already happening now.

"It's definitely not a fad. Belly dancing's been around for a long time, and is here to stay."

Laura's belly dance class is at the Donald Dewar Leisure Centre, 222 Garscadden Road, every Sunday from 3pm to 4pm. Tel: 0141-944 9710.

Email: bellydancelaura@ yahoo. co. uk

HOW I DARED TO BARE NORMALLY

I shy away from baring my belly in public but I like the idea of dancing like a seductive harem girl.

Teacher Laura Monteith makes it look easy - and very sex - and her hips seemingly move independently of her upper body.

Inspired, I think I'll be good at it . . . I have the hips for it after all But I struggle to get to grips with the moves and it's not as easy as Laura makes it look.

She tells us to pull our hips up, leaving our shoulders still, dropping one then the other hip.

I see myself in the mirror and discover I look more like a Thunderbird puppet than an Eastern babe.

"Let your stomachs go!" shouts Laura.

Now this is my kind of exercise class - where you actually have to let your belly hang out!

She teaches us Egyptian walking moves, hip circles and something called a Camel, which is like a body roll.

Despite forgetting parts of the routine, I keep going.

We finish with a stamp of our feet, with our arms, and spirits, on a high.

This class is all about embracing your femininity and your body, no matter what size or shape.

And I loved it!

KATHLEEN MANSON

Source: Evening Times; Glasgow (UK)

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