Belly dancing class healthy for body, mind

Belly shaking and hip shimmying isn't the only thing going on in IU's belly dance classes.\nThe Student Recreational Sports Center's Middle Eastern Belly Dance classes not only offer physical exercise through a unique form of dance, but also offer aspects of mental health.\nKatya Faris, instructor of belly dance classes, said belly dancing is more than just dancing.\n"It is not just a 'get up and shake it' thing," she said. "It's highly sophisticated."\nThe SRSC offers two sessions of belly dance every Thursday night. The Middle Eastern Belly Dance Sampler offers participants a chance to "whet their appetite" with a 30-minute session focused on the fitness aspects and basic movements of the dance.\nThe second class is a performance-based class through the Mind/Body program. The class is offered in seven-week sessions, focusing on more advanced movements. The first day of the second seven-week session was held last month.\nFirst-time participant and freshman Katie Derloshon became interested in the class after doing belly dancing workout tapes with her mother.\n"It's good exercise. I liked the veil and the finger cymbals," she said after her first day of class, learning different dance movements and techniques with a veil.\nAnother, more experienced participant of the class was sophomore Ashley Donaldson. She started the class as a freshman in hopes of becoming the next Shakira, the Columbian pop singer who is known for her belly dancing.\n"It can be difficult moving your body in ways you're not used to," Donaldson said, "but it's really rewarding. All the different rhythms and music make (the class) unique."\nFaris also finds her class unique. By incorporating her knowledge of various regional styles of Middle Eastern belly dance, such as Egyptian and Turkish, with her background in American ballet, Faris has formed a unique belly dance session styled in American Orientale cabaret, a style based on modern Egyptian, Turkish and American belly dancing.\nFaris said this style allows more freedom and creativity.\n"There is more freedom to express yourself," she said. "I enjoy other styles, but I most enjoy when I can fusion the dances."\nWhereas other classical forms of dance, such as ballet, incorporate strict movements and body images, belly dancing allows more independence because of its improvisation. The classes and belly dancing in general allow all body types to benefit. Faris said this aspect is a main attraction of the dance.\n"We embrace women's curves," she said. "It's a nurturing dance. It makes people feel good about their bodies, no matter what their weight is." \nAs with many forms of dance, Middle Eastern belly dancing provides many health benefits to it participants. Improvements in flexibility and coordination and increased core strength are two key physical elements of the dance.\nBelly dancing involves physical steps and movements, but it is also about feeling and interpreting the music. One of the main goals of Middle Eastern belly dancing is the "tarab," a word meaning ecstasy and a trance. A belly dancer's goal is to become one with the music and transcend that meaning to the audience. \nFaris said being the "physical embodiment of the music" transports a dancer to a peaceful place.\n"You can be transported from all the worries of the day and be cleansed," she said.\nThis aspect also adds to belly dancing's uniqueness.\n"It is different from Pilates and yoga because it is an art," Faris said. "It just happens to be an art that's also an exercise."\nFor more information on the belly dancing classes, visit the SRSC Web site at www.recsports.indiana.edu/.\n-- Contact staff writer Danielle Gingerich at dgingeri@indiana.edu.