Cape Town - I recently took a class in a dance form practised mostly by women: the dance of the belly. Hey, if you’ve got one, use it.
Historians believe this dance form originated in Egypt thousands of years ago, and it’s considered to be the oldest kind of dancing. It’s a misconception that it is a dance created to entertain men; it was usually performed by women for other women, and theories exist including goddess worship and a means of preparing a pregnant woman for labour.
According to my gorgeous teacher Crystal Simpson, the “figure of eight” hip movement is an excellent way to relieve menstrual cramps as it massages the internal organs.
Be that as it may, after my beginners’ class I was amazed that I worked up such a sweat standing in one spot for an hour, an hour that flew because I loved it so much more than I expected I would. This is not for sissies, but it is for women who want to learn a beautiful, exotic dance discipline in a warm, comfortable environment, get fit and supple, and be part of a wonderfully friendly and supportive group of other women.
You can stay in a beginners’ class for as long as you like. If that’s as far as you want to take it, that’s fine. But if you get bitten by the bug, the skill level increases, and perhaps one day you’ll perform on stage. Or at the Cape Town Carnival; dancers from Crystal’s Hip Fusion studio have shimmied and shaken the parade for the past three years.
Simpson has been doing belly dancing for 12 years and teaching full-time for eight. When she stands in front of the class and demonstrates, she reminds me of those dolls that are segmented at the waist, with her top and bottom halves moving independently of each other. It sounds bizarre, but it’s really quite beautiful.
So are the studios in which the classes take place. Simpson sets the mood with soft candlelight, incense, and pretty fabrics draped over the windows. Not only does it look nice, but it’s flattering for the newcomers like me who are huffing and puffing, turning bright red in the face, and dripping with sweat. It was a bit embarrassing to find out afterwards that it had been a “gentle” class.
There were two of us there for the first time that night. This business of learning to isolate muscles and move them one at a time is not something you can master in one lesson. I had enough trouble keeping up with left from right, but Simpson is very encouraging, as are the other dancers. Oh, and if you’re sensitive about your body shape – don’t be. Belly dancing is for all shapes, sizes and ages.
You also get to wear nice outfits; the traditional coin belts which jingle when you move are supplied. I was a bit disappointed that no matter how hard I wiggled, mine just didn’t seem to make as much noise as anyone else’s, and slipped down my hips instead. “Don’t worry,” laughed one of the other women. “It will come with practice.”
The class incorporated several basic moves for the hips and stomach, as well as some complete dances, finishing off with stretches. One of the things I particularly liked was the music which was less of the high-pitched flutey Eastern stuff, and more of the bass beats.
Classes take place Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in Bergvliet and Ottery. “I am so confident that ladies will love it, and everyone should try it, that I have a first class-free policy so everyone can come and try it out.”
It costs R220 a month for one class a week, R300 for two classes a week, or R370 for unlimited classes. Naturally I do not know what a gym membership costs and am suspicious about places that don’t advertise this freely on their websites (yes, Virgin Active), but this sounds very reasonable and affordable. Committing to the same day and time every week is difficult for me, but should I miss one I can make it up at either venue any time.
* Call Simpson on 079 667 9905, e-mail [email protected], or go to www.hipfusion.yolasite.com
Weekend Argus