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Original Article Submitted to Time Out Magazine for the April 10th-17th 2003 Issue.

Shakin' Like Shakira

by Eva Yaa Asantewaa

When it comes to trendy exercise regimens, yoga and Pilates lead
the field. But watch out! Maybe something's gaining on them.
Dalia Carella wonders if the hypnotic, traditional dancing of
North Africa and the Middle East-better known here by that
artificial, racy term, belly dance--might be headed for its biggest
American boom since the 1970s.

"A lot of young Latin women come to classes now," says the
glamorous Carella who boasts decades of expertise performing and
teaching internationally. "They fasten coin belts around their jeans
like Shakira [the hot Colombian-Lebanese pop star shimmying new
life into this ancient art] and head out to the clubs. And there's a
popular Brazilian telenovela character who belly dances."

In truth, you'll find women-even a few men--of all ethnicities,
ages, and sizes studying this dance form which developed from
mesmerizing and exuberant folk steps into the dazzling
entertainment we know today. The dance typically features
coordinated isolations, circles, and sinuous undulations of the
arms, hands, rib cage, and hips. "The undulations of belly dance
totally massage and oxygenate your organs," Carella says. "Do
that four times a week and you'll stay younger."

So what if you want to stretch, tone, get a good aerobic workout,
and release all that nasty urban stress but your sensuous Inner Diva
says, "Hey! What about me?" Put on some light, comfy exercise
clothes, tie a colorful fringed shawl around your hips, and get ready
for an hour or two of energizing fun. We've sampled five
beginner-level classes taught by some of New York's most
sensational belly dance instructors.

"Squeeze those buttock muscles. Keep that rib cage lifted and
still," Kaeshi (pronounced kay-shee) directed as she led her
students in a fast-paced beginners class accompanied by a global
mix of CDs-notably the Arabesque compilation featuring rai singer
Cheb Mami and other pop luminaries. "Keep your pelvis tucked
under or else it's not as lady-like," but a certain perky stamina
seemed even more essential than decorum. One magical sequence
recalled the communal dancing of women villagers: Kaeshi and
students formed a circle, taking small steps along the perimeter.
As the circle rotated, the dancers shimmied, shimmied, and
shimmied some more, finally bursting into smiles and gasps of awe
at their own developing skill. Classes run 1-1/2 hours for $13 at
Djoniba Dance and Drum Center, 37 East 18th Street. Call 212-
477-3464. For other locations, call Bellyqueen at 212-504-9551 or
see www.bellyqueen.com.

Anahid Sofian, long admired for the lyrical elegance of her
choreography, still teaches at the pleasant, no-frills studio she
opened in Chelsea in 1972. Sofian's soothing workout to a long
taqsim (meditative, improvised music) included yoga-like stretches
and movements that make muscles strong and supple. Students
moved their hips in smooth vertical figure-eights rolling like a
sleepy tide and were challenged to play zils (finger cymbals) while
shifting their weight or walking. Sofian delights in giving
individual attention where needed, making sure that students enjoy
the juiciness of movement. After a stretchy cooldown, the session
ended with the flourish of a theatrical bow. For comfort's sake,
attendance is limited to fifteen students, and you must call to
reserve a space. Classes run 1-1/2 hours for $12 at Anahid Sofian
Studio, 29 West 15th Street, 6th Floor. Call 212-741-2848 or see
www.anahidsofianstudio.com.

Tarik Sultan, the graceful male partner of legendary dancer
Morocco, holds court in their roomy, bright studio in the Flatiron
district. Although he's never studied the martial arts, his workout
recalls tai chi's serene pace and precision. Leading students in
drills of the arm work, hip thrusts, and shimmies he so clearly
relishes, he breaks down every movement sequence to its finer
components-"now elbow...wrist...fingertips..." Willowy with
sinewy upper arms, he regards the mirror with calm
self-possession while revealing a devilish irreverence. (Hip-sliding
shimmies? "We want to see those hips going whong, whong,
whong, whong." What about this thing you call Jelly Butt? "Nice
and relaxed then vibrate one buttock-brrrup! brrrup!-then the
other--brrrup! brrrup! Like pepper sauce. Put it on and wake up
the flavor.") Male students are welcome and, now and then, a few
do attend. Fees are $72 for an 8-week course (50-minute classes);
$10 sample class at Morocco Academy of Mid-Eastern Dance,
6 West 20th Street, 2nd Floor. Call 212-727-8326 or see
www.casbahdance.org.

Nothing sums up Sandra Catena better than the alarming verve in
her voice as she announces "We're going to do twenty crunches,
twenty crisscross crunches, and twenty boxer's crunches!" She
exudes both New York attitude and bighearted friendliness.
Spinning whatever moves her in the moment-
Mohammed El Bakkar's 1957 hard-driving "Port Said" or maybe a
Natacha Atlas song-she soaks up the music's dynamic energy and
turns it into feisty thrusts and and breathtaking spins. Never one to
half-step her way through life, Catena teaches students the
importance of aligning and proudly lengthening their bodies,
breathing joy into their stride, and making an indelible mark upon
the world. Musical Theater Works, 440 Lafayette Street, Studio
3F. [1 hour, $12] Call 212-427-9340 or see
www.bigapplebellydance.com for additional locations.

You won't find lengthy drilling or analysis of movements in
Elena Lentini's classes. Instead, you'll follow the lead of this
veteran performer, luxuriating in her inventive style, one with all
the mystery and dramatic intensity of flamenco. Even absolute
beginners say Lentini helps them feel beautiful. Widely regarded as
a master teacher, she remains loyal to Fazil's, the historic
Eighth Avenue dance center charitably described as funky. (One
winter evening, the studios went unheated. Imagine belly dancers
swathed in sweaters!) She favors opening her warmup with a
surprising New Age touch-a "brief collecting of energy" as
students run their hands up and down their auras. Not very
scientific, surely, but stick around you might learn how to execute
a brisk turn without getting that long silk veil wrapped around your
face! Turkish drummer Kamal often slips into class to add a
soulful, live touch to whatever's spinning. [1-1/2 hours, $15]
Fazil's Dance Studios, 743 8th Avenue. Call 212-245-9504 or see
Elena's schedule on www.bellydanceny.com.

For information on more belly dance teachers in the
New York-metro area, visit www.bellydanceny.com.