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Sunday June 24, 2007

Lose the belly, dancing

By YUEN MEIKENG

Belly dancing is slowly gaining popularity in the Klang Valley. Not only is it a cool pastime, it can keep you in shape, too.

BODIES swaying rhythmically, the women danced with fluid grace in time to the lively beat of the drums. The exotic Arabian music playing in the background was energetic yet hypnotic to the senses.

Then, a rustling sound of coins filled the room as the dancers jiggled their hips vigorously, shaking the sequins on the scarves, tied around their waists.

With faces glowing radiantly, they twirled and danced again with the air of a performer’s confidence.

However, these women were neither professionals nor experts.

Having a ball: Nancy Bakhshy (left) and her students gyrating away during a class at Havana Estudio in TTDI, Kuala Lumpur.
They were ordinary Malaysian women from all walks of life, who had taken up belly dancing as a hobby at the Havana Estudio in Kuala Lumpur.

Their class instructor, Nancy Bakhshy, enthused that more and more people are slowly picking up the dance these days.

“In the beginning, not many people knew what belly dancing was about,” said the 40-year-old Turkish Iranian beauty.

“But when I told them it was the dance that pop singer Shakira performs in her songs, they were very excited. So, in a way, I must thank Shakira for promoting the dance,” she said with a laugh.

In fact, Bakhshy uses the sultry Columbian singer’s songs in her classes, including the catchy hit, Hips Don’t Lie.

Bakhshy, who learnt belly dancing since she was eight years old, is the first and most advanced instructor of the art form in Kuala Lumpur.

She believes that belly dancing can bring a myriad of benefits and is “not really that difficult to learn.”

Nifty strides: Niloofar and Mandana join their mother at the belly dancing classes.
“Belly dancing is really an easy workout for ladies,” she said.

“Since it uses mainly the abdominal muscles, women are able to exercise and tone their bodies. Some of them have even said that it is easier than doing sit-ups,” she added.

Although most of her students consist of working class women, she also has an eight-year-old and 70-year-old student.

“My 70-year-old student is already a grandmother, but she simply enjoys the dance,” she said.

The bubbly Bakhshy teaches the Persian and Turkish type of belly dancing and occasionally uses accessories such as scarves and canes for her intermediate classes.

For beginners, belly dancing is more focused on body actions and basic belly dancing techniques such as hip and breast movement and dancing while walking.

Belly dancers also learn shimmies, which refer to the vigorous shaking of the hips.

Bakhshy also believes that belly dancing can help boost a person’s self esteem and confidence as well as ease depression.

“When people do belly dancing, they just let go and have a lot of fun. Belly dancing helps bring out their attitude and forget about their worries,” said the mother of two daughters Mandana, 19, and Niloofar, 18.

All in the family: (from left) Niloofar, Nancy and Mandana.
“Moreover, belly dancing requires a lot of movement in the chest and hip area, making it a very feminine dance.

“That’s why it allows women to be sexy and romantic as well as be able to feel good about themselves,” she said.

However, Bakhshy pointed out that the main factor holding most people back from not giving belly dancing a try is their shyness.

“A lot of people are shy to open themselves up to dance, and it also doesn’t help that the dance culture among most Malaysians is limited to clubs,” she said.

“But you’ll never know if you don’t try,” she added.

When asked whether males could participate in belly dancing, Bakhshy laughed and said that most men would usually prefer to watch rather than to take part.

“But in truth, there is belly dancing for men as well.

“However, their movements are slightly more restricted and they usually follow the movements of their female counterparts,” she said, likening the female belly dance steps to the flexibility of a snake, while male dancers move as though they are “guarding their territory”.

So far, Bakhshy’s classes are participated by females only.

Judging by the smiles on their faces, Bakhshy’s students certainly looked like they were having a ball in her class.

Quite often, some of them even stay back after class to continue gyrating to the music.

Among the students who truly take pleasure in the body shaking and swaying is aviation company manager Munirah Osman.

“I am more confident about myself and I feel sexy even though I am a little big-sized,” said the 42-year-old mother of three.

“I used to do aerobics but I found it boring. But with belly dancing, I don’t feel tired easily and I even feel lively and sensual,” said Munirah, whose 11-year-old daughter also “picked it up and loved it”.

“In the beginning, the skills were a bit challenging for me, but Nancy makes classes fun,” she added.

Another belly dancing student sung praises of the dance, saying that it made her feel proud to be a woman.

“Belly dancing is not only fun but it helps me express my femininity and makes me revel in the fact that I am a woman,” said the 34-year-old, who wanted to be known as Mei Lin.

The enthusiastic lass, who works in the medical line, started belly dancing two years ago but still looks forward to every class.

“Because the nature of my work is so scientific, taking up this hobby gives me the chance to express my artistic side and release stress,” she said, adding that the dance enabled her to use muscles she never thought existed.

For Farah Alia Abu Bakar who works in sales, she never thought that she could dance before this. However, after learning the dance for over a year, the 28-year-old has grown to enjoy it.

“It isn’t as hard as it looks and it is really a good workout,” she said.

“Besides that, I also learnt to appreciate myself more and see myself in a different light.”

Havana Estudio is located at Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur. For more information, log on to www.havanaestudio.com.my/bellydancing.html.

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