30 New Things: Take a Belly Dancing Class

credit

I like to think I can dance. Really, it is probably more accurate to say that I’m not afraid of trying to dance. Or perhaps that I’m not afraid of moving my body in an enthusiastic manner. In any case, I’m pretty constantly shimmying around my apartment/fake tap dancing/singing karaoke with jazz hands. So obviously one of my 30 New Things had to be dance related. And have you ever seen the music video for La Turtura? If you are not moved by the sight Shakira humping her way down a table using only her pelvis, you are dead inside, my friend.So I signed up for a community ed belly dancing class hoping to someday give Shakira a run for her money. Or at least find some new dance moves to embarrass myself with. The teacher of the class did not disappoint – all tiny and sexy and be-eyelinered. Until she opened her mouth and rocked one of the sharpest Minnesota accents this side of Fargo. But one cannot judge a dancer by her accent, eh?

We spent the majority of class flexing and releasing muscles I hadn’t known existed (like the one under your ribs?) which doesn’t sound particularly sexy but when put all together the result is hip-swivelingly good. The trick seems to be isolating the moving, swiveling bits from the rest, so you can do those impressive chest pops or pelvic figure-eights while maintaining steamy eye contact with some exotic sheik who wants to trade five camels for you.

All in all, it was wicked fun and a pretty decent workout as well. I look forward to bringing out these moves at the next house party I attend. I’ll be the girl trying to inch her way across the floor using only her pelvis.

Have you ever tried belly dancing? Would you?

Welcome to Yes & Yes!

Want to spend your time, money, and energy on purpose? I'll show you how.

You might also like…

New Thing: Forage For Mushrooms

New Thing: Forage For Mushrooms

What's hard to find, super valuable, and tastes heavenly with scrambled eggs? If you guessed a. the right romantic partner b. a really good pair of leather boots c. morel mushrooms you are correct. Every year, I make a list of new things to try and I've been wanting...

read more
New Thing: Be In My Life

New Thing: Be In My Life

Every year I make a list of new things to try. These New Things are a pretty predictable mix of physical challenges, weird foods, and books/movies that everyone-other-than-me is familiar with. But this year, I’m trying something different. Something that’s, honestly,...

read more
New Thing: Read East of Eden

New Thing: Read East of Eden

I always thought that I hated Steinbeck. His books seemed to be a never-ending parade of men and farms and depression and desperation. I remember dragging myself through Grapes of Wrath in 11th grade English, staring into the middle distance with bone-shaking boredom...

read more

15 Comments

  1. A

    I'd so give it a try if I could find classes. Dance classes are hard to come by here,

  2. Kitty

    Good for you! Belly dancing looks like fun, and it could come in handy if you were ever kidnapped by an evil maharajah or something.

  3. Komal

    I just tried a belly dancing class for the first time a couple of weeks ago and I loved it also! I did a lot of Indian dancing in college and although it was similar, the isolating the movements is def something I am not used to! Probably my new favorite Sunday moring activity though πŸ™‚

  4. Tara Diane

    The school I am starting in Fall has two different belly dancing classes at the gym! I am super excited to try it out, even though I am terribly uncoordinated.

  5. Fay

    I could go on for days about how much I enjoy belly dancing and how good it makes me feel! I love all the isolations and just wiggling around. Hee!

  6. The Naked Redhead

    Belly dancing is on my "30" list, too! I think it's so, so sexy, and I love how it is geared toward "flaunting whatcha got" as a woman. You can be big or little and still look super hot…or at least, that is what I hope. Otherwise, I might be mistaken for having an seizure while wearing scarves and one of those belly necklace coin thingies. (Technical term.)

  7. Bitter Pineapple

    Ahh I was just thinking this morning that I need to go back to belly dancing. It's like the funnest workout ever.

  8. Alline

    I`m Brazilian… samba dancing, anyone?!?! =D

  9. crystal

    I haven't tried belly dancing, though I've been meaning to. Sounds like it was a good bit of exercise! πŸ™‚

  10. Bridey

    Ha, I'm a belly dancing veteran. I took lessons for a couple of years and it was so much fun! Keep it up, it gets better the more you do!

  11. R.

    I too have tried and enjoyed it, although I didn't continue with it because I got hooked on yoga instead. It's surprising how difficult some of those hip-shaking moves can be – the teachers make it look so easy!

    –xo.

  12. Eyeliah SS

    Oh yes, did about a year of classes and it was quite fun. With my bbf so that made it even better. πŸ™‚

  13. molly

    i too took a spontaneous belly dancing class – it was fun and it gave me the PE hours i needed to graduate…plus i've got some sweet moves while dancing to NSYNC now!

  14. lizadventure

    Now I dearly want to try this too! I will have to add it to my things to do

  15. Chic and Charming

    I have some belly dancing work out videos which I used to do, when my VCR worked. Belly dancing is fun, and can be quite the workout!

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares