The Ancient Art of Belly Dancing is as timeless as the beatings of the drums. Picture this: Colourful Bedouin men drum around the campfires of a Persian oasis while their exotic women tell their stories of life. Dancing to the heartbeat of creation, remembering their maidenhood, their courtship. The seduction of their marriage the birth of their children and the simple joy of being a woman. Even the elders are revered dancers, as their grace confidence and inner beauty tells of their peace and happiness to grow old. The dance of the belly. The dance of life.
Even today many women of all ages nationalities, shapes and sizes dance to celebrate their life.
Our local belly dance teacher and performer "Alexandra" has been teaching here in the Toukley area for the past 6 years, with a handful of her original students still enjoying her weekly classes. Alexandra says that belly dance has many effects on women, not only giving fitness with fun and hauntingly beautiful music but camaraderie, as women bond and make new friends. The health and fitness side of it increases strength in the abdominals, lower hack, arms and legs and increases the flexibility in the entire hack and all the joints.
On the spiritual side, women celebrate themselves, honouring their body and their soul, recreating the ancient dance of the Egyptian Goddess of Abundance and Fertility. And on the fun side - learning to dance with a cheeky and vibrant attitude raises your confidence and comfortability with yourself and your body.
One of Alexandra's Classes ready for their performance at Laycock St. Theatre : Rear from left: Cherie, Veronique Lissy, Rebecca, Sharon. Middle from left: Lee Ann, Deb. Front from left: Jacqueline, Lynda and Mikki.
Alexandra's professional troupe is called "Desert Flame" and together with her colleagues Shameela and Francesca, boast a school of over 150 students, with dance classes in Toukley, Gosford and Coffs Harbour. They hold regular "haflas" (Arabic for party), as well as a fantastic annual concert at The Laycock Street Theatre at Gosford.
For further information about Bellydancing Alexandra can be contacted on .43 966929.