Want to try something completely different to tone those abs

while experiencing fun and friendly camaraderie and maybe even a

few light-hearted moments? Look no further than Poland resident

Anne Beal’s upcoming Middle Eastern Dance classes taking place in

Casco, Gray and Lewiston.

OK, you want great abs and have already spent hundreds on workout machines with funny names like the Ab Doer Extreme, Ab Glider and Ab Roller. But, after a few awkward sessions, they sit collecting dust.

Want to try something completely different to tone those abs while experiencing fun and friendly camaraderie and maybe even a few light-hearted moments? Look no further than Poland resident Anne Beal’s upcoming Middle Eastern Dance classes taking place in Casco, Gray and Lewiston.

Middle Eastern Dance, known in America as belly dancing, is making a surge in popular culture. The beautiful dance, Beal says, is a great way to feel and look better all while experiencing a different culture with fellow women seeking a new and creative way to maintain health.

Current Publishing recently asked Beal, a Maine Public Broadcasting Network writer and Poland resident, about her upcoming classes, which start next week.

Q: What’s fueling the interest in belly dancing?

A: Over the past 10 years or so, Middle Eastern Dance (Belly Dance) has started to see a huge increase in interest all over the United States. There are teachers and workshops in every state, and Maine has a wide variety to offer as well. I believe one of the main reasons behind this is that the focus has turned back to the roots of the dance, which is tied to community, self-awareness, friendship/family and finding a unique way to share your life story with others.

Q: What got you involved in belly dancing and how long have you been doing it?

A: I had always struggled with self-esteem issues, like a lot of women, and wanted to try something completely different in order to “like my belly more.” I had never seen any belly dancing, or done any type of dance before, but about seven years ago I looked online to try and see if there were any classes in the area, and I was lucky enough to find my teacher, Jeanne Handy – Jamileh – out of Portland. After my first class, I was hooked. It still surprises me to this day. I’m very much a “tom boy,” I don’t tend to do the typical “girly” things, and my love of music has always been on the heavy metal side. So I really feel that Middle Eastern Dance has opened up a whole new part of me that I never knew was there, and it continues to be an exciting learning experience.

Q: Belly dancing looks simple enough – moving hips to a beat. But there’s probably much more to it. What is involved that we don’t know about?

A: One of the best parts about belly dancing is that every woman can learn it. The history of the dance is not about stage performance, but sharing your life story, through dance, with family and friends. There are basic moves, that once learned, tend to be done slightly differently by everyone who dances them, because everyone who dances it is a different age and size and truly make the moves their own. The hardest part of the dance is the isolation of the moves. You end up using muscles you didn’t know existed, and it’s definitely a good way to get exercise. I know I work up a good sweat!

Q: What muscles does it work? How many calories does it burn?

A: Belly dancing is a wonderful way to get a unique exercise. And you really work on your entire body when you dance, so even your arms and shoulders get included, though most of the work is done in your “core” area. I don’t know the exact amount of calories being burned, but it’s a low-impact, high-energy workout and you definitely will feel it the next day!

Q: How is it viewed in other countries? Is it not considered sensual/sexual in other cultures?

A: A lot of times, belly dancing (in America) is confused with a Burlesque show, and I’m not exactly sure why. The only similarity is that both dance forms believe that all women are beautiful, no matter their age or size. But unlike a Burlesque show, which is geared towards sex, belly dancing highlights a woman’s body in a much different way, through graceful, peaceful and yes, sometimes “flirty,” moves. It is only called “Belly Dance” here in the United States. In places like Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, it’s considered just “dance” or “Raqs.” It was introduced to the United States during the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, and has always had a taboo feeling surrounding it, most likely because the women tended to show part of their belly while dancing. But as I mentioned before, the true form of the dance is not about performing for an audience and dressing up, though that can be fun, it’s about feeling comfortable in your body and sharing your experiences through dance.

Q: Are there other forms of Middle Eastern Dance, other than belly dancing?

A: Another thing I love about belly dancing, is that there is a wide variety of styles to learn. Throughout the Middle East, each area has their own unique style of the dance, though the basic moves are the same. For example, in Egypt, the dancers are known for having very elaborate, sparkling costumes, and tend not to travel around the stage much, while Lebanese do lots of traveling. And in Turkey they have another style of dress that includes a special vest. Plus, each area has certain “props” they might use, like candles, zils, veils, canes and swords. In many countries they take the dance extremely seriously, they have special events surrounding it, and there are dancers that are as loved as movie stars are here in the states. There is also traditional dances that men usually do, called Dabke, which is a circle dance, with each person taking a turn leading, lots and lots of special foot moves – some unique to certain families – and it can go on for hours at time.

Q: What are its origins?

A: Middle Eastern Dance has a history that is thousands of years old. No one really knows where or when it exactly started, but it has ties to India, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and Romania to name just a few. It is called “Raqs Beledi” or country dance, and is the most common style of dance throughout the Middle East. Women have passed along the dance from generation to generation, and its roots are connected to religion, family, childbirth, community and celebration.

Anne Beal of Poland began belly dancing seven years ago. Now she leads classes of women interested in learning the Middle Eastern dance technique. (Courtesy photo)

Copy the Story Link