Belly Dancing in NYC: Where to Go and Who to See

Let's face it. Doing crunches every day isn't a very fun way to create definition in your abs. And even if you succeed in toning your abdominal muscles, if you've got a little padding around your middle no one will be able to appreciate your hard work! Luckily, one of the latest trends in exercise works your abs while giving you a cardio/fat-burning workout. Beyond all that, it's fun! Belly dancing, an Arabic style of dance traditionally performed at social events such as weddings, has become a popular form of exercise, and many studios now specialize in classes. New York City is home to a plethora of studios offering belly dance classes, a few of which I mention below.

Serena Studios
At Serena Studios, located at 8th Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan, the "Serena Technique" is taught. Serena is a rather famous belly dancer who has been performing for over 35 years, including a stint as the lead dancer in the opera "Aida" as part of the New York Opera Company. She insists that all newcomers to her studio begin at the Basic Beginner Level in order to learn her specific technique, and then they can progress through four more levels, culminating with Performance Workshop. You can start classes at any time, as they are ongoing; they are offered most days of the week at various times, making it easy to fit them into your schedule. A one hour class costs $12. Serena offers several packages: "5 Class Card" is $55, "10 Class Card" is $105, "20 Class Card" is $200, and private lessons are $60 an hour (by appointment only). There are almost a dozen qualified teachers at Serena Studios, so chances are you will not be taught by Serena herself. It is also possible to book performances by Serena and her staff for parties and corporate events. Visit www.serenastudios.com for more information, or call (212) 247-1051. Serena also operates Serena's Boutique nearby where you can buy traditional costumes and accessories to jazz up your belly dancing!

Everyday Athlete Studio
Another option for belly dancing wannabes is at Everyday Athlete Studio. This studio focuses on the overall health and fitness of a person, and offers nutrition help as well as a variety of classes. One such class is the Postpartum Belly Dancing class, which focuses on both retraining the abs after childbirth and the mental wellbeing of the new mother. Childcare is available at their studio, which is located at 136 Union Street in Brooklyn. The class is taught by Sarah, a professional belly dancer who continued belly dancing throughout her pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods. While the class does focus on postpartum women, Sarah is open to teaching men and women, pregnant or not. Go to www.everydayathletestudio.com or call (718) 852-6300 for more information.

Bellyqueen
The Bellyqueen Dance Theater is a world dance company directed by Kaeshi Chai. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Bellyqueen offers classes at several levels, which are taught in the evening hours. They recommend pre-registration and classes cost $65 for a five-class cycle, $70 if you do not pre-register. Bellyqueen teaches in three different locations: the East Village, Harlem, and Chinatown. Make sure to check out where your class is going to be located before signing up. They have recently published a belly dance DVD called "Bellydance Jam," tuning into the increasing interest in their art form as exercise. They also do workshops worldwide. If you're interested in classes, want to be added to their mailing list, or simply want to see them perform, check out their website at www.bellyqueen.com.

As you can imagine, there are dozens of other belly dancing class locations located throughout the boroughs of New York City. Search on www.partypop.com for classes that might be more convenient or affordable for you and your friends. If you're interested in going to belly dancing events, whether to participate or to simply observe this fascinating dance style, go to www.shakemyday.com/events. The multitude of events include performances of Middle Eastern music and shows by famous belly dancers at locations around the city.

One thing's for sure, belly dancing isn't going anywhere soon, so you better hop on board and start shaking that body to fabulous results!