Shimmying Into the Gym

Veiled dancers are shimmying their way out of Middle Eastern restaurants and into the gym as belly dancing becomes the fitness trend du jour. The art form that originated more than 25,000 years ago is now embraced by women who are looking to achieve superb muscle tone and better health.

“There’s a movement in exercise of making what is old new again,” according to Dolphina, an L.A.-based belly dance instructor who has taught Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Barbra Streisand and Tom Hanks. Dolphina recently released a video called “The Goddess Workout” and will begin teaching belly dance classes at Crunch Gym in April.

“People are finally realizing it’s good exercise, and more chiropractors and doctors are recommending belly dance for its health benefits,” says Atea, who has taught at the Magical Motion dance studio in Palms for 10 years.

Most beginning belly dance classes teach shimmies, flowing arm movements, isolation, separation and muscle control. Advanced classes include cymbal and veil techniques.

Belly dancing is a moderate-intensity exercise comparable to brisk walking, though some classes can be more aerobic, says Richard Cotton, exercise physiologist and spokesman for the San Diego-based American Council on Exercise.

“Belly dancing provides stimulus to the midsection to help prevent back pain and discomfort,” he says.

Cotton believes there is a trend toward appreciating varied forms of physical activity that had not previously been considered exercise. Anisa, a belly dance instructor in Sherman Oaks for 25 years, agrees.

“People are going to dance studios because they are tired of the gym,” she says. “With all the recent movies about tango, salsa and swing, dance is coming back, and belly dancing has more respect than it used to.”

Dolphina believes belly dancing can even be liberating.

“The movements allow women to get in touch with body parts they may be self-conscious about--like the stomach, hips and thighs. They learn to celebrate the areas that they hadn’t felt comfortable moving, let alone exposing.”

For information about “The Goddess Workout” video, call (877) MY-GODDESS. For Atea’s Magical Motion Studio, call (310) 301-0045. For Anisa’s School of Dance, call (818) 908-8008.