The internet is such a wonderland. I came across Dancing Rahana Belly Dance Boutique and was reminded of a belly dance workshop a friend of mine talked me into attending years ago. I said "no way!", but she pleaded and pitched it, and my curiosity got the best of me and I reluctantly signed up.
We arrived at the hotel ballroom where the even was hosted in our pajamas basically --- the flier said to wear comfortable clothing --- and walked into a room of about one hundred dancers, all adorned in skirts and head gear and jangling scarves. Boy did we feel stupid. Turns out the workshop was led by California’s finest belly dancers. We looked like fools trying to move our hips and arms and take steps just so. But we stuck it out. All of that laughter was good for our stomach muscles, if nothing else. (And we weren’t the only ones laughing).
There were booths set up that sold scarves and tambourines and henna tattoos. My friend and I picked up a scarf to wrap around our waist, and I also bought a tambourine which is within eyeshot of me right now.
Belly Dancing is supposedly a great workout, even if you totally suck at it. I find the scarf every couple of years and most recently, met somebody with a real name and a belly dancer name. I pulled my scarf out, looked at it, shook it, then hung it on a hanger. I am, however, willing to part with my scarf to the highest bidder!
If my stiff old hip could shimmie, I’d definitely get this video “21 Shimmies and 1001 Variations.” Sounds like a dirty little fairy tale. Or a sex video, but no, it’s a work out. And an art. Plus, if you get good enough you can buy one of those cool costumes. If nothing else you can go as a belly dancer to a Halloween party and do your best Egyptian shimmie. Either way, I’m sure it’ll improve your sex life.
