Why you should be Belly Dancing this Year !

At this time of year we are bombarded with fitness tips, diet plans and the new, hot, weight loss fads, but one thing that all the experts agree on is that the only way to maintain a fitness regime is to enjoy it. Fitness activities have to be fun to keep you coming back, long after the January motivation is gone.

Here are ten reasons why I think you should give belly dance a try this year :

1. Its easy to get started but hard to master. You will be dancing from your first lesson, but after 20 years you will still be working on perfecting the layers.
2. You need little or no equipment. You can dance to music on the radio, or download an album from Amazon. It can be danced barefoot and you can practice in a tiny space. (Even on the bart!)
3. Its as intense as you want it to be. Put as much or as little into your dance class, because you know how hard you need to work in each lesson. Belly dancers may glow, but we know how to dance for an hour without sweating !
4. Any woman can get an hour glass figure. Belly dance may not be the quickest way to lose weight, but working the core and hips helps lose inches from the mid section. Belly dance is also fantastic for toning the upper arms, strengthening the legs and improving flexibility.
5. You will learn so much more than you expect, like how to look amazing in photos, Egyptian food recipes and how to turn a veil into a quick, stand in, costume.
6. You dont have to perform (although you may find you want to).
7. Women friends are amazing. Although men are welcome in class, the majority of belly dancers are bright, funny, educated, interesting and exceptional ladies. Our ages range from teens to 90’s and we have more in common than you might think if you saw us laughing over lunch.
8. Your body can do some amazing things. Injuries and disabilities can’t limit our love of dance.
9. Its addictive. Dance creates endorphin as well as burning calories. Belly dancing makes you feel great!
10. Belly dance is lots of fun. Trying shimmying without laughing !

Ok, so not everyone is cut out to be a belly dancer. But when you think about getting fit this January, make sure you are keeping it fun, so that you are motivated for the whole year.

If you would like to try belly dance for free, we have classes in Dublin on the 7th and Livermore on the 9th. Details are below :

7pm, Janurary 7th, Dublin

Radiance Ballet School

6800 Sierra Court, Suite L, Dublin, California

6.45pm, January 9th, Livermore

Valley Dance Theater

2nd Street, Livermore

Normal pricing is $12 for 45 minutes, but these dates are free. Classes are also available through the City of Pleasanton, starting in February.

For more details please visit our web site :

www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com