Belly Dancing

Is it a good workout?
Could have fooled us! those dancers make it look so easy. Many people presume since belly dancers are often, well, zaftig, that belly dancing is for namby-pambies. NOT True at all! Women from countries that originate belly dancing come from the unbelieveably healthy mind-set that one needn't be a size zero to bare your midriff, and frankly, a little padding on the hips looks pretty damn sexy when you're trembling and shaking like an outboard motor. Belly dancing is one of the most exhausting and physically demanding workouts we've hosted at absolution (our teacher won the BEST OF LA AWARD from LA MAGAZINE, in fact). Still not convinced? We dare you stand up in your chair and shake your rump for thirty seconds. Tired yet? Now multiply that by two hundred. AIE AIE AIE! come to absolution, put on a scarf that jingles and jangles, and learn some moves that you'll be able to take out on the dance floor.

I've never danced before. Am I going to be embarrassed during this class?
Most people who arrive in belly dancing class have never done it before. And those who have set great exapmles (stand behind them!)

Frankly, when we founded absolution it was because those of us who weren't born dancing wanted a place a little less intimidating to learn. It seemed that every dance studio we tried was filled with 18 year olds who had been dancing for most of their lives and while we were accomplished and sexy ourselves, we were looking for something a little more...liberating.

Really, the most intimidating thing about learning to bellydance is getting in your car and driving to absolution. There is a lot of laughing during class, but not a lot of laughing and pointing. at absolution we try to create an atmosphere where it is safe to be a beginner (we call this our "dare to suck" attitude). When we first hosted bellydancing, we served champagne just for kicks because everybody seemed pretty shy. we've found that although a little awkward at first, a lot of moves are pretty straightforward and you'll pick it up pretty quickly. And so much of it is about smiling. SMILE SMILE SMILE.

I'm not skinny enough to bellydance...i'll come in when I've lost 5 pounds.
If we had a nickel for every person who told us they were too heavy to come to the gym, we'd all be in aruba. Women from countries that originate belly dancing come from the unbelieveably healthy mind-set that one needn't be a size zero to bare your midriff, and frankly, a little padding on the hips looks pretty damn sexy when you're trembling and shaking like an outboard motor (ask any of our male clients who unanimously agreed it is hard to focus when watching even the most awkward beginner (we put up a curtain to prevent further gawking). Belly dancing is one of the most exhausting and physically demanding workouts we've hosted at absolution (our teacher won the BEST OF LA AWARD from LA MAGAZINE, in fact). Take a lead from our sisters of the east, and come in whether you think you are presentable or not. One thing is for sure, your waist will get smaller with every class.