Hello and happy September! The kiddies are back in school and soon we will be bombarded with all things pumpkin-flavored! LOL! I hope you're doing well and thank you for reading my blog.

Recently I started teaching bellydance classes in a lounge in the Bronx. I love sharing bellydance in the borough I'm from. Every-so-often I  advertise in the community and I speak to all the ladies, no matter what size, shape or age. Some of the ladies look at me and then look at themselves as if they are too big/fat to take the class. Bueno, I'm about to let all of you women know what's good!

This style of dance is the kind that flatters all shapes and sizes, no matter if you're tall, skinny, short, stubby, meaty or fluffy (Gabriel Iglesias is sooo funny!). Very often I hear women say "oh but my belly's to big...I'm too fat for that!" I tell them quite honestly that having meat on your bones actually makes the dance look nice!

Women think you have to look a certain way to do this dance. Even smaller women ask if skinny girls can do this dance. I say any person no matter the size and shape can do this dance.  It flatters all. On a slimmer female it can make her body look more feminine. It's a dance for every person because it expresses joy. Some other responses I've gotten were "oh, but I have to lose this stomach (before I do that)," I say bellydance will help you lose that if that's your goal but you do not have to lose weight before taking a class. Some women ask me if bellydancing will help them lose weight, it sure can but I recommend adding cardio to it for weight loss. Bellydancing is fantastic for strengthening the core and increasing flexibility.  Ladies, I say give it a try. What have you got to lose besides calories?

For opportunities to get your shimmy on this month I will continue to teach FREE bellydance classes every Thursday at 7p in Beso Lounge located on 320 E. 204^th Street between Hull Avenue and Perry Avenue in the Norwood section of the Bronx. This is great if you want to explore Bellydance but still wonder if it’s for you. Also they have drink specials!! J

Beginning next week, Tuesday, September 10^th at 6p and Thursday, September 12^th at 5:30p I will teach SharQui-The Bellydance Workout® in White Plains, NY at Love Dance Fitness located on 196 Maple Avenue on the corner of South Lexington Avenue. SharQui® is great for those who want to learn bellydance and get that real workout where you’re sweating but still having fun! It’s a total body workout that increases your stamina, tightens your core and burns more than 300 calories per class.