I was going to discuss Westernized schemata of Middle Eastern dance that many people seem to have but in light of recent comments made about the newly crowned Ms. America, I though I'd talk about that instead.

Ms. Nina Davuluri, formerly Ms. New York, is the first Ms. America of Indian descent and that seems to be a problem for some really stupid people.  These same people also failed geography...miserably. Ironically, Ms. Davuluri's platform is "Celebrating Diversity through Cultural Competency."

  

I for one think this is wonderful and very much needed.  As the world is getting smaller with our technology, it is only smart to get to know one another and its sad to see people that want to be ignorant. Here are just a sample of some of the horrible tweets and my corresponding commentaries:

"and an Arab wins Miss America. Classic."  

"How the f--k does a foreigner win miss America? She is a Arab"  (dude, I find your grammar particularly "unamerican." It is Miss America, capitalize the M and an Arab, not a Arab. Stupid.)

"Egypt dancing? This is America" (so I guess you'd have a problem with Salsa? Just saying. And for the record, THIS is what "Egypt dancing" looks like.)

Dina of Cairo and Fatme Serhan

Sadie (and she's from the Mid West.)

"Congratulations al-Qaeda. Our Miss America is one of you." (uh...I can bet money and I don't like gambling but I don't think they would let their women out the cave, let alone go in public, on TV in a swimsuit.)

According to these buffoons, Miss America is supposed to be a blonde, blue-eyed Kansas girl and better yet, Egypt and India are one in the same. But enough of their buffoonery.

In these United States of America, there are people from all over the world.  Remember the quote by Emma Lazarus, on the Statue of Liberty? "Give me your tired, your poor..." Ellis Island was the first place many new immigrants came through. And before that on (unfortunately) slave ships. Plus, lets not forget the Natives that were already here. Now America has a little but of each country within this country.  That is what makes this country so great.  I tell you, I love me some Guinness and Shepherds Pie in an Irish pub with Young Dubliners songs playing overhead (I recommend Rory Dolan's in Yonkers and Rambling House in Woodlawn, Bronx) and other days I crave Moroccan Chicken and Couscous (Tagine in the Fashion District, NYC). This diversity is how a Puerto Rican woman from the Bronx can learn a dance from the Middle East and how she can do it so much so that she has those natives saying "You remind me of home."

People, lets get it together! Some may not like groups that seem different but you know what? It isn't for you to like. Its a matter of respecting one another on a human level. Lets open our minds (some might need to open a geography book...) and we'll find that these perceived differences are actually similarities.

Ms. Davuluri, I commend you for your bravery and effort in educating people.  I'm going to help you out! Starting with a map!

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.

Hey everyone! So the summer is almost over and the kiddies are going back to school but that does not mean the belly dance fun is going to stop!

In my last post regarding belly dance misconceptions I talked about what it is and what it isn't; what's okay and what's not okay, etc.  

To piggyback on what misconceptions the public has about belly dance and other forms of Middle Eastern dance, it is in fact suitable entertainment for children and families.  As I mentioned before, all too often people assume it is equitable to adult entertainment.

Let me put it to you this way- you'll see a Middle Eastern dancer at a wedding, and (perhaps) a stripper at the bachelor party; you'll see a Middle Eastern dancer at a community fair, you will not see a stripper there.  You know where you might see them together? Teaching their skills in fitness-oriented classes in a gym or dance studio; bellydancing classes beside pole-dancing classes.  And let me tell you pole-dancing classes are challenging and so worth it!  These kind of classes are great because they are oriented towards women and provide a great workout along with a boost of confidence.

But back to family entertainment.  Some of my best experience revolve around performing for families.  I often tell people anytime I see a child in the audience I go straight them. They are so full of wonder and innocence and happiness.  One party in particular I did a haggalah walk and a little girl's eye's grew wide with surprise and she clutched her mother's arm and said "Mami, did you see that?" In that same party I went to another little girl to come and dance and she hopped right up and danced with me.  She was so happy.  It is really sweet when the children like the show.  Some of them get a little shy, like the boys, but they enjoy it just as much as the adults do.  They love the dresses and the props.  And they will get up and dance if they want to; they answer that call!

Every Father's Day us belly dancers perform at various nursing homes.  I don't know one bellydancer who doesn't enjoy it. Its one of our favorite audiences to perform for.  Most others would never assume or imagine bellydancers would perform in a nursing home.  We're often met with a surprised look when we say "dancing at a nursing home."  They too are wonderful audiences to perform for.  The residents remind me to be thankful for what I have and what I can do.  Some of them are very ill and not as mobile as they once were but it doesn't stop them from getting up and dancing. Even cracking a smile and a joke! I remember some of the ladies having kind words for me.  One resident who I will never forget got up and danced even though she still had her IV bag attached to her. I tell you dance is life!

Little by little my hope is that those of you who read this blog spread the word about what belly dance is and how it can add to a person's life (and their party!) My intentions are to educate as well as entertain!


If you are in the NYC area on a Thursday evening, get on the D train to the last stop in the Bronx, 205th Street, and head on over to Beso Lounge on 320 E. 204th Street and Perry Avenue for free bellydance classes with yours truly! Happy hour starts at 5p and bellydance class starts at 7p.

Starting Tuesday September 10 I will conduct SharQui® The Bellydance Workout classes in Love Dance Fitness in White Plains, NY. Tuesdays at 6p- 7p and Thursdays 5:30-6:30p. $15 for one class, $70 for 5 classes and $130 for 10. Please email me at Nahlabellydance@gmail.com for more info. 

Happy Shimmies and remember, dance is life!

Nahla's Drum Solo at Bronx Day in Albany

Upcoming July Bellydance Events!

Happy shimmies everyone! The Summer is halfway done but the fun is never over. I'm happy to announce that I'll be instructing SharQui®, the only accredited Bellydance workout in the world, this Sunday in White Plains, NY. This is a special event because not only am I instructing but there will be many other classes as well in this free open house celebrating Love Dance Fitness Studio's first year!  

Have you have always wanted to try Bellydance? Try SharQui-the Bellydance workout® with Nahla!

 

Enjoy the benefits of this fat-burning workout such as a toned core, improved posture and circulation, increased stamina and strength! Class will take place at:

Love, Dance & Fitness

196 Maple Avenue

White Plains, NY

(2^nd Floor, above Magnotta’s)

914-437-7711

Love, Dance & Fitness is pleased to invite you all to an Open house.

This is the opportunity we have been waiting to celebrate our One Year Anniversary. We did it!!

DATE: Sunday July 28^th, 2013
TIME: 9:00AM - 4:00PM
PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Cardio Belly Dance @ 9:00AM - 9:45AM ~ that's me! :)

Zumba @ 10:00AM - 10:45AM

Kickboxing @ 11:00PM - 11:45PM
Family Zumba @ 2:00PM - 2:45PM
(children are welcome for family Zumba followed with face painting)
Special Recognition and Refreshment!! 3:00PM – 4:00PM

Bring your friends and family and let’s celebrate together the joy of Fitness and Happiness.

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!!

If you have any questions, please call the studio or any questions about SharQui® please email Nahla at NahlaBellydance@gmail.com

And for more Bellydance events, if you're in the Bronx this Friday head to Lucca's in Pelham Bay!

Bellydance show with Alexis, Amira Iriz and Tatiana!

Friday July 26th, 2013 at 8p

Lucca Restaurant

3019 Westchester Avenue Bronx, NY 10461

718-892-8282 

Prixfixe Menu only $30.00

 no cover