Long flowing skirts and tight colorful tops mingle with the likes of sweatpants and T-shirts. It's not hard to distinguish the newcomers from the seasoned veterans of Rihab Bagnole's Middle Eastern dance class. But students didn't come to judge; they came to learn how to shake their hips.
In a society crazed with obtaining the perfect figure, classes in Pilates and yoga have emerged as a great low-impact way to achieve a leaner body. But what health clubs and gyms have picked up on recently is the culturally rich, and often sexual, Middle Eastern dance, often referred to as belly dancing.
Bagnole, a professor of fine arts, has been teaching Middle Eastern dance in Athens for the past 10 years as a way to stay connected to her home of Syria. Bagnole, who has also taught dance in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, is teaching the class at Denison University but brings her instruction to The Wire, 21 Kern St., every Friday.
For a per class rate of $10 or a $60 charge for the quarter, hour-long beginner and advanced classes are offered to students of all ages and abilities.
Virginia Sustarsic, a social worker and grandmother, took similar classes more than 20 years ago and recently decided to give it another shot. She said the class opens her energy while stretching and working her body.
They bring a special charm to the group
said Bagnole, who encourages women of all ages to participate. It's not only for young people.
The Middle Eastern dance Bagnole teaches is concentrated around belly dancing, with some movements taken from other Middle Eastern dances.
It is a lot of hip movement but we also use arm and leg movements she said. Some neck movements not common to other types of dance also are frequently used. But Bagnole said all actions are natural to the body, although some muscles might be unfamiliar to the techniques.
You will find yourself moving muscles in ways they never did before
Bagnole said.
Bagnole leads her class as a split between a dance and a workout, but she said the student can modify the class for whatever purpose they are seeking. Along with modifying for aerobic purposes, Bagnole said the sexuality of the dance can also be altered. Any time the body moves it is sexual, she said.
The dance also can provide emotional wellness, good posture and self-esteem.
It has a very woman-oriented goal power
said Paige Martin, a sophomore studying to become a sex therapist.
Bagnole has planned to start a Saturday class and hopes the popularity will bring attention to start cultural dance classes through various universities.
OU did offer a belly dance class the past three quarters through the physical education program taught by one of Bagnole's students, junior Sara Wreath. The School of Dance offers a focus on types of African dance with numerous guest artists choreographing various cultural pieces, said professor of African dance Zelma Badu-Younge.
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Rihab Bagnole leads her Middle Eastern dance class at The Wire. The class Bagnole teaches every Friday is centered on belly dancing with some movements taken from other Middle Eastern dances.
