Baladi Belly
Dance and Roma Gypsy Dance in the Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Belly dancing easy form of exercise
Date Published | Apr. 12, 2007
Reprinted with permission
BY BILL BRADLEY
Belly dancing is a hot new fitness regime
with women, said Sudbury-belly dancing teacher Lucie De La Fontaine.
“A lot of women these days have inferiority complexes about their bodies
because of the use of very young models on television and in magazines.
Belly dancing boosts their self-esteem because when you see yourself
belly dancing in the mirror you notice your positive physical attributes
as you attain better fitness and health,” said De La Fontaine.
Belly dancing instructor Lucie De
La Fontaine (centre) encourages men to try the fitness regime as a way
of reducing the chance of heart attack and stroke.
De La Fontaine has been keeping fit with the Arabic dance, originating
in Egypt, for 25 years. She studied its artistic expression in Montreal,
Paris, New York and Denver.
“I had been teaching gymnastics in Montreal, but when I had a child I
found I needed an easier subject to teach. I heard about belly dancing
in Montreal and was able to try it three weeks after having my baby.
I've never stopped since then,” she said.
There are many health benefits to the practice of belly dancing, said De
La Fontaine.
“By moving your rib cage or alternatively your hips you tend to massage
your internal organs, your liver, even your intestines. It helps women
who have irregular periods or constipation. And, it improves your body’s
ability to be flexible and to undo stiffness,” she said.
The sheer physicality of the movement in the dancing is an easy form of
exercise and body toner.
“Without realizing it, you are getting enough exercise to improve
fitness. It is not a miracle fitness cure but it helps and is fun
especially with the Arabic music we provide-from slow to fast.”
Because it can help to reduce body fat around the stomach and hips even
men could benefit from belly dancing, said De La Fontaine.
“I would like to have a men’s belly dancing class because I know many
men are being told by their doctors to reduce their waist lines to
reduce the chance of heart attack and stroke. What’s more important your
life or your prejudices against belly dancing being only for women? Come
on call and we can get a men’s group going,” she said.
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