BellyJourneys

Copyright: Ancient Moves Dance Company  ~  www.karimahelou.com
Belly Dance Lessons (all ages),
6 days per week, On and Off Premises: At Ancient Moves Studio, we specialize in the ancient art of Middle Eastern Dance (also known as BELLY DANCE). As a student here, you are given real opportunities to explore ALL the beautiful layers and styles of belly dance at your own pace, bringing your inner artist to the surface, for your own enjoyment.  You can decide to take part in our classes for recreational purposes, or study on a more professional level as you graduate through our established program. Students often find benefits exceed their expectations; while you continue to learn new things, get fit, have fun, find new friends, new passion, and continue to grow and get in touch with YOU, the most important person of all.
Welcome to www.karimahelou.com!
Bollywood Dance Lessons,
Bollywood dancing is the commercial name for modern Indian dancing. It is a combination of classical Indian dance and folk dance such as Bhangra (as well as other world influences). It is playful, fun, expressive and often animates
the meaning behind music through the dancer. If you are looking for something new and completely different to try, this is your chance to sign on! To learn more, click here.
Specialty Classes,
Our specialty classes are usually offered on 3 lesson, mini-series platform; each are purposely selected to expand your belly dance repertoire and enjoyment. With excellent teachers who are the most knowledgeable in their genre,  you can take part in American Tribal Style (ATS), Arabic Drumming and Movement, and much more!

Group Fitness Classes
As a general rule of thumb, it only takes three participants to be classified as a fitness group. Whether it is three, six, nine or more, our mission is to have fun and whip us all into shape. Join us for our sessions in Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Hooping or Chair Dance. These fitness genres are have been selected to help you reach your health goals and compliment your lifestyle.
Music for this page
provided by

The Light of East Ensemble

CDs are available at the studio for $15 each
or order directly by contacting:
easternstrings@gmail.com

The Light of East Esemble is available for private and public performances.

BellyJourneys

"Exercise in Disguise" is waiting for you

 by Karima Helou on 02/20/12

Exercise. For most of us, the very word conjures gruelling notions of extreme discomfort (emotionally and physically) while pulling, cranking, pushing, testing our bodies in ways we really, really don't want to. Some of us even have personal doubts about whether we are "achieving" what we set out to do which can lead to giving up our fitness goals.

So how do we turn that notion into something more postive? Afterall, there are people who look forward to slipping on some fitness gear and flexing a bit of muscle. Yes, they do exist! They have made the very word "excercise" synonomous with FUN. It is possible, given the right approach, to become enthusiastically motivated toward fitness.

Take, for instance, the latest fitness craze, Zumba (which primarly uses latin-based dance movements in a group fitness setting). It has really caught on, I believe, largely because they don't demand that you become perfect. The Zumba franchise wants you to move your body in basic, yet fun ways with great music to help motivate. It is amusing that Zumba is often being termed as "Exercise in Diguise" as dance/fitness based exercise has been that way for decades and most of us know this. However, if you are new to the genre of dancing to workout, it is definitely something you should try, at least once. Even if you are not a "dancer". It is fun to let loose and try something new.

There are other dance-fit programs which are also a total blast. Dare I mention, sultry Latin aerobics? Of course! This has been around for a long time and is essentially Zumba by another name. We also have the high energy of Socacize (which is Carribbean based), Cardio Hooping (Hula Hooping), Bollywood (think India), my personal all-time favorite Belly Dance (we all know how wonderful it is, right?! I can talk for hours how entirely perfect belly dance is for all women but "doing" is better than talking), ... and so much more. For all these forms, their entire premise is to get you up, moving, laughing, and enjoying yourself. They are all out there to put on your bucket list of things to do, so just go for it!

That being said, do some leg work to figure out what is a good fit for you. The most ideal instructor is someone who has a warm, welcoming disposition, energetic, with solid background in what they do. The last point is very near and dear to my heart.

MOVING IN A WAY THAT IS SAFE AND FUN FOR YOU!!! WHY? Everyone is different and you deserve to have your needs met, given all of your interesting traits and variables as an individual.

There is nothing wrong with checking the credentials of your instructor; or anyone claiming to be professional for that matter. I have a personal appreciation for dance or fitness instructors who have attended official training programs to be able to offer the very best of themselves, for our long term safety and ongoing learning. If I'm not learning or being challenged in some way, I'm not having fun.

It doesn't matter if you are doing something just for fun or wish to become intensely serious at it. FUN CEASES TO EXIST when we are suffering from chronic INJURY (due to poor training practices) or BOREDOM because a program was not up to industry standard. Someone with training or background will be able to offer the most genuine programs with vision (or formula) on how to help you reach your potential and beyond.

I am very fond of our own Canadian Fitness Professional (Can-Fit-Pro) certification program. This is the essential resource for any fitness and dance instructor. Is your teacher certified by a recognized resource, in anything? Further to that, most centres/programs today require instructors to also be certified in first aid. I am also aware the YM_YWCA offers similar programming.

Above and beyond fitness instructor training, those who have additional special training are the creme-de-la-creme. GO TO THEM!! This means they love what they are doing enough make themselves better for everyone participating in their sessions; which translate to a better investment of time and funds for you, the participant . It's as simple as that. If your instructor truly LOVES what they do, that good energy will become transparent and (if shared with good intentions) intoxicating!

Fitness can be a blast. If you tried it and didn't find it to be so, then I recommend trying another venue or instructor. Keep trying until you find the right one. Never give up because fitness is an opportunity to stay young, healthy in vital. Give yourself as many chances as you think you need to find that perfect fit to truly get fit and have fun!

Growing one shimmy at a time through providence,

 

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