East meets West … in Redhill

 

Local women now need travel no further than the Harlequin to discover the health and fitness benefits of bellydancing -  along with the fun to be had learning this ancient  dance form.

hipsinc.,  the largest bellydancing organisation in the UK,  has recently started offering bellydance classes  for beginners in the Redhill area.

Local teacher Lea Smith, has been dancing since she was a child, with a focus on bellydancing forthe past 6 years.

Lea said: “One of the great things about bellydancing is that your body shape doesn’t matter. Women all of ages and shapes are welcome to come along:  I have teenagers and pensioners in my class as well as all ages in between, and they all enjoy the fun of bellydancing – and get health benefits from it too.

“We have students who come to bellydancing classes to lose weight or to tone up, and others who find it helps with back pain and even with depression. ”

Each hipsinc.  class covers the core moves of traditional bellydancing – like hip drops, shimmies and beautiful arms – as well as a short choreographed dance.

“You don’t have to dress up for bellydance classes,” Lea adds. “Some women come straight from work, others wear a tracksuit, but it’s not important what you wear. It’s having fun and enjoying the moves that counts.”

Lea attends regular workshops with leading bellydancers from both the UK and overseas, to keep her skills as toned as her stomach muscles. hipsinc.  classes have been approved by both doctors and chiropractors.

Beginners Classes lasting an hour are usually in the Tanners Room at the Harlequin Centre every Wednesday evening at 6pm and cost £7.All women are welcome and there is no costume required. The Geenral Class is at 7pm.

For more information call Lea on 01732 866284, email Lea@hipsinc.com or check the website www.hipsinc.com.