9:00am Wednesday 20th December 2006
By Gazette reporter
BELLY dancing comes to Thornbury this January when one of the area's leading proponents holds an introductory workshop session in the town.
Anna Chandler who runs belly dancing school Egyptian Nights, is getting together with local enthusiast Jean Churchill to lay one a "Beginners Guide to Belly Dancing" in the main hall of the Castle School, on Saturday, January 27 (10am-1pm).
"It's a fun sort of exercise that's becoming very much the rage with the female population," said Jean "It's roots go back a very long way, mainly as a dance which prepares women for child birth.
"Apart from the pleasures of learning a beautiful dance art, it offers a wide variety of physical and fitness benefits. Many Western women embrace it as a means of rediscovering themselves and nurturing a stronger personal identity and sense of empowerment."
Jean said many women in Thornbury and district had already expressed an interest and were keen to know whether classes would be starting in the town.
Included in the workshop will be a brief history of belly dance, demonstrations of basic moves, an introduction to the different styles, costumes and music and a simple choreography to get people started.
"We have a minimum age restriction of 14 but apart from that the workshop is suitable for all ages and ldvels of fitness," said Jean. "People should wear something comfortable that doesn't restrict movement and dancing can be done bareoot or in soft footwear such as ballet shoes."
For further details or to book a place contact Anna Chandler on 01454 619557, (email anna@egyptiannights.co.uk) or Jean Churchill on 01454 614343 (email jean@jestri.co.uk).
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