Belly dancers thrive on ancient art

Jennifer Heiden has a lifelong habit of taking dance classes. So when Central Oregon Community College (COCC) offered a belly dance class in Sisters, she had to sign up.

She was so taken with the art form that she began focusing on belly dancing and helped start the Raqsafara Bellydance Troupe. Eleven years later, she and another troupe member, Julie Cash, are teaching others the belly dance style.

A new eight-week class begins Tuesday, September 22, and takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cascade Fitness. Cost is $45 and the weekly class is open to women 16 and older. Preregistration is required through COCC.

"Ten years ago, I took a class on a whim," said Cash, who goes by the name Tasmeen when dancing. "I signed up for pine needle basket weaving and belly dance."

The women taught their first class through COCC this past spring. Kelly Freeland was one of those students and plans to dance again this fall.

"I love to dance, and I wanted to learn something new," she said after a summer potluck where Heiden taught dance moves using large, flowing skirts. Freeland likes the fact that women from size zero to XXL are encouraged to do belly dancing. "I love the fact that women are brave enough to do that."

"Dance with the body you have," says Heiden, known as Nalia when dancing. That message is one of her favorite things about belly dancing. She adds, "You get to wear jewelry and exercise at the same time."

Both Cash and Heiden enjoy teaching at the Cascade Fitness site because of the large space and the walls of mirrors. Heiden said their students will also benefit from having two teachers, one to teach at the front and the other to walk among the students and help one-on-one.

Dancers will be taught basic belly dance moves as well as techniques using zills (finger cymbals) and veils. The two instructors plan to teach a choreographed dance that students can perform together at the last class. Class information will be posted on the Raqsafara Troupe's Web site at http://www.gypsysisters.com.

Most members of the Raqsafara Bellydance Troupe have been dancing together since 2001. The name Raqsafara comes from Arabic, meaning dance and travel; raqs (dance) and safar (travel). The five members have danced at various events in Central Oregon, including the Sisters Rodeo Parade, Silver Moon Brewing in Bend, and at High Desert Bellydance Guild functions. They will be teaching a workshop at the Sisters in Sisters event at the end of the September. Other members of the troupe include Gabrielle Bohme, Kathie Downey and Madeleine Landis.

Raqsafara will be performing during the Sisters Fall Street Festival, September 19-20.