From jazz dance to belly dance

I believe dancing is in my blood. My father loved to dance, he waltzed, tango and foxtrot for many years. Though I didn't share his interest in these dance style, most types of music will get my feet thumping and moving. One exception though, I find it difficult to move to rap and techno music.

Maybe one day I will waltz and tango like my father, after all I did enjoy Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance moves and still do today.   

My dancing days started in the eighties when I decide to attend a jazz dance class. What started innocently as a keep fit and a desire to learn the dance style of Flash dance, Xanadu, Fame and Footloose, cemented a long term interest in dancing. I learn many types of dance from the dance instructor, Danny, we were even part of his dance group, performing at army functions (in return for free use of their dance studio). Those were fun days, we try to moonwalk like Michael Jackson, dance to the Broadway music of New York, New York, rock and roll and learn Charleston too.

Nowadays, I move to the rhythm of belly dance. It was in 1987 when I first learned about belly dancing from my cousin. Twelve years later, I started my first lesson in belly dancing.  

Belly dancing movements are quite different from jazz dance. It’s much more feminine and there is a feeling of sensual expression and freedom. I am not self conscious about my body shape any more. This graceful dance is just perfect and it does not end here. Dressing up is fun and it gives a new meaning to feeling good. 

More information about belly dance class in Chichester and performance are available at http://www.oomph.eu