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26 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday January 11, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com The only place in town where it's good to jiggle Continued from page 21 parable to a sultan's tent ­ but the instructor also encourages her dancers to leave the stereotypes of the dance form at the door, too. "Contrary to what many people believe, bellydancing is not a dance of seduction," she told the 10 students gathered in her studio, decorated with bright blues, pinks and greens, and lined with mirrors, pillows and drapes. "It's a village dance, which was done primarily by women." In the 1940s the Arabic film industry put bellydancers in provocative costumes, and that's when the dance earned the "seductive" reputation. "We work really hard to educate all of our dancers," Joharah said. "This is a very elegant and dignified dance form. We keep our clothes on." With music playing in the background, the beginner class got started with basic bellydance movements. "It's all about putting energy into your arms," said Joharah. "Your arms are there to decorate your movement." Rib movements, pelvic movements, hip accents while moving forward, back and side to side ­ it was all happening in that introductory hour. "I'm going to do a really big hip accent, so it's as if I have a really big bag of groceries in my arms and I have to whack my car door shut," Joharah told students, while demonstrating. "You're going to have a really good bum by bikini season." In the second half hour came "the Senio and Stu rs den $12.50 ts Wed. Jan . 16 Burl-Oak Theatre Group presents Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas The laughs come fast in this ever-popular British comedy of errors and disguises as amorous plans become hilariously complicated. Thurs to Sat., January 10-12 & Wed. to Sat., January 16-19 The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Tickets $25 · Call the Oakville Centre Box Office 905.815.2021 or 1.888.489.7784 or online at www.oakvillecentre.ca most exciting part of bellydance," she said, "the shimmies." "We have tones of shimmies to learn. Bizillions of shimmies." They got started with the Egyptian thigh shimmy. "The vibration is going to travel up through the thigh, up through the pelvis, and into the belly," said Joharah. "Jiggle is good. This is the only place in town where you can jiggle and it's all good." This beginner class is one of many offered at the studio. There's yoga and pilates training, American Tribal bellydancing, 50 plus, teen, intermediate and more. Joharah also runs choreography sessions, and organizes dance troupes who perform at various venues. As much as it's about teaching the women to dance, Joharah says her main goal is to teach the women "how to feel the dance" and how to feel comfortable with themselves. "I always tell the women, it's about loving the woman you are, not the woman you think you should be," she said. "I always struggled with weight, up and down, and up and down, my whole career. The time I do not think about Bellydance beginner Lynne Crellin my thighs, or whether I'm up or down ten pounds, is when I'm dancing." That's why she wanted to share bellydancing ­ her passion ­ with others. "It's my dream to have this happen," she said. "I performed and taught for so many years. To be able to have a place like this to teach is my dream." Bellyup has attracted the attention of various local organizations and businesses. Joharah was appointed an official `Lululemon Ambassador,' which means she works with the retailer, does events, and endorses their dancewear line. She's the very first Bellydance ambassador. Bellyup is also on board with SAVIS (Sexual Assault Violence Intervention Services) of Halton, and will be giving abused teens bellydance classes as part of a `love your body' workshop. The newest addition to Bellyup is one you'll soon be seeing around town, according to Joharah ­ the Belly Bus. "I just bought a Hummer," she said, smiling, noting it's now being decorated with Bellyup pictures and logos. "It's going to be fantastic. It's going to be wild looking. That's what all my girls will ride around in when we go to perform." So, will first-time Bellydancers, Crellin and Moores, be joining a performance troupe, or using their new skills outside the studio? "That remains to be seen," said Crellin, smiling. "Oh, I think I'll use this," said Moore. "I sing with a chorus in Milton, and I'm often told I'm a little stiff in my dancing. I'm hoping this will loosen me up." Bellyup Bellydance is located at 2464 Lakeshore Rd. W., Unit 1. Fresh to the Extreme! SA L E Linate REG 149.95 $ 03 y4 Hw So uth Se rvi ce Ro ad 9999 Brave R E G 124.95 NOW NOW ye cro ft Rd . W Bu rlo ak . Dr Gateway REG 199.95 N O W $ SALE STARTS JAN. 11TH. ENDS JAN. 17TH. 11999 $ selection may vary by store. 7999 V I S I T W W W. F R E E D M A N S H O E S . C O M NOW OPEN O A K V I L L E P L A C E · 240 Leighland Ave. Telephone: 905-842-3418