Classes begin on Wednesday September 3, 2008 at Loveland Dance Academy, 126 West 4th Street, Loveland, CO. Cost: $50.00 per month or $15.00 per lesson. Instruction is on-going so you can register anytime. Call 970-203-0432 ask for Elda to register or click on the email button below.

Elda Dellinger Bio: Elda has been teaching mid-east dance since 1986, where she taught at the main campus of Aims Community College in Greeley Colorado. She has taken numerous workshops from many parts of the world. Her instruction style is positive and jovial. She teaches, Arabic, Egyptian, Jewish and many other styles of Mid-East Dance.

Elda has danced semi-professionally since 1982. Over the years Elda has formed troups and danced for clubs, restaurants, festivals and sometimes just down the street. Her students claim she is an excellent teacher and enjoy every class. Their claims range from relief of arthritis pain to the over all toning action especially the midriff of the dance.

BELLY DANCE

The History

Oriental Dance or "Raks Sharki" in its most classical form, translated from Arabic means "The Dance Of The Orient." The term "Belly Dance" was first used by the French when they saw the undulations and the body isolations, "The Dance of The Stomach." Also, it was called "Danse Du Venture," or the dance of adventure. In the ancient Middle East/Mediterranean, the belly dance was first performed as sort of a birthing aid. Basically, the sisters of the women giving birth would aid the new mother by undulating and rolling their bodies in natural, curvy snake-like movements to help with the delivery of the baby. The act of rolling the belly makes the skin elastic and stimulates the internal organs, thus reducing stretch marks and making birthing easier. It is a dance as second nature as breathing, and it got its start not as entertainment, but for childbirth.

Slowly Middle Eastern dance became more of an entertainment related art form. This dance was first brought to America just over 100 years ago at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893 by "Little Egypt." "Little Egypt" was the first, and more people than ever are collecting memorabilia of her famous belly dance.

Middle Eastern dance form is as esthetic and holistic as it is misunderstood. The Belly Dance is a spiritual connection between mind and body. Belly Dancing is as majestic and regal as classical Ballet, but differs because it offers its practicioners a total experience, a sense of well-being, joy, freedom and most importantly, is a celebration of the feminine soul and inner spirit through movement.

Call to register for the class or to order costume pieces, 970-203-0432, or click on the email button below.