DE Assistant Features Editor

Bare stomachs and flashy costumes may be a part of the entertainment element of belly dancing, but the actual dance takes more talent than a simple sway of a hip, some dancers say.

Heather Walker, a sophomore in physiology from Hoyleton, and Tedi Thomas, staff adviser to the Middle Eastern Dance Enthusiasts, a registered student organization, traveled to South Bend, Ind., over spring break to attend a workshop instructed by world-renowned dance trainer Ragia Hassan.

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Thomas, who has danced professionally since 1982, said workshops and seminars are one of the only ways people interested in Middle Eastern dance can further their instruction.

The higher up you are, the less people are around to train you, she said. The only way to advance my training is to attend workshops.

Thomas said the chance to be taught by a famous instructor like Hassan is rare. She said Hassan is a coach and trainer of oriental dancers in Egypt and does not come to America often.

I was really excited because Hassan has been instrumental in the growth of the folk-style dance, she said. She gives out a lot of information. You need to get as much of it as you can assimilate.

Thomas said Hassan incorporated ballet moves into the dance steps. Thomas said ballet causes more stress on the body than Middle Eastern Dance.

Many ballet movements can hurt and stress the lower back and knees, she said. It was a perspective different from what I’m used to. Thomas became interested in Middle Eastern dance in the 1980s when a friend asked her to join a class in Carbondale. She said she now teaches an SIUC class.

I try to teach the class for fun, she said. There doesn’t seem to be a large interest in it in the Carbondale area, but when people see the final product, they are rather amazed at how beautiful an art form it is.

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Thomas said there are different terms for the rhythmic oriental dance because its origins have developed through different areas. She said that in Egypt, the dance is called Raks Sharki, and the Middle East refers to the dance as danse orientale.

Thomas said the actual dance consists of separate muscle actions layered into one smooth body movement. She said there is a large emphasis on abdominal muscles, as well as hip and chest movements.

Beginners learn specific sets of muscle isolation, she said. Every muscle from head to toe is isolated. After you learn each of the sets, you put the movements together in a layered effect.

Walker said the basics of the dance is not difficult to learn, but the movements can get tricky.

The dance requires different movements than you’re normally used to, she said. The movements are a lot looser. We are constantly moving the rib cage muscles, while most people are used to walking with theirs in.

Thomas said the dance requires very strenuous physical activity. One hour’s worth of dancing can burn up to 400 calories, she said. But the dance can be low-impact or made more strenuous. It’s an art form and exercise available to everyone.

Walker said she thinks many people have preconceived ideas about the purpose of the dance.

People always think of this erotic girl in a skirt with a diamond on her stomach doing lurid movements, she said. I wish people would come to our class and see if they still think that.

Even though people think the dancers wear revealing costumes, Walker said the costumes are a necessity.

The costumes accentuate and exaggerate our movements, she said. They make are performance more complete. It’s not about being risqu.

Walker said the first time she performed she was nervous, but she got over the uneasiness.

It’s really fun, she said. You express yourself on a different level than everyone else. It can be hard to be uninhibited in the movements and let your body move where it wants. But when you let go, it can be very spiritual.

Walker said she appreciated the opportunity to learn different dance techniques from the workshop.

I want to learn anything I can, she said. I just want the opportunity to dance with other people and learn some new steps.