Belly dancing offers unique experience

  • Published
  • By Mandy Powell
  • 31st Operations Support Squadron
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Belly dancing is a tradition that has been passed down from woman to woman for more than 3,000 years. 

''It's kept women strong in body, mind and spirit,'' said Eleonora Paronuzzi, Aviano Community Center dance instructor, noting that its roots rest both in India and the Middle East. ''It's beautiful, sensual and exotic. Women through all the ages have been interested in keeping this tradition alive.'' 

Ms. Paronuzzi teaches women to coil their arms like an Egyptian princess, roll their shoulders and move their torsos in undulating waves to an exotic beat during her weekly belly dancing class Wednesdays at the community center. A series of eight one-hour dance classes cost 50 euro. 

Interest in belly dancing, particularly among women of a certain age, is booming, said Ms. Paronuzzi. While learning the tummy flutter may just be a newly discovered old way to gain body tone, flexibility and endurance, gyms are adding belly dancing classes to their rosters, alongside cardio kickboxing and step aerobics, just like the Dragon Fitness Center, which offers Bellyrobics on Mondays. 

''It's preventative care,'' Ms. Paronuzzi said. ''Also, orthopedic surgeons often suggest their patients to take belly dancing classes to strengthen their pelvic wall and strengthen the back. Women tend to increase their flexibility, their agility and their endurance. This is a good place to do that. The movement is very gentle. We're not lifting. There is no jarring of the joints.'' 

The instructor added that while the svelte swivels can be difficult to master, without bouncing, every muscle and every body part is moved. Blood flow to the female organs and middle part of the body is also increased. 

''This really allows women to share the beauty of the dance and keep it specific to keeping women healthy and well for childbearing and sexuality,'' Ms. Paronuzzi said. 

Then there is the mystique, the fantasy and the costumes. Ms. Eleonora Paronuzzi brings along her collection of hip scarves and beaded wrap skirts adorned with jingling coins for students to wear over Lycra leggings or long, flowing skirts. 

''We like to have coins on the body,'' Ms. Paronuzzi said. ''It reminds us of the time when the dancers were paid coins for their dance and they sewed it on to their costumes. The more coins you had, the better a dancer you were known to be.'' 

The sound also enables dancers to know if they are doing the moves correctly. 

Some of the movements are natural. A hip slide, Ms. Paronuzzi told the class, with the hip relaxed and out to side, is the motion a woman makes talking on the telephone or holding a baby. A hip thrust, is a softer, more sensual version of the way a woman pushes the car door shut with her hips when her arms are full of groceries. 

Belly dancing is all in the hips, Ms. Paronuzzi said. It doesn't matter what size those hips are. Unlike Latin dancing, a partner isn't necessary. 

As a dancer and daughter of a dance studio owner in Maryland, student Crystal Lee, has studied many forms of dance. She also takes cardio kickboxing and spinning classes. But as a woman, she finds the belly dancing class she began a year ago most rewarding. 

"It's a sort of a potent play of femininity,'' she said. ''A chance to express our most feminine selves in a very safe, supportive environment. I enjoy the scarves and the music. It's encouraging of the feminine body. There's no pressure or external pressure to be thin. It's an allowance to be a full-bodied woman. Any shape you are is encouraged and accepted and celebrated.'' 

When Jovina Buscagan joined Ms. Paronuzzi's class three years ago, she was looking for a way to reduce stress and a new form of work out. 

"Belly dance looks seductively easy, but it takes perseverance as well as passion and a great teacher to be able to succeed." she said. "Eleonora is the epitome of a belly dance instructor. From breaking a movement down into its basic components to preparing us for a show, she fulfills every dimension of teaching." 

"My favorite thing about the class is that it isn't just dance instruction or a regular fitness class," said Kelly Morrise, who began taking classes over a year ago. "Elle's fun and motivational teaching style blends the sensual, graceful, and feminine principles of belly dance with the increased strength and flexibility and better posture benefits of a typical fitness class. The result for me has been a boost in physical and spiritual health and self-confidence. I'm addicted for life."

As a high school graduate, Tabitha Le Duc, started taking Eleonora's classes about six months ago and said she finds belly dancing to be a wonderful workout.

"After a few months of the class, I have toned my abdomen and lost weight," said Miss Le Duc. "I always feel good about myself after class ends. We also have an amazing teacher who pays attention to us individually when we need help or can't get a move down easily."

For more information about the belly dancing class at the community center, call 632-5479. For more information about the bellyrobic class at the Dragon Fitness Center, call 632-7459.