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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW Belly dancing. The words evoke thoughts of sensuality, sultriness and silks. The reality of the art, however, is that it is a chance to exercise, to dance and to grow. Belly dance is a fusion of many dance styles and probably has many different origins many of them in ethnic folk dances from the Middle East. The steps and movements will come from the Middle East to East Longmeadow when Joanne Tebaldi, also known as Shifah, will teach classes at Quantum Life Management Center at 30 Westwood Ave. "I came into belly dancing kicking and screaming," Tebaldi explained. "I had a friend who was involved in the Middle Eastern Arts Collaborative's Crescent Dancers and I went to one of her shows. I fell in love with the fluid movements." Tebaldi, who also works as a graphic artist, designed a brochure for the group's teacher in return for some dancing lessons. Soon afterward, she began to receive requests from friends for her to teach them and Tebaldi became a teacher a little at a time. "I really enjoy this," she stated. "I enjoy watching women blossom and feel more at ease with their bodies. It's a natural woman's dance." The classes taught at Quantum Life Management Center will be co-taught by both Tebaldi and a former student of hers, Teresa Comtois, also known as Treasa. This is the first time Tebaldi will be sharing teaching duties with Comtois, who has been teaching at the center for about a year. Tebaldi said she encourages students to see more than one teacher so they can learn more. Together, they will be teaching beginner and intermediate classes. The beginner classes take place over a period of three sessions, running Jan. 9 through April 9. Session one will focus on travel steps, moves, arms, etc. with short combinations "building your dance vocabulary," according to Tebaldi's Web site, www.shifah.com. No experience is required for the beginner class, and Tebaldi suggests those who attend wear items comfortable to exercise in, like tights and pants with elastic waistbands. She added that bare feet or ballet slippers are a necessity for turning and pivoting. The intermediate classes, which also run Jan. 9 through April 9, have a prerequisite of at least 14 weeks of beginner classes. The cost for the first session of both levels is $72, with sessions two and three costing $48 each. To sign up, contact Quantum Life Management Center at 526-9840. Tebaldi suggested registering as soon as possible because the classes in East Longmeadow have been so popular in the past that she's had to turn people away. Anyone from age seven and up is invited to attend. Tebaldi said there are women in their 90s who attend the classes she teachers in Florida. "Belly dance is natural movements. It's kind to the body. It provides and brings an energy than can be soothing, exciting, healing and dramatic," Tebaldi explained. "I think it fits all personalities. And everybody develops at their own pace." | ||||||
