Belly dancing shakes things up
Xyleena Martin
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Campus & Life
A "new" dance craze has taken over Shawnee State University-belly dance. Student Activities has begun offering an extracurricular belly dance class, open to all students. The class is taught by foreign exchange student from Kazakhstan, Aina Amiralina.
Amiralina, who is also a member of SSU's Dance Team, has been dancing for 12 years in styles such as Russian, Jazz, Ballet and Hip-hop. She has also been a part of winning dance teams in her country native. She was a professional belly dancer in her hometown.
In her classes Amiralina teaches basic movements that are integral to both traditional and modern styles of belly dance. She said that her students are working very hard and that they hope to have a showcase performance in April.
Belly dance has been around for many, many years. The exact origin of belly dance is unknown, but cultures that have contributed to its spread and development include Ancient Babylon, Northern Africa and the Middle East.
Belly dance seems to have first gained attention in America in 1876 at the Chicago's World Fair. However it was not until the late 1960s-70s that belly dance in America truly took off.
In 1987, uniquely American style of belly dance was established, called American Tribal Style (ATS). The style, though modern, takes many of its movements from a myriad of traditional styles.
Amiralina, who is also a member of SSU's Dance Team, has been dancing for 12 years in styles such as Russian, Jazz, Ballet and Hip-hop. She has also been a part of winning dance teams in her country native. She was a professional belly dancer in her hometown.
In her classes Amiralina teaches basic movements that are integral to both traditional and modern styles of belly dance. She said that her students are working very hard and that they hope to have a showcase performance in April.
Belly dance has been around for many, many years. The exact origin of belly dance is unknown, but cultures that have contributed to its spread and development include Ancient Babylon, Northern Africa and the Middle East.
Belly dance seems to have first gained attention in America in 1876 at the Chicago's World Fair. However it was not until the late 1960s-70s that belly dance in America truly took off.
In 1987, uniquely American style of belly dance was established, called American Tribal Style (ATS). The style, though modern, takes many of its movements from a myriad of traditional styles.
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