We at LBBD love eating and it's no secret. But we also love shaking that full belly, like a bowl full of jelly. Yes, we're talking about belly dancing, our latest adventure.
Learn some suave moves at these classes across the city: Not only will you have a lot of fun shimmying and jingling in those coin belts, but you'll also be toning your tummy {abs never hurt anyone, did they?}
KaaliyugStarted by self-taught belly dancer, Indu {she recently won the most Hipnotic Belly Dancer award at the Hipnosis fest}, Kaaliyug gives you an introduction to tribal fusion belly dancing- this is the modern version of the dance form and incorporates a lot of comtemporary moves. Indu takes it a step further by infusing hip-hop, locking-popping, breaking, American cabaret, Egyptian and even Odissi and Kathak. You can even bring your own music to class and improvise. Let your hair down and that belly loose.
When: Beginner classes every Saturday, 4pm - 6pm, intermediate classes every Sunday 2.30 pm - 5pm
Where: Phoenix Hospital {basement}, E 60, GK1
Nearest Metro Station: Kailash Colony
Contact: +91 9958679296
Price: INR 3,000 per month {one class a week}
Find them on Facebook here.
Zenith Dance AcademyWith instructors like Sneha Gupta {top contestant from ‘Dance India Dance’} and Zarina {a belly dancer who’s flown in from Ukraine}, Zenith teaches Oriental belly dancing {which originated in the Middle East}. They use both traditional music and experiment with the likes of Bollywood, hip hop and anything else you might want to shake your belly to.
When: They're pretty flexible when it comes to timings, so it's best to call them figure out a schedule which suits both you and the instructors.
Where: 282, 2nd floor, opposite Sri Venkateswara College, Satya Niketan; D-1, 3rd Floor, Acharya Niketan, Mayur Vihar Phase 1
Nearest Metro Station: AIIMS; Mayur Vihar Phase 1
Contact: +91 9999994636, +91 9999998858, +91 9823336951
Price: INR 3,000 for 12 classes
Find them on Facebook here.
Banjara School of DanceImage courtesy: Nitish Arora
Responsible for popularising belly dance in the city, Banjara School of Dance is a venture by Meher Malik {you might have seen her on India’s Got Talent}. They teach you the Egyptian style of belly dancing, infused with Bollywood moves. They've got both weekday and weekend classes and all classes are conducted by either Meher herself or someone she's personally trained.
When: Click here to view the schedule.
Where: 3rd Floor, Building No. 2, Above Country Collection, Hauz Khas Village
Nearest Metro Station: Hauz Khas; Green Park
Contact: +91 9899851475
Price: INR 3,000 per month
Find them on Facebook here.
Yash Dance AcademyRun by Yash Vardhan, this academy is more frequented by kids and teenagers who want to acquaint themselves with the basics of the dance form. He trains students in the Turkish style of belly dancing and plays upbeat music {both Oriental as well as Bollywood}.
When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 3-4pm and 6-7pm
Where: 21 x, Chitra Gupta Road Chuna Mandi, Paharganj
Nearest Metro Station: Rama Krishna
Contact: +91 9953721137
Price: INR 1,500 for 12 classes
Feature image courtesy: Varun Goel Photography