Oamaru has stomach for belly dance

Rebecca Ryan | Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:20

HYPNOTISING MOVES: Cristina Hidalgo, Oamaru belly dance teacher, has organised a belly dance workshop in the town on February 11. She is impressed by the interest expressed by the women of Oamaru. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

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Seductive Middle Eastern rhythms will combine with the feminine and hypnotising moves of belly dancing in an Oamaru workshop.

Belly dance teacher Cristina Hidalgo said she organised the February 11 workshop as a final get-together before she returns to her homeland of Ecuador in three weeks.

Her workshop offers an opportunity to learn to belly dance and practice routines for six different rhythms, keep fit and have fun, dance to live music and learn to improvise.

The classes would be taught by experienced dancers and musicians from Dunedin, and dancers of all skill levels were welcome to attend the workshop next month, Mrs Hidalgo said.

The workshop follows the success of her weekly classes.

"I've been here almost a year and to my surprise there has been quite a lot of interest," Mrs Hidalgo said.

She loved watching the transformation of Oamaru women who learned the art of belly dance.

"The women start to develop after they have been dancing for a while. They become more beautiful, they feel more beautiful. It's amazing to watch," she said.

Mrs Hidalgo arrived in March last year after her Kiwi husband who got a job with a local helicopter company. She first saw belly dancing in Argentina a number of years ago.

"I saw it and was like, what is that - it's amazing, I need to learn it," she said.

"It really is the most amazing dance. It's empowering - your mind, body and spirit all get caught up in it ... It's also incredibly beneficial to physical fitness and balance."

For bookings, phone Cristina on 021336887.