Students Shimmy Hips to Slimmer Waists

As students continue to be exposed to cultures from around the world, it’s no surprise that some unconventional fitness methods have become popular.

Katie Foltz, Coordinator of Campus Recreation, wanted to take advantage of this and create an exercise class centered around different cultures.

Thus, “Fit around the World” emerged.

“Fit around the World” is a class which changes every three weeks to a new culture to learn about and workout with.

Cuban salsa was taught the first three weeks, belly dancing just concluded, African dance is the next three weeks and tai chi will conclude the program on Nov. 20.

The program is designed for people from beginner to intermediate levels, allowing all students to participate and become culturally (and physically) fit.

Belly dancing includes Arabic, Turkish, Lebonese Egyptian and Moroccan music.

Some songs are only instrumental but others tell a story.

“I love the music because it really gets you into the belly dancing moves,” said freshman Danielle Forand. “I will absolutely show my roommate how to belly dance.”

Sediji Lika, the belly dancing instructor, has been performing for 14 years and said she tries to listen and understand the words before she performs so there won’t be any confusion.

Lika has also performed here at UT at the International Festival. Belly dancing started on Sept. 25 with nine participants.

By the second week, the class had grown to 11 and the third and final week saw 22 students eager to embrace a new culture.

Lika found that some students were nervous, excited or a bit shy about taking the class.

“Belly dancing should not be misused in public to be made trashy. Taking many classes and with different teachers can help you broaden your technique,” said Lika. “It can be done as a workout, theatrical, learned to be a performer and can be danced with the community at events. There’s so many ways you can take it and use it.”

The class was taught barefoot and provided a good workout for the abs and hips as participants described belly dancing as shaking their hips and belly, which brought an underline of giggles during class.

The instructor started off with a warm-up that stretched the body, then continued to a belly dancing routine and finished with perfecting techniques.

Motivation and approval was expressed from Linka and encouraged the girls.

“Legs close together like you’re wearing a tight skirt,” said Linka, who has a way of explaining her techniques so that everyone can understand. “Move your hips like a see-saw.”

“It just seemed so un-American and untraditional ... that’s why I liked it,” said sophomore Misti Cartwright.

Some students enjoyed the class so much they wanted to have it be a regular class offered at the McNiff Fitness Center.

“It was better then I expected,” said sophomore Shannon Kenny. “She needs to teach every week.”

The class was advertised in different areas, including the OSLE newsletter, posters hung at McNiff and the group schedule online.

Michelle Magner can be reached at mmagner@ut.edu.

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