Welcome to the wonderful world of fun fitness through rhythmic movement using hula hoop and/or belly dance moves.  Please accept this key to unleashing your creative spirit.  She is someone you will come to know as your inner Diva.  She is ready to step into your real world, so let's see how to go about letting her debut. 

The Hula Hoop (brand name) is a  toy hoop that is twirled around the waist, limbs or neck. Although the exact origins of hula hoops are unknown, children and adults around the world have played with hoops, twirling, rolling and throwing them throughout history. Hula hoops for children generally measure approximately 28 inches in diameter, and those for adults around 40 inches. Traditional materials for hoops include willow, rattan (a flexible and strong vine), grapevines and stiff grasses. Today, they are usually made of plastic tubing. The past few years have seen the re-emergence of hula hooping, generally referred to as either "hoopdance" or simply "hooping" to distinguish it from the children's playform. 

During the recent revitalization of the hula hoop, its uses have been extended to serve as an implement for fitness. Some hoopers have taken up fire hooping, in which spokes are set into the outside of the hoop and tipped with wicks, which are soaked in fuel and lit on fire.  Collapsible hula hoops provide easy transport and versatility: each hoop breaks down into pieces to later be reassembled. Other collapsible hoops are simply twisted down, and folded in half for easy travel.

The foundation moves of Bellydance have been around for thousands of years.  The dance as we know it today, stems from folk dances of the Middle East, North Africa and the Mediterranean.  As it has evolved more recently, it has also embraced movements from other cultures and genres.  When you attend a modern day show, you may notice influences from India, Jazz, Ballet, Modern Dance, among many others.  The most fascinating concept that I have heard, is that certain bellydance movements, specifically undulations, were part of ancient birthing rituals.  Please review a very interesting article on this topic at Morocco's website at www.casbahdance.org. 

Whether you are interested in learning some new dance moves, getting in touch with your inner diva, performing in front of an audience, or just spending a fun night out with the girls, hula hoop fitness classes and/or bellydance classes could be just what you are looking for.   Kathy or Najla as she is known in the world of bellydance will be happy to entertain you and your guests at private parties, corporate functions, anniversaries, wedding or baby showers.  Please contact her for more information. 519-990-9072 or katbellamy@hotmail.com