Belly Dance with Kristi at Bamboomoves

Bamboomoves BX location has been really fortunate to have some amazing Belly Dance instructors. We had Yael, Kristin, and now Kristi! Kristi came to know that I had done belly dance before, and one Saturday after teaching my usual 3 morning yoga classes, she pulled me in to the lobby to do a Belly Dance solo. The students applauded and I felt a bit embarassed while the lovely Front Desk Ladies (Jody and Joy) laughed on the sidelines because they avoided the opportunity by directing Kristi's attention to me. Being a performer, I did my shimmy, traded shimmy's with Kristi (as Jazz musicians trade fours), and made my shimmy exit. So glad I was able to add to the roaring enthusiasm of the students at Bamboomoves, really anything to help. Kristi gives a high energy Belly Dance class. She is a brilliant performer who performs regularly in the city, and then teaches folks how to get their Shimmy on.

Last Monday night I decided to join Kristi's class, only if she doesn't make a spectacle of me. In true Kristi fashion, she basically pointed me out, jokingly announcing that she will not be making a spectacle of me, but my moves are groovin. We all laughed hysterically. She is so funny, so talented, and a great instructor. She plays wonderful music, and gets everyone into it, while our abs are screamin, our hips are shimmying, and our faces are smiling! After class we took some fun pictures. One picture did not make the blog because it wound up looking somewhat hillariously inappropriate, Kristi's version of Downward Dog tells me she may need to take a Yoga class. Kristi had asked me why I don't teach the Belly Dance class, and I had to tell her, well because I am not you! While I have had my share of doing belly dance performances back in the day, for a semi intoxicated crowds in various clubs in NYC, the art of Instructing Belly Dance is a whole different ball game. Kind of like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time....that takes a pro. Kristi is this Pro! Thanks Kristi for being such a wonderful Belly Dance instructor! I will stick to Yoga, and hope that one day you take my class after Belly dance. Kristi teaches Saturdays at 1:30 and Monday night at 6:30 at Bamboomoves.

Photos: Kristi and Ambria (pictures taken by Jody Concepcion)

Belly dance workshop at Bamboomoves with Yael

All of you who like to get your shimmy on, be sure to come to Bamboomoves, BX to participate in the ever popular Belly dance workshop by our lovely visiting Instructor Yael. Belly dance is a wonderful form of cardiovascular exercise, it works your abdominal section, it embraces the sensuality, it brings out our femininity, it is fun, and Yael is AWESOME! If you haven't signed up already, sign up and show up Sunday with your hips ready to go!

Belly dance @ Bamboomoves, BX

Every week at Bamboomoves I have the pleasure to teach a bunch of classes. After teaching the Kids Yoga, and Adult Yoga classes, I usually get a bite to eat before I teach Pre Natal class, but this week I joined in the Bellydance class. Yael Becker is the instructor and she gives a brilliant class. For some time, I have taken belly dance classes at various places in NYC, and I always hear the ladies coming out of Bamboomoves raving about Yael's class. The ladies are absolutely right, Yael gives such an amazing Belly dance class. We spent an hour with hip drops/lifts, hip circles, shimmies, side steps, shoulder shimmies, and much more. Yael plays great music and truly allows the ladies to embrace femininity. This week Yael was dressed in a lovely Belly dance costume, I am not sure if it was because it is Halloween, but it was great! Every Saturday Yael teaches a popular Belly dance class at Bamboomoves, and she also can be seen performing at various places in NYC. Thanks for a wonderful class Yael! ~ Peace & Hugs, Ambria

Bellydance @ The Peoples Lounge 2

Wednesday night, I had the pleasure to belly dance for the Bourbon Street festivities held at the Peoples Lounge. The show is hosted by the lovely Shelita Vaughns and her amazing band. It was a great night of music, DJ, and belly dance. It was tons of fun to belly dance for the show, and as always a brilliant form of creative expression. I had finished my day of 5 yoga sessions which began at 6:00 am, only to change into my belly dance outfit in the evening. I almost took a nap on one of the Peoples Lounge sofas, when I heard Shelita announce the song Seduction (which I dance for). I got up and snaked my body to the charming seductive sound of the music. Towards the end of the song, Shelita gave me a special shout out, only to be received by friendly screams and cheers! WOW, that was a great way to end an evening! Personally, I think every woman should take a belly dance class, at least once. Embracing our sensual side, and expressing our femininity in the form of dance is always refreshing, and the classes are usually fun.