Exotic to the Max

 Some people attach a negative stigma to exotic dance, and to a degree they are not entirely mislead, as one quickly learns.This specific type of dance is sometimes used in low-end, seedy establishments for unsavory purposes; but that being said, exotic dance also has a very rich, historical background. Exotic dance has origins that can be traced far back into ancient Egypt, Syria and Turkey. In some cultures it was used as a form of entertainment, while in others it was a way to appease the gods.

In addition to the rich cultural background, modern day dance studios also market exotic and other dances as a great way to exercise and lose weight. Reality shows featuring dancing of all sorts have exploded all over television. “Dancing With the Stars,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” and others have highlighted how much fun it is to dance, and what an easy way it can be to lose weight.

Born 2 Dance Studio in Vienna offers an exotic belly dance class, as well as the more seductive exotic dance. For a great time with friends–or if you just want to get out there and try something new–these dance classes are a great place to start.

To Dance or Not To Dance

At the Born2Dance studios, we met instructors and students of exotic dance.

Instructor Dawn J. Higgins told us what we needed to know about the class, including what muscles will be worked, what we would be learning, and how to make everything more alluring.

This class is not only made for the workout, floor routine and walk, but also to boost the confidence of women. “It is to empower women to let them know they are beautiful and sexy, no matter how old or what their size is,” said Higgins. The class was fun, enlightening–and a killer workout for the whole body.

We also joined the belly dancing class led by Morvarid Shahbazi, a National Merit Scholarship finalist and winner of a scholarship to the Juilliard School. Her passion for what she is does is very contagious, and her talent and versatility in almost every area of dance is definitely impressive. Her class was a great core and arm workout.

Instruction and Pricing

In addition to exotic and belly dancing, Born 2 Dance Studio also offers Persian dance, Flamenco, hip-hop, salsa, break dance, zumba, bollywood, and pilates. More information on the instructors is available on the website. The cost is $150 per class, and each class includes ten sessions spread over the course of ten weeks. For more pricing information and class availability, visit www.Born2DanceStudio.com