Culture, rhythm, fitness merge for belly dancers

They sway their hips, bob their heads and move their wrists in circles, as if immersed in a soothing trance before they begin. Dressed in baggy Turkish-style pants, many made by their own hands, and adorned with flashy jewelry, Banat Mara, the daughters of Mara, are enrolled in the belly dancing class offered through Health, Physical Education and Recreation. \n"I became interested in it as a form of exercise," said Donna Carlton, the instructor of the class, "Then I found out it was beautiful and fun." \nHer students were initially enticed in a similar fashion, they said. \n"I saw a flier and thought it sounded fun," said senior Annie Crane, who performed Sept. 2 at the Fourth Street Arts Fair. \nThe enticement of the audience is also apparent in the comments Carlton receives after performing. She uses it to fuel interest in her class. \n"I think people come to the class not knowing what to expect sometimes," she said. \nThe benefits of performing can be found not only between the audience and the dancers, but between the dancers themselves as well, Carlton said.\n"There's a camaraderie among the dancers that is fun to be around... Middle Eastern dance is fun and can improve flexibility, strength, rhythm and coordination," she said. "In addition, you learn a lot about another culture."\nWhile much of the Middle East claims a version of the dance, Carlton chooses to focus on Egyptian style. \n"We try to do Egyptian moves to Egyptian music, rather than Egyptian moves to Turkish music," she said. \nDistinctive characteristics of the belly dance include the zaghareet, the traditional call of appreciation and encouragement that resembles a high-pitched call of gypsies or Native Americans. Some dances also involve the waving of a transparent veil. \n"It is the audience's favorite," Carlton said of the veil dance. \nDances are performed to the tunes of Egyptian music, or sometimes simply to the beat of the tabla, an Egyptian drum. \n"I just enjoy teaching people about Middle Eastern dance. I think the dance form has come a long way in the last 20 years." Carlton said. "I think it's going to keep getting better and better." \nShe doesn't seem to be alone in this conclusion. \n"Just take it, it's a lot of fun," said Tina Closser, a Bloomington resident who has been belly dancing for five years. "(It is) great exercise." \nThe next performance is 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Harmony School, 909 E. Second St. Admission is free. \nMiddle Eastern dance is one-credit class in HPER. It meets Monday nights at 7 p.m. There are two sections with about 25 per class. For further information, call Donna Carlton 336-3632, or visit the Web site http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/IDD.