BELLY DANCING IS THE NEW HOT CRAZE!

BELLY DANCING IS GOOD FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS
Rivertown Magazine, June 2011
Story and photos by Ray Bash


Birnur’s Belly dance classes are a great way to sweat your way into losing weight and getting in shape, working the entire body while learning the perfect posture, alignment, balance, rhythm, grace -- all the wonderful techniques and spirit of a dancer.

“Never underestimate the mind of a dancer,” she says. “It works like a computer to execute all the elements that go into a movement, coordinating music, space, steps, balancing, awareness of every element of your body, proper breathing and, of course, bringing forth your spirit and expression.”

She works closely with her students to teach them the joy of moving like a tiger or a snake, their body, mind, spirit and heart gracefully in tune.

“We shimmy and release all the stress. We get in touch with every single joint in our body and open up. The more we practice, the more we get back our body youth. With that comes the joyful spirit of youth. That’s why belly dancers look at least ten years younger than their actual age.”

According to Birnur, you work your whole body, and, at the same time, feel sexy. The moves are natural to the human body. Belly dance is the oldest dance form that exists. “You feel sexy because you feel healthy. You become in touch with every part of your body, and, in my classes, flirtatious dance expressions are a part of the routine!”

Men benefit as much as women in her classes. As students learn to move in their best element, they gain back self-confidence. Every person in class has her/his self expression and she encourages individuality in her students.

Birnur Siren followed her heart and passion in dance eight years ago, leaving behind a career as a marketing executive – and hasn’t looked back since.

She decided to focus on Belly Dancing, for many reasons. She says, “Not only is it a great whole-body workout -- low-impact so people of any age can enjoy it -- but it is very empowering at the same time. We live in an age where women are getting back in touch with their feminine power, looking for ways to embrace and assert it.”

Birnur Siren is a renowned belly dance performer and instructor, originally from Istanbul, Turkey. She teaches Belly Dance classes at the New Age Center at 1 South Broadway, Nyack, New York. Classes are Beginner/Open Level, on-going and cost $18 per drop-in class or $84 for a six-class package valid over a period of two months. No dance experience is necessary. Mention this article and get a free intro class in June 2011.

Birnur also develops talent to perform with her dance company, the Siren Dancers. Private lessons can be arranged to prepare students for performances.
She certifies belly dance teachers through “BMTS” Bamboomoves-The Siren Belly Dance Teacher Certification Courses™. For more information, contact her at 646.373.0337 or e-mail Birnurdance@yahoo.com

Our Sponsors
~*NYC Int'l Arabic Language & Culture Social Meetup Club*~


~Journal Square Cafe ~ (aka Al Solimanya)

Click HERE to See Menu!

~ZuZu~
Bellydance Sat Nights! Free Admission!


558 New Brunswick Ave, Fords NJ 08863
We are located in Central Jersey (Fords is part of Woodbridge) and accessible by NJ Turnpike -Exit 11, Parkway Exit 129. We are a minute away from Outer Boro bridge in Staten Island.
Click HERE for Info & Directions!

Join the Jersey City ~ Hoboken Bellydance Meetup
together with the NYC Arabic Club






Language of Life. This is why we dance!

Link at YouTube if Browser does Not Load





Welcome to the Bellydance Adventure! Read on to learn about our group, including an example of a past Meetup (History & Culture for the Bellydancer), which was FUN & culturally & historically enriching. Enjoy discovering even more as you search what we do each month, and then come see for yourself by joining the Jersey City ~ Hoboken Bellydance Meetup!

Birnur Siren
Organizer
New Jersey Bellydance Meetup
(646) 373-0337
Birnur88 AT AOL DOT COM


Arabic


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Welcome Birnur! Our *NEW* Organizer of the
New Jersey Bellydance Meetup!

http://www.vimeo.com/...

As the Founding Organizer of our Meetup Group I am delighted and proud to introduce my replacement, your new Organizer, Birnur!

Birnur is a lovely woman with art in her soul and kindness in her heart. She is hypnotic. Birnur covers many styles and the great emotional depth within the Dance.

Birnur has been dancing since childhood (in her hometown Istanbul, & in NY& NJ), & is dedicated to the beautiful art of bellydancing. A versatile performer who incorporates a variety of styles, w/the ability to entice her audience into the realm of her dance.. Her performances have been described as "mesmerizing". Birnur wants to help each of us enjoy this group, celebrate in the fun and sisterhood (and yes, brotherhood)that gives meaning to our Meetup Group through activities, events, Haflas, and just evenings we hang out together.

Next, I'd like to thank Assistant Organizers, BrightMoment, Cindy, our Photo Goddess and JCHBD Meetup Ambassadeur and Michael 'Jamal' Riegelman for all their past work for this group, particularly during the last year, as they will remain along with myself, to assist and guide Birnur in this continuing Adventure!

I know that all of you will be as pleased as I am that Birnur accepted our invitation to lead this group that is so diverse with many excellent professionals, teachers, beginners, musicians and those looking for fitness, fun and community with their sisters and brothers in Celebrating the Dance.

Yours in the Dance,
~Basmah~
Founding Organizer
basmah38 ATT Yahoo Dot Com
("Pay no attention to that...behind the curtain!"

--Wizard of Oz )


Basmah & Club Ibis Dancers
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Click here to go to our suggested sites:
Bellydance Links


BellyDanceNY.com

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Click here to see our
"Partner Teachers"

We have many Teacher Members & Partner Teachers who are professional teachers and their classes are posted either on our Message Board or our "About" pg for links to "Partner Teachers". Contact them directly for info on their classes. If you are a Teacher and a Member of our Meetup, ask us to list you as a "Partner Teacher" . All we require is you provide a photo url link and your website.



~Morocco ("Aunt Rocky")~Our most illustrious"Partner Teacher"

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What is Jersey City~Hoboken Bellydance Meetup?This is the place to come & learn about Bellydance in New Jersey! Its a great place to meet other Women with an interest in Bellydance, Middle Eastern, Oriental Dance, Danse Orientale, Dance, Middle Eastern Music & Culture.

Who are we?

We are a RAINBOW of Women!


We are a laid-back casual group of Women, comprised of a wide range of ages, from 20's to yes, 70's! We all want to Bellydance, & have different abilities and interests in styles of dance. Some of us are totally new to Bellydance, looking for classes and some of us (your Founding Organizer, Basmah & Organizer, Birnur, for instance) are seasoned professionals in performance and teachers.
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Why Join Jersey City ~ Hoboken Bellydance Meetup?

Join us because you've always wanted to learn how to Bellydance!

Join us because you need a great way to exercise and get in or keep in shape!

Join us because you are a new mom & want to lose weight while learning to dance!

Join us to share the joy of empowerment as you dance with your sisters!

Join us to share your years of experience in the dance as instructor of classes, workshops or performance and to host a Meetup Topic of your choice.!

Join us to learn the culture, music, dance & food of the Middle East!

Join us mostly for the fun, excitement & sharing with women of all ages & ethnicities in a safe environment that is inviting & comfortable, each month!

May Men Join?

Men may join to support our group AND are most welcome at our Monthly Meetup (unless specified), so as to provide a safe, secure environment for women who attend.

Who is the Founding Organizer?

My name is Basmah and I was both the Founder and Former Organizer of Jersey City ~ Hoboken Bellydance Meetup. I was a professional bellydancer for 30+ years,and a teacher for 17+ years. I taught in Hoboken and also taught in NYC & Jersey City where I founded, directed and choreographed the Grace Seniors Without Borders and taught Seniors the dance in Jersey City. My past training included: Ibrahim (Bobby) Farrah, Serena, Anahid, Amara, Yousry Sharif and Morocco.

Who are the Assistant Organizers?

The Newest Assistant Organizers to Birnur are on FIRE!




Basmah, Cindy, Michael Kim 'Jamal'Riegelman
Emmanuelle,Jessica,Wasfiyah

Each is CHARGED with FUN *IDEAS* & MULTI~TALENTS!

PAST CONTRIBUTING STARS
BrightMoment


Chimene,Greygirl-Suzahn

Stephanie,Angela


Judy Lina Caliana


Cecelia Mollie Gloria

If *YOU* are interested in helping by joining these wonderful women please let them or me know!

Tell Me More!

Women looking for a fun social night out are welcome to join us.The location at which we meet is safe, clean, & has good food on the menu (Food and drink purchases are NOT required to attend this venue but by purchasing at least something we show our appreciation to the owner of the Journal Square Cafe. So no matter if you've never Bellydanced or you are a seasoned pro, you will still have a great time!

What are Meetup Topics?

Topics are many & always open to suggestions from members, but some past & future topics include:

• Styles of Dance-Cabaret, Egyptian, Folkloric, Fusion , Goth, Middle Eastern Dance, Raqs Sharqi, Tribal, Turkish, & many, many more!
  
  
• Costumes-How to select fabric, style, fashion, accessorize, make from scratch, books, discount fabrics, Little India in Jersey City, & more.
  
  
• Classes-Teachers, workshops, specialty classes, beginners, intermediates, advanced. Styles of dance.
  
  
• Clubs-What are the oldest, newest, best, worst performance places to watch and/or perform. Club owners to love & those to watch out for!
  
  
• Music-Styles & origins from the Middle East. Instruments played, who are the Masters in the area, cds dvds Mp3's available, & local radio programs or internet world stations.
  
  
• Great Dancers in History-Those who have passed on the dance through oral story telling, through books, through film, now dvd & vhs tapes.
  
  
• Cultural Anthropology]-The serious books, teachers, professors, university programs, cultural organizations both in the tri-state as well as throughout the US and worldwide.

Does this group have a membership fee?

No, it is FREE to join our group! Neither Meetup nor our group charge you a fee, EVER, to be a member! We only require that you post your photo to your profile and answer our profile questions of why you are joining.

Who pays for Meetup?

Your MeetUp Group Organizer , Birnur, must pay monthly, to keep this group active.We do ask you to consider making a voluntary donation of $10/year, or whatever you can afford if you are elderly or on disability, to defray the amount Birnur must pay. If you can VOLUNTARILY CONTRIBUTE, please do so. ALL extra monies will go towards our annual Holiday Party in December.


How Many Members?

Our group is always growing! We are listed amongst the Largest Bellydance Meetup Groups' Worldwide!

Join us!

Why not RSVP today for our next Jersey City-Hoboken Bellydance MeetUp!
Click here to RSVP: Events

Yours in the Dance,
~ Basmah ~



Photo by Jim Legge

© 1000and1.de, Said Bustany

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Sample Member Comments

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(Past Event!)
~ History & Culture for the Bellydancer ~

Wednesday @ 7PM - 9PM at least!


From the Ottoman Empire
to
Lawrence of Arabia to the present.


What is the Middle East?

How did the world and the Map change after WW1?

The Turkish Empire and it's demise,and how this effects us now.


Basmah will bring some Traditional Muslim clothing to illustrate how women dress in the Middle East, and why.

Women in Muslim Societies
Islam and Clothing
The Burqa, Chador, Veil and Hijab!
Historical Perspectives On Islamic Dress
Tips for Beginning to Wear Hijab

We cannot understand the Dance without understanding the Culture and History of the places our Dance originates.

We will discuss the lives of women in this world, including a French school girl who became the most powerful woman in the World, as the Sultana of the Ottoman Empire!



Her name was Aimee Debucq de Riveıy (Nakshedil Sultana)

See this site for excellent background history:

HAREM, AND THE OTTOMAN WOMEN

Harem in the Ottoman Empire



Click Here: International Dance Day