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Sunday, November 05, 2006
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Anstrom (Atira)'s Bellydance Interview
Fitness, bonding are benefits of belly dancing
Instructor Atira Sofi (Anstrom's bellydance moniker) says one of her goals is to break down stereotype of dance style
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
By LEIGH T. MOORE ~Correspondent
Emphasizing femininity over sensuality is the goal of belly-dance instructor Atira Sofi in the dance classes she teaches at her AtirArts studio in Silverhill.
"I'm trying to get rid of the stereotype," Sofi said. "People have the wrong picture (of belly dancing). It's a lot more than rolling around. It's more beautiful and feminine than seductive."
A classically trained ballet dancer, Sofi became interested in the Middle Eastern dance form after watching a television program on the subject when she was 16.
"I would practice in my room, and I was very secretive because I didn't know how my family would feel about it," she said. "The femininity and tasteful fluidity -- it was so enthralling, it stuck with me."
She eventually began taking lessons from a woman near her home in Baton Rouge, La., but after moving to Silverhill to sing with the band Analog Missionary, she had trouble connecting with other local dancers.
"I couldn't find anybody to dance with," Sofi said. "I called dancers in Mobile, and no one ever called me back. So I decided to teach some people and start my own troupe."
A year later, she has more than 70 students ranging from beginners to the intermediate level, and in July she formed her own dance troupe. The group is composed of former students and focuses on a style of Egyptian belly dance called Raqs Sharqi, or "Oriental dance."
"It's kind of like the difference between club dancing and ballet," Sofi said. "Raqs Sharqi is the ballet of belly dance. It... showcases technique and control."
Focusing on the art of belly dancing is a popular approach among modern instructors trying to move away from the image of Mata Hari.
"In Egypt, it's considered indecent for women to show their belly buttons," Sofi said. "The two-piece shiny style (of dress) came about in 1930s Hollywood, but in Egypt in the'30s, that's not what dancers wore."
Sofi's students can still purchase the elaborate costume, known as a bedla, through her, but it is not required for class and most of her students wear regular exercise attire.
"All I ask is they wear something that allows free range of motion and that they feel feminine in," Sofi said. "A lot of women feel more comfortable wearing shirts, but most ladies wear a sports tank and yoga pants."
But she's not in favor of abandoning the label "belly dance."
"I teach more folkloric dance, but I don't mind calling it 'belly dancing.' It doesn't bother me," Sofi said. "It's been called that since the 1800s, so I don't mind. It sounds like 'belody,' and that's a rhythm used in belly dancing."
She also encourages the dancers to adopt Middle Eastern dance names. "Atira," for example, means "connoisseur of fragrances."
"I always burn incense and candles in the studio, and when I dance, I perfume my veils," she said. "The way a place smells makes a big difference, and scent is so closely linked to memory. You know exactly where you were when you smell something. I love that."
Regardless of dance experience, all of Sofi's students must enroll in her beginner-level class, where she teaches them the fundamentals of Raqs Sharqi.
"My main thing is to focus on technique and doing the movements correctly," she said. "I tell my students not to worry about how they look, but to try and get in touch with their bodies."
And it's an exercise many of her students find reaffirming.
"Some students tell me their confidence is boosted or they walk differently, they carry themselves better," Sofi said. "It's wonderful that it changes people's lives."
Jennifer Forsman, a student and member of Sofi's dance troupe, agrees that her attitude has changed since she started dancing.
"It makes you more comfortable with yourself, with the way your body moves," said Forsman, whose dance name is Nadira, or "valiant helper."
"Once you get used to it, that things are supposed to shake, it's OK that you're not skinny like a super model," Forsman said.
A former ballet dancer as well, Forsman said belly dancing is more of a workout than she expected.
"I've lost 50 pounds doing this, and I used to go to a gym," she said. "After the first class, I was really sore the next day. It works more muscle groups than you'd imagine."
The exercise benefits are a perk fellow troupe-member and pediatric nurse Kathy Persons also appreciates.
"I'm a personal trainer, I've been a spin instructor and done yoga, and (belly dancing) is a great workout," said Persons, also known as "Amira" (princess). "It's also very expressive and the moves are very relaxing and wonderful."
Abs of steel are a perk, but Stephanie Massey, another troupe member, noted that in Middle Eastern cultures, belly dancing is a way for women to bond with other women.
"Traditionally, women only perform in front of their husbands or other women," said Massey, also known as Kamira (generous). "When young girls go through puberty, they are allowed to start dancing once a week, and it builds their self-esteem."
Sofi agreed that the cultural significance of the Middle Eastern version of a "girls night out" is something she tries to retain in her classes.
"Whenever I graduate a set of dancers, we have a party at the studio where we invite women only -- usually by word of mouth," Sofi said. "The dancers invite people they feel comfortable dancing in front of, and it's a way to get to know people."
It's also a way for mothers to share time with their daughters, which Sofi encourages.
"I teach girls as young as 6 years old, and as long as the mother is taking, the daughters get half-price tuition," she said. "The little dancers are so good. It's hard to hold their attention (for two hours), but they're into it."
Sonja Presley, who has taken lessons with her daughter, Caitlin, for many years, agrees.
"We've always taken together, mainly because it's easier to do things together," Presley said. "But it's a shared interest for us. It's very feminine -- not erotic in any way -- and it's a way for us to celebrate our femininity."
Next up for the dancers is their second-annual gala Nov. 30 at the Foley Civic Center. The theme of the gala is "Sands of Time," and the AtirArts classes and dance troupe will perform special dances. They will also hold registration for the next session of beginner classes starting in January 2007, but classes fill up fast.
"I like to keep it small, so I can have that one-on-one experience," Sofi said. "It also helps me to make sure they're doing the movements correctly."
And as for when the students can officially call themselves belly dancers, Sofi said it depends on the dancer.
"I waited for years before I called myself a belly dancer, but I was very respectful of the art form," she said. "It's real easy to learn hip circles, but it's the technique that separates a mediocre dancer from a great dancer. And the fluidity, grace and confidence are what separates a great dancer from a legendary dancer."
2:58 PM
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Tuesday, February 28, 2006
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Just a little something about what I've been up to
Current mood:  determined
Category: Music
Hello everyone!
I just wanted to drop a quick note to all you guys. We just got back from our Texas tour with Dramarama. We had a great time and all of the guys in Dramarama were extremely nice! They have such a great stage presence. I really enjoyed watching them. It was great! We met other bands too, one of which was Squint (who were from Louisiana-my home state!)-great energy, cool sound and super nice people. The other I want to mention is Saints and Sinners. They had a great open landscape-Americana type sound. I don't even know if that would be a description used for music or not... Really talented and (again) really nice guys! We met so many nice folks, we are currently in the process of putting together another tour out west. This time it will include not only Texas, but hopefully Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and maybe California. Our date to set out will be June 1st.
Well, it's a long way off, but I have a lot of work to do to get ready for it.
Talk later with more to say...
Love
Anstrom & my Kitties
8:24 AM
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