Belly Dancing - where ???

[MustangLady]

I've been thinking about taking up dance classes as a keep-fit thing, but don't want the usual ballroom dancing or keep fit classes.. been thinking about Belly Dancing. I've tried to find local classes for this but can't seem to find anything, i live in Essex area (south east England). Can anyone tell me if there are any classes in Essex area or how i would go about finding where the classes are held? ta much ..mustang x

[sophie_1003]

I'm taking belly dancing lessons through my local adult education centre, this website lists some teachers as well http://www.bellydancer.org.uk/teachers_geograp hic.htm

[Aprilis]

Hi ML, what part of Essex are you in? My Sister-in-law lives in Basildon and she goes to a belly dancing class. She raves about it too. If you are anywhere near that area I could find out where it is for you.

[MustangLady]

Hi Aprilis, i live about 15-20mins from Basildon. I'm in Aveley near Lakeside. I would be grateful if you could give me information on the Basildon class (days/times and where). Thanks in advance.

[Aprilis]

Hi there. I will find out for you and post the details here when I know what they are. BTW, I used to live in Aveley some years ago! Did you go to Aveley School by any chance?

[MustangLady]

Hi Aprilis. I would be grateful and will check this thread daily waiting your reply on the Basildon classes. Thanks for asking your sister and await your answer.
Oh and Yes I did go to Aveley School and actually live now in the same road (though i lived in Purfleet when i attended the school). I used to live in South Ockendon before that and went to Somers Heath - i did though move away from the area for a little while between these times.
Where in Aveley did you live?
BTW, i left Aveley School in 1981 when i was 16 (damn now i've given my age away LOL !) was you there about then?

[Aprilis]

Hello Mustanglady.

The dance class is at Basildon Fitness First and is on a Monday night at 8.30-9.30pm. It comes highly recommended by my Sis-in-law. They apparently do other classes on other nights at Southend, Braintree and Chelmsford Fitness First clubs, but I would think they are perhaps a bit too far away for you.

I used to live in Teviot Avenue, quite close to the school and had I not moved away from Aveley I would have left the school in 1980. I would have been in the year above you. I only attended that school in the third and fourth years which would have been 1977-79. If my memory serves me correctly I was in 3D and 4D. I can't remember my form teachers name from the third year but he was a Science teacher (not the Scottish one, Mr Johnstone, the other one!) and in the fourth year my form teacher was Mr. Downey, an English teacher. My closest friends back then would have been Kate Anthony and Debbie Hermitage. I may even have known you back then! I was known at the time as the only girl in the school to take the electronics link course at Thurrock Tech as one of my options.

[MustangLady]

Hi Aprilis, sorry my memory is real bad with names .. but i do remember some of the teachers you mentioned, funny how some things come flooding back !
Oh and just let you know i went along to the belly dancing class on Monday night and it was great, thanks for recommending it. I will definately be going regular, i found aches in muscles i forgot i had -- though it honestly was not too strenuous dance but it was great fun. The teacher was brilliant. Thanks again to you and your sis-in-law. If you speak to her tell her i was one of the 3 new ones that were there that night.

[Aprilis]

Hi ML, glad you enjoyed it. My sis-in-law's name is Kelly if that's any help to identify her. Obviously I don't want to give her full name on here. She's a proper star she is.

[Aprilis]

Just found out my SIL wasn't there this week! She also just told me that the class isn't on for the next two weeks, so I thought I'd let you know just in case you weren't aware.

[MustangLady]

Hi Aprilis... tell your sis-in-law it'll be easy to recognise me at the class, i'm the one going the opposite direction to all the others (LOL !) i'll keep a listen out for her name and make myself known when the class is back on.... yes the lady teaching it did mention that she is on holiday next week and the week after is the bank holiday monday (shame), really looking forward to the next class but now have to wait 2 weeks. Gonna have to buy myself a DVD of belly dancing just to get in practice when it starts again (my other half said he never laughed so much when i was trying to show him some of the moves but it aint the same when doing it on ya own and i am just a learner -- LOL !). Thanks again to you both.