The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2008 21 LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER HERE'S HOW: Joharah, owner of Bellyup Bellydance, gives some hands-on instructions to one of her students during a bellydance lesson at her Bronte studio. Bellydance students in good company at Bellyup By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF There's a whole lot of shaking going on. And shimmying, too. It's been a year since the doors of Oakville's Bellyup Bellydance opened, and even the owner and artistic director can't believe how much bellydancing has caught on in town. "It's been unbelievable, an overwhelming ride" said Joharah, clad in a pink, shimmering outfit after leading an hour-long lesson earlier this week. "I didn't know what to expect when we opened. I knew there was interest out there, but I didn't realize just how much and how big it would be." More than 500 students ­ all women ­ have taken classes at Bellyup over the last year. They fit nearly every category you can think of. They're all shapes and sizes. The youngest student is 10. The oldest, 76. They're students, moms, doctors, lawyers, nurses. "That's by day," said Joharah, smiling. "By night, they're shakin' it." They're there for a workout. They're there because they want to dance. They're there because they want to feel better about themselves, or to learn something new. Chris Moores and Lynne Crellin took their first class of a 10-week beginner ses- sion on Monday. The women ­ who are both over age 55 ­ admitted they signed up for the class with a few doubts. "I had mixed feelings about this at first," said Moores. "I was apprehensive this morning, especially being a Monday at 10 a.m. and everything. But it was great. I had a great time. "I thought I was going to giggle all through, but I didn't," she added. "I loved it, it was a lot of fun," said Crellin, who was sporting a bright blue coin hip scarf, purchased that morning. "(Joharah) demonstrates so well, and you just focus and concentrate on what she's doing." Moores and Crellin decided to give shim- mying a try after discussing it on New Year's Eve. The ladies found it isn't as easy as it looks. "It was a good workout," said Crellin. "I felt as though I was working up a sweat, especially when we started doing the faster shimmies." Added Moores, "I'm going to feel it again tomorrow in my shoulders." The beginner class at Bellyup kicks off with stretching and an explanation from Joharah, a long-timer performer and student of the dance, of what Bellydancing is all about. Not only do you leave your shoes at the door of the brightly decorated studio ­ com See The page 26 Winter is the best time to buy an air conditioner. And get 50% off a Carrier furnace today!* Act before March 31, 2008 and get: · 50% off our regular price* on a new high-efficiency furnace when you buy an air conditioner. That's a savings of $2,100! · Our Price Match Guarantee ­ if you find a lower price on the same system, we'll not only match it, we'll beat the difference by 10%.** * Only 247 systems available. Call 1-866-634-5384 today. * OAC. The financing deferral and savings promotion is only available on the following furnace and air conditioner Promotional Package Combination: Carrier Furnace ­ 92% High Efficiency, single-stage motor; Carrier Air Conditioner ­ 13 SEER with Puron and digital thermostat. 50% savings is in reference to our regular price for the feature Carrier furnace. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer expires on March 31, 2008 or upon the sale of all 247 Promotional Packages; whichever comes first. Call for details. ** Price Match Guarantee will be applied after the applicable Reliance and manufacturer rebates have been applied against the purchase price. Price Match Guarantee is only applicable to the Promotional Package Combination as listed above. Financing cannot be applied in conjunction with the Price Match Guarantee. Competitor's price must be publicly advertised. Guarantee does not apply after the equipment has been installed. Guarantee only applies for up to 48 hours after receipt of a Reliance quote and at no point is it valid after the promotional period stated above. Guarantee is subject to change without notice. Guarantee is not available in all areas.