As a dance that was created by women of color, is amenable to a wide diversity of bodies, and is often described by its disciples as "empowering" and "liberating" one would think that "belly dance" is ...

SEQUIM — Laura Samperi-Ferdig has been studying belly dance since she was 8 and teaching since she was 16. “Belly dance is one of the oldest known art forms,” she said. “Its true name is Raks Sharki ...

Eman Zaki is often called the Coco Chanel of belly dance. If you need a tiger-print mesh ensemble with a diamante halter top encrusted with fake pearls, she can make it. Same goes for a gold and ...

Sciatica drove Bettye Ames to belly dancing. Beset with back problems, and at the behest of a friend, the Dayton resident took up the ancient art 10 years ago to strengthen her abdominal muscles. The ...

Mostly, the steps are pretty much the same– yet watching a seasoned dancer do belly dancing is always a treat to the eye.

CHICO — Devin “Kaira” McBain was still learning to walk when she started belly dancing in her mother’s footsteps. Now a mother and professional dancer and teacher herself, McBain is also a Belly Dance ...

There were no hand cymbals or sequined harem pants, and no Middle Eastern music was playing in the background. And yet the rhythmic, wavy movements of an Iraqi woman's abdominal wall muscles resembled ...

Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Perry, a small dance studio has been a gathering spot for women of all shapes, sizes and ages to learn the art of belly dancing for the past 14 years. The ...