“Belly dancing craze shaking into East Tennessee     You've probably seen the hip-shaking moves of pop stars like Britney Spears, Shakira and Beyonce. But, now the ancient Middle Eastern art of belly dancing has hit home. If women of all different ages, shapes, and sizes ever needed a reason to let it all hang out, Chalis Yoga Studio in Maryville is the place. "Once we got to know each other, it's all women, it's very liberating," Kelley Sturm says. Barbara Webb is the belly dancing instructor at the studio. She has a background in both yoga and dance, but it's her first time teaching a belly dancing class. "It's really a lot of fun," Webb says. That's one reason why the Middle Eastern craze is becoming so popular here in East Tennessee, and other parts of the country. With all of the hip movement involved it's a decent workout. "Once you get together with the music and everything it makes it a little more fun than just your average workout," Sturm says. Only five weeks into the class, some of the dancers are already starting to see results. "I've lost 28 pounds effective this week," Lisa Brogan says. Ward says the workout is more abs than cardio. "Anytime you lift your hips up, that's contracting the sides of your ab muscles your obliques," Webb says. But aside from a helpful and fun workout, it's the costumes that really make belly dancing interesting. Especially for nurse Kelley Sturm, who is usually dressed in scrubs. Getting to dress up in harem pants, skirts, flashy makeup, jewelry and hip scarves is a real treat. "Anything that's noisy and clingy and jingles," Strum says. "It accents your hip moves." Hip scarves are most helpful, but Webb's belly dancing troupe seems to have mastered the true art of making their hips dance. There are several belly dancing classes in Knoxville, but Webb's is the first in Blount County. For more information about upcoming classes, call 363-5193 or send e-mail to barbara@planetwebb.com The classes are held at Chalis Yoga in Maryville.   LaSaundra Brown, Reporter   Last updated: 8/3/2005 7:16:02 PM Live at Five  www.wbir.com”