Bellying up to the barre

Two lines of belly-dancing students wearing shimmering waist belts rhythmically swayed their hips from left to right in Glendale Yoga's long, narrow dance studio on Monday.

Reacting to instructor Marla Martin, who is known as Leela, the students abruptly started shaking their hips and tummies at a much faster rate while keeping their heads and shoulders as still as possible.

It was one of many belly-dancing classes Martin teaches to one class of her 700 students, who range in age from 10 to 75, she said.

"It's fun, besides being a phenomenally entertaining path to fitness," said Martin, who took her first belly-dancing class eight years ago. "The group of women who belly dance is a lively and vibrant community of women."

For the last seven years she has taught for the city of Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, the Crescenta-Canada YMCA, The Vibe Dance Studio in Montrose and several venues in Pasadena, she said. She also formed a dance troupe that performs at various Southern California locations including the Alex Theatre, street fairs and Glendale's annual Unity Fest.

The dance is an ancient form started in the Middle East and North Africa centuries ago and practiced by women in harems to entertain one another, Martin said. The women used the dance to prepare for and recover from child birth, she said.

It wasn't until the French and English conquered the region that the two-piece costume was introduced that has become iconic of the style, Martin said.

"Because of religious and political reasons [in the Middle East], America is the center for belly-dance in the world," Martin said.

Elisha Johnson, of La Cañada Flintridge, is a professional dancer and Pilates instructor who took her first belly-dancing class Monday with Martin.

"I've taken African, salsa and Latin dance before and this is similar," said Johnson, who has performed in Glendale Centre Theatre productions several times. "There is a lot of freedom in that movement, and femininity, and there's the exercise and the fun you get from it."

Though Martin said most of her students are not interested in performing, Johnson is hoping to expand her opportunities to get on stage.

"I totally signed up for classes with the intentions of performing with her," Johnson said.

"She knows what she's doing, plus she's so nice. As a teacher she's very clear in the movements that she teaches and teaches them at every level so beginners to advanced dancers can catch on."

For more information about Martin's classes, call (818) 558-0801 or visit www.leelabellydance.com.