Belly dance a lifesaver

EXOTIC AND EXPRESSIVE: Belly dancer, teacher and breast cancer survivor Tamara Allerhand in one of her costumes.

For Featherston's Tamara Allerhand, Middle Eastern belly dance is the perfect way to keep fit and "wear some bling".

But, not long ago, her favourite dance was, literally, a lifesaver.

Ms Allerhand, a dancer for most of her 71 years, has been belly dancing for close to four decades, and has started teaching weekly classes in Greytown.

Four years ago, the gestural and sensual dance took on a new meaning, as it was pivotal to her recovery from breast cancer.

She underwent a wide local excision procedure to remove the cancer -- and was dancing a mere 10 days after the surgery.

"My troupe were performing, and said they weren't doing it without me," Ms Allerhand said.

"I was quite sore, and had to wear two crop tops under my outfit, but I got through it.

"While I was dancing, I completely forgot I had cancer."

Ms Allerhand continued belly dancing throughout her recovery -- which she and her doctors attribute to the health benefits of her "shimmying" and expressive hip movements.

"They reckon keeping fit helped -- and I'd like to think it was belly dancing that had something to do with it.

"I hope more women like me come to class, as dance is empowering, and helps you feel okay in your body."

Ms Allerhand first "got hooked" on belly dance 35 years ago, while living in Melbourne.

Upon returning to Lower Hutt, she was unable to find a belly dance class -- so decided to set up her own.

Having retired at the start of the year, she set up the Greytown class after friends became curious.

Though she has tried many dance styles, including ballet, jazz, flamenco and Israeli folk dancing, belly dance is her favourite.

"It's expressive, exotic, creative, and you get to wear lots of bling.

"There's many different styles to learn -- the Turkish style has all the big movements, the Egyptian technique is tighter, and in the Gulf they do a lot of whipping their hair around.

"And Arabic music is fun, though it is an acquired taste."

She said belly dance is aerobic without being "jarring" and is suitable for "every body shape".

"Though if you're slim, you have to work harder to make those movements show."

Ms Allerhand said she has enjoyed seeing her students grow in confidence.

"Some are very good at it -- while others discover they've got a flair for costuming or choreography."

For more information about belly dancing classes, call Tamara Allerhand on 06 308 8343, or 021 022 31893. She will be taking an evening class in Masterton, if interest allows.