Mooresville Studio Offers the Essence of Egypt
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Led by Maysameh, center, a group of women learn belly dancing through Rhythmic Essence classes in
downtown Mooresville.
Meredith White
IREDELL CITIZEN
Sounds of Egyptian music pulsed
from the room. Above the music, I
could hear a voice calling out dance
moves. Then, the door opened, and
I met Maysameh (Candy Heafner),
the leader of “Rhythmic Essence” a
belly dancing studio.
Maysameh offers belly dancing |
classes in Mooresville on Monday
nights at the War Memorial building
downtown and in Newton.
On a recent Monday night, 13
students came for a one-hour class.
Wearing workout type clothes,
made exotic by coin belts (colorful
scarves tied around the hips with
coins 'dfc|gling from the edges),
women of all ages, shapes, and
races practiced belly dancing
under Maysameh’s direction. After
warming up with a few basic moves,
the group performed more involved
routines to high-tempo Egyptian
music.
With their jingling “coin belts” the
women created a percussive rhythm
to accompany the music.
“It’s all in the knees,” said
Maysameh as she created the jingle
with a shimmy.
“It’s a great way to get a workout
without high impact,” Maysameh
said. “It improves self-esteem,
improves circulation, and improves
flexibility.”
Continued on next page
Maysameh, the owner of Rhythmic Essence, a belly dancing studio,
teaches belly dancing classes in Mooresville on Monday nights.
Elza Sabirova front, ana jane tie
their belly dancing moves.
Meredith White/CITIZEN
Jane Hennessy strikes a pose while belly dancing in Mooresville.
.R. Johnson, front, works her arms during a belly dancing class.
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