Why not dance your way to a flat tummy, sculpted thighs and glutes, better posture and a stronger mind-body connection?
Bellyfit, the latest buzz in the fitness world, can achieve all this through a fusion of ancient and modern movements and techniques. But Bellyfit doesn’t just deal with the physical—it is a holistic regimen that also has a spiritual component.
Victoria-based Alice Bracegirdle, founder and CEO of Bellyfit, says the fitness industry is evolving from focusing only on physical fitness and health to “recognizing that the health of our spiritual body and our emotional body and our mental body is as important as our physical body.”
“People are incorporating mind, body, spirit into fitness. That’s why I believe that the world is ready for Bellyfit right now, because it incorporates all those elements and still makes it fun and accessible to all women.”
Designed for women of all shapes and sizes, Bellyfit classes include easy to learn cardio moves infused with belly dance and Bhangra African dance, as well as yoga, Pilates, and Mudra meditation.
Bracegirdle says Bellyfit blends “the power and wisdom of ancient cultures with the research and trends of the modern world,” and can enable women to “become connected to their power in a profound way.”
“Bellyfit connects women to their primal feminine while delivering a potent, holistic workout,” she says.
Not too many years ago, Bracegirdle was a single mom on welfare escaping an abusive relationship. Inspired to heal and become financially independent, she drew from her expertise in holistic health, fitness, dance, music and yoga, and Bellyfit was born.
She says the body can hold tension from the stress of daily life, and this creates a “rigidness” in the body that can cause problems.
“I believe we hold energy in our bodies, we hold emotion in our body—and often it is a negative emotion.”
If these negative emotions remain in the body long enough, they will eventually cause disease, she explains. This is where movement comes in.
“When we move the body that emotional energy that’s stuck in our bodies moves through and hopefully comes out and is transformed into a positive energy. And that’s what Bellyfit is all about. The energy in the body is meant to flow, just like the blood is always flowing through the body.”
However, she notes that Bellyfit is not for everyone. “Not everybody is ready to move their body the way Bellyfit encourages—not everyone is ready to do that.”
The music—“the heart and soul of the Bellyfit class experience”—used by Bellyfit instructors is composed of compilations of ethno-infused techno and tribal rhythms as well as more laid back ambient tracks.
Bracegirdle recently opened a new studio in Victoria, and together with her team of instructors has been conducting Bellyfit workshops in cities across the country.
Instructor Monique Salez says Bellyfit can be a source of solace for women in the economic downturn.
“In this economic climate many families are under incredible financial and emotional stress. When mom feels healthy and happy so does the entire family. Classes are affordable, so women can practice several times a week.”
More information on Bellyfit can be found at www.bellyfit.ca .