During this season of short days and long nights, keeping fit can be challenging. But, with a little encouragement, a comfortable environment and Heather Holdener’s Bellyfit class, you are well on your way to a healthier you.
“My goal is for women to get fit and have fun.”
The thirty–two year old mother of one admits she was never a “gym-type-of-girl”, but after being diagnosed with cancer, Heather’s doctor suggested she do three to five hours of cardio a week.
“I thought – how am I going to do this?”
The answer was Bellyfit. Bellyfit is a fitness class that combines Belly dancing, African, Bollywood and Bhangra dancing, all mixed into a cardiovascular heart-pumping workout. The last half of the class finishes off with some Pilates and yoga inspired movements.
“There is a standard class format that combines fun, easy-to-learn movement and awesome ethno-infused techno, tribal music. The class is one-hour and incorporates everything from cardio to improved posture to blood circulation,” Heather explains.
A life long dance lover, Heather has been grapevine-ing and jazz-hands-ing it up since she was a small child growing up in the Okanagan Valley. She traded in her jazz shoes for the more traditional belly dance when she stumbled across a belly dancer performing at a café in Arizona.
“I was first introduced to belly dancing in Tucson – I was immediately taken with the art form and soon thereafter began belly dancing in Penticton. The movement is unlike any other form of dance because it focuses on the hips,” Heather explains.
Here in Nelson, Heather is part of the local belly dancing troupe, “The Baladi Moon Dancers,” an entertainment group who perform regularly in and around Nelson. She brings her belly dancing experience to her Bellyfit classes and combines the beautiful tradition of belly dancing with the modern spin of Bellyfit.
Heather’s passion for dance is also reflected in her love of Poi dancing — an ancient Maori (the indigenous culture of New Zealand) dance that incorporates fire and light spinning. Heather often performs with Wasabi Collective — the band her husband Scott founded and performs with.
Scott and Heather met 16 years ago in Penticton and moved to Victoria in 2000. Though busy with Arbutus Body Care — a body care and healing business that she founded and managed in Victoria, the couple decided to move to the beautiful Kootenays in 2004.
“In 2003, our daughter Leorah was born and a few members of Wasabi Collective had moved to Nelson. Nelson was a good fit, so we made the move,” Heather explains.
The couple immersed themselves in Kootenay life and soon Wassabi Collective became a local favourite. In 2007, Heather decided to take her passion for dance to a business level.
“I really wanted to get healthy and after seeing an ad for Bellyfit on You Tube, I decided to become an instructor.”
In 2007, Heather travelled to Victoria and took the first Bellyfit instructor teaching course from Alice Bracegirdle, a former Nelsonite.
“When I first discovered Bellyfit, I realized there was no Bellyfit in the Kootenays. I thought it would be an ideal addition to the many forms of fitness and dance offered here,” says Heather.
Since 2007, Heather has upgraded her instructor training with a BCRPA (British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association) certification enabling her to teach group fitness classes in British Columbia. This certification requires her to hold a First Aid certification.
Heather tailors her classes to her students. At the beginning of each session, Heather conducts a fitness screening to offer different options for different fitness levels.
“I offer modifications for students ensuring they have an appropriate workout for their age and fitness level. There are different layers to the moves, and the participants can choose which level they want to work at. It truly is about having fun and getting healthy,” Heather explains.
Unlike many other gear-intensive activities, Bellyfit is an affordable and easy entrance-level form of fitness to get involved with. It requires no equipment – just comfortable workout clothing and running shoes. At $40 for four one-hour sessions, it is an affordable option for those looking to get fit.
“All women need to love themselves. By dancing and keeping active this helps us feel good, both inside and out. Bellyfit gives women the opportunity to be in a fitness class, but still have the enjoyment of dancing, letting loose and having fun.”
Heather offers Bellyfit classes at the Moving Centre in Nelson (533 Baker St.), Baladi Studio in South Slocan (across from the Dam Inn) , and in Winlaw at the Art Farm. Session members pay $10 per class and drop-ins pay $12.
For more information, please contact Heather at 250.354.0492 or at: www.bellyfit.ca/heatherholdener.