Bellyfit - A New Women-Only Fitness Craze
The Fusion Class Combining Cultural Dance, Pilates and Yoga
Bellyfit was created by founder and CEO, Alice Bracegirdle, in 2003 to answer the need for a women-only fitness class that provided great physical benefits as well as improving self-esteem and body image. Bracegirdle had run a vegan hemp seed food company, learned about electronic music, raving and the art of DJing, was certified as an aerobics instructor and performed as a professional belly dancer. In an attempt to find a solution to combat the stress and depression that plagued her as a single mother, she conceived of Bellyfit.
The Development of Bellyfit
Soon after she came up with the idea for Bellyfit and began teaching classes, Bracegirdle was joined by Rowan Sentesy, who became an integral part of Bellyfit’s development. Sentesy worked on creating mix CDs to use during Bellyfit classes and helped with the creation and maintenance of Bellyfit.ca, eventually becoming the company’s CTO. Soon the couple, now married, recruited a development team of fitness consultants, dancers, musicians and business consultants to help them create a class format that could be taught to other women wanting to introduce Bellyfit in their areas. The first Bellyfit Instructor Initiation and Training Course (BFIIT) was held in November of 2007. Since then many more women have been trained and have started teaching classes in cities all across Canada.
The Elements of a Bellyfit Class
Bellyfit differs from a standard aerobics class because of its combination of ancient and modern influences from a variety of cultures. A Bellyfit class begins with a simple meditation, followed by a warm-up, cardio section and cool down all incorporating steps from cultural dance including belly dancing, Bollywood, African dance and Bhangra. Next is a Pilates-inspired core workout, followed by yoga-inspired stretches. The class ends with a closing meditation. Bellyfit provides all of its instructors with music tailor-made for classes compiled and mixed by Sentesy from a variety of sources around the world.
The Benefits of Bellyfit
Bellyfit classes have a variety of benefits for the body, mind and spirit. The changes a participant may start to see in her body include improved cardiovascular health; weight loss (particularly in the abdomen area); core strengthening; healthier and stronger thighs, buttocks, back, arms and shoulders; improved posture, flexibility, balance and coordination; and fewer digestion and menstrual problems. The Bellyfit program boasts that the mind can benefit from the development of a strong mind/body connection, improved self-esteem, greater ability to deal with stress and a non-intimidating introduction to cultural dance. The spiritual benefits of Bellyfit include fulfillment, community building, empowerment, feeling energized and embracing femininity and sensuality.
Empowerment Through Fitness
The goal of Bellyfit is to combine ancient wisdom with modern knowledge to provide a class that benefits mind, body and spirit. Women who have attended Bellyfit classes describe it as inspiring, effective and fun. A one hour Bellyfit class provides cardio, strengthening and stretching exercises in a safe, non-intimidating environment meant to encourage women to embrace and love their bodies, no matter what size or shape.
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