Bellyfit: Could it Be the Next Zumba?

Bellyfit is a new fitness trend that started in British Columbia and is taking Canada by storm. Bellyfit is a fusion of fitness, borrowing from several well regarded disciplines. Designed especially for the woman, each session begins with a calorie burning cardio half hour of heart pumping, but easily followed, dance moves borrowed from; belly dancing, African dance, Bollywood and Bhangra. As in Zumba, music is the heart and soul of Bellyfit. Drawing from the world music scene, all the music in a Bellyfit class is complied by DJ Rowan Sentesy, who fuses ethno-infused techno, tribal rhythms, and relaxing ambient music for each soul nourishing session. The second half of the class focuses on tightening and toning the core with moves borrowed from the science of Pilates and deep stretching borrowed from the Yoga tradition. each class ends with a Mudra meditation.

According to Alice Bracegirdle, Bellyfit founder and CEO, "Bellyfit connects women to their primal feminine while delivering a potent, holistic workout. Blending the power and wisdom of ancient cultures with the research and trends of the modern world: Belly Dance, Bollywood, African Dance, Pilates, Yoga, Meditation and a visionary musical soundscape are blended together within the framework of precision fitness,"

Only a few years ago, Alice Bracegirdle was a single Mom on welfare who was trying to escape an abusive relationship. Drawing on her background in dance, her yoga practice, her expertise in holistic health and fitness, Alice Bracegirdle developed Bellyfit as a way to heal and gain financial independence. This emphasis on empowerment for woman is a major tenet in Bellyfit. All of the Bellyfit moves and dances have been chosen specifically for a woman's body. Ironically, some Bellyfit moves are borrowed from Bhangra dance which originated in the northern Punjab of India as a celebratory dance at harvest time for men only. This devotion to woman's empowerment is reflected in the motto on the Bellyfit website, "Strong woman, strong world."