The Swingers bring to you an Oriental Dance Workshop by Yuki Chua, the founder of Singapore's foremost belly dance school. discovery. She will hold an Gift your Valentine an Exotic Experience with an open-level workshop for women, to coincide with Valentine's Day (February 14 and 15), ladies on 14th & 15th February at The Swingers Kilpauk. This is an opportunity to learn to spell VALENTINE with your hips from the master herself. We caught up with Yuki, and she told us what it's all about.
Out of the various genres of dances, why did you pick ‘belly dancing'?
The dance is meant for women; it is very feminine, graceful and elegant. My body and self confidence has improved tremendously through belly dancing.
What are the prerequisites to be a successful belly dancer?
A huge heart, a huge passion, and a huge love for artistic stage performance.
How much do you emphasise on fitness?
Actually, a lot! I emphasise strongly on body alignment, especially knee alignment, core muscle training, warm-up, cool down and also the correct muscles to use to execute different movements. Dance safety is very important as it impacts the participants' body, energy level and posture in everyday life. I believe we can dance till 80. Also belly dancing is very natural to body, it can tone and shape up the body, reduce cellulite and improve grace.
You are an inspiration to women around the world. What do you have to say about young women eating less meagrely in order to stay ‘thin'?
Women underestimate their influences. They are the pillars of the family; if we make our women happy, there will be happy families, resulting in happy nations and societies. Healthy and happy is more important than ‘thin'. We need to help women become more confident with themselves to realise that their beauty is from inside. We should help them be self confident and body confident.
What made you choose India for the venue of your this workshop?
In India everyone grows up with music and dance, and I am sure the locals enjoy the music and dance I can share with them. In addition, The Swingers Studio has specialised in its dance form, just like mine in Singapore that specialises in belly dance. I believe I can present the art of belly dance in a fun way.
What can we look forward in the two-day workshop?
I studied in University of Sydney, Australia — Bachelor in Education, Major in Human Movement and Health Education. These and many years of theatre experience helped me create belly dance classes with strong fitness elements and lots of fun and laughter. Learning with joy is the best way to learn dance. A short dance choreography will be taught, a different one in each workshop with interesting techniques. Also, participants will bring back movements that they can practise even while surfing the Internet, watching TV or travelling.
