Free class lets women, kids get hip to belly dancing

By Andrew DeLong, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Sunday, July 25, 2010

“Anyone can have fun with it,” says Hip Expressions co-owner Johanna Krynytzky.

[CHRIS ZUPPA | Times (2009)]

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After a failed relationship, Kristin Patterson was looking for a physical activity that would boost her self-esteem and alleviate stress. What did she turn to? The ancient art of belly dancing.

Once she took a free introductory class, held on Fridays at Hip Expressions Belly Dance Studio in St. Petersburg, Patterson was hooked.

"It's my happy place! I have a crazy stressful job and sometimes I end up taking that home with me," she said. "But as soon as I step into the studio all of that goes away."

Since she began taking classes last September, Patterson has found a creative outlet for self-expression. Plus, she has gained a higher level of self-esteem and lost 65 pounds in the process.

"It is not hard," said Johanna Krynytzky, co-director of Hip Expressions. "Anyone can have fun with it and get a great workout at the same time."

The Friday introductory classes teach participants a few belly dance moves, or isolations, while dancing to the underlying beat of exotic melodies playing in the background. A few of the moves include the Egyptian walk, hip bump or three-quarter shimmy. A heavy focus is placed on posture because engaging core muscles is key to learning the moves and to strengthening the arms, back, stomach and legs.

Belly dance celebrates the entire body. "It is a dance of isolation, where dancers are able to move one body part at a time inspired by their music so that their dance is like the music painted into motion, and the dancer and music become one," said Krynytzky.

In addition to getting a great workout, Krynytzky said many people come away with greater self-confidence, poise and an awareness of body, self and the surrounding world.

Krynytzky, who also goes by the name Xenobia, and her co-director Karen "Sun Ray" Coletti opened the studio in 2008 and are among Hip Expression's 11 professional dance instructors. They offer a variety of classes daily, most of which are belly dance. The free Friday class allows them to educate people about the art of belly dance.

"By encouraging others to follow and share their passion, we are inspiring ourselves and each other, allowing the art form to evolve," said Krynytzky.

The studio caters to women and there are offerings for kids, like the "Teeny Geenies" class. Several college students take the classes, but the majority of the women are mothers, educators, grandmothers and business professionals.

Patterson said she is proof that you do not have to be a professional belly dancer to receive the benefits dancing provides.

"I am the absolute last person that would be a typical belly dancer to most people outside of the dance community, and just for that reason I would highly recommend everyone give it a try. You never know where you might end up," she said.

In fact, her love of the dance has worn off on her mother, Shirley Patterson.

"After watching me go off to class and come back happier than when I left, my mom now attends a class every Monday," said Patterson.

25 Today

Gifts for the Gulf: To raise awareness of the plight of coastal birds and other wildlife threatened by the gulf oil spill, the Florida Audubon presents a display of shorebird nesting areas, discussions with Audubon representatives and possible bird appearances. Learn how certain birds nest and the potential harm caused if cleanup operations are not carefully conducted. Benefits the Florida Audubon. Noon. Tyrone Square Mall, 6901 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 347-3889.

Make a Splash: July is Parks and Recreation Month. Take a dip in one of St. Petersburg's nine swimming pools. For locations and hours of operation, go to stpete.org/recreation/aquatics.asp.

Music Fest on the Water: Every Sunday the Pier hosts a different musical act at the Waterside Courtyard. Local bands and musicians from a four-county area play Top 40, Southern rock, classic rock, jazz and other types of music. This week, come see Jeff Red dish out R&B and jazz vocals. 1 to 4 p.m. The Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE., St. Petersburg. Call (727) 821-6443 or visit stpetepier.com.

'Turmoil and Triumph': Drawn from the collection of Robert C. and Elizabeth B. Sanchez, "Turmoil and Triumph" features over 70 prints, drawings, watercolors, and posters by more than 50 artists working between 1935 and 1945. This dynamic exhibition captures in graphic form pressing social issues and events of the years leading up to and during World War II. 1 to 5 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Drive NE., St. Petersburg. Call (727) 896-2667 or visit fine-arts.org.

26 Monday

Andréa Keys Connell: In this work of ceramic sculptures and her other installations, Connell deals with the burden of her Holocaust-survivor grandparents' memories and how their trauma manifested itself in subsequent generations. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth St. S, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 820-0100 or visit flholocaustmuseum.org.

27 Tuesday

Culture on the quick: Free power breakfast program for business leaders to explore issues of the moment through several key art forms. 8 a.m. Dalí Museum, 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 823-3767.

Action in the Trop: Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays. 7:10 p.m. Tropicana Field, 1 Stadium Drive, St. Petersburg. Call toll-free 1-888-326-7297 or visit

tampabay.rays.mlb.com.

Worthy worms: Vermiculture class shows how worms can be a gardener's best friend. 2 p.m. West St. Petersburg Community Library at St. Petersburg College, 6605 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 582-2100 to register.

28 Wednesday

Soja: Childhood friends make up this American reggae band from Washington, D.C. Their latest album, Born in Babylon, focuses on the roots music perspective from the other side of the tracks. The Movement and Groove Stain open the show. 7 p.m. State Theatre, 687 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $17 in advance, $20 day of show. Call (727) 895-3045.

Business counseling: Presented by the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF. 8:30 a.m. St. Petersburg Business Assistance Center, 440 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 893-7146 to RSVP or visit stpete.org.

29 Thursday

Girls Night Out: A fashion-focused ladies-only event with tips from Talk of the Town Accessories, VLVT Salon and Cherry Cheeks and a runway show featuring fashions by Curb by Chataeu, CLVR Apparel, 1 of 1 Customs and Russian Roulette, free still and sparkling wines, DJ music, and a performance by hip-hop artist Enzo. 6 p.m. NOVA 535 Art Lounge, 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Call (727) 821-6682.

The Marketplace @ Bargain City grand opening: The event for this new indoor, air conditioned market with live music and nearly 200 vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, food, teas, plants, organics, pet supplies and handcrafted goods. Face painting and balloons for the kids. Free admission. Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Marketplace @ Bargain City, 3951 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. Call (727) 871-1868.

30 Friday

Art in the PARC benefit: Annual show and sale of artwork by PARC artists with developmental disabilities, with hors d'oeuvres, drinks and music and birds welcoming guests. All proceeds go to help local artists with developmental disabilities. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Synovus Bank, 333 Third Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Free. Call (727) 410-6302.

St. Pete Shuffle: Think that shuffleboard is just for the retirement complex down the street? Think again. This family-friendly event also attracts the young date-night crowd with its mix of leisurely shuffle and cool music (usually from someone's iPod mix). Be sure to hit up one of the regulars for some tips on keeping score, because that will make play a lot more interesting. 7 p.m. Mirror Lake Shuffleboard Club, 559 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg. Free; donations appreciated. Call (727) 822-2083.

31 Saturday

Spiritual Sri Lankan Drum and Dance Concerts for World Peace: Traditional Sri Lankan concert presented by the Pancha Thurya Drum and Dance Troupe of Boston, under the direction of MIT professor Dr. Arjuna Balasura. Dressed in traditional Sri Lankan costumes and using traditional drums, the orchestra members follow the cultural practice of respect for the instruments, respecting elders and praying before performing. 11 a.m. Phat Phap Temple, 1770 62nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $15. Call (727) 520-9209.

Craft beer expo: More than 100 beers for sampling, beer and artisan cheese pairing, seminars from Saint Somewhere Brewing, Cigar City Brewing and Tampa Bay Brewing Co. on cask ale (an ale in a wooden or metal keg that is served by gravity without CO2 pressurization), plus bluegrass music. Portion of proceeds benefit restoration of Gamble Mansion State Park. 3 p.m. Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. $25 advance (available at select locations), $30 at door. Must be 21 or older. Call (727) 892-5202 or visit craftbeerexpo.org.

. if you go

Intro to belly dance

6 p.m. Fridays at Hip Expressions Belly Dance Studio, 1108 62nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg. Free. (727) 459-8558 or

www.hip-expressions.com.

[Last modified: Jul 23, 2010 01:15 PM]

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