Eman's Belly Dancing
By Elizabeth Strawn
You can't explain the immediate positive energy you feel when you walk into Eman's. As class starts, middle-eastern inspired music resounds from the speakers as Eman walks around the class to greet each person. It would be impossible to walk out of this studio without a smile on your face, and mostly because Eman wouldn't let you.
“I am like a best friend, I get to know each individual, and make a personal connection each time they come,� said Eman Haddad owner of Eman's Belly Dance and Fitness.
Eman has been teaching the art of belly dance for over 25 years, for women of all ages, shapes and walks of life. Eman's is located on Fourth Street in downtown Duluth. You may have driven past it, and never taken the time to really see what is there.
Molly Dwepner, a recent UMD grad, expressed her thoughts on belly dancing with Eman. “I enjoy how different it [belly dancing] is. It’s like this little exotic cove in Duluth where we get to learn belly dancing from someone from the Middle East. It’s like a mini vacation and its only women so it’s also quite liberating to be able to move like that not in front of men’s eyes. It gets you connected with the city more and makes Duluth more livable.�
Eman's offers classes for beginners, intermediate, and people that want to do a combination of fitness and belly dancing. She also offers private classes, and private parties. All of her classes are taught by her and her 3 assistances. One of whom is her daughter, Gina Haddad.
Eman’s Belly Dance and Fitness offers classes all year-round, new dancers can join at anytime.
Julie Fearing and her roommate decided to take classes at Eman's after hearing about it from community education.
“I had never dance before, I played hockey 4 years at UMD and on the first day of class I felt weird, but she [Eman] is so positive, and lets everyone go at their own pace,� said Fearing. “She takes time to explain everything, and she is very flexible and relaxed.�
“Belly dancing is so much fun and it is very different,� said Fearing. “You can't find something like this often in Minnesota, and it’s kind of cool to be different.�
Almost all of the people in the beginner's class are UMD students. Many times Eman’s students look up to her as a Mom.
“I am a comfort to them, they come here and take classes instead of going out and drinking at the bars,� said Eman.
New students come into class on the first day dressed in sweatshirts and afraid to show their bodies. After a few classes, they learn to love their body and realize that it is okay to be feminine.
Observing the class it is hard to not want to join in. The women look comfortable and confident with their bodies. It is not often you can find a place where woman are proud of their bodies and are not afraid to show off their femininity. It is great to know that this place is in Duluth.
If you have any more questions, or interests you can visit www.emansbellydancing.com for more information.