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 Our regular 'Speak Out!' feature provides a platform for those who
are angry, unhappy, fed-up or merely critical of something that exists or has happened in
Stoke Newington. The views expressed are purely personal and do not reflect those of the
magazine. Our readers can make up their own minds. For those who may feel aggrieved and
who are mentioned in any article, we guarantee the right of reply.
They look like humans and have many of the characteristics of humans, but is it life as we
know it? Have you noticed the unnerving extraterrestrial aura surrounding the Stoke
Newington mother and her issue?
They do not appear to communicate with other earthlings but can be observed in colonies
visiting pavement cafes and indulging in what appears to be a ritual display of offspring,
holding them aloft to a beaming reception by other mothers of strangely similar and self-
satisfied countenance.
Other group activities include marshalling threatening formations of their childmobiles
and sweeping along the pavements of Church Street to no apparent purpose, seemingly
oblivious to other forms of life and as if possessed by an external force. Stepford wives
pushing chariots of fire.
Their numbers are growing: should we be concerned? Where do they come from? How do they
breed? How is the mother impregnated? There is no evidence of a male parent of the
species. To what end are they developing their offspring?
Who can we call upon for informed scientific opinion and who can shed light on the origins
of these strange creatures?
Shimmying into Shape
 Raqs Sharqi (oriental dance),
or belly dance as it is known in the West, is an ancient and beautiful form of dance which
originated in Egypt and has now made its way from the Middle East to the middle of Stoke
Newington. Galit Mersand now runs evening classes at Park Studio, opposite Clissold Park,
allowing women of all ages to dance their way into fitness.
Apart from being lots of fun, belly dance tones up the waist, hips and stomach muscles,
helping to release shoulder tension and improve posture.
Galit, who is of Middle Eastern origin, is a professional belly dancer and was trained as
an Egyptian Dance teacher at JWAAD the leading Egyptian Dance School in the UK. In the
Middle East, belly dance is a part of every party and not just in Egypt. Even if there
isn't a professional belly dancer performing, the women on the dance floor do belly
dancing because the music is just 'asking for it'.
In strict Muslim countries where men and women celebrate separately, the women dance for
one another, allowing themselves to be even more sensual and suggestive than they would if
men were present.
'Going to classes really boosted my confidence', says Gemma, a homeopathy student. 'The
first time I told a guy I was busy Tuesday night because I had a belly dance class made me
feel quite special'.
Belly dancing is a good solution for women who always wanted to dance but didn't start at
the age of five or weren't born with a Kate Moss-like figure. It also provides a different
and more reasonable way to exercise and keep fit. It doesn't leave you out of breath or
exhausted, it leaves you energised. It's about the power of gentleness, the goddess and ,
last but not least, it's about having fun.
Galit's classes run every Tuesday at 6.30-7.30pm for beginners and 7.30-8.30 for improvers
at 'Park Studio', Shelford Place, Stoke Newington (opposite Clissold Park).
For further details call Galit on 07957 63615
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