‘Born into Belly Dancing’ Dancer Teaches Classes at Pole to Pole

Editor’s note: Venus Rouah is a professional belly dancer, Pole to Pole belly dancing classes do not feature flames or swords

Venus Rouah was born into belly dancing. Family members trained her since she was a young girl to become a belly dancer and she now teaches classes to beginners at Pole to Pole Fitness on Main Street.

Half Moroccan and Half Italian, Rouah was always dancing, but it wasn’t until she was a junior in High School when she really started practicing drilling the same movement over and over again as belly dancers do.

Rouah’s grandmother was a dancer in Morocco and her aunts were all belly dancers as well.

“We sang and danced a lot as a Moroccan family,” Rouah said.

Belly dancing is not only cultural, but a great fitness activity, Rouah added.

“The best way to stay fit is by doing something you love and enjoy,” she said.

Belly dancing is the oldest form of dance, Rouah said; it is made to move with the movements of the body so it is for women of all shapes.

Being for all shapes and sizes and working out while having fun is exactly what Pole to Pole Fitness is about, so hiring Rouah as an instructor in the studio was a perfect fit for owner Jennifer Hall.

Hall said she posted a position for a belly dancer for her studio a few months ago and received an application from Rouah, the only application she would end up needing.

She said Rouah is a great addition to the studio because she is not a belly dance instructor who took a course for a few months, but someone who grew up with belly dancing immersed in her culture.

“The purpose of Pole to Pole is to provide an alterative workout for women,” Hall expressed. “It’s about having fun as well as taking care of your physical self.”

Pole to Pole belly dancing classes are offered during both mornings and evenings, as well as on weekends. Those who participate in Rouah’s classes are provided with mini routines they can practice at home for just five minutes a day.