NORTH BEND – Si View Community Center may not be the most exotic place in the world, but every Thursday the log building is transformed into a far-flung sultan’s court as women in spangly accessories gyrate to the bittersweet strains of gypsy music.

Carla Orellana teaches the class and goes by “Aleili,” her belly dancing name. The professional dancer of more than 20 years has been teaching the class at Si View for several years and also teaches belly dance at the Yoga Barn in Fall City.

Patty Esack of North Bend has been taking belly dance from Orellana for more than three years and was one of her first students.

“Belly dancing is without a doubt the best exercise for both physical and mental well-being. It builds self-confidence. There’s nothing else like it,” Esack said.

Aleili, a California native, moved to Washington in 1993 and has been teaching dance for 30 years. She recently moved to River Bend and also works for Encompass.

A life-long dancer, Aleili said though most people think belly dancing originated from the harems or Vaudeville, it really didn’t. It’s actually not a dance that is meant to be sexual and wasn’t intended for men at all, but for women.

“This is a dance for every woman – all ages, sizes, shapes, colors and inclinations. It’s a dance that celebrates women for who they are and where they are and it cultivates a community of support and nurturing [for women] to accept their bodies, to give themselves confidence and allow them to be creative in all their multi-talented ways.”

Belly dancing doesn’t belong to any particular country, culture or time, Aleili said. The roots and origins go much farther back than the Middle East.

“This dance started with the first women circle around the camp fire as a way to celebrate life, around their ability to give birth and raise their children in a healthy community. Dance teaches them how to play and work with each other and community. For me it’s a very, very spiritual dance because of the connection to the seasons of a woman’s body, which is why it’s a dance that serves all ages.”

Gerry Guenther, 76, is Aleili’s oldest student. Now, with one year of belly dancing under her coin belt, Guenther said shoulder problems she had before taking the class have disappeared.

“I’ve always liked to dance, this gives me an outlet. To perform in front of other people gives you a lot of self-confidence,” Guenther said.

Noel Kleinhaus and her 7-year-old daughter Olivia of North Bend are also in the class. “It’s so fun. I love the fact that it’s expressive and it’s a good workout,” Noel said. “But you can’t take it too seriously. You laugh a lot.” The mother of two noted that belly dancing is also great for getting your stomach back into shape after pregnancies. “It’s excellent for challenging you outside of your normal boundaries.”

“I like all of it,” Olivia added. “I like when I dance around.”

Belly dancing has many healthful qualities. It stimulates the spine and works muscles most women didn’t know they even had. It’s low-impact and increases your oxygen intake. “You can stand in one spot and shimmy for two minutes and have sweat pouring off of you,” Aleili said.

The dance is multitasking for the body.

“We layer levels of movement. We start simply, then move up. The movements are very natural. Many people who say they can’t dance find they can dance with this art form because it depicts natural movements. It’s a dance that helps women with child birth,” Aleili said.

Barbara Bishop of Snoqualmie just started the class. She decided to join after meeting Aleili this summer at the Festival at Mount Si, where her group, The Veils of the Nile, performed and took home a first-place prize. This is the second year The Veils of the Nile have performed and taken home first-place prizes for the “novelty entertainment division.” The Veils also performs in the annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in West Seattle.

“She made me feel really confident, even though I’m a larger-sized woman. It makes you feel good about your body,” Bishop said.

Belly dancing is also great for seniors and the wheelchair-bound. “You can do the most beautiful dance with just your hands and arms. That was the first dance I ever saw and I was captivated. I have taught people in wheelchairs, [and] they feel empowered,” Aleili said.

Aleili received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in the therapeutic aspects of dance, music and drama as well as psychology and sociology. She is also trained in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, ballroom, folk, Afro-Cuban, Polynesian, Flamenco and Middle Eastern dance.

In 1985, she was invited to perform in the pyramids and temples of Egypt. She had been a premier dancer for “Yaleil Middle Eastern Dance Company” since 1976, for which she has directed, choreographed, performed and produced numerous concerts receiving popular and critical acclaim. Aleili began her studies of yoga in 1969 and has trained with many notable teachers. She recently became a certified Viniyoga instructor as well.

Aleili enjoys teaching performance lecture parties for children and women of any age. She enjoys sharing the spiritual side of dance as well as the fun stuff for themed birthday parties, coming of age celebrations and other events. The dance becomes particularly colorful when Aleili breaks out finger cymbals, baskets and swords. And then there’s the costumes. Aleili said another reason women love belly dancing is because of the chance to dress up. “Women love to dress up. You feel beautiful with the belts, beads, coins, tassels, fringe, colors …”

All women are invited to a “women’s only” event Oct. 28 at Unity Theater above Singletrack Cycles in North Bend. The party, or “halfla,” will be an opportunity for Aleili’s students to use the skills they have developed in her classes to dance to the music of their choice – everything from jazz to folk. A $5 donation will be accepted and doors open at 7 p.m.

“We welcome everyone to see what fun we’re having,” said Aleili, who wants women to know that belly dance is a very noncompetitive dance form. “We welcome everyone. We do everything possible to support their growth and be the best they can be and to be themselves. It’s absolutely transformational.”

Aleili chose her belly dance name because it means “a place of inspiration” and “a gathering place.”

“As a teacher, I inspire others to step out away from their fears; to have fun and try it for themselves. That’s my job and I think I’ve been very successful at it,” Aleili said.

Aleili teaches weekly classes at the Yoga Barn in Issaquah, The Ballet Arts Center in Bellevue and the Si View Community Center in North Bend, as well as conducting private classes and workshops throughout the Seattle area. She will begin teaching workshops at Miller’s Community and Arts Center in Carnation Oct. 9. Aleili also conducts private lessons for those who are shy or just want to learn very quickly. Prices and lengths of sessions vary.

* For more information, call (425) 888-4544 or visit www.aleili.com.

Staff Writer Melissa Kruse can be contacted at (425) 888-2311 or by e-mail at melissa.kruse@valleyrecord.com.