After crocodators, poor fitness is the number-one cause of the night-scaries. With today's Groupon, turn the nightmare where you end up bare-bellied in biology class into a dream of goddess-like energy and strong, snake-charming abs. For $32, you get a five-week belly-dancing course at Bellyqueen (a $65 value). The deal may be used for beginner, advanced beginner, or intermediate/advanced classes held at 440 Studios in NoHo.

The torso-twisting tutors at Bellyqueen seduce students into the ways of hip-hypnotism with classes tailored to all different levels of experience and exploring several Middle Eastern dances. Lessons are led by a bevy of professional abdomen rattlers, including Bellyqueen cofounder and artistic director Kaeshi Chai, whose performance exploits have taken her around the globe, as well as spots on Live With Regis & Kelly and The John McEnroe Show. Newcomers master the basic movements in a curriculum that builds on each lesson while getting a healthy low-impact workout that raises heart rates, stretches muscles, and trains stomachs to steer helicopters and catch footballs.

Advanced beginner sessions invite groovers with some foundation in belly-dance movements as well as dancers with formal training in other styles to put their navels to work, while intermediate/advanced classes target veteran belly dancers looking to step up their game. Bellyqueen is a sponsored project of the arts-supporting nonprofit The Field.

Reviews

Four Yelpers give Bellyqueen a perfect five stars:

• The environment is very nurturing; not only are the instructors but the students provide support as well. It is never a competition to be the best but a fun after work experience to learn how to express yourself through the beautiful art that is belly dance. – Cherrelle D., 6/29/2010
• The atmosphere during the classes are very good and not just the instructors but classmates are friendly. – Ayano I., 6/30/2010