willametteLive.com || SEXY EXERCISE CLASS A BIG WOW FACTOR

SEXY EXERCISE CLASS A BIG WOW FACTOR
By Archive
from Salem Monthly, Section News
Posted on Fri Sep 01, 2006 at 01:50:31 AM PDT

Get down and dirty with Dancing Orchid
In many respects, it’s like getting ready for an aerobics class. Students arrive at the Salem Fitness Center, head for the mirrored workout room and prepare for class. The subtle differences then begin to appear.

The first clue that this class may differ from most? Black curtains are draped in the entryway to the dance studio to promote privacy. Second, inasmuch as men are still the minority in most aerobic dance classes, they are nonexistent in this room. The attire may be the most distinguishing feature here. The students wear a variety of workout clothing, much of it differing from the typical sweats and T-shirts. Most wear four-inch (or taller) fancy, jeweled shoes.

What is this novel class? It’s Exotic Dance and Sensual Movement, and it’s been a dream of teacher Brandi Siefarth for more than five years.

Siefarth teaches women how to dance confidently and attractively for their spouses or significant others. A variety of movements, both standing up and on the floor, are incorporated into several routines, with the intent that women can then take those movements and put together dances to suit whatever occasion they see fit.

“I love to dance, so I did a lot of research in books and videos and now Dancing Orchids has come to fruition,” she said.
Siefarth teaches Monday night classes and Saturday workshops in the downstairs studio at Salem Fitness Center, owned by George Nelson.

“I pay him a per-student space lease, and he’s been really good to work with,” she said. Her marketing efforts thus far have included taking flyers to salons, spas and marriage counselors, and she has embarked on some direct mail pieces.

Michele Saunders, who manages the fitness center, has taken every one of the classes since they began in early May.

“My husband just says ‘wow’ and the night continues,” she said, adding that it is a great workout and she’s lost five pounds.

“It’s the perfect class; it’s fun and the people are great,” Saunders said. “It’s your time for you, and it reminds your spouse that you still got it goin’ on.”

Emily, another student, enthusiastically describes how it boosts self confidence, and all students in the class agreed that it makes them feel more confident and sexy in public.

The typical client? According to Siefarth, there isn’t one. She has more than 50 students from college age through their 60s, and hopes to attract more variety in ages and walks of life as she expands into additional locations, including Corvallis and possibly Bend.

“We definitely are not trying to teach women of any age to hop on a box and dance wildly in local clubs,” she said.

A variety of music is used for class routines, including Madonna and Marvin Gaye. Each student leaves the class with a CD of various artists Siefarth suggests to practice her moves with.

Married for 10 years, Siefarth says the classes have helped her own personal life.
“My husband keeps asking ‘who are you and what did you do with my frumpy wife?’”

The cost for the first two-hour class is $50. Private lessons for groups or bachelorette parties are also available. A portion of Dancing Orchids’ proceeds is donated to the No Meth, Not in Our Neighborhood nonprofit project.

“It’s the best $50 I’ve ever spent,” says an enthusiastic Emily.

For more information, call (503) 585-7399 or log on to www.dancingorchids.net.