There may be one or two men vaguely intrigued by the image of women in exotic, even revealing, costumes undulating their hips in a flowing, sensuous dance.

That’s not why women take her classes, says Siobhan Van Lanen of Corvallis. Belly dancing is an ancient art exercised by women and for women, she maintains. Women belly dancing to inflame men’s desires is an image straight out of Hollywood, she said.

Belly dancers in northern Africa, for example, might encircle a woman in the throes of childbirth — their rhythmic movements timed to help the expectant mother with her breathing.

“Belly dancing is a study of culture and history,” Van Lanen says. “Dance exists in many cultures for many reasons.”

Van Lanen teaches eight-week beginning and intermediate classes in belly dancing from her Galactivate Studio, located inside Stoker’s VitaWorld, 215 S.W. Third St., Corvallis.

New classes start this week. Beginning classes run Fridays from Jan. 9 to Feb. 27. Intermediate classes run Mondays Jan. 5 to Feb. 23. Both classes start at 6:15 p.m. and last 75 minutes. Students can still register for the classes starting this week. More information is available by calling her at 754-8487.

Belly dancing is a great form of fitness, Van Lanen believes. It helps improve blood flow and posture. Women have to be a little bit careful, however. Van Lanen says they need a physician’s approval if they have mild to moderate arthritis, recently suffered an injury or have other relevant health problems.

Van Lanen is versed in a number of different styles of belly dancing. She is particularly fond of the Egyptian style. She has spent time in Egypt studying it.

“Egyptian is a more classical, flowing style.”

It also also commands a lot of attention from the muscles of the knees, hips and torso. It’s a great workout, Van Lanen said. All belly dancing is, she adds.

“It really is an amazing way to keep your body strong -. There are so many benefits — physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

Van Lanen has been dancing since she was 5. Her mother enrolled her in tap, ballet, jazz and baton classes at Kehl’s School of Dance in Madison, Wis. She majored in dance at the University of Montana.

Also a massage therapist and yoga instructor, Van Lanen graduated from the East-West College of Healing Arts in Portland in 1997.

“Dancing has always been one of my most joyful expressions with its gifts of creative inspiration, health, fitness, sensuality and body awareness,” she says. “The therapeutic quality of dancing has brought me in touch with my ‘inner goddess.’ Dance connects me with my soulfulness and, for me, is like a form of prayer and meditation, a ritual celebration of life’s shadows and light.”

Van Lanen began teaching belly dancing in Corvallis in 2005.

“For me, it’s an extension of many kinds of art I do -. I love my job. It’s not like I’m a tax collector. People want to see me.”