Now that Madonna has brought mehendi tattoos and other Eastern fashions into vogue, America's appetite for the exotic has hit a high unseen since the late '60s. That's why bellydancing has suddenly become popular (also a hallmark of the late '60s.)

The great thing about bellydancing is that it's a way to learn about another culture by participating in one of its traditions. It's also really good for your waistline--and the costumes are awesome.

Desert Moon Dance Academy is directed by Arleah, who has studied Yemeni and Israeli Folk Dance extensively as a two-year student of the University of Tel-Aviv, Israel. She holds a degree in International Relations and is a former aerobics instructor. During the past several years she has studied belly dance under the direction of Chandara Gamal and has attended numerous Middle Eastern dance seminars.

So after you learn how to play beledi on you finger cymbals and do a mean bad girl figure eight, put together your first performance-grade costume, because part of Desert Moon's program is training dancers for performance (and providing the opportunities for them to do so!)