At the Sequim Senior Center's Middle Eastern Dance session, from left, Donna Caster, Susan Hinton, Lydia Samperi, Kiki Littlefish and Barbara Nelson warm up with some group dances. Samperi, instructor for Hapy's Oasis Dance Company, said she continues to belly dance after 26 years because, “If you use it, you don't lose it.” Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash
The motto “If you're smiling, you're doing it right” holds true with the Hapy's Oasis Dance Company after 10 years. The low-impact dance class led by Lydia Samperi for beginners to experts continues to sway to methods from Morocco to Iran to Yemen. Samperi said all shapes of women come and although it's belly dancing, participants can wear regular clothes.
“It's more fun than regular exercise,” she said, “And the costumes are fun.”
Classes are held from 10-11:30 a.m. every Thursday at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St. Cost is $3 for members of the center and $5 for non-members. For more information, call the center at 683-6806 or Samperi at 683-9059. The group also holds a toy drive each year with local dancers of all types performing 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Peninsula College.

