Shimmies... shakes... and figure eights. Belly dance moves that have nearly two dozen dancers working up a sweat during this class at New York sports club in Manhattan.

We have women in their 60s, 50s, 40s 20s, we have teens we even have some kids doing belly dancing.

An ancient fertility ritual that was first performed in the u-s by Middle Eastern dancers during the 18-93 Chicago world's fair, belly dancing today is a hot workout in gyms across America.

Now right and forward, big circle...

Francesca Gambelli learned to belly dance in morocco and has been teaching it here for three years.

It's just a great workout and you don't realize you're working out, you're just dancing and having a good time.

My posture has improved, I have less back pain and more flexibility in general.

It's a great alternative to weight training. I really felt my abs working, my glutes, my lower back, it was excellent.

I'm 55 years old, I hate machines and I don't like pain and I really needed something to ease me back into getting into shape.

Hip movements tone the abs and midsection. Once you get the arms going...

It becomes an incredible workout for shoulders, upper body, torso, also for legs.

Although the class attracts mainly women...the many benefits of belly dancing are what persuaded tod lash to try it out.

I'm a dancer and I love all forms of dance. And I think belly dancing should help isolate my center and work on my core.

But the women here say belly dancing is about more than breaking a sweat...it's a fun, flirty way to celebrate their femininity.

A lot of ladies come in and are shy and don't feel attractive or feel comfortable with their bodies but after a couple of classes you see them shining and letting go of those mental obstacles and feeling more comfortable with their bodies.

I felt as a woman it was really liberating. I thought I was going to be scared and now I want to bear it all and let loose.

I would recommend it to young and old it is a lot of fun. And it also helps you as a woman with your self-image because you really feel sensual and exciting as you dance.

An ancient dance in the modern world that's changing the lives of women...and even a few men ... a shimmy and a shake at a time.