Belly dancing has a somewhat misleading name.

Westerners first used this term, but the Arabic name for belly dancing is "Raks Sharki" or "Dance of the Orient."

"Middle Eastern dance is very earthy, very centered in your hips," said Barbara Price, belly-dancing instructor for Movement Arts Studio, 140 Kelly Alley. "Your belly is just along for a ride."

A new opportunity to try belly dancing arrived in State College this month when Price began teaching a class at the studio.

It is gaining popularity with a diverse crowd, Price said.

"You will see people of all sizes and shapes," she said.

"I go to workshops and see people in their 70s and girls as young as 10 years old," Price added.

Price took her first belly-dancing class in the seventh grade at a community workshop.

"My best friend had received a record with Middle Eastern music. I very much liked the music -- it really spoke to me," she said.

"I really like the creativity factor. The heart of the dance is being able to create your own stuff." Valerie Anderson, founder of the Movement Arts, said many interested people are calling the studio about how to become involved with the dancing.

"We have all kinds of people looking for something different in the movement field," Anderson said.

The studio, which opened last September, offers classes Sunday nights from 7:15 to 8:30. For those who wish to try one class, the cost is $12.

An entire eight-week session is $74.