Just to clarify, that's not some strange kind of voodoo ritual we're acting out in our living room in the opening shot of this week's show. In fact that's me initiating Antonya into the wonderful world of Egyptian dancing. I've been an avid fan of this new and exciting dance craze since the beginning of summer, when I decided the red, sweaty-faced and flared-nostrils gym look isn’t for me, but a bit of exercise definitely is (needed). So...

I hunted down an Egyptian ('belly') dancing class at Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden, London, and have been a devoted beginner ever since. It's harder than it looks: that simple move I’m demonstrating there (technically known as the ‘out-up-around-down’, with hand movements) has taken months of practice. As you can see I’m nearly there, and it looks...erm...great.

The class is for absolute beginners, so you don't feel like a twit, and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening you learn exactly the same routine to make you feel like a pro. It's a great, gentle form of exercise that gets your tummy, side and thigh muscles flexing and a nice, healthy, inoffensive sweat going. It’s a mental work-out as well, as it teaches you to think 'in the way of the Orient' and move your body in an altogether more feminine way. Mmmmm.

Go along with your friends, learn your moves, do your homework (yes, there is homework), and break out a different kind of dance routine on a Friday night. And as Asmahan, the fascinatingly enchanting and kooky instructor assures me, you'll have them eating out of your hand. (If you see me walking down the street with a strained expression and a moist brow, I'm practising my tummy rolls.)

So get down there! Or enrol in a class near you. You have my word, so help me 'bite', it will transform your life - just ask Antonya.

Just wanted to clear that up.

Amy