Belly dance has been a part of my life for about five or six years now. I have taken classes and participated in a troupe, but have never immersed myself quite as deeply as I have dreamed. My new session of classes began last month and have inspired my desire to truly learn the art and perfect it. I have always been drawn to eastern cultures; their food, clothing, rituals and dance. India is number one on my list of places to travel and I have always claimed "gypsy blood". My first experience with belly dance was in the Turkish and Egyptian tradition. My instructor Shazaar taught us how graceful and serene belly dance could be, not just about the popularized shimmies and hip stings of Arabic belly dance. Later I took a class in fusion belly dance which combines jazz and hip hop with traditional belly dance (think Beats Antique). I loved it, but felt disconnected from the tribal roots and history of the dance. Being over 6000 years old, it is believed that modern belly dance originated from similar dances that were used in matriarchal societies to honor the fertility and mystique of the female. It is also said that belly dance mimics the undulations and spasms of the female body during labor. As a woman, how could it not feel natural to move my body this way? My mother used to question whether I was hers when I would chase her around the kitchen doing hula hoop moves and shimmies, for mere shock value. My sister and friends often like to make me perform my booty drop for strangers when there is any music around. Some people are just supposed to shake their hips, I guess. My most recent foray into belly dance is taught by someone who has become somewhat of an idol to me. I met Bayda as a customer at my store. She is an artist, teacher and dancer. There is something about her confidence and femininity that is immediately striking. She is one of those few women that are genuinely complimentary and encouraging toward other women while still being a powerful force of her own. I eventually discovered she taught classes and signed Amber and myself up straight away. Bayda re-invoked a confidence and sensuality I didn't realize I had recently started to stifle. This may be 2012 but being a sensual woman is a hazardous thing and being a confident woman, sometimes even more so. Bayda encourages us to be sexy and proud and exact in our movements. She tells us never look down, in life or in dance. Every woman should know how to hold herself with such strength and beauty. I believe that sexuality and confidence command a room and there is nothing wrong in that when it is humble and pure.
To share dance and music with a group of women and to play off of each other's movements and rhythm is a beautiful and ancient ritual that western society does not hold dear. This dance is not about or for men's enjoyment. It is for women, by women and in reverence to women and the sacred connection we share, at every age. Women in many other eastern and tribal cultures share daily intimacies in ways Americans do not. Call me old-fashioned, but cooking, laughing and dancing together are all a part of our nature as the females of our species. Without even realizing it, women segregate themselves with judgement and unhealthy expectations. They criticize one another and keep a distance by forgetting what unites us. I am grateful to have really supportive and accepting women in my life. I spend my day with mostly women and I truly appreciate their unique roles. I can't say I've always had such an open-minded group of female friends, but I've realized it's vital to my sanity. Amber and I are already dancing in sequence, correcting each other's mistakes and looking darn good (in abs and in skill)if I do say so myself. I certainly have years of practice and study ahead, but I am feeling like myself again. Our relationship as sisters is stronger than ever, with just one day a week set aside for dinner and dancing. Music is in me. Whether in my living room or in the studio, you'll usually find me humming, dancing and singing. Anyone who knows me knows that a dance party or sing-along is always stirring... Belly dance has allowed me to reconnect with my body again. Not only is the dance sensual and beautiful and empowering to watch but I FEEL sensual, beautiful and empowered as well. I highly recommend it ladies, get thse hips rollin'.
