High School Art History class. There in my book is an *exquisite* painting of a beautiful lady (from some ancient culture I was sure didn't exist anymore) slowly dancing with a one sword on her head and one in her hand. She was set in a soft, mysteriously lit temple-like room. Dancing solo, with wispy flowing fabrics swirling around her, the onlookers and musicians seated around her on the floor clearly mesmerized by her seductive beauty. She seemed so feminine, so strong, at once ethereal and earthy. Was she a princess? A warrior? A Goddess? The book called it an "orientalist painting". So I learned that it wasn't an accurate portrayal, but based on a western fantasy. Yet, there was something so familiar about this transfixing image of *WOMAN* that tucked itself into my tomboy/ book nerd/art student/ horse girl subconscious.
At this point in my life, exercise was a mix of cross country running, swimming, and hard core volunteer work on a large horse ranch. I was well matched to go to an Art School that did not require competitive sports or repetitive calisthenics type gym classes, neither of which inspired me. In fact, I found repetitive gym class type exercise to be so boring to the point of torturous. My Father once told me that the best exercise was an active life. "Accomplish something with all that energy", he advised. His words have stayed with me.
Jump ahead eight years. The new millennium is approaching and "Mind/Body" activities are thankfully becoming vogue. Popular culture has embraced *more* than the perfect abdominal crunch or biceps curl. Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi studios are everywhere and these classes are popular at big name fitness centers. The days of spandex "buns of steel" thong bodysuits over lacey bike shorts are being replaced with a more relaxed, more approachable style of less restrictive, less revealing gym fashion for women. The fitness revolution is here!
In my own pursuit of an integrative and active life philosophy, I had taken an interest in learning classical Indian dance. A form called Bharatanatyam that traces its history to devotional temple dancers in ancient India. It appealed to me as a physical expression of the Divine Relationship as well as exercise. These days, this type of dance is mostly performed for entertainment at Indian cultural events and celebrations.
Move ahead two more years. A friend of mine demonstrates *her* dance at a birthday party and I am transfixed. Her movements were sensual, edgy, passionate, playful, sublimely feminine, confident and controlled. Her generously curved body ideally suited to the movements. The music was hauntingly timeless and exotic. It reminds me of that painting... Someone asked her what it was. "Bellydance", she said with a glowing smile.
Oh…
Yes…
I was hooked.
Although I believe every woman is a natural belly dancer, I noticed early in my practice that I was surrounded by particularly bright women. Asking the body to perform multiple isolated, yet layered movements takes tremendous concentration and focus (like rubbing your tummy and patting your head, only more complex and infinitely more beautiful). Given that I was somewhat late coming out of my "klutz" years, the aspect of body control was especially helpful to me! "You mean layering a hip circle and shimmying for ten minutes will strengthen neural pathways, improves body image, is good for the lymphatic system and my boyfriend will love it too??!!" My God, yes!!
These days, I teach and write about bellydance as well and would like to share some of the reasons why I love this divine feminine exercise so much! Benefits include; low impact aerobic workout, improved posture, added strength and flexibility to ribcage and back muscles as well as stronger belly muscles. It is a major weight bearing exercise that increases hip stability, strengthens pelvic floor muscles (yes, it may improve your sex life in more ways than one ;-), tones the arms & shoulders, improves flexibility and suppleness of hands and feet, stimulates lymphatic function, develops your ear for music and rythm, and educates you about aspects of cultures across the globe.
In addition to the physical and educational benefits, there is the magic... these are the psychological benefits. The inspired confidence and positive body image you build that is supported by the friends and peers of your classes. Bellydance embraces women of every shape, size, color and age and this is generally reflected in the Bellydance community at large. From big curves to the short and strong, long and lean to the thin and straight hipped, every woman can bellydance. And the emotional fuel generated by the graceful, empowered feminine movements can change your life. Yes, the dance is great exercise, but it is so much more.
There is a performance aspect to bellydance as well! When the dancer is ready, it is a natural evolution for her to want to share the dance with others. Through performance and teaching, she can pass on the gift to a new generation of women who can reap the timeless benefits of Belly Dance. And this is how my journey brought me to this incredible time point in the history of this ancient dance.
See you in dance with smiles and sparkles! -Amber
At this point in my life, exercise was a mix of cross country running, swimming, and hard core volunteer work on a large horse ranch. I was well matched to go to an Art School that did not require competitive sports or repetitive calisthenics type gym classes, neither of which inspired me. In fact, I found repetitive gym class type exercise to be so boring to the point of torturous. My Father once told me that the best exercise was an active life. "Accomplish something with all that energy", he advised. His words have stayed with me.
Jump ahead eight years. The new millennium is approaching and "Mind/Body" activities are thankfully becoming vogue. Popular culture has embraced *more* than the perfect abdominal crunch or biceps curl. Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi studios are everywhere and these classes are popular at big name fitness centers. The days of spandex "buns of steel" thong bodysuits over lacey bike shorts are being replaced with a more relaxed, more approachable style of less restrictive, less revealing gym fashion for women. The fitness revolution is here!
In my own pursuit of an integrative and active life philosophy, I had taken an interest in learning classical Indian dance. A form called Bharatanatyam that traces its history to devotional temple dancers in ancient India. It appealed to me as a physical expression of the Divine Relationship as well as exercise. These days, this type of dance is mostly performed for entertainment at Indian cultural events and celebrations.
Move ahead two more years. A friend of mine demonstrates *her* dance at a birthday party and I am transfixed. Her movements were sensual, edgy, passionate, playful, sublimely feminine, confident and controlled. Her generously curved body ideally suited to the movements. The music was hauntingly timeless and exotic. It reminds me of that painting... Someone asked her what it was. "Bellydance", she said with a glowing smile.
Oh…
Yes…
I was hooked.
Although I believe every woman is a natural belly dancer, I noticed early in my practice that I was surrounded by particularly bright women. Asking the body to perform multiple isolated, yet layered movements takes tremendous concentration and focus (like rubbing your tummy and patting your head, only more complex and infinitely more beautiful). Given that I was somewhat late coming out of my "klutz" years, the aspect of body control was especially helpful to me! "You mean layering a hip circle and shimmying for ten minutes will strengthen neural pathways, improves body image, is good for the lymphatic system and my boyfriend will love it too??!!" My God, yes!!
These days, I teach and write about bellydance as well and would like to share some of the reasons why I love this divine feminine exercise so much! Benefits include; low impact aerobic workout, improved posture, added strength and flexibility to ribcage and back muscles as well as stronger belly muscles. It is a major weight bearing exercise that increases hip stability, strengthens pelvic floor muscles (yes, it may improve your sex life in more ways than one ;-), tones the arms & shoulders, improves flexibility and suppleness of hands and feet, stimulates lymphatic function, develops your ear for music and rythm, and educates you about aspects of cultures across the globe.
In addition to the physical and educational benefits, there is the magic... these are the psychological benefits. The inspired confidence and positive body image you build that is supported by the friends and peers of your classes. Bellydance embraces women of every shape, size, color and age and this is generally reflected in the Bellydance community at large. From big curves to the short and strong, long and lean to the thin and straight hipped, every woman can bellydance. And the emotional fuel generated by the graceful, empowered feminine movements can change your life. Yes, the dance is great exercise, but it is so much more.
There is a performance aspect to bellydance as well! When the dancer is ready, it is a natural evolution for her to want to share the dance with others. Through performance and teaching, she can pass on the gift to a new generation of women who can reap the timeless benefits of Belly Dance. And this is how my journey brought me to this incredible time point in the history of this ancient dance.
See you in dance with smiles and sparkles! -Amber
We come spinning out of
nothingness, scattering
stars, the stars form a circle,
and in the center we dance.
-Rumi
nothingness, scattering
stars, the stars form a circle,
and in the center we dance.
-Rumi
