Why do you Belly Dance?

What a question miss Rachel..what a question.
I dance because it makes it me happy. It sets me free from everything going on in daily life. It lets me express myself and feel strong and beautiful in doing so. It increases my creativity and just makes me feel 100% better than i would had i not been a dancer. I've been dancing since i was 4 years old and I feel like i'm missing a big chunk of myself if i stop dancing. I took a small break and it nearly killed me. It makes me complete :)

THAT'S why!

Always,
Ash

Gives me "me" time, it is so much fun, and a wonderful way to express myself artistically (plus the clothes and music are way cool)

Short & sweet...

Bliss...

Best work-out EVER!!!!!

Best artistic outlet after doing acting, music, sketching, writing, photography, & other forms of dance. (it can embody them all at times)

Better body knowledge, sense of self, capabilities, & limits.

Sharper mental focus.

Healthier body.

Many new friends.

More reasons to travel.

& finally... a forseeable goal to be attained.

See you at auditions this year!!!

at first it was for the costumes, plain and simple. I just wanted to play dress up. I always adored old school 60's & 70's cabaret dancers' outfits. I figured I'd have to learn to bellydance in order to have a reason to wear the stuff. I'm the kind of person who wishes Halloween happened at least once a week, so I was ALL about the getting dressed up part. Plus I always liked to dance and hadn't ever had the opportunity to take formal dance lessons.

So I started learning, and my journey in dance has taught me more than I ever could have anticipated. Good things just keep happening to me, and it is all related to bellydance. I've been able to express myself artistically in so many areas and I've finally been able to take my creative talents and channel them. All the things I had learned to make and do seemed to finally come together and have a purpose. I can't stop now, things just keep getting better and better. And, I've gained the ability to control my physical body, and know I'll get better at that too the more I learn.

I cannot lie. I'm still in it for the costume schtuff!!! Only I've moved from old school cabaret to antique Rhajastani silver, tribal textiles, coins, fringe, cholis, huge pantaloons, voluminous skirts, Melodias and so much crap in my hair it makes my head hurt. I still want to dress up every chance I get, but now I want to learn to dance as good as I look!

at first I became interested in dancing because I saw Zoe dance with the Yard Dogs and have never seen such powerful and expressive movement in any other form in my whole life. From June through October I sortof puttered around with the idea, then heard that some show called the Bellydance Superstars were coming to a local theatre. Before then, I'd never heard of you (Rachel Brice) or any other dancers, really. But after that show I was absolutely floored, and started looking for studios the next day. I went to my first class and I really really enjoyed it. As I been dancing more and more, I'm becoming aware of all the changes it's making in me so quick. Obviously it's good exercise, but it's also so much more than that for me. I'm so focused when I dance and I'm not thinking of anything else thats happening; I just get flooded with this happy/relaxed feeling. The past few years have been a bit troubling for me, and happiness was becoming a really ellusive emotion. But it comes so readily and naturally when I'm dancing. Also, outside of class I've been noticing changes as well. My posture is better which allows me to breath better, which makes me more relaxed in general. I'm also feeling much more "grounded", and I'm just an all around more pleasent person.
I'm already experiencing all of these amazing side effects from this incredible art form, and I've only been dancing for [not *quite*] 4 months. I can't wait to see what next few years and beyond bring as my ability and devotion increase. Belly dance is the most natural feeling thing I've ever done for myself, and I've also met some amazing people so far. It's given me more than I could have ever imagined ANYTHING could. I'm hoping to make it a career (but who knows cause I'm currently just 17) I will continue dancing for as long as it makes me happy (which I presume will be forever and ever and ever).

...wow... where to start....
it's given me my life back simply... my health, my sanity, my joy.... my connectedness to myself and now, through Tribal, to a vibrant, creative, inclusive, exciting and so beautiful *community* of women...
I stopped dancing for about 10 years....I lost the urge to move, I even felt like I'd forgotten how to do it!
(How could this be possible for someone who used to club till 6am without drugs??!!! ; )
I was stuck and on my way to a slow and painful death..... My road to 'recovery' started with bellydance, the perfect antidote to stagnation...
When I see beginners starting out, sometimes so self-conscious and awkward and contracted ... not knowing how to move their bodies, not even aware of their bodies...I realise a BD revolution is essential to the health of the world!!!!!!

heeheee had to end on a light note...

I love dancing but when I was between 3-5, we lived in Florida and we would go to Bush Gardens which had belly dancers. I fell in love with these exotic ladies with the snakes and wanted soo to be them. I would dress up, dance like them with scarves on my head and we even have a picture of my first "belly dance" outfit. I always loved it but didn't actually get the nerve to try it until an ex-acquaintance had done belly dancing before and wanted to get back into it I volunteered to go with her. The first class was instant love and have been doing it now for a year and couldn't imagine not doing it now. The sisters I have met also in class really make the dance worth wild, so supportive and it also really does help your self esteem. I think it should be given out as a prescription to those who need a extra dose of self love because it really has done alot for my soul!

why not? seriously, though, I do because I can - and my first belly dance classes were my reward to myself for quitting (sucessfully!) smoking - and it continues to be a reminder to me to treat myself with as much love & respect as I would give to any one of my belly-sistas. Learning belly dance has really taught me a lot about myself, too...and I have to admit, I do enjoy playing dress-up!
Sometimes, the end result is actually the journey itself...and I am loving the journey, even the hard parts!

Ooooh a question for every dancer who has ever...well danced!

I'd also have to say because I can. I have never really been one of those people with the art skills for drawing, I can't sing to well, I can't cook worth shit, and a multitude of "I cant’s" have riddled my life since I tried everything in my early years. Never was any good at sports either. So, I decided what the hell and tried bellydance after borrowing a DVD from a friend and after watching Ansuya I was hooked. Then, as I bought DVD's, took classes, workshops and tried the choreography and combos I found that it was something I seemed to pick up. I was (and still am) soooo very pleased that I have found a niche somewhere in the world and it happens to be riddled with mid-drifts and old world charm brought to life by wonderful woman from all over the world! :-)

* cue the tears*

Confidence. And self acceptance.


Around the time I was introduced to bellydance, I was going through a really tough time in me life. I had (and still have sometimes) very low self esteem issues. Living as the opposite gender presents many difficulties in our lovely western society. Living as the opposite gender in a very conservative city makes it that much worse. I put on a tough barrier, but I'm quite fragile.... my transgenderedism, my parents divorce, issues at school, the name calling and getting into fights, being arrested several times.... can really wear you out. Then you add in my bi-polar disorder, my ADD, low self esteem, I became very suicidal and was forcibly checked into clinics several times. Straight jackets are fun.....

During my sophmore year in highschool, I started going to a gay youth group and met several people and made some friends. In the late spring, they held a prom and my friend Marie came out and did a mezmorizing candle dance. I was hooked. Here I am 7 years later.

Bellydance gave me a 2nd chance in life. Bellydance gave my self esteem. It gave me a wonderful circle of friends. It gave me confidence. I can honestly say, i may not be here if bellydance hadn't found me.

I love being a part of something that's bigger than just me in my regular life. When I'm dancing and creating choreographies, developing costumes and working with the perfect piece of music, I can express something more than I can do with just words. And of course love sharing the whole experience with troupemates, teachers, classmates, and an audience.

You know, it's funny...people sometimes ask me why I started bellydancing and I can never quite remember the reason. I just...thought it was something I could learn to do. Then I saw it in person (Ultra Gypsy at El Rio in late 2000) and knew I wanted to do it. What was funny is that I literally picked Jill Parker's name out of a random list of bay area teachers, not knowing a thing about any of them, and went to see UG perform so I could decide if I wanted to take her class. I think that if I'd seen a lesser group of dancers, or a style I wasn't attracted to I may never have tried it!

As for now...well basically, bellydance and what it has led to (a whole new community and close friends, a realization that I could teach what I know to others, actual makeup skills, a new knowledge of my body and pride in it) has made me more of who I am. I believe in trying to be the best *you* that you can be...not the best at what others think you should be but the best at becoming who YOU are. For me, bellydance made an enormous difference. I continue to dance because every time I do (well, ok, not *every* time but most times) I think to myself, ah yes...THIS is the feeling that I need in my life. Because I strive for that confidence that really good dancers convey to their audience. I have found that it's just part of who I am, and I hope I never have to give it up.

Why do i bellydance?
b/c i'm obsessed.
and i can't stop. really.
believe me--i've tried. :)
it keeps me up at night sometimes, creating choreo in my head. Without even thinking about it, i shimmie in the shower, in line at the grocery store, arabic as i walk down the street, etc.

I dance b/c the music moves me to. Because i absolutely love the music, and when i hear fresh funky beats, or an equisite melody, my body just needs to move and express it.
Dance is my prayer. and my medicine. It grounds me, and relaxes me, and keeps me sane and self expressed. It's a part of my heritage. I got gypspy blood in my veins. When life doesn't make sense, and/or things feel overwhelming or crappy, I can lose myself in the Dance, and find myself again anew. work thru whatever i have to work thru to bring myself back to happy and grounded.
I feel ALIVE when i dance. and powerful. empowered. beautiful. (well... sometimes. )
What is the point to it all? (great question). The point is what you make it. or we each make it. The point is to express what is pulsing thru your soul, to communicate, to celebrate, to ressonate and come together with other luscious women to collaborate and inspire eachother. The point is, to enjoy. and honor the lineage and the ritual of it all. THru this dance, this ancient art form, we are connected back thru centuries, thru time down the life line of women. To connect to the sensual nature of the divine feminine in us all, the shakti power. To embody grace, to find the yoga in the dance, and to come together in community and support and heal and laugh and move energy and celebrate!
What has it given me? hmmmm. probably way more than i can verbalize in this moment. abs of steel :) fluid spine. posture and grace when i walk around in my life. Community and 'family' of dance companies. A bad-ass creative outlet that is really in ressonance with the natural expression and way my body wants to move and dance. A new vocab of movement. The ability to punch someone out with the force of my gluts. A path for growth--performance opportunities, teaching opportunities, pushing edges, learning new things, deepening self-confidence and sexiness and sensuality, body acceptance and better body image....... and an amazing music collection, and really awesome talented friends! both musicians and dancers..
xo,
deb

p.s. aren't you on a yoga retreat, rach? whatcha doing at the computer?

Well, I originally started belly dancing because my friend wanted me to come to a free class with her :) I was more into hip hop and breakdancing than belly dancing at the time.

What happened after that is I found the kind of dance and community I had always wanted. I belly dance because it makes me feel connected to my body. I've always been clumsy and felt awkward, and belly dance has helped me overcome all that. I also have a sisterhood now that I can call my true friends and of whom I can call on with any problem or if I need anything and I know they're there for me. I love dancing with my dance sisters, it really helps me feel like I truly belong somewhere.

Like some other girls have said, I belly dance because it takes me inward. Especially when I just dance by myself, I feel connected not only to my body and mind, but spiritually too. It de-stresses me. It helps me deal with problems in my everyday life. I tend to think things out more clearly during and after I dance. It takes away my depression, if only for a short time.

Also, belly dance has led me to yoga, which connects me to myself and others in quite the same ways. I feel very grounded and very stable and very connected when I dance and do yoga--which are all things I've always needed.

That's why I belly dance :)
Stef.

In our society the idea of separating the mind and body is really reinforced. Bellydancing helps me feel like I'm whole again. I've never felt whole in my entire life.

I'm not giving this up, because I'm addicted to how I feel about myself and how I see other bellydancers around me are growing and becoming confident and powerful in their beautiful bodies. Another thing thats reinforced is that powerful women or sensual women are seen as threatening. What could be more wonderful than a woman getting up onstage and telling the world with her body that she is powerful, beautiful, and confident, and no one can take it away?

Last of all, I can vent with my body. I feel like I've done dances where I'm releasing sadness, anger, disgust, shame, negative opinions about myself... it's like I'm screaming with my body, in an awesome cathartic way. I dunno

It makes me love my body more. As a big girl this has not always been easy for me but when I dance the extra padding makes for lovely big hip circles and bumps. I feel beautiful and sexy when I dance.

It helps ground me in my body. I have always been the kind of person who lives in their head and this helps me be here, now, in my body.

Its nice to do something physical. It makes me healthy and gives me lots of energy.

I also like the creative outlet it gives me.

I love learning more about belly dance, talking to other belly dancers.

I just love it all.

Many dance to be part of something magical. I dance to express the magic that is inside of me.

WOW! Well - I started thinking about it - can I private message you that answer? It's way too heavy for an open forum - I would love to share openly - but it's too much - and you being such an inspiration.....

Surprisingly enough it's cheaper than comic book collecting. I dance because I'm a puppet of the muses. What else can I do? I was given artistic talent out the wazoo and it would be a terrible injustice for me to waste any gift like that. It's given me a release valve for the things that would probably consume me if I didn't let them out once in a while. Why do you do it Rachel?

~*Spoon*~

I began to dance to connect to my ancestors. Then I continued to dance because I was good, and it gave be a since of belonging amongst others in my group. Then I continued more because it gave me a since of being unique, then when I lost that uniqueness, and forgot how to think for my self and be creative on my own, I stepped out, I am still out but hopefully I will find my individual creativity again soon, and can get back to it. Right now I am loving my family and enjoying the decreased amount of stress that I was feeling before I left my group. I just tried to do too much at the same time. I needed a break.

Why do you Dance Rachel?

A great question!

When I started bd-ing I wanted to do smth I have always looooved but never had the chance to try. I never thought that bellydancing will give me back sooo much.

Thanks to it I found myself again, which is smth that many ppl underestimate these days. If you want to call yourself a happy person you have to know who you really are (this is such a cliché, but it is a true one), what moves you, what your passions are, and dancing has given me all of these things.
It gave me a new kind of confidence, true happiness, a new sparkle in my eyes and my smile, and a couple of wonderful friendships.

(Jeeeez, I sound like a hippie! lolz)

Oh, and looooots, looooooots of fun & laughter and a tighter booty! :oD

I 2nd Addie's Mommy question: Why do you dance Rachel?

Hugs'n'kisses

Why do I dance? Why do I breathe?

I have to dance. It doesn't have to be belly dance, but I just must dance.

Of course now that I've discovered belly dance, I don't think any other form will do. Dancing frees me to be who I am. I dance improv and there's nothing finer in my opinion.

I did cabaret/whatever else you want to call it for two years and every time I danced I felt like I was just putting on a show, it was too much display and not enough me. Too much sequin not enough Earth. Like my tribal Goddess and teacher said to me once, it felt like "I was dancing someone else's dance".

But seeing tribal for the first time and now actually doing it obsessively, I realize this is the way I've wanted to dance for years, it looked like the way I'd naturally been dancing when forgetting everything around me and just doing what I thought felt right. No other dance creates this feeling of sharing, of community yet of self, of passion, of nature... So that's why I love tribal, it's me, it's real, it's beautiful. It just seems like the natural way your body wants to move when it hears music and knows it has to dance :)