Belly dance is more than dance. It's women's magic.

Who am I to write about women's magic? I don't fully understand it and don't claim to, and yet through the process of teaching belly dance to countless women over the past seven years, I've begun to see the potential. 

 

Breaking patterns that we create through our everyday movement or lack of movement is difficult. It can be uncomfortable, painful, and even threatening. We stand, sit, walk and eat. We talk on the phone and type on the computer. All with a very limited range of motion. It's easy to forget sometimes that our bodies are capable of doing more than what we do each day. And yet, when we are able to move beyond our normal routine and push our bodies to find our true limits, it is amazing how good it feels! 

 

That's where the practice of belly dance comes in. From the first breaths of warm up, to the undulating spine, circling hips, and staccato shimmies, it breaks the patterns of our normal daily movement. It may be surprising to hear that through a practice of movement isolations in dance, pathways can be opened in the body. The effects of this dance form are far reaching, and may not be fully understood. 

 

There is more than just a physical reaction, these moves open channels that may be blocked, and release stagnant energies simply through doing them. The chakras can open. Body image can shift. Attitude can change.

 

Really? All through dancing? Yes! Belly dance is magic and medicine with tangible, positive effects on the body and mind. It is no wonder that it is such a draw for women who are on the edge of conscious change and alternative living. Spiritual seekers of many varieties come to belly dance, maybe not even knowing why. Women looking to change their lives, change their attitudes, change their bodies end up in classes. They form tribes all over the world through movement, and connect with each other on the dance floor. It is powerful and beautiful. 

 

The effects can be incredible. Give it a try to see for yourself. There is magic and medicine in this dance that is needed right now more than ever. What are you waiting for? Join the tribe if you dare!

 

By Satya

 

Satya is the director of the Bella Rouge Dance Company, with weekly ongoing classes at Dance Works Studio in Grand Junction, Colorado. More information can be found at www.bellarougetribal.com or call 970-241-1221.