DANCE TO THE GREAT MOTHER

Belly dance (by whatever name it is called) is poetry of the body expressed in ancient meaningful gestures. It is a symphony of moving pictures and framed poses, a revelation of the human soul, and a sensuous feminine art. It is a celebration of womanhood, a dance by women for women's purposes! It is excellent for any age; it can be practiced in preparation for childbirth, to deepen the connection with the baby inside through a deep concentration on the miracle of new life. After childbirth, the dance can be practiced as a way to tone the abdominal muscles and to recall the depth of your female sensuality, a sense of self as an individual that is often lost to women postpartum. The term "belly dance" is, oddly enough, appropriate, as all life is centered around the belly, the archetype of the Great Mother and feminine creative principle is best expressed by this dance. (excerpts from Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance)

Isadora Duncan said:

"The dancer of the future will realize the mission of the woman's body and the holiness of all it's parts. She will dance the changing life of nature, showing how each part is transformed into the other. From all parts of her body shall shine radiant intelligence, bringing to the world the message of the thoughts and aspirations of thousands of women. She shall dance the freedom of women!"

TO MY SISTER IN DANCE

I will not point out your failures
I will not expound upon our differences
I will not show you disrespect
YOU ARE MY SISTER

I will saghareet at your shimmies
I will clap for your hip drops
I will return your smile
YOU ARE MY SISTER

I will let you dance first at the hafla
I will let you pick our song
I will give you the recognition you deserve
YOU ARE MY SISTER

I will sing with you
drum with you
dance with you
YOU ARE MY SISTER

Beth Jones

WHAT IS THE BELLY DANCE?

TAKE A CHANCE - BELLY DANCE

The Belly Dance is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso, and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions. Characteristic movements in the dance include curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, and drops, and shaking or quaking body movements. The focus is on isolated movements of individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps. Arms and hands move fluidly, like serpents or ribbons in the air. Unusual strength and control is demonstrated in the belly area.

Sometime known as MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE or RAQS SHARKI

TAKE A CHANCE - BELLY DANCE

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PRACTICING "KINDNESS"

When you go to class, do you compare yourself with other students? You may feel like you're behind some people, or ahead of others. It's natural to compare ourselves to those we see around us - we've been conditioned to do that by commercials & ads all our life.

Friendly competition can also be a useful self-motivational tool-but use it wisely! If you feel you have superior skills, be sure to practice patience and kindness while waiting for others to catch up. And always show respect for those who have surpassed your level, and acknowledge their accomplishments with geniune pleasure.

The "family model" is a wonderful social construct; think of your fellow dancers as sisters- some are "older" and more experienced, others are below us in knowledge and maturity. But treat them as kindly and as considerately as you would your own siblings-be happy for them when they succeed; compassionate when they fail.

(part of article) written by Anthea (Kawakib)
http://www.kawakib.com/

JUDY'S GYPSIES will be performing at the Abbott Terrace Nursing Home (44 Abbott Terrace) this coming Wed. night, Aug. 31st at 7:00pm. All of our beautiful ladies are asked to come & dance or just support your "sisters in dance"!! Practice will start at 5:00pm that night. We will be leaving the center between 6:15pm & 6:30pm

About Oriental Dance (aka Belly Dance)

In Arabic it is called "raqs sharqi" which translates literally to "Eastern Dance" or "Oriental Dance": raqs=dance, sharqi=Eastern, Oriental. Raqs Beledi, it's more common dance relation, means "of the country, folk or people" - raqs beledi refers to the dances done by ordinary people. Raqs sharqi refers to the stage presentations as performed by professionals. Raqs sharqi's basic movement vocabulary consists of intricate hip articulation, flowing arm movement and undulatory movements of the torso; often augmented by floor work, playing of finger cymbals or use of props, ie: veils, canes, swords, candelabras, snakes, etc. On stage it is usually performed mostly by a soloist. Often dancers will use the terms belly dance and Oriental dance to refer to both Raqs Sharqi and Raqs Beledi.

The true origins of this art form are hotley debated. What can be said for sure is that the elements of the dance were taken from many of the regions that met and melded in the Middle East, through trade, war and travel. A few influences particularly notable, Africa, Turkey, Greece, Persia, the Rrom people and the Arabic-speaking countries. Certain movements such as the belly roll and flutter are traceable to birthing rituals practiced by some Berber tribes in North Africa, some Bedouin tribes in Arabia and others.

More of the History to follow !

HAPPY HIPS!

Everyday movement does not really require that we move our upper body separately from our lower body. However, as belly dancers, such isolation is not only beneficial, it is crucial! To gain this isolation, you must practice, practice, practice! But you must also stretch, stretch, stretch. The muscles which help or hinder your isolation are primarily the obliques (the muscles along the side of your torso) the psoas (connecting your pelvis to your torso) and the hip flexors. Stretch one arm over your head, leaning over (but keeping your chest straight i.e., not twisting it forward or back). You should feel a nice long stretch along your ribs and even down across your hips. There are many variations of this stretch - find one you like and that seems to give you a nice long stretch. Better yet, do all the variations. You'd be surprised how they build on one another. Now keep your chest lifted and slide your hips to one side. Really push it out there - feel the stretch across your hip bone. Use hip circles and loose shimmies to warm up your hips and your side muscles. Do these stretches EVERY DAY! When these muscles are long and flexible, they allow you to move your hips without involving the upper body and vice versa.

(farfesha)

SACRED BELLYDANCE

Belly dance is a celebration of life. In ancient times when people were awed by the miracle of birth, belly dance was a ritual of love, magic and worship of the divine feminine creator.

As temple priestesses danced, they were the embodiment of the goddess on earth - vessels of spirit, channels of divine wisdom!

Ask yourself, have I changed in any way since I began studying Belly Dancing? On what level: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual? Or...perhaps all of them! If you answered yes, then ask yourself "in what way"?

• Are you stronger?


• Are you more sure of yourself?


• Are you more grounded?


• Are you more animated?


• Do you have more energy to be productive?


• Can you feel spirit within when you just let the music move you?


• Do you appreciate yourself more as a woman?
  
  When you've danced hard and it was one of those magical moments in time when the energy was right and you know you did an outstanding job, do you feel the warm glow of your energy body? If you've never experienced that phenomenon, you will sooner or later if you continue to grow in this art form. It's not an "ego" high I'm talking about, it's about being EMPOWERED ON ALL LEVELS, not just one. That's called being in "harmony" with one's self!

Welcome to Judy's Gypsies !!

Soon I will be making a weekly update to dance articles, special events and the news from Compassionate Hands. Watch for the new pages and articles soon! Judy

Negative passions may run high, but they do not have to rule.

Your inner peace, and the sanctify of your being, are not worth trashing because of some negative feeling you have about something or someone. Just let it go and return to the knowing and experiencing of who you really are. Your inner self, your true soul, will feel the release and be so grateful. You are worthy and deserve only the best of feelings - this is the Creator's desire for you.

"Thought is a powerful tool
And when any of us focus on positive
Change in our lives and the world,
We can begin to create the type
Of world we have all been waiting for"
...Rev. Jilliana Raymond

"WHEN YOU PERFORM . . . YOU ARE OUT OF YOURSELF--LARGER AND MORE POTENT, MORE BEAUTIFUL. YOU ARE FOR MINUTES HEROIC. THIS IS POWER. THIS IS GLORY ON EARTH.
----AGNES DE MILLE

WE DANCE AND WE ARE THE DANCE.
DON'T MISS THE WOMAN YOU WERE MEANT TO BE. DON'T MISS YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. LISTEN TO THE WHISPERS OF YOUR HEART! BEGIN THE JOURNEY INWARD IN ORDER FOR THE REAL YOU TO SPRING FORTH.

The new year rings out the old and rings in the new. And more - much more - can change than simply the dates on the calendar. You can resolve this week to change your entire life ... or any aspect of your self and your experience that you choose.
And should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? No. Keep old friends near, and old loves dear. For they will help you make those changes in your life that will produce miracles, if you let them. Happy, happy New Year!

JANUARY, the month of new beginnings and cherished memories, beckons. Come, let winter weave her wondrous spell: cold, crisp, woolen-muffler days, long dark evenings of savory suppers, lively conversations, or solitary joys. Outside the temperature drops as the snow falls softly. All of nature is at peace. We should be, too. Draw hearthside. This is the month to dream, to look forward to the year ahead and the journey within.
Sarah Ban Breathnach
(from: Simple Abundance)

"When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen:
Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly!"
~~Edward Teller

EMPOWERMENT OF DANCE

Ask yourself, have I changed in any way since I began studying Belly Dancing? On what level: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual? Or... perhaps all of them.
If you answered yes then ask yourself "in what way"?

• Are you stronger?
• Are you more sure of yourself?
• Are you more grounded?
• Are you more animated?
• Do you have more energy to be productive
• Can you feel spirit within when you just let the music move you?
• Do you appreciate yourself more as a woman?

When you've danced hard and it was one of those magical moments in time when the energy was right and you know you did an outstanding job, do you feel the warm glow of your energy body? If you've never experienced that phenomenon, you will sooner or later if you continue to grow in this art form. It's not an "ego" high I'm talking about, it's about being EMPOWERED ON ALL LEVELS, not just one. That's called being in "harmony" with one's self!
~~from "Spirituality and Dance" by Janeeda (Zaghareet!)

"Difficult times have helped to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever."
~~~Isak Dinesen

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Massage as a healing tool has been around for thousands of years in many cultures. We now have scientific proof of the benefits of massage - benefits ranging from treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our modern lifestyles. Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind - there are specific physiological and psychological changes which occur, even more so when massage is utilized as a PREVENTATIVE, FREQUENT THERAPY and not simply mere luxury. Massage not only feels good, but it can cure what ails you!
Massage is a perfect elixir for good health, but it can also provide an integration of body and mind. By producing a meditative state or heightened awareness of living in the present moment, massage can provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true relaxation and peace.
In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic (and holistic) approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Find welcome release and relief and a balance leading to a higher state of health both emotionally and physically by letting our massage therapist treat you to a full hour of a soothing and relaxing body massage, allowing you to drift away on a mini-vacation!
SEE OUR ANNIVERSARY MASSAGE SPECIAL BELOW.