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Mariah's
review of the video - Belly Dancing The Sacred Shapes™ with The
Goddess Dancing™
My first experience of belly dance was
some ten years ago in a small and informal group of women in their twenties to
seventies. Some were society matrons, very linear and likely anorexic, others
squat and round, some, like me, rather average looking. It was such a remarkable
experience to feel the joy of moving together, noticing the commonalities in our
bodies, discovering the exquisiteness of movement expressed in unique ways on
different frames , and seeing a formerly hidden grace in the movement of us all.
In a matter of days there grew a surprising feeling of connectedness, respect
and affection among these women who had previously been somewhat armored and
separate from each other.
In this age of materialism, women are actually marketed as
“products”. We are told we are more valuable with body “enhancements” which they
say will make us feel “more beautiful” and appear more beautiful to others
--especially men --"the consumers”.
Ancient women experienced none of this mind/body control
--these women unabashedly danced their bodies with passion, sensuality and joy.
Today, in our severely sick contemporary culture, many women are afraid to move
our bodies in sensual and satisfying ways because we do not feel thin enough,
talented enough, or “bad” enough to do so. How sad!
Sacred Belly Dance is a celebration of the Feminine Divine
Archetypes, and that Divine as expressed within each of us --as we are now, and
as we grow and shift from moment to moment and over longer periods of time. We
are childwoman, wisewoman, greatwoman, lightwoman, powerwoman, gentlewoman,
changingwoman, motherwoman, careerwoman, sufferingwoman, ecstaticwoman --all
these and more. Each of these is a goddess archetype of great value to the clan,
and more important, worthy of our own respect and love!
What a wonderful gift that THE GODDESS DANCING has given us,
Belly Dancing The Sacred Shapes with The Goddess Dancing
with which we can begin to explore both our sacred and sensual roots in
the privacy of our own homes! Imagine a group of women friends gathering
together, using this video as their guide, dancing goddess imageries which
express our inner truths and journeys! Imagine what might come of loving
ourselves and each other in this powerful way!
Belly Dancing The Sacred Shapes with The
Goddess Dancing engagingly integrates goddess imagery, techniques for
safe movement, and a celebration of the flowing nature of the female form.
Sacred and health-giving breath is encouraged as integral to all movement.
Warm-ups are drawn from movements which dance aspects of particular goddesses
while preparing the body, the mind and the heart for self-expression. The
sacred shapes, the basis of belly dance movement, are presented as tools for
self-expression and fun, not as techniques for performance or competition. And
I find the musical accompaniment is inspiring and evocative.
Sacred belly dance can develop strength, vitality, endurance,
grace, and improve overall physical and emotional health. When we trust
ourselves to explore this ancient tradition, we open ourselves to its inherent
grace and beauty, and open our hearts to ourselves and each other!
Mariah Williams
Integrative Bodywork Practitioner
Peace and Healing Bodyworks
Liberty, Maine
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