Images
Inside and Out
February 1999
Who
hasn't had that moment, when you have explained yourself busy because
you have to go to class--dance class that it is--when you're asked, "What
kind of dance?" "Oh, um, uh, ......." you stall as
you search for words, assessing the person, and wondering if an honest
answer might encourage sarcasm, shock, disbelief, or skepticism.
Whatever the response, your hesitation may be eroding the very powers
that you are building in class. I am not suggesting that you must
answer with a loud cry, "BELLY dance," I wish only to
bring consciousness to this point for awareness. The wonderful nature
of belly dance is it that builds the body image, self image, and
self esteem.
Contrary to the surface association that most Westerners (and most men)
give to this dance-- subordination, sex, slavery, and harem life-- it
is more truly known as freedom of imagination coupled with a full expression
of the body. A beginning dancer spends weeks (maybe years) inhibited,
stiff, and dancing inwardly; the learned dancer moves each muscle in a
rhythmic symphony of motion that draws the external music inward, couples
it with her inner music and expresses it outward once more, to the pleasure
of those who may be witness. As difficult as it is to move through the
stages, recognizing the ever-present clouds of poor self image and dispelling
them, the reward is found in a straighter back, a deft chin, and a dance
that assuages mind, body, and soul.
So the next time a curious expression passes over the face of a person
who has just asked, "oh, what kind of dance class," pity
their narrow understandings of beauty and of women. And, though
it may be a little over the top to spin around with outstretched arms
and shimmy away, more power to you.
