I'm perfect for Belly Dance - and so are you !

1/1/2016

Updated 12/31/2020

New Years Day ! - the day when the diet adverts start, the offers from the gym come through the mail and the wrinkle cream ads fill up Facebook. Isn't it wonderful to be reminded that you are old, fat and unfit !

If there is one thing that belly dance has taught me, it is that I am perfect. I don't want to sound self centered (although I am - and that is fine too), but this is as good as it gets. I woke up this morning, therefore I am perfect for the day ahead. I have food for my family, a roof over their heads, time to laugh and smile - that's perfect. My body may not be your idea of perfect, but as long as it processes food, gets me up the stairs and doesn't hurt, then its perfect to me.

Being body positive is knowing that today is a happy day, which deserves to be shared in photos. Its about loving that pink jumper but buying it in the size that fits today, so you can wear it tomorrow. Its about knowing that some people don't like your body shape/hair color/height/sex, but that millions of other people think you are red hot - and neither group matter as long as you and the person you snuggle are perfect. Its heartbreaking to see people who put their life on pause, until they are perfect. Perfect is here and now, its you and me - it can't be a wish for the future, when today is already here.

I feel sad when students tell me they are too big, too tall, too old, too "not perfect" for belly dance. Its simply not true. Because belly dance works with your body, and not against it, you are perfect for belly dance ! There are no rules, only ideas: when you dance a love song, you don't need arms that open wide, or ankles that can support your weight - you need a heart, you need honesty, you need fearlessness....

A great teacher can help you increase your strength, flexibility and coordination. Some people who take belly dance classes loose weight, some tone up, some get great abs. Everyone gets more confident. Confidence comes from learning how far your body will take you, how it can move to the music, how beautiful you feel and look. Confidence is sexy and sometimes it can be life changing.

Take a moment today to say thank you to your beautiful body for all it does for you. Pamper it with good food, lots of water and rest. Put on some music and move, relax and unknot the tensions of the holiday season. Take a look in the mirror and look at the belly dancer. You are the belly dancer, and you are perfect x

.Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher, mentor and performer.

Her first book "Teaching Belly Dance" was released in 2014. Her second book, co-authored with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", is also available on Amazon. In 2021 she hopes to bring her popular work book "52 Lesson Plans and how to write 5,000 more" to Amazon as a physical book. The PDF is already available in her store.

Sara's Books on Amazon

More Blogs from Sara:

The History of Bellydance - Where to Start

10 Resourses for Study at Home Dancers

Being Part of the Solution

Preparing for your Private Lesson

10 Simple Steps to Creating a Choreography

9 Comments

Lorie

1/2/2016 08:30:21 am

This is a fantastic post. It is how I felt when I started dancing and it makes me feel that I must get back to dancing. Thank you.

Marguerite N link

1/2/2016 10:50:33 am

Thank you!! I love this post!! You are a wonderful role model!!

Jamie link

1/2/2016 11:07:23 am

You are beautifully perfect and your insights are inspiring. Thank you!

Charlotte

1/3/2016 01:43:36 am

This is EXACTLY the point about belly-dancing. It is an extraordinarily empowering dance form that is accessible to ALL women - whatever their shape or age or ability. It is the ultimate female bonding experience. It can free women from a lifetime of shame and self-loathing; help cancer-survivors recover a sense of joy in their femininity; help abuse survivors recover their power and sexuality; help with grief, depression, divorce, hum-drum boredom. It is wonderful to inspire renewed confidence in your body and yourself after injury or trauma and, it has to be said, absolutely FANTASTIC for your sex-life! I have taught, on an amateur basis, a small group of beautiful women, 35 - 63, of all sizes, abilities and shapes, for the past seven years. I have seen complete transformation in some of their lives and a blossoming of womanly strength and confidence. We get together whenever we can and the whole evening is a bonding experience of sharing time, food, wine, love, conversation and dance in a non-threatening, non-judgemental and joyous atmosphere. I do it just for the sheer love of sharing this wonderful art form with other wonderful women. Thank you so much Sara for sharing your own experience :)

Kelly

1/8/2016 02:57:59 pm

Thank you! I needed that because I keep saying I'm going to go back to class butmost times find a reason not to go due Tia significant weight gain. Then again I found some excuse not to go because of other reasons. You inspired me. Thank you again

Caroline

1/1/2017 02:56:46 pm

I would love to do belly dance, but I am much too fat and much too old at 57. Where would I find a teacher who was right for me?

sara shrapnell link

1/1/2017 05:37:40 pm

Hi Caroline !
57 is still prime time for belly dancers - many of us intend to keep dancing well into our 90's.
And when you are feeling overweight its time to find a form of exercise that gets your heart rate up for 30 to 60 minutes a couple of times a day. Belly dance does just that ! If you can stand for 30 minutes, then you can dance for 30 minutes. I have also taught people with injuries who have had to start out with just 5 minutes and build the time up. Nothing is impossible, unless you decide its impossible.
Google is the best way to find a local teacher - and follow the link above to my blog on finding the perfect teacher for you. When you look at their web site, you should get a good idea of what their classes will be like and if you will get along with the other students in the class.
Sara

sara shrapnell

1/1/2017 05:38:27 pm

http://hubpages.com/entertainment/Finding-a-Great-Belly-Dance-Teacher

Susan Harper

7/10/2017 12:48:25 am

Caroline, I started belly dancing at 67 years of age and at more than 100 pounds overweight. On my most recent birthday, I belly danced in full costume and make-up at a local pub. The crowd was delighted, even if the band did drop a few notes when I slid out of my cover-up cloak and snake-hipped out onto the dance floor. Belly dance is fun! Signing up for a beginner class is a commitment of only a few weeks. You might be surprised at the age and weight of the other dancers!

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Author

Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.

She has taught more than 5,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She has closed down her classes in California and moved to Arizon, where she hopes to teach in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley once studios open up after Covid. She teaches on-line for the Belly Dance Business Academy, and offers workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.

Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook. Both are available on Amazon.