Bellybration! Body Celebration through Belly Dance!

Beauty... abundance... strength... confidence. Welcome to my world. I highly recommend you join me!

Belly Dance -- known also as Raqs Sharqi, an Arabic term meaning "Eastern Dance" -- is a dance and art form that originated in the Middle East more than 2000 years ago. It's still embraced, in a variety of forms, by many of these countries today. Around the 20th century, Westerners wised up to the benefits of this beautiful and exotic dance form, and it's now one of the most popular exercise and artistic phenomena to find its way into the lives of women today.

I believe so strongly in the benefits of belly dance; I am particularly inspired by the fact that this exercise and art form celebrates women's bodies at all sizes and at every stage of life. Please check out the "Happenings" page for info on classes.  Bellybration-intensive workshops are still in their infancy, but your ideas and specific needs have inspired me to start creating a program focused specifically on utilizing belly dance as a tool to help build self esteem.  Please contact me -- we'll work together to create an event that works for you!

On behalf of my area dance sisters, I extend an invitation to check out other opportunities as well (please visit "Staying Connected"). To paraphrase the words of Marianne Williamson: "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who am I not to be? I am a child of God. Living my life small serves no one." Enter my website, enjoy what you will find amongst the pages... and within yourself as you explore the world of Belly Dance!

Kinda goofy, I know. But you gotta admit, it's catchy! And chances are, you're gonna remember it! Good! I WANT you to learn, remember, and incorporate good things into your everyday life.

"Bellybration! Body Celebration through Belly Dance!" sums up my spin on how I teach students and educate the public about belly dance: in the spirit of physical and emotional celebration, and discovery of creative joy! We can all stand to try something new and different... especially when it's useful in our quest to build a positive perception of ourselves.
I place a special emphasis on plus-size pride; I will be sure to include more on this later as my website, and the Bellybration entity itself, develops!

 

 

Bellybration, the Dancing Gypsy and the

Worcester Chapter of the National Organization for Women present

LOVE YOUR BELLY!

Intro to Belly Dance workshop to celebrate

National LOVE YOUR BODY day! 

 

October is National Love Your Body month!  Join Worcester NOW for a day of body celebration through belly dance.  This ages-old dance form was created by women, for women, and has been reclaimed by the feminist community.  Women of ALL AGES AND SIZES are encouraged to participate.  Nancy "Aurora" Rogers will be your instructor; she's been introducing women to the beautiful, creative, self-esteem-building art form of belly dance since 2003.

 

When: Sunday October 4, 2009;  2:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Worcester YWCA, 1 Salem Square, Worcester, MA (across from the library)

Sponsored by: The Dancing Gypsy, www.thedancinggypsy.com

Come dressed to move; bring a hip scarf if you wish. Free admission.  This venue is handicap accessible.  For more Information, please contact Aurora: NanDancing@comcast.net.

For our event flyer, please click here.

 

NOW (National Organization for Women) is the largest, most comprehensive feminist advocacy group in the United States.  Our purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in society -- sharing equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities with men, while living free from discrimination.  NOW has designated October 21, 2009, as National Love Your Body day.  For more information on Love Your Body day, please visit www.NOW.org. 

Belly Dancing is an ages-old dance form that's gaining popularity amongst 21st century women for its universal benefits:

* Celebrates ALL ages, sizes, body types, personal styles
* Favors the body and spirit of the plus-size woman!
* Provides a dynamic outlet for creative self-expression
* Gives you a venue to have fun wearing elaborate, colorful, exotic outfits
* Offers the opportunity to discover your own strength, self-affirmation and abundance because you're supported by a community of brave, strong women
* Can help you uncover your authentic self because you're moving as women were made to move
* Low- to no-impact exercise that involves many body-sculpting muscle groups
* Increases confidence in all areas of your life
* MAKES YOU FEEL BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT!

Like I said: it just makes sense. Return to basics, to what comes naturally.
Just simplify.

We are an amazing, talented, diverse dance troupe that performs for special events and civic/educational functions. Incorporating women of all ages, shapes, sizes and personal styles, we exhibit dance and costume from modern cabaret to 16th century Turkish to Gypsy to American Tribal. And we have FUN!! We are indeed a celebration of the joy of the dance and the abundance that's found only by experiencing diversity of style.

We welcome new members, too, and are looking to grow our connections within the central/eastern Massachusetts area. If you're interested in having us perform for your event, or are interested in finding out about other dance events, please visit us online at www.hippychixbellydance.org.