Even though I have been a dancer all my life, I really started feeling the power of bodily movement as a teenager. However, I was very modest and shy and not at all comfortable with other people seeing my body. I wore loose, baggy clothing all the time, and while I held high self-esteem, I had a lot of fear around how others might view me.
 
It wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that this all changed for me. I was in a new town and looking for a new dance teacher. I found a beginning Belly Dance class offered through the local Parks and Recreation department. I signed up for an 8-week session. Then another. And another. Within a few months, my teacher asked me to be a part of her professional dance troupe.
 
One day, during rehearsal, a friend said to me, “Do you remember when you first starting taking Belly Dance? You always came to class wearing 2 or 3 layers of clothes! Look at you now!” Seeing myself in the mirror, I realized all I was wearing was a dance bra and short leggings with a scarf tied around my hips! It was a pivotal moment for me, as I began to understand how empowering the practice of dance can be.
 
Belly Dance, in particular, focuses on isolation techniques that target different muscle groups all over the body (some muscles, I didn’t even know I had, because I had never consciously used them before!) Through this process women become more aware of how their body works, moves and changes. It is an intimately powerful practice and has been one of the most empowering experiences I have ever had.
 
My intention is to assist you in experiencing the power of movement through Belly Dance and to empower you with that knowledge and connection to your own body.