We are all born to dance, but throughout life we become self-conscious and are even
taught to be afraid of our own bodies. This is especially true for women. Every culture
has a different idea of aesthetic beauty, and women will use any means necessary to
try to gain that fleeting image. The media has done everything possible to brainwash
us into believing that we are not good enough and that we can only be beautiful if we
buy a certain product to look like a certain model. No matter what we are always left
wanting more.
"We will be Known by the Tracks we Leave
Behind."  -Dakota Proverb
One of the greatest aspects about belly dance is that it doesn't matter what you look like.
There is no standard body type, weight, height, etc.. In fact, this is one of the few forms of
dance where it is actually better to be curvier than the typical ballerina. In the years that I have
been studying I have seen amazing dancers who range anywhere from 100 lbs. to 300 lbs. It
doesn't matter. This dance is about discovering your true beauty. It is about sisterhood and
bringing out the strength that women hold inside.
Photo is courtesy of Brad Seelman
Photo is courtesy of Brad Seelman