My belly debut

Veldflower · 10-09-2006, 02:47 PM

a saturday like most other saturdays, waking up, cleaning house, looking for anything that can be incorporated into my belly dance class. I come across some of my mom's sari blouses and next thing I know I'm trying them on. A beautiful tourqoise one fits almost just right. It's a bit too lose and the sleeves have hideous gathers at the shoulders. My sister gives her approval and since I am running late there is not much time to analyse the situation.

A quick iron as it is rather creased, some borrowed jewellery from my sister and of course a big t-shirt to hide it all as I get in and out of the car.

I arrive at class and without too much thought I remove my t-shirt to reveal my less than perfect belly. I felt a bit awkward for the first 10 minutes or so but soon it was okay and I was even able to look at myself in the mirror.

In a community where women are encouraged to cover their bodies and in a society where perfection is deemed to be a flat belly, it is nice to know I have a space where I can be who am, imperfections and all.

If nothing else, my belly debut has improved my dancing as there is no place to hide incorrect posture or badly executed moves.

Queenie · 10-10-2006, 10:38 AM

So nice to read

I've been dancing for four years now, and I only got over the bare-belly-fear about a year ago. Now I wonder how I could ever see what I was doing, all covered up

Yshka · 10-10-2006, 11:46 AM

Dear Veldflower, that's wonderful

!! I've been dancing for three years now. And though I do perform with my troupe wearing bedlah with nothing covering my belly, in class I don't dance with an uncovered belly. I wear something tight to show the movement instead.

Babylonia · 10-10-2006, 12:20 PM

Congrats to you! I know it can be a big step.

10-09-2006, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Veldflower Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 6	My belly debut a saturday like most other saturdays, waking up, cleaning house, looking for anything that can be incorporated into my belly dance class. I come across some of my mom's sari blouses and next thing I know I'm trying them on. A beautiful tourqoise one fits almost just right. It's a bit too lose and the sleeves have hideous gathers at the shoulders. My sister gives her approval and since I am running late there is not much time to analyse the situation. A quick iron as it is rather creased, some borrowed jewellery from my sister and of course a big t-shirt to hide it all as I get in and out of the car. I arrive at class and without too much thought I remove my t-shirt to reveal my less than perfect belly. I felt a bit awkward for the first 10 minutes or so but soon it was okay and I was even able to look at myself in the mirror. In a community where women are encouraged to cover their bodies and in a society where perfection is deemed to be a flat belly, it is nice to know I have a space where I can be who am, imperfections and all. If nothing else, my belly debut has improved my dancing as there is no place to hide incorrect posture or badly executed moves.

10-10-2006, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Queenie Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 58	So nice to read I've been dancing for four years now, and I only got over the bare-belly-fear about a year ago. Now I wonder how I could ever see what I was doing, all covered up

10-10-2006, 11:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Yshka Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,250	Dear Veldflower, that's wonderful !! I've been dancing for three years now. And though I do perform with my troupe wearing bedlah with nothing covering my belly, in class I don't dance with an uncovered belly. I wear something tight to show the movement instead.

10-10-2006, 12:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Babylonia Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 402	Congrats to you! I know it can be a big step.