With distinct memories of being a 7 year old in the
playground among school friends dancing to the “Locomotion”, I often used to go
home after school itching to practice my dancing even more. I used to love it when my friends and I showed
off our dancing to the other kids and dinner ladies in the playground. In a racially divided school at the time,
dancing helped bring children from different ethnicities together, which is something
I’ll never forget.
Now as an adult, my dance passions lie in bellydance, also
known as Raqs Sharqi, Middle Eastern dance and Arabic Dancing. People often ask me in surprise, “so why
bellydance?” And I always reply “WHY NOT!” Bellydance is not only a beautiful and historical
artform, it has an inclusive culture open to children, men and women of all
shapes and sizes, whilst embracing femininity, sensuality and celebrating
diversity.
I first discovered bellydance by accident during a trip to Egypt in 2007
on a cruise along the Nile. A lady was on
the dance floor in a stunning white outfit dancing to the beat of a live
drummer. At the time I had no idea what
she was doing, but I loved it - her energy was so uplifting and the dancing was
exquisite. Everyone in the audience clapped,
cheered and were taking loads of pictures. I
was sat there smiling happily whilst bouncing in my seat during the performance,
which did not go unnoticed because I got pulled up to dance (OMG!) - as photographed above. Later I discovered that the lady was in fact bellydancing,
and the drummer was not just playing any old drum, it was the Darbuka, a classic
Middle Eastern Drum. As soon as I returned to England after this trip to Egypt, I
started attending bellydance classes and to this day I continue to be mesmerised by
the artform (recent photo below). 
Today is a good day for the bellydance community - its ‘World
Bellydance Day’. Every year, the second
Saturday in May is a day for bellydancers all over the world to celebrate the
magic of this dance, raise awareness for what bellydance actually is and contribute
to supporting local charities through their love of this dance.
So what’s YOUR muse? Think about what inspires you and brings you alive. And whatever your muse turns
out to be, be it dancing, painting, singing, walking, anything... just go for it!
Happy
shimmies :)
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