The Goddess workout

Published on April 17, 2006 By dharmagrl In Misc

I've going to start bellydancing. I've been doing yoga for ages, but to be honest my heart's simply not in it anymore. The on base classes have changed and I don't care for the new ones. The surgery has made it hard for me to attain and hold some of the poses, and some of them are simply not physically possible for me to do anymore. I've been trying to find some way to reignite my passion for yoga, but I've been failing miserably.

Ever since I wrote the article 'Goddess Emerging' I've been looking for ways to celebrate the goddess within me - I've changed my appearance and the way I dress; I've re-assessed the way I think and the way I view things....I've been doing my best to not just accept the goddess but to actively embrace her and, as I said, to celebrate her. Bellydancing is the ultimate goddess activity as far as I'm concerned; it's moves emphasize a woman's hips and breasts - the parts of the body that make us women are the parts that bellydancing requires us to move.

I had thought about taking a bellydancing class years ago whilst I was living in South Dakota, but up there classes were few and far between. I did come across one place that ran bellydancing classes, but was never able to attend for one reason or another - either Dave was gone or we didn't have the money - the time was never right and I never got to go to classes.

Now, however, the time must be right: there's a 6 week beginner class starting in mid-May; I have the money, AND I have the time. Matter of fact, there are two or three places that have new classes starting in May, so even if one falls through I'll be able to attend one of the other classes. In the meantime, I've ordered myself some DVD's so that I can check out and practice the basic moves at home.

So, I'm going to go start what's also known as 'the goddess workout'. I'm going to make myself a hip scarf and I'm going to get some zills (finger cymbals) and I'm going to be shaking and shimmying and clanging all over the place!

Anyone care to join me?

Comments

island_gurl12

on Apr 17, 2006

When you talk about the "goddess" it makes me think of the Da Vinci Code!

Anyhoo, belly dancing is a very feminine and sensual dance, i think you should go for it! And take heaps of pictures ok!

Locamama

on Apr 17, 2006

Have fun, Dharma! shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture!

MasonM

on Apr 17, 2006

I thought of an incredibly witty reply to this but saw something shiny and totally lost it.

JillUser

on Apr 18, 2006

That sounds awesome! I've heard it is fantastic exercise and I bet Dave will appreciate it too

I've taken line dancing classes before and that was so much fun. I have too much to shake right now but that might be a good way to shade the baby weight down the road.

ParaTed2k

on Apr 18, 2006

Shake and Shimmy that goddess you're becoming Karen! The workout will leave you feeling better, help you recover from your surgery faster, and give you more energy; the toning will help your self image, your confidence and your swimming suit... and when Dave looks at you, you will understand why goddesses get worshipped. ;~D

Dave is one lucky man, but he's been that a long time now, hasn't he. ;~D

Dr Guy

on Apr 18, 2006

I use to know a Librarian down here who taught them. She was about 4' nothing, and you would never suspect that was her pastime, but she was good!

Enjoy it, but I think I will pass on the invite.

dharmagrl

on Apr 18, 2006

When you talk about the "goddess" it makes me think of the Da Vinci Code!

Anyhoo, belly dancing is a very feminine and sensual dance, i think you should go for it! And take heaps of pictures ok

You know, I'm just now getting around to reading that - and oddly enough, it's theories about Mary Magdalene are nes that I've held to be true for a while now. I've been into Gnosticism and bought copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Nag Hamadi texts (In the form of The Other Bible and The Gnostic Gospels) this past summer - so The DaVinci code really talks about what I believe.

shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture!

You made me snort coffee out of my nose! HAHAHAHAHA! Hey, you should shake it too - see if you can find classes near to you?! I'd probably make you feel a hell of a lot better about yourself!

I thought of an incredibly witty reply to this but saw something shiny and totally lost it

I always knew you were a magpie, Mason.

I've heard it is fantastic exercise

So have I. Apparently it's a good cardio workout and it exercises all your abs and even your pelvic floor. I'm just looking forward to actually doing a workout that's fun - yoga just hasn't been doing it for me for a while now and riding my bike has lost it's charm. So, I'm reallly excited about this bellydancing!

I have too much to shake right now but that might be a good way to shade the baby weight down the road.

Exactly. And, because of the muscles used (abs and pelvis) it would be an excellent way to firm up what the baby stretched out! I'll let you know how good the DVD's I've ordered are in case you do decide to get into it!

Yep, I'm thinking that this will benefit both my spiritual and physical sides!

Dave is one lucky man, but he's been that a long time now, hasn't he. ;~D

Yep, he's lucky alright, and he's been lucky for almost 13 years now. Some days he knows he's lucky, other days...well, not so much.

pseudosoldier

on Apr 18, 2006

The only CDs that I own that would qualify for this (as attested to by an ex-pat Iraqi who my squad leader at the time was hot for) are a couple of mixed dance CDs by DJ Nader. It seems that he's gained a little more popularity now, as he has multiple CDs listed on Amazon. The ones I have are Remix: Arabic Club Mix Vol. 2 Link (I'm fairly certain someone else did Vol. 1) and Play It Loud 2000 Link (which is the one of the two I prefer). I'm looking at maybe picking up Music for the Hips Link which sounds promising for what you'd like, too, and looks like it's more like Western DJ mixes/re-mixes. There's some sound samples on there, too, but I haven't checked them out in awhile.

You need help with the Arabic, you know where to come. (Translating song lyrics is pretty damned hard, though, unless they're written out.)

dharmagrl

on Apr 18, 2006

I'm looking at maybe picking up Music for the Hips Link which sounds promising for what you'd like, too

Dude, those are awesome! I went and listened to some of the samples....they're exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the pointer!

Oh, and I will be asking you to help me translate!

lifehappens

on Apr 18, 2006

Cool Beans. HW loves the fact that I took up bellydancing a few years ago. He's always bugging me about when I'm going to start again.....Maybe you just gave me the motivation I need.
Thanks! And enjoy!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!