| Belly dancing per se has been around for | | | | |
| centuries and the very word brings to mind | | | | Belly dance festivals, workshops and |
| images of lithe women rolling their bodies | | | | festivals, not to mention belly dance |
| sinuously to the call of music. Its origin | | | | holidays, give ample opportunity to learn the |
| seems to drift historically between oriental | | | | craft whole heartedly and with dedication |
| or inspired by the Romany gypsies. Today, | | | | within a specified time frame. The art form |
| however, belly dancing is more of a | | | | of this dance has inspired several amateurs |
| celebration of myriad cultures, which seeks | | | | to seriously pursue the more advanced forms |
| to incorporate the best of all the cultures | | | | of belly dancing across the countries where |
| that have laid a claim on belly dancing. | | | | it has originated. Most of the steps in the |
| Tribal belly dancing is this beautiful, | | | | tribal belly dance are circular motions that |
| passionate fusion of cultures that glorifies | | | | are isolated in one body part at a time. The |
| the passionate self within the dancer. | | | | dancer gyrates and shimmies using clever |
| | | | muscle control to keep the rhythm going |
| Tribal belly dancing has evolved with the | | | | effortlessly. As you get better at belly |
| years as more and more people are discovering | | | | dancing, flexibility is increased and tricks |
| the exhilarating experience of stylized dance | | | | using coins and swords are popular to |
| that actually frees up the muscular structure | | | | demonstrate the use of muscles especially in |
| of the body by doing amazing movements and | | | | the belly and hips. |
| can the mind be far behind. Tribal belly | | | | |
| dance can make the most stoic of women relate | | | | Tribal belly dancing whether American tribal |
| to the inner free spirit within herself and | | | | fusion or otherwise, internalizes the rhythms |
| spin free with the pulsating moves that the | | | | and the outflow of emotion. It is channeled |
| dance demands. The very name tribal belly | | | | into an improvised dance that has its own |
| dance has a primordial ring to it that | | | | uniqueness and cannot be learnt by rote. Each |
| releases one from the dreary life and | | | | dancer makes a personal experience with the |
| transports the dancer to another level that | | | | music and communicates with an individual |
| enhances her, both personally and physically. | | | | style. It is more of a communication with the |
| | | | audience on a one to one basis and this is |
| Tribal belly dancing costumes actually have | | | | what adds to the simplicity and fluid |
| such color and grace that every belly dancer | | | | sensuality of the dance. It is a |
| wearing them is going to feel at one with her | | | | misconception that tribal belly dancing is |
| essential womanliness. These belly dancing | | | | only sensual in appeal; it is actually a very |
| costumes are overtly flowing, colorful and | | | | mature demonstration that is not coy and at |
| gracefully gorgeous. They gladden every woman | | | | the same time is imbued with a rare dignity. |
| with the flowing lines and gauzy veils that | | | | |
| emphasize feminity. Finger cymbals called | | | | Many women in the US and Europe turn to |
| zills are worn to click between the fingers | | | | tribal belly dancing because they treat it as |
| and the jewelery is exotic and bold. The | | | | a kind of self empowerment tool that heals as |
| tribal jewelery includes headpieces that are | | | | it teaches. Being able to belly dance is a |
| made of beaten silver or copper and are | | | | healing medium for mind, body and soul. It |
| fairly large and help keep the head scarf in | | | | frees them from their inner demons whether |
| place. There are belts made of coins and | | | | they have issues that need healing or |
| semi-precious stones. | | | | otherwise. There is something very uplifting |
| | | | in challenging one's ability to learn a new |
| American tribal style belly dance has evolved | | | | medium and frees the spirit in music. It is a |
| from their fascination for the exotic rhythms | | | | spiritual release that endows well being of |
| and the music. There is a distinctive | | | | mind and body. |
| stylization to the American version of tribal | | | | |
| fusion belly dance that somehow has a touch | | | | Tribal belly dancing even though fairly young |
| of Hollywood. Belly dancing is now a hugely | | | | in inception; it is growing in leaps and |
| popular dance form in the US for the simple | | | | bounds. It has been embraced for being a |
| reason that in today's world, women do not | | | | multicultural offering that is exquisite in |
| get a chance to flaunt their essential | | | | its bold definitions and delicate message. It |
| feminine nature and by doing the tribal | | | | may seem very blatant but actually has a |
| fusion belly dance, they are subconsciously | | | | lingering sweetness that has not been lost |
| reaching out to the core of their essential | | | | through the centuries of evolving to what it |
| womanhood. | | | | is today. |