Asali


The art of Middle Eastern Dance is known by
many names; Oriental Dance, Raks Sharqi, Danse
du Ventre,  Beledi, Egyptian Cabaret, and of
course, Bellydance.

For centuries, the role of Oriental dance in Middle
Eastern Society has been that of a folk dance
which people would do at joyous occasions such
as weddings, the birth of a child, community
festivals, and other events that bring people
together. It is a dance that men, women, and
children do for fun.  Bellydance is a fun way to
exercise and to promote wellness.

Testimonials to Belly Dance:

Mahisti - Rock Hill, South Carolina
 I grew up believing I was a clumsy oaf.  I was never a slender
girl, and I had a tendency to trip on invisible objects, twist my
ankle or bump into doorways.  Dance, I thought, was not for me.  
I could handle the “sway-back-and-forth” style that people who
don’t dance depend on, sure.  But dancing in some way that
made people see me as graceful or beautiful?  Never going to
happen.   Whenever we spent a weekend at the Renaissance
faire, I would watch the lovely belly dancers spin, shimmy and
undulate, yearning to be like them but certain I never would be.
One afternoon, I noticed a small story in the newspaper about
belly dance lessons being offered at the JayCee Hut five
minutes from my house.   On a whim, I called the teacher and
made arrangements to begin learning from her.  After all, it was
so close by, and the price was right.  If I turned out to be
embarrassingly awful, I could always quit and no one would
know.  I threw on some workout clothes, swallowed my fear and
showed up for the first class.  And to my shock and delight, I
began learning how to be graceful.  I could move fluidly, just like
the smaller women.  I could be beautiful!
That was five years ago.  I’m still a goddess-sized woman, but no
longer do I see myself as a clumsy goof.  I’m an advanced
student with the same teacher.  I’ve been a member of her
student troupe, the Beledi Beat Dancers, for three years. I’ve
danced with the Jewels of the Caravan at the Carolina
Renaissance Faire for the last three seasons.  And every time I
hit the floor, I can’t help smiling for the joy of movement that I’ve
learned from belly dance.  

Summer - Shelby, North Carolina
Since I started taking belly dance classes from Asali I feel like I
have had a new world opened up to me. It has become
something that I absolutely love. Asali has been an inspirational
and amazing teacher. She has taught us that belly dance is so
much more than just a dance. The confidence you get from
doing this dance, and the friendships you form with other
dancers are priceless.

Ilyena - New Jersey
Bellydance has helped me lose weight, get in better
shape, and lift my mood.  You'll tone muscles you
didn't even know you had!  The best side-effect,
though, is bellydance-afterglow: that pure joy you
feel after giving yourself over to the dance.
Bellydance is also wonderful for reawakening your
sensual side.  It strengthens posture,
self-confidence, and the moves look beautiful on women
of any size and shape.

Eidolon - Alabama
Bellydance is truly a passion for me; it's almost spiritual. Anyone
can dance - no matter what size or shape you are or what your
background is. I have absolutely no dance background, but I've
been dancing for about 3 years now, and I couldn't imagine my
life without it! It's uplifting and exciting; yet it can be calming
and soothing, all at the same time. Not to mention that it's a
great workout!
Why do I dance? I dance for me :-) Now, while the cheers of a
crowd after a great performance is the most wonderful thing, I
don't just dance to entertain, I dance for me. It gives me energy;
and I've met some of the most amazing people through
bellydance. The friendship and sisterhood found through dance
is such a fulfilling part of my life. Bellydance is a form of self-
expression and self-fulfillment for me, and since I've been
dancing, I just feel so good about myself.

Ha'Nah - Charlotte, NC
I remember the first time I ever saw a Belly Dancer. I was a
teenager at a Renaissance Festival with my girl friends. As I sat
there staring in open awe; the steps, the costumes the hypnotic
drum rhythms, I thought "I'm going to do that someday". I have
been Belly Dancing now for 7 years, I can't imagine my life or
myself without it. I don't go a day without dancing, even if it's for
just 5 minuets. It's been nearly 20 years since I first saw a Belly
Dancer and I still watch with the same passion for it, the same
amazement. Belly Dance has never lost it's novelty for me. I
know I will be 80 and still dancing.


Add your testimonial to belly dance.  
"Dancing's not work.
You can't call it work.
A day I don't dance is
a day I don't live."

Wendy Buonaventura
From *Serpent of the
Nile*
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