Dance 10: Looks 3

Original Post Date:  Monday, December 13, 2010 at 3:37pm


Time for another note... *if you have seen Chorus Line... you'll get the title*
You know me, if I am not practicing, performing or making something.. I am thinking about dance.
Today is no exception.

I saw in my news feed today an article about a NY Ballet Company dancer who was called "fat" by a critic..
(I swear, two of her could wear my jeans)

It really got me thinking about how proud I really am to be a part of a dance culture that doesn't place the same heavy criticism on weight as some of the other forms of dance.
We really mean it when we say "Every Body Dances".

Mind you, I am coming from the mindset of the dancer NOT the dance critic. We all know that the critic and the audiences have a different aesthetic when it comes to what they expect out of a belly dancer.  But, behind the scenes and in the studios...  We are a different breed.

Is our weight really that important?
I have learned from personal experience.. That my own weight has made a difference.  When I was considerably heavier.. I could cheat... a LOT.  I didn't have to bust my butt on some moves.  But, as I lost the weight.. I found that cheating...  did me NO GOOD. (does it ever... really?)  I also learned that some of the movements that I really had to work on.. Looked so much better a few pounds lighter.
Also, the reverse is true for my much thinner "Brain"..  she had to work really, really hard on a LOT of things.

I will say that only to a certain point is our weight important.  It is far more important for us to be healthier.. After all, being healthier makes it easier to stay in the groove in practice, class, performance and so forth.

But, there is no perfect weight for a belly dancer.  Instead, we celebrate being women of all shapes, sizes, colors and creations. How much healthier can that be.

So... on that note...  I am proud to be a belly dancer and even more proud to be part of such a supportive community.. for all dancers.