I could — and still — can dance in the workshops , sacred space ... but asked to dance in public and I shrivel or recoil .
When I learned that belly dancing is actually womb dancing and that it was initially practiced in ancient temples by womb priestesses , this understanding re-ignited my desire to explore my body through dance .
And as it is rightly so , the opportunity came .
A belly dancer from Columbia comes to Ahmedabad and announces various classes including belly dancing and meditative dancing , with a focus of tuning into our body and our personal rhythm .
I nudged myself to enroll . Paul nudged even harder !
Ahh ... how beautiful the Ways of the Universe ! There was a womb aspect to her dance facilitation . The yoni , the vulva , the feminine power , the body temple and the dance ....
I sooo , sooo loved this aspect of the dance ! And at times the Inner Critic would come in , and I would feel that my body , my belly or my hips would not move ... or I would hear the nagging voice that I don ' t have grace ... blah blah and more blah !
And yet the teacher encouraged us to tune into our bodies through the music without engaging the mind . The steps I found difficult to embody in the class , I would practice them at home . And voila ... what did I see ? My body ( through the unconscious ) has absorbed ... and learned !
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