I have revised my very popular essay Tribal Belly Dance. The original was written during the birth of Heavy Hips Tribal Belly Dance in 1999 when I was invited to teach a group of women in the Santa Cruz mountains the art of Belly Dance. I tried very hard to refuse them not seeing myself as a teacher of this sacred dance and even went so far as to make conditions that I thought they as a group would not attain. But alas their heart's desire was stronger than my reluctance to serve and the Divine Wave which often chooses us despite our reticence had its way with me. The desire of womyn like the energy of the moon that pulls on our womb, pulled Heavy HIps into this world, manifesting as a circle and community of women whose goal was not to become belly dancers per se, but to explore as a sisterhood their sacred path of being present as embodied beings on this precious pearl Gaia through an ancient sacred dance tradition.

The essay has morphed over the years and served as an avenue of exploratory writing for me about the multi-modal aspect of belly dance and my express intention to take my belly dance and the circles of women I'm graced to facillitate into an intentional practice of mindfulness and conscious being and integrous living - that is a deeply committed spiritual practice that is grounded in the everyday world. As I strive to remember that I'm fundamentally connected to all beings and my state of well being and joy can never be whole until all sentient beings are free from suffering, I strive to bring practices, meditations and awareness into the classroom and the community of bellydance that support my awakening as well as those that choose to dance with me. We understand that how our minds and bodies and hearts are engaged in our movement is both an opportunity for practice and a reflection of our current state of awareness. Are we awake and present or asleep in the dream of ego and self importance?

The essay might not ever really be "done" - I think its becoming a number of meditations. For now its there for your exploration and inspiration.
www.heavyhips.net
Then click on Tribal Belly Dance link.

I have another new essay there as well - an invitation really into a dance practice for 2007.
Blessings, Palika