Last night, at a belly dance workshop, I had a surreal moment. I gave a 15 minute pitch for the clothes and services the company I work for, HipMix.net, offers. After the talk, the dancers had only a few minutes to ask questions before the workshop began, and one dancer came over and asked me:
"How do I do, what you do?"
It was one of those moments where, as an outsider to this belly dance world, I felt confused. What did I do? I stood and awkwardly talked about clothes I happened to be wearing (and liked). I was concise, personable (hah, one of my few personable moments. I've found anyone can stomach me for at least 15 minutes, I think or hope). But what did I really do?
And then I realized, this is a passion of hers. A hobby. How many of us desperately want to be able to make our hobbies our living? It wasn't that I gave a great pitch (well, I mean I DID but that's not the point). She wanted to be able to have belly dance be a part of her career.
Then I felt really blessed. Here I was, a stumbler into the world of belly dance, and I have yet to see how large and wild it all is. I've been lucky to fall into a career that makes the best of my strengths. And more than that, I work in female-dominated environment that celebrates all types and sizes and strengths of women.
So despite the fact I was wearing a choli top and harem pants in low 40 degree weather, I felt warm inside. Belly dance has changed my world, like so many others.
How has it changed yours? Share your story at HipMix.net/share.
About Me
- HipChristina
- TX
- A 20-something HipMix.net employee, afflicted with the grace of a drunken hippopotamus, tries out the world of belly dance. She attempts to tell her tale through a mixture of sarcasm and honesty.
Gosh, great post,& you ARE a lucky lady to work for HipMix!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest change (and I am definitely not alone here) has been in my self-confidence, and the way I feel about myself. I would honestly recommend this dance to any woman- it does so much good.
That's what I love about belly dance. My favorite Aunt has been in a melancholy mood, and I've decided I have to take her to a belly dance class when she's in town for the holidays. I'm really excited about it.
ReplyDeleteA big ditto, Foxy. Bellydance is what opened me up to being able to change in locker rooms. Yet somehow I still can't wear a two piece swimsuit in public and be comfortable. I can dance a burlesque piece in front of a crowd of 200, but two pieces make me feel naked. :P
ReplyDeleteGreat site, Christina! Good to see another bellydancer out there. :) Have you gotten into maya's yet? (vertical figure 8's w/ your hips but backwards) That has always been my favorite move.
I think it's the performance, the confidence those costumes give you. I'm not so terribly comfortable walking around with my stomach showing, but it can be strangely empowering.
ReplyDeleteI like maya's as well! Very fun, and strangely never get boring even when drilling.