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Let it all hang out baby!
(Dedicated to all the glorious belly dancers out there who have womanly, fuller figures. You are all beautiful!)
By Geela
As a belly dancer and teacher who is … um … well … rounded, robust, cuddly, … okay …. large in appearance and personality, the concept, when I first heard it uttered in my first belly class, made me GASP! What!? Let this stomach out from under the layers of dark clothing to see the light of day and let IT hang out? You have got to be from another planet.
For thin girls this concept seems ridiculous, but for women who wear their motherhood in their stretched (never to return to gorgeous flat midriffs) it’s a daunting prospect. Show this, this - skin - to the world and walk away with your dignity intact? Well, it’s just not possible … or is it?
Oh I’ve been there! I’ve cringed at the sight of IT, I’ve cried, I’ve hated myself, I’ve called myself very unpleasant names, I’ve been depressed (but after eating the slab of chocolate I felt much better), I’ve denied IT, I’ve refused to look at IT, I’ve dreamt about what IT looked like (back in my youth), I’ve literally been there done that and bought the XXL t-shirt.
But I was pushed and prodded by the very nature of the dance to expose IT. I dug my heels in and vowed I would never! When we danced in front of those damn mirrors I danced way over on the edge until I could not see myself looking back at me. But then the woman hidden within started to wake up and said “I want to be free!” I said NO. Again the woman within said “I want to be loved”, I said NEVER! She rattled my cage and said “let me out – I’m worth it”, and I started to relent.
Okay so I’ve given birth to three amazing daughters sent from Heaven to rock my world. The price my body paid for this privilege was a stretched tummy. Big deal. My husband still thinks I’m gorgeous, besides, I was built for comfort, not speed! So my journey began to get in touch with IT and let IT all hang out.
The first time I revealed IT to the world was the first belly show I did with the customary bra ‘n belt little green number. I thought I would die. I thought the audience would boo and hiss and laugh – but they didn’t – they APPLAUDED and whistled and stood up to honour the beautiful dancers on stage. We were a veritable rainbow of women of all sizes, colours and ages. Our joy as we danced this beautiful ancient dance washed over the audience and their love and appreciation washed over us – ah the feeling!
Even my work colleagues said how marvellous the show was. Not a word was said about IT. In fact, nobody remembered IT – all they could talk about was how beautiful all the women looked who performed from the heart and how they enjoyed every pulsating beat and rhythm.
Now: IT hangs, IT protrudes, IT wobbles around, IT shimmies by ITSELF, but IT is happy and most importantly, IT is free! – And so am I.
Ends
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