Belly Dance

Maybe this is fitting because my last post was about Bast, and yes sometimes I dance to honor Bast. But no, it isn't necessarily Pagan, though I know several Belly Dancers who are Pagan so perhaps there is something there. Belly dance is based on middle eastern tribal dance. If you Google belly dance a lot of different historical facts come up. I'm not particularly concerned with these. Some of them are interesting but nothing that screams worship. So how does belly dance fit into my worldview and spiritual practice?

I think that physical health is very important and belly dancing helps keep me in shape. I also think mental health is important. I danced ballet for seven years as a child. I gave it up when I realized I would never be a professional or even semi-pro. It stopped being fun when I stopped progressing but up until then I loved it. It gives me great joy to dance and it helps me connect with my inner child. I remember a phone call with my dad a month or so into classes. He asked me if I was going to be a belly dance star. I said "No..I'm not particularly good...actually I'm terrible, but I'm having fun." He laughed at my honesty but I started doing it to have fun and that is still my main concern, even though I do occasionally preform.

Within belly dance there is an association with fertility, something that is super important to me. Belly Dancing  has been used in different times and places as a woman's dance for fertility and for easier child birth...and the trend continues. Some doulas and natural child birth experts recommend belly dance as a preparation for childbirth. Traditionally belly dance was a type of dance done by women for women.

Several years ago I found out about an all day belly dance workshop and I wanted to go, but my ex husband said it was a stupid idea. Once we separated I thought taking belly dance class would be a great way to stick it to "the man". It turned out that it wasn't but it helped me reclaim myself, some part of me that I had lost in my marriage. At its best belly dance will help you feel empowered and comfortable in your own skin. Once I found myself again I never looked back. I've gotten myself involved in all sorts of things I would have been too afraid to try before. Belly dancing is a gateway to all sorts of self empowerment.


In my life anything of importance has a spiritual connection. If i didn't dance I don't know if I would have dared to do the things that make me, me. It truly brought me back from the depths greater than I had been before.