Why is bellydancing so enticing to women?

What is it exactly? Is it the benefits? How it makes us feel?

One thing I know for sure is that whomever it touches, it leaves its mark. You either feel a strong connection or are not interested at all.

Since I cannot speak for anyone else but myself I can say that it touched me very deeply. The femininity within the movement feel great and still makes me feel free. It initially re-kindled an inner relationship with my femininity and gave it flight which allowed me to feel more like a women. We wear so many hats in a day; girlfriend, lover, wife, mother, boss, employee, pta mom and so on...but do we often take time out for us. The royal us. We often forget that as women, we need to also nurture ourselves. This is one thing that nurtures me. It inspires me to strive for more, not outside of myself but within. It reminds me to care for me and that I can share this little bit of myself with others. It also reminds me of my deeper spiritual side. Ok, frankly, not everyone feels the same but I suppose it is a reminder of my inner Goddess. That I am part of a bigger piece of a much larger puzzle. And in this simple thing called bellydance, I feel united or linked to every women out there.

Bellydance has it's roots in family. The family of women. It was not till the early 19th century that men were allowed to view the dance and so, women used it as a form of feminine expression. To aid in ritual practises or in childbirth. History of the dance is so thick with varying stories that it is difficult to say for sure where it came from but one thing IS clear, it is very much alive still today because it answers a need. It is a dance form that doesn't judge, doesn't discriminate, doesn't limit anyone. It is gentle to all fitness levels, sizes, shapes and forms and delivers a better appreciation for each women's beauty. We "feel" more beautiful and feel more linked to our sensuality and our uniqueness!

If you have never experienced this dance form, I invite you to take a class, a free demo, go see a show or just rent a video and try it for yourselves. I hope it will touch you as it did me.

Phoenix