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Penny
I first became interested in Belly Dance after reading an article in a magazine about celebrities using belly dance to keep fit. I have never been one to go to the gym so I thought this could be a great way to exercise without it feeling like exercise. All I was looking for was a great way to exercise. I have never thought of myself as a dancer, have never taken any form of dance. I have always been very shy so I never wanted to be on stage or in the spotlight. In the beginning, I only took classes for the exercise. Then I started to notice the other girls rehearsing for performances and trying on beautiful costumes. That’s when I thought, “Why not give performing a try?” I have been performing with Desert Rose for about two years now. I still get very nervous and am still very shy, but I am coming out of my shell a little bit at a time.
Along with learning to dance at Desert Rose we are introduced to other cultures and lots of different music. I have always loved music, but have found lots of new styles that I have fell in love with. Dancing has also introduced me to a wide diversity of women and I have formed friendships that I will cherish forever.
My other passion in life is riding my 2000 Harley Davidson Fatboy. I have been riding Harley’s for about 5 years. My husband has been riding motorcycles on and off for his entire life. When he returned to riding in 1998 it was only a few months before I asked for my own. My first Harley was a 1999 Sportster, then after about a year I switched to the Fatboy. My husband and I are both members of the National and Local HOG chapters. We enjoy riding in charity events or just with a group of friends for lunch.
So if you are interested in a joining a wonderful community of women and having the time of your life, please join us at Desert Rose. You won’t be sorry, but be warned that it is a very addictive hobby and you will fall in love with the dance!
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Valentina
I am fascinated by the art and science of communication. I study language acquisition and I am particularly interested in words. Words have an almost mystical quality. Words conjure. Words create. Words do remarkable and magical things, like capture our thoughts so we can share them with one another.
As amazing as words are, sometimes they can be tricky and difficult to manage. When words refuse to do my bidding, there is dance. Dance is also a form of communication. In fact, most of us communicate through gesture before we're even able to speak our first word. Jacques D'ambroise has said, "Gesture is a communication form that is in our bones stronger than the content of words and the meanings of words."
Since I first started taking classes at Desert Rose - almost two years ago now - my excitement and appreciation for Middle Eastern dance has only grown. For me, one of the most wonderful aspects of the dance is
the community - both on a personal level and on a broader scale. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know fellow dancers.
One of Samra's goals for Desert Rose was to create "a dance environment that fosters support and camaraderie between dancers." She has certainly accomplished this! From a larger perspective, I believe that dance connects us to the community at large. With every choreography, we learn more than how to dance - we learn about the people behind these dances and their
stories. Through the window of dance, we can catch a glimpse into the lives of those who lived in another time and culture.
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Samra
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Nazira
I saw my first real belly dancers at a Renaissance Fair in the woods of Marin County, California, just north of San Francisco, in September of 1970. The troupe was headed by Jasmina and based in Berkley, CA. Unfortunately, I
could never get to Berkley to study under her, (did not own a car and did not have much money) nor did I look for anything in San Francisco then. I guess I should have scoured the Yellow Pages, but it didn't occur to me. I
did take ballet lessons from one of the retired masters of the S.F. Ballet Corps, but that was really just for exercise - we never performed. Later, I moved back to the South, to Memphis, and
briefly tried a class while I was in Nursing School. It ended quickly so I went back to ballet and ballet exercise. After I graduated from Nursing School, I moved back to Mississippi and continued as best I could with
ballet exercise. I never liked aerobics, but sometimes that was the only thing available in the way of a class. Then I met Kay Owen. She had been belly-dancing for several years and doing belly-grams in Memphis. Years
later, when I finally moved back to Memphis, she encouraged me to come with her to Desert Rose for a beginner class (she retired from belly-grams when she turned 40) Hence, my start with the REAL THING! in August of 2003. I
regret that I did not pursue belly dancing more aggressively when I was young (and much more flexible, better memory, lighter weight, etc.,etc.) But discovering this amazing form of dance has given me a new perspective of myself at age 59. I danced for my high school's 40th reunion in the summer
of 2004. Talk about feeling young! I recommend it to everyone. The great thing about belly dancing is that it is NOT ONLY terrific exercise: any body can go to a gym to work out and come home hot and sweaty. When you come home
from dance class, you have exercised - probably found muscles that you did not know existed - you may or may not be hot and sweaty; but you've learned
so much more than simply how to lift weights or ride an exercise bike. At Desert Rose, you have learned about history, language, music, folklore, and
DANCE! The girls I have met and performed with are such fun. The instructors are all so well-versed in their teaching methods. Desert Rose's owner is a wise and talented dancer and manager .And, on top of everything else, you get to wear beautiful costumes and jewelry! As they say, "You gotta love it!" I know I do. I hope to dance until I drop.
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Amber
When I first began bellydancing 3 years ago I had no idea the journey it would bring me through. I first began dancing as an outlet from my emotionally demanding job as a nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit at St.Jude Children's Research Hospital. I had tried very unsuccessfully other forms of exercise and dance and nothing stuck. It was when I first shimmied my hips to a soulful drumbeat that I knew I was hooked. Bellydancing has helped me achieve a balance in my life. It enables me to express myself through dance. I feel a connection to the deeply soulful music. I am by far one of the least graceful people I know but bellydancing has truly helped me to feel more comfortable in my skin. It is a celebration of femininity. You don't have to be a size zero with perfect shiny blonde hair! I feel beautiful as a curvaceous feminine woman. I came into bellydancing looking for a way to exercise and have found a lifetime hobby. I have made great friends ~ a community of women empowered. I have found my inner Goddess! Come dance with us and discover your inner Goddess. Faith, Hope and Love!
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Amirah
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 | View Show Margaret
I have been dancing since I was a teenager in England when I danced with an English folk group for many years. My whole family danced and spent our yearly vacations at Folk Festivals so it was an intrinsic part of my life. When I came to America I was lost - I could not find a similar group here (not surprisingly) and so I lost contact with my dancing self. Then 12 years ago a friend of mine called. She had seen a group dancing at a festival in town, asked where they took lessons and wanted me to join her. I had never thought of belly dancing but I went along and have been dancing ever since!
A lot of people think that "belly dancing" involves sexy dancing with tassels on your bra. It is so much more that that. My favorite style is theatrical folklore which involves not only learning a dance but also understanding the background of the area from which the dance comes, how to use the incredible costumes to best advantage and what story the dance is telling. Finally, dance has put me in contact with a wonderful group of women of all ages and interests and fostered some warm friendships. The camaraderie of this group is something I cherish. There is nothing like leaving the kids and home behind you and heading for costume, laughter and dancing. You should try it - I am very glad that I did.
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Alethea
Originally I got into belly dancing just to have something to relieve stress in my life. I had always been fascinated by the exotic beauty of the dance. Then, one day I met this beautiful woman at a health fair speaking about the art of belly dancing and giving information about classes. It was at that exact moment that I decided to try it for the first time. After just one class, I was hooked. I loved the way it seemed to give each person in the room something different; relaxation, confidence, or just to exercise with fun. It moved me so much by the effect it had on other people. It was then I knew that there was truly something magnificent about this dance.
Life’s a dance you just have to move in it.
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