This past May, I found myself having to stop taking dance classes, quit two dance troupes, halt the production of a new dance video, and cancel my attendance at multiple belly dance festivals due to health issues. If you’ve ever been injured or had to stop dancing against your will, you know how devastating it can be! So I decided to sit down and write a list of all the things I could do to appreciate this dance while I cannot actually dance the way I’m used to. Here is everything I’ve *actually* done so far:
1. Attend a Live Performance: I am all about living that virtual life – remote work, online classes, and connecting over social media (obviously). But when you’re injured and can’t dance, connecting with people in-person can be a lifesaver! If you’re able, head online and do a search of belly dance events in your area. You may get to check out some really beautiful venues in the process!
2. Read a Book: As a student of cultural anthropology at the Univeristy of Central Florida many years ago, I wrote a paper called Belly Dance Out of Context: How American Women Embody the World’s Oldest Dance. I presented my early findings at the 2015 American Anthropology Association conference in Denver. From that time period, I have a small collection of belly dance books I’ve kept close by, but not in sight. I decided to unearth them (an archaeology reference)! Rereading a good book can be just as satisfying as finding a new one. So head to your local library, do a search online, or ask a fellow bellydancer to find your next great read.
3. Shop for Costumes and Practice Wear: Isn’t it wonderful that no matter what you’re going through (almost), you can still shop? The internet makes it easy for us to just click “buy” but it can be just as fun virtually shopping around to see what’s out there. You can learn about different styles, fabrics, and embellishments used in costumes from various regions. It also doesn’t hurt to plan ahead and aquire some goodies you know you’ll use one day. Also, buying costumes when you’re not in a rush is a much more enjoyable experience, given the extra time you’ll need for possible alterations and the shipping delays that seem inevitable!
4. Watch a Bellydance Movie: Yes, they exist! Although, to be fair, they are not nearly as prevalent as we would like (yet). A simple search online can help you discover new titles. We recently saw Whatever Lola Wants for the first time. Watching a movie can be a fun way to immerse yourself in the world of belly dance, stay inspired, and maybe even learn something in the process.
5. Listen to Podcasts: Believe it or not, there is actually a variety of bellydance podcasts out there! You can listen to specific episodes that cover topics such as technique and practice, cultural and historical context, health and wellness, and music and choreography. Once you’ve found a good podcast host, you often stay hooked and keep coming back for more!
6. Create Belly Dance Art: Express your love for belly dance through art. Draw, paint, or write poetry inspired by the movements, costumes, or emotions associated with belly dance. Recently, I got into the wonderful world of crafting and realized you can make stickers of, well, anything. Although I didn’t personally design Belly Dance Network’s logo (that was the work of 99designs), that doesn’t stop me from putting it on everything! Creating art can be a therapeutic and fulfilling way to stay engaged with bellydance.
7. Plan for the Future: Think about all the cool things you’ll do once you can dance again! Just because you can’t dance today doesn’t mean you can’t dance ever again. So find a comfortable place to sit, cozy up with your furry friend (if you have one), put on your favorite playlist, and let your imagination run wild! Planning and dreaming about future dance activities can keep your spirits high and your motivation strong.
Are you going through a phase where you cannot dance and have other suggestions? Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear more!
Amanda, Founder of Belly Dance Network