Allow Yourself to be a Beginner

 BECOME A DANCER AS AN ADULT

Most of my students step into class, having NEVER taken a dance class before. Few have dance experience or took dance as a child. Yet, over the past 17 years of teaching this dance, I have guided thousands of students through the process of learning to belly dance and hundreds to the stage. Some are now dance teachers, performers, and trainers. It doesn't matter when you start... I, for example, stepped into my first belly dance class at age 30. Starting as an adult is sometimes better, especially for belly dance. This is a dance that comes to life through connection to real-life experiences that help drive powerful movements and connections.
If you choose this journey... here are some thoughts I'd like to share with beginner dancers...
No one is perfect, and no one expects us to be. Being a beginner, at anything, means you probably will not be good at it at first.
Your goal: To be courageous and open to learning.
"JUST KEEP SWIMMING"
Keep coming to class... it will come! And you will learn a lot. Even those of us who have been belly dancing for 20+ years continue learning every day. It's a beautiful thing to have a dance that has so much to give because it is directly connected to a people and a culture. There is so much to learn and absorb!
It's truly a 🎁 gift.
IT WON'T ALWAYS FEEL GOOD
There will be times when you feel awkward and like you can't coordinate or connect your brain to your body. It's the natural process. Breaking the barriers in the brain is a major part of it, and it takes time.
Your goal: Get out of your head, connect with your breath and body.
THE BEAUTY OF IT
Is that whatever happens in class will spill over to other parts of your life, and it can be wonderful for personal growth. Give yourself love for trying something new and for allowing yourself to be a beginner.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE THERE?
Well, for starters,it won't matter if you're "good." You will feel connected to your body, in control, you will feel the weight of balance and the lightness of breath. It will lift you up and hold you up. You will take space without apologies, and you will FEEL (not good or bad) just FEEL!!!

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