Shimmy

I must introduce myself first and foremost. My name is Vanessa, and I'm a bellydance-a-holic. I began taking classes from The Neighbourhood Strays gypsy-style bellydance troupe based from St. John's. My first beginners class happened during the fall of 2007. I went to sign up, partly as a joke, partly as a way to get out of the house, partly as intention-only, I wasn't sure it would be my idee fixe. It was different, but I'd heard great reviews.

I met Kristine Nolte, my instructor, and fell in love with her love for the art. She was constantly motivating us, letting us know that even she is still learning, and that not all of her ease and grace came without much aggravation and practise. With her constant joy, help, witty jokes, and guidance I fell in love with the dance itself. I knew that bellydance was something I had to do, be it through my living room or otherwise. My lessons progressed and I felt more and more confident with my self-image, more and more womanly, more and more proud to say I danced. It wasn't until Kristine dressed in costume, and performed her solo for us that I knew I would stick with classes and learn all that I can from the troupe. I quickly acquired for myself, hip scarves, veils, skirts, jewelery and that diluted-self-confidence twinged with a goddess-aire that only comes from belly dance.

I'm taking Intermediates (veils) classes now with Andrea Kitta and find myself dressing in costume hours before class, waiting in anticipation, shimmying through my living room, with awkward gazes from my roomates. I am hooked. It wasn't until I talked my parents through the difference between bellydance and stripping that they approved. I'm hoping to join the troupe at some point, when I do not know, but it will happen.

Until then, I shall post a video of my liking, links of choice, and entries of discovery, weekly (hopefully). Until next time:

Yip!
vanessa*