http://www.thespec.com/living-story/2185773-video-there-is-life-after-vision-loss/

Eee!  Look!  There are more VI bellydancers out there! XD  Woohoo! *shimmy shimmy*  Go awesome lady go!  (And go awesome senior center for having bellydancing classes! ^_^)  ♥♥

And she’s right; people think that if you lose your sight, life just -stops.-  Srsly, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard say “oh wow.. if I had vision like yours/if I went blind, I’d just die/sit in a corner/never go anywhere/do anything/kill myself.”  -And these with absolutely no modicum of humour at all. o.O  ..But why??  So your eyes are proverbially closed.  Doesn’t mean your mind and your life have to be!   

Yes, it can be scary.  Yes, it means Big Change.  But people are resilient.  People can adapt. :)  Open your spirit, open your arms, and DANCE.  ’Cause w/the right skills, a good attitude, and kind, loving people in your life, life can still be wonderful; no matter what challenges we face.  Besides, life’s too short to spend it wallowing in a corner somewhere.  Life’s meant to be LIVED.  And with those things by your side, you can!  All it takes is a little faith, a little perseverance, and NOTHING needs to stop you- unless you let it. ;):):)

♥

A friend recently put out an inquiry concerning local bellydance resources for her daughter.  I made a few suggestions, but she’d pretty much done all the legwork she could within the area.  So at the time, I figured that was that.  

But later on, a little inspiration hit me; to do a little more research about the topic online.   At first I was just looking for videos on places like YouTube that might offer a little bit of (GOOD) instruction for kids- but in the process, I found the above; which turned out to be a great piece. :)  

It discusses the differences between Mid. Eastern & Western attitudes about the dance, & how children learn the dance in each culture; as well as the pros and cons of introducing kids to bellydance in this society overall. :)  

So now (given that my friend’s not likely the only parent out there who’s considered introducing her child to bellydance), I figgered this article might be worth sharing. :)

Oooh!  Plus I found another lovely article on the subject just after! :D
http://www.cinnamon-twist.com.au/belly-dance-for-kids.html  

Man.. I wish my mom had known bellydance was a possibility for kids when I was little!  I know it’s a futile pursuit to ponder the “what ifs” now, but it still makes me wonder how different things might be for me today, given the kind of exercise, cultural awareness, encouragement of personal creativity & physical expression the dance offers us all- at any age.  Plus, that’s not including the natural support system that bellydance seems to offer its community.  There’s such a sisterhood that can be found in this art form! :)  Can you imagine all of those benefits having been there, inherent in your upbringing too?   *gawps inwardly*  Wow!  

Makes me wanna learn more about Suhaila Salimpur and other 2nd generation bellydancers like her- and what they went through.. how the dance touched & improved their lives (negatively or positively) growing up. :)  

Are you a second-generation bellydancer?  How has that affected your life, positively or negatively?  What were the differences you noticed growing up between dancing and non-dancing families..?  And if you have them now, do you encourage your kids to dance these days?

Oh, so much to learn! ^_^
♥♥
Ylluria