7 Reasons to Start Majickal Bellydance Classes

Autumn classes have reminded me of some of the reasons I love belly dancing. One of them is that I'm currently sitting at my computer — free of back and neck pain; something that always seems to return if I stop dancing. I first started at the age of twenty-six, to find some 'me-time,' following the birth of my daughter (pictured above-right, dancing with me). What I found was so much more than a dance class. Over the years, this beautiful, soulful dance-form has moved me, circled me and shaken me through some incredibly creative and healing journeys. 

Best of all, I've had the creative freedom to develop my own style: Majickal Bellydance. It allows me to take what I think are the very best aspects of belly dance, and focus on how to tailor the learning to each individual dancer. Everyone is different, and different teachers suit different dancers. The following list outlines some features of Majickal Bellydance. Some are common to most dance classes, and some are unique to Majickal Bellydance. Find out if my classes are a good fit for you:

1. Welcoming

A welcoming class makes it easy for new dancers to join in. Our classes generally aren't involved in competition or performance work, so there's no anxiety about perfect performance; or loads of money and time on costumes. We are a troupe of dancers who stand and dance together, often in a circle. We welcome new dancers with warmth, and we understand how unsettling it can sometimes be to start something new. No one expects you to wear anything special, except a scarf around your hips — it's a belly dance thing! It's important that everyone feels comfortable and included. It's understood that new dancers need to start from the beginning, even if there are more advanced dancers in the group too. We never stop practicing the basics, so an opportunity to go back to the beginning again is always welcome.

2. Gentle Relief

Many of us suffer all kinds of aches, pains and tensions from the unavoidable stressors of modern life. Some people also carry the additional burden of illness and recovery from injury. Majickal Bellydance is a gentle, mindful style of belly dance that is generally set at a slightly lower pace to traditional dance classes. The emphasis isn't on speed or perfect movements. The goal of Majickal Bellydance is to help to find mindful movement. What does that mean? Well, it means to connect your mind to your body, and to become aware of yourself from head, to toes, to fingertips. Doing this one thing has so many surprising benefits, they're too numerous to list here. Come along and find out. 

3. Uplifting

When the stress of performance and competition aren't present, dancers are dancing just for fun. This means classes are not so serious. Dancers have the opportunity to dance freely, just for fun. Don't worry, it's not totally freeform — you will still learn the ancient shapes, bumps, undulations and shimmies of belly dance; but you'll barely notice you're learning them, because you'll be busy just having a dance and having fun. Dancers leave feeling refreshed, supple, uplifted and feeling a little bit better about themselves. Belly dance is a beautiful tool for boosting self-esteem on many levels — and it doesn't matter if you have a bountiful belly or not! You'd be surprised at how many people have asked me if you need one!

4. Healthy

First, dancers learn about healthy dance posture. Majickal Bellydancers also learn some tips about healthy movement in their daily lives too. Rather than choreographies to learn, Majickal Bellydancer's homework usually involves simply becoming mindful of a particular aspect of themselves, for eg. hands. That would simply mean paying attention to how you move your hands for a few days, noticing things like flow, tension and tone. I might encourage nail polish that week too, just to assist with mindful connection to the hands. Mindfulness is a huge part of any kind of dance practice, but it's also a huge part of living a healthy life as well. Many issues related to physical pain can be relieved by belly dance. This is because the movements are flowing, circular, joint-releasing, spine-aligning and tension relieving. My lower back pain disappeared within a few years of learning to belly dance, and never returned. By learning to belly dance, you learn to activate deep abdominal muscles that many exercises completely miss.

5. Lively

Just because we slow it down and explore mindful movement, doesn't mean we don't pick up the pace sometimes. I'm not afraid to trigger a hot flush. (I carry a small towel!) Every class includes an improvised dance session, where I put together what we have explored in class that day, into a mish-mash of movements for students to follow. We also have 'drill' sessions, which sound hard, but are just an opportunity for dancers to practice individual movements for a while. The goal is to learn the movements so innately that the mind can let go, and allow the fun in. 

6. Trusting

I trust that you will belly dance, because I have been teaching belly dance for twenty-two years. I know what I'm doing, and I understand the process intimately. I know that even if your body doesn't recognise the shapes at first, it doesn't matter. I will just smile reassuringly and say, 'Don't worry — it will come.' And it does. Once you've been to the first class, you will continue learning, even in your sleep! Over the years, I've learnt various ways of showing individual women how to find their inner dancers, their bodies, their self-worth and better health. Everyone learns to dance. I've taught people of various abilities and levels of self-esteem to dance, because I trust that anyone can dance. 

7. Safe

Majickal Bellydance classes are a safe environment to learn to dance. More advanced students might start exploring performance, so it's important that all students attend classes with a non-judgemental approach. It is up to each dancer to reflect on themselves and their own dance needs, together with their teacher. It's not up to the rest of the class to critique anyone's performance, outwardly or inwardly. Students learn that the task of the audience is to support the dancer, and share our energy with them to assist their performance. We learn various noises to show our appreciation for the dance, and the performer. Through our own uplifted attitude as an audience, we give new performers wings. 

So I hope that any doubts you may have had about dance classes have been resolved. Belly dance really can be very good for you, especially when you learn to be thoroughly mindful of your own body, and can ensure you dance in a way that suits your own body. There is space in this class for individual differences. I hope to see you there soon. Check out the timetable for your class.

Find out more...

With Love X

Leanne Margaret © 2021

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Timetable can be found here.

Here's what past students think:

'Leanne conducts a fantastic class every time and I definitely noticed my skills and fitness improve. However it's the caring and supportive atmosphere I found the most unique and best...a very uplifting and joyful dance class.' - Kerrie, School Teacher.

'Leanne is a very talented, passionate and professional teacher. Her unique content and teaching style will benefit students of any level. I highly recommend Leanne and all her classes.' - Rebecca, Business Owner.

'I have attended both Leanne's Majickal Bellydance and Meditation classes. Leanne is the most wonderful, supportive and caring teacher. Her dance classes opened my eyes to thinking about movement and dance in a different — more connected way. Her guided meditation classes allowed me to close out the noise of the rest of the world, and to focus on quietening my mind. Leanne will always be a valued teacher in my life.' - Rhian, Senior Manager.