Majickal Bellydance

There's a reason I named my style of bellydance 'Majickal Bellydance.' Aside from the ceremonial and ritual aspects of Majickal Bellydance, it is also designed to be therapeutic, in ways both physical and energetic. Balance: Basic bellydance posture aligns the feet, hip width apart, with the knees soft or slightly bent. Keeping the knees soft allows us to more easily re-balance ourselves as we move in space. Stiff or rigid knees can increase the likelihood of stumbling or even toppling over. Keeping the knees fluid allows fluidity of the lower body, promoting a lower centre of gravity. As dancers begin taking steps into various directions of space, their bodies are more balanced and connected to the ground. Majickal Bellydancers practise dance drills involving stepping first into four directions of space and then expanding into eight directions. Being conscious of the direction and shape of each step we take increases our security in physical space.  Co-ordination:...

This week I met with a long time friend and bellydancer after a long absence. I think we were both amazed at how young the other was looking. Our children have grown to adulthood and neither of us has lived without difficulty. I was reminded of the power of bellydance on so many levels. It's an energy dance and once found, that energy radiates like a sunny mist. There seems to be a certain sense of agelessness among my bellydance and yoga practitioner friends. From experience I know that none of us are immune from the natural wear and tear of being alive, but the practitioner of therapies such as spiritual bellydance and yoga process these changes in a particular way. This article focuses on dance because Majickal Bellydance is my main practice. When a Dancer Hurts When dancers feels an ache, our first response is usually not to lay down on the couch and pop a pill. We know that living life to its fullest can sometimes create a little fatigue or stiffness. We are accustomed t...

Majickal Bellydance is a therapeutic style emphasising mobility, control and an understanding of living energy. I am really pleased to be sharing my Majickal Bellydance style at Seville House again next term. Last term we enjoyed a short 5 week introduction using metaphors from the elements of Earth, Air, Fire & Water. We mobilised our bodies from the ground up, spiralling, circling and rippling toward harmony, health and laughter. Earth energy helps us to anchor our feet into the ground with stability. Our knees provide the leverage for living energy to ascend and descend the spine. Water energy helps us to understand our emotional flow as we respond to the music and to our feelings and thoughts. Fire energy illuminates our confidence and fires up our shimmies. Fire motivates the will to get up and dance in the first place. Air carries our veils, symbolising the doors to spiritual realms. Air energy transmits the music to our inner world via the ears, lungs and heart. It ...

Earth Majickal Bellydancers at Seville Community House have danced through the elements of earth, water, fire and air. Sadly, we have only one class remaining this term. But a majickal class it will be, as we integrate four elements, four directions, four dimensions, entwined as they are, by spirit . Earth By earth, we found our balance on the ground, testing our limits, leaning into four directions of space. Upon reaching our limits in form, we gathered the energy into circles, defining our dance space. Water Water By water, we rippled within the parameters of our found physical space, nourished by the waters of our being and our feeling. Our feet began to flow across space, moving with currents of emotion and music. The centre of our being, the navel, rose and fell with the currents of the spirit of life, our animating breath. Fire Fire By fire, we shone. We danced our confidence, using the light of our awareness to dispel fears, dissolving the barriers dividi...

It's great to be teaching some classes again, watching new faces, nervous at first, beam with good vibes at the end. I can feel the mobility increasing in my body already. My energy has been a little higher, especially at around midnight after my evening class. It takes a few hours to wind down. Week one at a new venue is all about space, orientation and introduction. I like to get a feel for the energy flow of the room so I can identify the best place to stand. Sometimes, for whatever reason, facing a certain direction feels 'wrong.' So week one can involve sudden changes of direction as I figure it all out. Week one explores the lines and limits of the physical body.  As we lean toward our own limits we can test our strength, increasing our sense of physical trust and safety. Standing strong and supple prepares us to move the essence of the universal life force into circles. The circles we dance emit a current of energy, growing as the course progresses, buildin...

By EARTH we explore the physical forms of bellydance movements. By WATER we feel the energies of movement and music flowing through those forms. By FIRE we are empowered, energetic and confident to dance our style. By AIR we listen to the music and movements of the world, adding to and refining our own. As SPIRIT we listen to the calls of our bodies, honouring our role as protectors of these miraculous vessels.  Majickal Bellydance is Channelled from Ancient Egypt to promote health, harmony, balance, tone and mobility. You will learn a style you can easily take home with you to bring the Majick into your daily life. Please read the flyers carefully as the booking systems are different for each event. I am very excited to be teaching 'elements' again. See you soon dancers.  - Leanne Margaret X