Belly Dance When It’s Just TOO COLD!
Sometimes, it’s just too damn cold.
A self-respecting cat will just stay under the covers.
But with the cold – and for many of us, the snow-shoveling – our lower backs get tight.
More than not fun, this actually gets a little dangerous.
Risk of pulled muscles, all that.
So what’s a cat to do?
Stay under the covers and stretch!
Yes, Sometimes We’re Amazon Warriors
Years ago, I studied Shotokan karate with world-renowned Robert Fusaro Sensei. (He’s now Eighth-Dan; that is – 8th-degree black belt – first and only Caucasian to reach that rank, I believe.) He still teaches in Minneapolis, MN, where it is even colder than it is here in the Mid-Atlantic this week.
Fusaro Sensei has brought many of his students to a high level, including several women who have reached 4th and 5th-Dan (4th and 5th-degree black belts).
Fusaro Sensei has always shown great respect for the dance art, and has particularly complimented Cassandra, who teaches Oriental dance in Minneapolis. (At one point, Fusaro Sensei and Cassandra shared studio space. Not the same classes, mind you!)
Here’s an Unveiling excerpt about studying with Fusaro Sensei:
One winter morning, with the temperature about 15 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit), I showed up with other students for the 6:30 AM class. The furnace had gone out over night, and they were awaiting repairs. The top floor dojo was icy cold. Harsh, northwest winds buffeted the exterior walls, stripping away the meager warmth provided by kerosene heaters. Our feet cringed against the frigid floor as we donned our karate gi’s. Leading us slowly and carefully through warm-up stretches, Fusaro Sensei gazed at us firmly. “This is Bushido [“way of the warrior”] training,” he said. Fusaro Sensei taught us to take all of our life experiences as part of our training and overall development – including an early-morning cold dojo!
From Unveiling: The Inner Journey, Chapter 23: “In Praise of a Few Good Men,” p. 324.
Bushido training appeals to us when we’re in our Amazon Warrior mode.
But sometimes, we want to be in Hathor mode; accessing our inner goddess of sensuality and pleasure.
So what do we do when our backs are tight, and when there’s still more snow to shovel?
We do The Most Luscious, Nurturing, Feel-Good Thing You Can Do. Yes, this is my post from this time, last year. And if you’re going to read just one post from me – read this one. (Hint – it’s about figure-eights – and their connection with our vital energy> – and you can practice in bed!)
Raising Our Internal Energy (When We Don’t Feel Like Moving)
Sometimes, before we even change into dance clothes, or do warm-ups, we need to get our energy going first. Then we can get the physical body into action.
Check out this lovely Energy-Raising YouTube with energy healer Carol Tuttle. The clip itself is only about six minutes, and once you’ve learned the energy-raising techniques, you can do them in about a minute. You can do this while waiting for coffee to brew, while microwaving a quick breakfast, or even to take a break at your desk. (Not that obtrusive, and you don’t need special clothes.) Check it out – I just did, this is fun!
Very best wishes as you use Oriental dance (belly dance) for expressing those aspects of yourself that come out only when you dance!
Yours in dance –
Alay’nya
Author of Unveiling: The Inner Journey
You are the Jewel in the Heart of the Lotus. Become the Jewel!
Founder and Artistic Director, The Alay’nya Studio
Bellydance a courtesan would envy!
Check out Alay’nya’s YouTube Channel
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Copyright (c) 2014, Alay’nya. All rights reserved.
Related Posts: Winter Dancing
- The Most Luscious, Nurturing, Feel-Good Thing You Can Do – from January, 2013
- Preparing for Winter Dance Classes – Percussives, Zills, and Drum Solos – November, 2013
- Home for the holidays — with belly dance fitness DVDs
Related Posts: Winter – Esoteric Energy Dance for the Season of Pentacles (Metaphysical Element of Earth)
- Curriculum Overview for the Coming Year – from January, 2013
- Candlemas Countdown – The “Real New Year” Starts Now! – from January, 2009
- Energy Shifting in the New Year – from February, 2007
- Moving Inward – from January, 2007
- Transitioning – from December, 2006
- Contraction is as Important as Expansion – from December, 2003