The Heartland Spa
I started this whole adventure and exploration in Middle Eastern dance almost 7 years ago after the birth of my first son. I wanted to get rid of my "baby fat" and the 15 extra pounds that I've been carrying around since high school. I never really liked to "exercise" in the past but I loved to dance. So I decided to sign up for a belly dance class. I had no idea what to expect. I had never really seen an authentic middle eastern dancer before, only the Hollywood versions on TV. I was surprised to see that my teacher was in her mid 50's and the age range of the students were 16 to 62. In class, there seemed to be every shape, size and type of woman represented. But the most unique and beautiful thing was that there was this confidence and camaraderie within the group. They weren't there to "fix" anything, they were there to celebrate themselves and each other.

I fell in love with the dance, it is a beautiful art form. But, it was that support and sisterhood that ! I really fell in love with. The other thing that got me "hooked" was that on that first day, my teacher said to me (remember this is when I was 15 pounds heavier) "I guess you'll be fine, but put some scarves on those hips because we can't see what your doing." She was saying my hips were too small!!! I could have kissed her feet! Although it is true that any size or body type can do this dance, it's those hips that we spend our whole lives hating that actually come in handy and are celebrated in belly dance. It immediately became a positive addiction for me. I danced al the time. My body became stronger lighter and more flexible. But even more importantly my attitude toward myself and my body changed. I no longer felt the need to shape and mold it to become more "acceptable" to society's standard. I realized that my body is very sacred and a reflection of how I feel on the inside. It's when you love and accept yourself, flaws and all, that change happens. When you truly love yourself and your body, you want to give it joyful act!

My joyful activity was belly dancing, yours might be walking, skiing or tennis. So... find what you love, because I believe that is the key, so that exercise no longer becomes work...it becomes a joyful practice.