Baubo Moon Room Belly dancers, UK
How did you hear about World Belly Dance and what inspired you to participate?
We were planning to do a sponsored belly dance and discussing possible dates. Melanie, a belly dance teacher from the Baubo Moon Room wondered whether there was such a thing as an international day of dance or belly dance, she Googled it and found the World Belly Dance Day website!
What does Belly Dance mean for you?
It’s a major part of everyone’s life from the Baubo Moon Room. Belly dance allows not just exercise but creativity, the fun and sparkle of dressing up and socialising. Dancing makes us happy! We enjoy sharing the art of belly dance with other women and as Jill Ellis, the Baubo Moon Room secretary says; "…every class is an adventure. I may be feeling mentally and physically tired at the beginning of a class, but afterwards I am spiritually at peace and physically satisfied." For Guinevere, Belly Dance is a perpetual and enriching journey, "…belly dance has taken me to the far reaches of myself as well as the planet! It serves to offer lessons in life and has been the rooting and flourishing of my womanhood. I am lucky to be emerged in an art that constantly inspires me, although I have been belly dancing for 15 years, I sometimes feel like I’m waking up anew to the art as it constantly delivers freshness to my mind-body and soul."
What message about Belly Dance would you like to send to those that have not started dancing yet?
"Try it!", says Melanie, "you don’t have to wear revealing clothes or bare your belly. It’s natural to feel self-conscious, but good classes and teachers will be non-judgmental, non-competitive, accepting and friendly."
Guinevere goes on, "Belly Dance transcends the notion of "the ideal." Many people think you need to be an ideal shape, age, level of fitness or even have a particular shaped tummy to dance! Essentially dance is a social and communal way of celebrating and marking important occasions. In the West, we have become obsessed with identity and unfortunately this has filtered into the pre-conceptions of belly dance as a sexy art geared purely for the spectator or an audience and this has turned many women off practicing belly dance. However, once women try it, they are often hooked! It offers a safe, women only space that stimulates your own natural abilities to be graceful, physically expressive and in control."
Performance is always an option when you and your teacher feel you are prepared to do that. But, for now, as Jill says; "I would urge anyone with an interest in dance to go along to a class and experience for themselves the sheer magic of belly dance."
Guinevere Clark
enjoys creative writing and poetry. She has a book of poetry called, "Fresh Fruit and Screams" out - www.freshfruitandscreams.co.uk and is currently writing a book on belly dance. She is doing an MA in Creative Writing at Trinity College, Camarthen. Guinevere works part-time as a nurse and enjoys walking her dogs, the Pembrokeshire Coast and continuing her belly dance training. Guinevere is Baubo Moon Room Chairperson and Artistic Director, she also runs Baubo Belly Dance – www.baubo.co.uk and www.myspace.com/baubomoonroom.co.ukMelanie Collier
grows fruit and vegetables and has cattle for conservation grazing and lots of wildlife. She is renovating her farmhouse and does occasional transcription work. She records moths, is learning Welsh and enjoys a busy and active life. Melanie is Baubo Moon Room Assistant Project Manager & Researcher.Jill Ellis
has two children and is an Office Manager for an Independent Financial Adviser. She also shares care for her elderly parents. She loves her two cats, her garden, travelling, visiting friends and going to pop concerts but still finds the time and loves to Belly dance! Jill is Baubo Moon Room Secretary.The Baubo Moon Room also contains members: