Mexico 2006 ~

Nine men and women enjoyed the subtle, gentle movements of the Oriental Dance Holiday in La Manzanilla, Mexico with Jeannie. After spending the early part of the day at Brenda Dempsey’s Yoga Retreat, we ended the day with a soothing late afternoon of dance under the palapa over looking the town and sea.  Later, feeling flexible, relaxed, yet energized, we headed off to enjoy a wonderful evening of Mexican cuisine, good company, and a beautiful sun set.

 Oriental dance is about 5000 years old. Dance is one of the most ancient forms of art and was a mixture of many cultural elements. Traditionally, there were dances to celebrate weddings, victories, and many social events. Oriental dance is empowering, creative, and healing.  It’s good for blood flow, massages vital organs and utilized muscle groups in the pelvis, trunk, spine, and neck, working with the body rather than against it. Because the participant is on their feet, it is also considered a good weight bearing exercise routine. As a moving meditation, it opens and nourishes your energetic skeleton (charkas), the 12 Organ meridians and the 8 Extraordinary Vessels that enrich your body, and spirit while it calms the mind. It’s excellent for stress reduction as the subtle rhythms along with the movements have a calming effect for your entire being.

Many of the movements also include stomach exercises to prepare women for childbirth and recovery after. Oriental (Belly) dance uses movements that come naturally to the female form.