Dancing your way into your dreams

Darlene is a belly dance instructor at the Middle East Dance Academy (MEDA), a pioneering spirit of the art of dance in Malaysia. In this feature, Afterschool shares insights from Darlene, who touches on the importance of supplementing long-term training with in-depth knowledge of the art as well as tips for young performers who wish to work professionally.

Q: You have taught and inspired many students during your career, where did your journey begin?

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"There are healthy boundaries ingrained in middle-eastern dance traditions which are applicable to life in general: context, discretion, & timing."[/caption]

My first introduction to belly dance was through a U2 concert; a belly dancer performed for one of my favorite songs "Mysterious Ways". I can see in hindsight that she wasn't a spectacular belly-dancer, but the concept of fusing an eastern folk dance with a western rock song had never really been done before. (This was way before Shakira, folks!) I have a brief background in southeast Asian folk dance, but I never pursued dance as an art. Several years ago, a compressed spinal disc forced me to seek a low-impact exercise regime to strengthen my core. By then, my family had grown up enough that I could spend more time outside the home -- and I decided to turn this injury into an opportunity to pursue something that had been lingering in the back of my mind for so long: belly dance.

Q: Why do you feel belly dance is popular?

No one can deny that belly dance -- however controversial or provocative it may be in some social circles -- is a beautiful art. Belly dance is woman's art for all women; it promotes a strong abdominal core whilst maintaining soft & generous curves. (Curves are good, ladies!) Best of all, it is accessible for all ages, sizes, & shapes -- from toddlers to great-grandmas. In belly dance, we are taught to appreciate what God has given us -- every unique curve we have -- and to move our bodies in a way that complements what we already have.

There's really no need to hide or adjust or alter or augment who we are. With belly dance, we are beautiful at the age, shape, & size that we are now -- present-tense. On a more philosophical note, I believe it is popular for women because it is unapologetic about who we are as the 'fairer sex'. In today's post-post-whatever culture, we women are trying to re-capture the essence of our femininity. We've been told that we need to be many things -- successful in the business world, successful in motherhood, successful in the bedroom, successful in juggling all our projects and personas. In my opinion, belly dance is popular because it simplifies what has become

so complicated about womanhood.

Q: How does this art form advocate empowerment for women both on and off the dance floor?

On the dance floor? Women are given permission to be soft & feminine. Unlike many other dance disciplines, we aren't required to have lean muscles or incredible athletic strength. There is no age, size, or weight limit for belly dance. -- And we aren't even required to take off more clothing than we're comfortable with; we dance to express our femininity, not to expose it.

The modern feminist understanding of empowerment is redefined in this ancient art. There are healthy boundaries ingrained in middle-eastern dance traditions which are applicable to life in general: context, discretion, & timing. You see, contrary to rumor many belly-dancers are conservatives at heart; classically-trained dancers are taught that ladies keep their arms soft, their legs closed, and their knickers out of sight. The job of a belly dancer has always been to lead in celebration -- in weddings & births & triumphant occasions -- and a belly dancer served her family & community by lifting hearts and encouraging others to join her dance.

In my opinion, belly dance girds women with confidence whilst reminding us that "with great (feminine) power comes great responsibility" towards the ones whom we love. Suddenly, empowerment isn't about having the power to do whatever the hell we want to do, but having the power to serve your loved ones and community well.

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Darlene pursues dance through teaching and the love & support of friends and family[/caption]

Q: What certain training, qualifications, traits and talent should one possess to become a dance instructor?

Belly dance in Malaysia is still very young, so there is currently no formal training or qualifications for dance instruction in the arena of middle-eastern dance. -- But these are exciting times for creative pioneers! I am blessed to be under the mentorship of MEDA and principal Nanccy Bakhshy (native Turkish-Iranian and long-time performer/instructor of ME dance arts), and we are working hard to establish a standard for middle-east cultural dance in this country. We held our first certificate exams this year and plan to build the syllabus from basic dance foundations all the way to performance & teaching certification.

Regarding traits and talents: Although I had very little dance instruction in my personal history, I do have a strong background in music & performance as a singer. This -- as well as a fair amount of natural body intelligence -- has allowed me to adapt my artistic gifting towards belly dance.

I believe that a learning & gracious spirit is crucial to becoming an instructor.

I will confess that it was humbling for me to enter into belly dance alongside women who were 10-15 years younger than me; I also have a neurological disorder which both inhibits & enhances my dancing abilities. But I wanted to learn, and I was blessed with a mentor who came alongside me and constantly vhallenged me without ever breaking my spirit. It's important to realize that women venture into belly dance classes from all walks of life and for all kinds of reasons; an instructor needs know how to grow with her students.

Q: Introducing an art form will always have its own set of challenges (and not to mention how belly dancing is exposed in movies and on television, which gives a very false image). What are the common misconceptions and how do you handle them?

Yes, I'm sad to admit that belly dance has recently received a lot of bad press in local news for what I see to be cultural misunderstanding and perhaps foolish indiscretion on the part of the dancers and their venue organizers...

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Students of Darlene's class take the time off to exercise & develop their belly-dance skills[/caption]

"Belly dance... isn't that, like, a middle-eastern strip-tease?" I've never been actually asked that question, but I've definitely heard it implied in many of the pensive questions I've received regarding the art. In short, people want to know how I can perform this sensuous & tummy-revealing dance whilst still being a devout religious person, a faithful wife, and a responsible mother. I believe the best way to answer that question and overcome misconceptions is to build bridges rather than stage artistic coups.

Part of my passion as an instructor is to educate people on the origins and history of belly dance -- good, bad, and ugly. I love creating fun opportunities for people to learn -- through workshops, events & parties. And I do try to be honest about what is beautiful as well as what is dark about the art.

I also do my best not to offend, because people are usually sensitive about belly dance for valid reasons in their personal history. Context, discretion, and timing means knowing your audience: Can I wear a 2-piece costume, or should a wear something that veils my arms & tummy? Should I begin with an energetic tabla solo, or should I ease in with a graceful Persian number or a coastal folk dance? Should I shimmy on-stage, or use a veil for taqsim? Since belly dancers are leaders in celebration, I do my best to lead the way -- even if its through a mine-field of misconceptions.

Q: Do you have words of wisdom to share with our readers that want to follow in your footsteps?

It's not easy to be a belly dance performer & instructor, especially in a highly conservative & ethnically segregated society. I would love to say 'just follow your dreams!' but I'm still a person of faith and a concerned mom of 3 daughters & 1 son. If someone is interested in dancer performance & instruction as a career, I'd encourage them to do these 3 things...

First: Challenge your own motivations. If you pursue belly dance for the sake of fame, fortune & attention from the opposite sex, you are in danger of compromising much for what is statistically a long-shot at happiness. Most dancers & instructors are in this profession because they love the art, and because they can pursue dance through full or part-time teaching and the love & support of friends and family.

Second: Plug into a supportive and healthy dance community. It's too easy for any dancer to be drawn into the darker vices of the entertainment industry, so it's important to actively seek accountability and mentorship from wise women & men who have walked the path before you. Develop that learning spirit, and don't forsake personal instruction even as you venture into performance and teaching.

Finally: Take your time. Dance performance & instruction doesn't need to be your first or only profession -- and it's probably better if it's neither. I can safely say that whilst I wish I had the opportunity to learn belly dance at a younger age: I do not regret all the life & work experience I gained as a shop girl, a restaurant hostess, an office grunt, a housewife, a mother, and homeschooler. Believe or not, belly dance is the only kind of dance that truly improves with maturity, age, and the 15 extra pounds we naturally gain after our youth -- because marriage, motherhood, & even domestic life actually lends wisdom to move more intuitively in belly dance. The most beautiful dancers & excellent teachers I know were wives & mothers long before they became known for their art.