![\"Sophia](\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art54\/graphics54\/sophiaatbreast.jpg\")
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Question #1: I would like to know some specific traditions relating Bellydance to the celebration of a new baby. What is the connection of birthing rites to Bellydance?<\/strong><\/p>\n Answer:<\/strong> Interesting question! I think a lot of people would like this answered, including myself. In my 30 years of Bellydancing, I have yet to find any concrete evidence of any connection. I will tell you what I do know. <\/p>\n Having a Bellydancer perform at baptisms in the Middle East is very common. In fact, the highlight of the performance is when the Bellydancer holds and dances with the baby. <\/p>\n On a similar note, many a time, an Arab mother has hired me to perform the Zaffah (wedding procession) at her daughter\u2019s wedding. She warns me that her daughter does not want a Bellydancer present because her daughter has been \u201cWesternized\u201d and as a result, the bride is embarrassed in front of her friends about aspects of her culture. I have never asked why it\u00a0 would be so important to the mother that I perform, in fact, so important that she would initiate this undertaking against the bride\u2019s wishes. However, I always got the feeling that these mothers were worried (or possibly superstitious) that it would be bad luck for the daughter if her wedding did not include a Bellydancer. Whether this is because of luck in love, love-making, fertility or all of the above, I am not sure. Perhaps, it was just to appease the aunts and uncles of the previous generation. Even so, why this important?<\/p>\n Sometimes, I have seen Bellydance classes advertised as beneficial for labor and childbirth. I have not had the honor and pleasure of giving birth to a child, but many of my students attest to the speed and ease with which they were able to deliver due to strong pelvic muscles.<\/p>\n However, there are many who had to resort to Cesarean after a long and arduous labor as well. It might be negligent to throw around such claims. <\/p>\n Bellydance makes you more agile and fit, more comfortable with your body and sexuality. These claims are definitely proven across the board. Therefore, post childbirth, Bellydance must be beneficial. Is it good for pregnant moms? I would like to see more doctors attest to this before we dancers continue claiming it. <\/p>\n One more thing:<\/strong> an Arab woman told me many, many years ago that the act of shimmying while in the presence of a woman giving birth helps the new mother to loosen the womb so the baby can come out easily. I have always thought that if you couple that with an undulation, you would have great birthing technique. I wish that I had had the chance to try it out. Well, that is all I can think of right now. I hope that helps. <\/p>\n Question #2: In a workshop in Texas, you said that while dancing during a taqsim, a dancer should resist the urge to shimmy, especially for instruments that are plucked. I was wondering why you said that. Why no shimmy, and the significance and\/or difference with the plucked instruments?<\/strong><\/p>\n Answer:<\/strong> I was referring to the fact that often dancers feel the urge to shimmy during taqsims with plucked instruments such as an oud or qanun. While shimmying is\u00a0 an appropriate interpretation of these instruments, it should not be the only interpretation. It can be satisfying to follow the undulating ebb and flow of the melody as well with other circular, long or rippling movements.Additionally, there is Fifi Abdou<\/strong> who shimmies to everything! <\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Snake](\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/graphics\/snakequestionmark.jpg\")
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