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Holistic Living
Belly Dance with a Purpose
by Catalina Andrade
People are continuously working toward liberty and justice in this world. Women have played a great role and continue to expand in achieving the respect they deserve. Exploring these subjects in the highest light, women are applying freedom and integrity to their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Sun Path Academy was founded by Baruam over four years ago in San Diego, CA, to support members of the community, especially women, in finding holistic therapies to experience wellbeing, such as Reiki, breath work, clairvoyant readings, Deeksha and tarot.
To help women find inner peace and strength, Baruam decided to integrate a program called Belly Dance with a Purpose to the extensive therapies available at Sun Path Academy.
“In the old times, the dance had a higher intent. I feel that right now, women need to get in touch with that inner power,” explained Baruam.
Among the therapies that Sun Path Academy offers, Belly Dance with a Purpose is one of the favorites among women. The class is led by Ishanti, who has been belly dancing for the last 10 years. Ishanti learned the dance in Chile. Now she leads a class that is less intensive, but offers the same benefits.
Ishanti welcomes women of all ages, ethnicities and body sizes. Although the class involves belly dance movements, it is not a techniques class. It involves the practice of yoga, belly dance, and visualization and is intended to give women the liberty to express themselves in a creative and nurturing environment. There is no need for prior dance experience. The motive is to experiment and enjoy the movements that create your body. It’s about becoming free in your own skin and letting the music guide you into undulations, hip circles, and arm movements.
“This class is not about technique, it is about letting go and knowing yourself,” Ishanti affirmed.
Belly Dance with a Purpose is designed for women to create a sisterhood and embrace who they really are. The class always starts with a welcoming circle in which Ishanti puts a bindi on everyone’s third eye. The group opens up into a conversation, in which anyone can share their thoughts. For Ishanti, this becomes a wisdom circle because it unfolds the perceptions of women of various ages. In this space, everyone is heard and no one is judged by what they express.
Then the aroma of aura soma, a therapy that blends color, oils, and essences, is given to the women to breathe in and start connecting to their highest selves. The stretching part of the class is a combination of yoga and ballet movements.
Then the fun starts with a couple simple belly dance steps. The music fills the room, surrounding it with joy. After awhile, a few exercises are performed in couples so that participants can learn more about each other. These activities change by class, but there is always a segment that creates a connection among the dancers.
At the end of each class, all of the women are smiling at each other as if they have known each other before. The class is intended to let women experience the freedom of their bodies in connection with their spirits. Women become uninhibited about age, color and body shape. The class becomes a ritual of female power. With each undulation in the body, the spirit of each woman comes out to play. This unique belly dance class is fun and peaceful, plus it helps women understand and love their bodies.
“I love the change I see in women who come to the class. At first they are introverted and then something happens—a transformation,” said Ishanti happily.
More than just a dance class, belly dance is a ritual in which women come together to celebrate womanhood.
“Try it. You are not going to lose anything. Always try new things and you will know if it is for you,” assured Ishanti.
To promote wellbeing for women, Baruam and Ishanti have agreed to offer a free Belly Dance with a Purpose class for any woman who wants to experience it. Ishanti also provides hip belts and cushions for stretching and sitting.
Inspiring expression without judgment, Belly Dance with a Purpose is designed to nourish the body, mind and spirit, giving women the freedom to find the power within to transform the world.
For more information, visit Sun Path Academy, located at 260 ½ Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA. 91910, contact Baruam at 619.409.1494 or visit www.sunpathacademy.com. Catalina Andrade is a holistic health practitioner and freelance writer. Contact her at catial05@yahoo.com.