GoddessLife Holiday Party December 9, 2007 12-5

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How to Bellydance for Your Man

So you’ve found somebody worthy of your dance and you’re about to make him the luckiest guy around… This is a great gift you are giving, and no matter what you do this will be a night he’ll always remember.

Planning:
o Choose music that is sensual and inspiring to you, and something that sets a romantic or intimate tone. Aim to dance for 3-5 minutes.
o Select a costume that makes you feel sexy and beautiful, and feels good to wear and dance in. Make sure that it is soft to his touch…velvet or silk fabrics are great for dances in the boudoir. Also, you might want to make sure that the costume is easy to remove.


Create an Atmosphere:
o Create an atmosphere that makes you feel sensual and empowered. You can light candles or dim the lights and place flowers or veils around the room, creating an intimate space.
o Make sure that you will be free if interruptions like cell phones or anything else that might disturb your ultimate one-on-one atmosphere.


Performing:
o The Veil is a great way to enter for a boudoir performance. It gives the illusion that you are taking something off and there are lots of seductive tricks that you can do wit it.
o You can wrap it around his neck to show your power, or tease him a little bit with it.
o Eye contact: This is how you keep your power. If you are not comfortable with eye contact yet and you need to look down, be sure to look at your beautiful hips and body and admire yourself as a goddess.

o If nerves set in…have back up moves to do if you forget and keep in mind, what a lucky man he is! Even just one move is enough for him.

o Don’t be afraid to get down on the floor or up on to the bed… you can shimmy in virtually any position.

Make sure that you end the performance on your terms. If he can’t keep his hands off of you, you can give him the playful “no no” finger, and play hard to get… this will make it more fun for everyone.

End the performance how YOU want to end it… however that may be!

Bellydance Costumes

A professional bellydancer’s costumes are one of the tools of her trade….


Simple and Accessible costume items:
A simple hip scarf or coin belt will do, it accentuates your hip movements and adds an audible element to your shimmy.
If you only buy one thing… buy a hip scarf or coin belt.
You can wear simple workout wear like I wore earlier and dress it up with a hip scarf or coin belt.

More Elaborate Costumes:
For those of you who have a fascination with the more elaborate costumes, here’s a head to toe look at what you should look for in making or buying a costume. There are many styles of bellydance and the costume should reflect your style.
Should be Beautiful as well as functional.

Bra
Usually extremely ornate and reinforced to support the weight of the decorative beads and coins. If you are making a costume – begin with a strong, supportive bra, the design of the bra should match your belt.

Belt
Fits snuggly around the hips, leaving the belly free to perform figure eights, shimmies. The belt can weigh up to 8lbs. The beads, in addition to being decorative, swing and glisten with the dancer and make subtle steps visible from a distance. Egyptian style has long beaded fringe – while ATS have coins – which originally derived from the dancer sewing the coin onto her costume to show her wealth.

Skirt
For cabaret style bellydance, the dancer wears one or more circle skirts, made of 6-10 yards of fabric that create a circle when the dancer spins. There are many other skirt designs that complement the style of dance performed. For instance Egyptian dancers often wear the mermaid skirt which is form-fitting from the hips to the knee, then flares out – which highlight the feet – which is performed on the feet.

Accessories
Belly Jewel
Eye Jewels
Flower for Hair
Arm Bands

My costumes
All have names
Barbarella Warrior Goddess
Champagne Toast
From Russia with Love
Sea Shells

Sometimes I Make my own – and sometimes I have a Seamstress make them.

Its time to go make yours and send me pics of yours - I love costumes!!

How to Create a Bellydance Performance

Once you tell people that you are learning to bellydance, chances are they will ask you to perform at their next party. I recommend accepting the offer just to have a unique experience – even if it is just once. Chances are you will enjoy it as will the guests and you will perform again.

Planning:
o Aim to dance for 3-5 minutes
o Choose Music with steady beat and is inspiring: Something upbeat that will get the audience exited right away.
o Find out how much space you have
o Choose a costume that makes you feel beautiful and doesn’t restrict your movements. Make sure the costume is pinned so you don’t have any unwanted surprises.

Create an atmosphere:
o Flowers or candles
o Make room: Clear your space at the party.

Devising your own routine:
o Where to begin?
o Making an entrance with a traveling step or if surrounded by an audience move in a circle
o Basic moves…Don’t need a vast repertoire of different moves to create a good performance. It is much better to perform fewer moves wel and with great energy and confidence than to get over complicated

Performing:
o Eye contact: This is how you keep your power.
o Confidence
o If nerves set in…have a backup move in case anything interrupts your choreography.

o The thing everyone notices when you are performing is not how many snake hips you do, but just how you do them. The audience will notice your spirit, enjoying the dance, your confidence.

o Do a dress rehearsal…

o At the end of your performance hold your pause and enjoy.

o It’s all about attitude! Don’t worry about what people are thinking… your delight in performing will be reflected in the faces of your audience.

Waterfall Ritual in Hawaii

The day Martha captured these images was transformative, powerful, and magical. I was at a private waterfall that was once an ancient Hawaiian birthing pool with a group of women from my GoddessLife Teacher Training retreat. We were all wearing white, as they do on New Year’s Eve in Brazil to honor Yemaya, Goddess of the Ocean thought to be the essence of motherhood and birth. As we entered the lush tropical rainforest surrounding the waterfall, Hawaiian-born Hiwa chanted to her ancestors to ask permission for us to be on the aina(land). Then one by one, each woman released a red hibiscus flower into the waterfall, asking Yemaya help us make our dreams into reality. To honor, celebrate and truly connect with Yemaya, I danced in the waterfall. Dancing in the heart of nature united me with the Goddess and made me feel sacred, feminine, and empowered. With my feet feeling the strength and stability of the rocks, my hands brushing the sky like wings, the water rushing over my body, I truly felt connected with the divine. The message was clear: To dance your dreams, dance where you feel most sacred!

We are all Goddesses

As I looked into the water, an image of divine femininity gazed back at me, one that I didn’t even recognize! I was amazed and humbled, as were the women surrounding me.

The image reinforced my belief in the importance of women finding the powerful goddess within themselves.

Bellydance belongs to all women; it is how we express our own inner Goddess.

Look at the other bellydancers around you. They are all Goddesses. We must resist the temptation to think that our interpretation and the way we experience bellydance is the definitive and correct way to dance. This philosophy chips away at our individual self-esteem and deprives us of the chance to make women our allies.

This art has given us all so much. Who better than other bellydancers to delight in sharing in its riches?

When you begin to see and acknowledge the many magnificent qualities in other bellydancers, even if they dance differently than you, you will begin to feel the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. This is how we will make a difference as women, united.

We are all Goddesses.

HOW TO THROW A BELLYDANCE GODDESS PARTY

You don’t need a big budget or months of preparation to host a Goddess Party that looks luxe, and most importantly: one you and your friends will enjoy. Just follow these few Essential Hostess Tips and this Goddess Party Outline.

Essential Hostess Tips
Setting the mood. They don’t call it “throwing a party” for nothing. Take your sparkling party and throw it in the air. You don’t know where it will land, and that is part of the fun. Just follow the outline, don’t script the entire evening moment to moment. All the accidents, unexpected guests, overlooked things that force you to improvise give your party panache. Let them happen and make the party memorable. Keep it simple. When in doubt, narrow choices like menu and décor. Err on the side of simplicity, too many options just muddle the mix and cost you time and money. Relax and enjoy your party. That means when the festivities kick off, stop working and whatever you do, refrain from asking people if they are having a good time. Allow yourself to have a real conversation and a real laugh without looking around making sure everyone has a drink. Don’t apologize for the unexpected – get creative and let others help.

Goddess Party Outline

Invites – Remember that Goddesses make the Goddess Party. Invite fresh faces, guests of different backgrounds, generations, and persuasions. Have fun with the invites – this sets the mood of the entire party. Let them know the specifics: time, date, place, attire, what to bring with your own personal style. For a switch, include the Party Favor with the invite to be used as the key to admission. Great party favors for your Bellydance Goddess Party are Finger Cymbals (a pair for $7.50 or set of 4 for $15)

Drinks – Set up a self-serve bar and stock it with water (fancify it in a glass pitcher with slices of lemon & orange), exotic fruit juices like guava, mango, or peach, and a bottle of champagne. Allow your guests to serve themselves, and to decide whether or not to mix the champagne with.

Food – Since they will be Bellydancing, no need to stuff your guests. Serve fruit like grapes & berries, and quick energy treats like cookies & biscuits. Make it more sensual with a pot of chocolate fondue for dipping.

Décor – Let your guests feel like they are in another world by engaging all the senses. Place fragrant flowers or candles all over your house (including bathroom). Scatter rose petals on the floor. Load your CD player with a random-play mix of intoxicating, chill-out, and danceable music. Suggestions: Buddha Bar, Goddess Workout, Shakira. Make the room where you are going to Bellydance a Casbah by draping fabric along the walls and placing pillows on the floor along the walls. Move out the furniture creating enough room for each Goddess to shimmy. Cue up the Goddess Workout video and place your TV so that everyone can see.

Activities and Entertainment – Have each of your guests bring a T-shirt or scarf to be decorated with rhinestones. Get a Bedazzler or two with a wide variety color rhinestones (fast-drying glue and glitter will give the same effect). After they’ve finished designing a gift they can take home, it’s time for you and your guests to shimmy to the Casbah wearing their creation. While doing The Goddess Workout Bellydance Fitness Video for the first time with your guests is a blast, you can also prepare a few moves in advance to teach them.

Book Your Next Event at The Goddess Center

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Come to Hawaii!

Imagine spending an unforgettable week in paradise swimming with wild dolphins, feasting on delicious food, dancing under the moon and rejuvenating in a sacred waterfall. In this retreat, Dolphina will share with you her special connection with the dolphins and her secrets to living your own Goddess Life

WHO COMES
Women of all ages (must be 18 years or older), sizes and walks of life who desire an unforgettable experience. This retreat is appropriate for dancers of all levels, from absolute beginners to those who want to become licensed to teach the Goddess Workout. At the end of the Teacher Training, dancers have the option to purchase for an additional fee, a license to become certified to teach The Goddess Workout with Dolphina. For the wild dolphin swims, it is usually best to be both a good swimmer and comfortable snorkeling in the ocean to swim with the dolphins. If you do not feel comfortable swimming in the open ocean, you will still be able to experience the magic of dolphins from the shore or boat

THE CENTER
Our GoddessLife retreat will take place at the lush and secluded Kolealea (which means 'bouncing waters' in Hawaiian) in "upcountry" Maui. The center enjoys 80 degree weather year round and is surrounded by Plumeria Trees, quiet walkways with bridges over streams and a valley of ginger, and the famous "road to Hana" is at our back door. We will dance in a studio with bamboo floors with views to the tropical garden on all sides.

ACCOMODATIONS
There are several charming cottages nestled throughout the pristine aina (land) of Kolealea retreat center. Each house has something unique, including an outdoor shower, hot tub, and views. Sleeping is double occupancy.

THE CUISINE
We will feast upon 3 vegetarian gourmet meals a day. All meals are prepared by a loving staff dedicated to the spirit of Aloha using fresh local produce grown in organic gardens.

TRANSPORTATION
Book and fly the airline of your choice. Dancers come from all over the world for our retreat and teacher training, so there is no way to include airfare in our package price. There are three airports on Maui. We will provide van pick-up and lei greeting between 3-5pm on August 20th at Kahului, Maui, HI (OGG-Kahului) Airport. You are welcome to rent your own car to explore the island.

PRICING
Deadline for the discount to save $1999 rate is June 25th!
50% Deposit due upon registration. Balance due by July 25th.

HOW TO REGISTER
Fill out registration form and fax and mail with your deposit check, money order or credit card information to GoddessLife. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a registration package that includes a detailed itinerary, how to prepare for your retreat and what to bring. Space is limited and will sell out!

GoddessLife
4051 Glencoe Avenue #5
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Goddesslife@gmail.com
www.goddesslife.com

Become Certified to teach The Goddess Workout with Dolphina

Imagine spending an unforgettable week in paradise swimming with wild dolphins, feasting on delicious food, dancing under the moon and rejuvenating in a sacred waterfall. In this retreat, Dolphina will share with you her special connection with the dolphins and her secrets to living your own Goddess Life

WHO COMES
Women of all ages (must be 18 years or older), sizes and walks of life who desire an unforgettable experience. This retreat is appropriate for dancers of all levels, from absolute beginners to those who want to become licensed to teach the Goddess Workout. At the end of the Teacher Training, dancers have the option to purchase for an additional fee, a license to become certified to teach The Goddess Workout with Dolphina. For the wild dolphin swims, it is usually best to be both a good swimmer and comfortable snorkeling in the ocean to swim with the dolphins. If you do not feel comfortable swimming in the open ocean, you will still be able to experience the magic of dolphins from the shore or boat

THE CENTER
Our GoddessLife retreat will take place at the lush and secluded Kolealea (which means 'bouncing waters' in Hawaiian) in "upcountry" Maui. The center enjoys 80 degree weather year round and is surrounded by Plumeria Trees, quiet walkways with bridges over streams and a valley of ginger, and the famous "road to Hana" is at our back door. We will dance in a studio with bamboo floors with views to the tropical garden on all sides.

ACCOMODATIONS
There are several charming cottages nestled throughout the pristine aina (land) of Kolealea retreat center. Each house has something unique, including an outdoor shower, hot tub, and views. Sleeping is double occupancy.

THE CUISINE
We will feast upon 3 vegetarian gourmet meals a day. All meals are prepared by a loving staff dedicated to the spirit of Aloha using fresh local produce grown in organic gardens.

TRANSPORTATION
Book and fly the airline of your choice. Dancers come from all over the world for our retreat and teacher training, so there is no way to include airfare in our package price. There are three airports on Maui. We will provide van pick-up and lei greeting between 3-5pm on August 20th at Kahului, Maui, HI (OGG-Kahului) Airport. You are welcome to rent your own car to explore the island.

PRICING
Deadline for the discount to save $1999 rate is June 25th!
50% Deposit due upon registration. Balance due by July 25th.

HOW TO REGISTER
Fill out registration form and fax and mail with your deposit check, money order or credit card information to GoddessLife. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a registration package that includes a detailed itinerary, how to prepare for your retreat and what to bring. Space is limited and will sell out!

GoddessLife
4051 Glencoe Avenue #5
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Goddesslife@gmail.com
www.goddesslife.com

Bellydancing Seductress

Being a professional bellydancer has given me the opportunity to travel throughout the Middle East. For a couple of years, I was employed at nightclubs with 3-month residencies, performing 6 nights a week and had the days free to explore the city and absorb the culture. Traveling to foreign cities by myself was exhilarating, educational and terrifying. I found it liberating to be in a location for a predetermined amount of time not knowing a soul and getting a fresh start 3 months later. Seeing the Middle East through the eyes of a blonde bellydancer was a fascinating experience. I was in ancient cities performing an ancient dance.

My most charming gig was in Istanbul, Turkey. By charming, I mean that I was the most charming I have ever been in my life. Something about the unique mix of Europe and Middle East culture, the weather, the hotel they set me up in and the gorgeous men brought out the seductress in me. Every thing I said was witty, I bellydanced like I was on fire and I had men falling at my feet, showering me with gifts. One of my admirers told me that I scared him – because there was no hope for him to resist me – he would give me anything I wanted. His fear was logical: in seduction, women hold all the cards.

Being a seductress is not about getting laid. That is easy. That is what men want. Being a good seductress knows this and does not fault a man for his focused desire. Instead, she is empowered by this knowledge because it is the woman who chooses. She delights in her feminine wiles and hones her skills to an art form to get what she wants.

While having a great body helps to attract a man, it is not a requirement in being a great seductress. It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, or how much money you have, or what job you have. You can use these techniques even if you are already married to keep the spark alive between you and to keep feeling like a sensuous woman. Most women do not share these secrets with other women. Most books on the topic focus on candles, bedroom and other stuff that men could care a less about. They do not need these things to get in the mood. Being a seductress is claiming and enjoying the power you innately have as a woman.

A seductress oozes confidence – she loves herself, she enjoys herself, loves to laugh and these are things that make other people love her. Its about being so good at it that they do not even see the signs. Men do not want to think you do this to anyone else. Men want to think they are doing the seduction. A good seductress knows how to make a man feel like he’s seduced her.

GoddessLife Retreat in Hawaii

Imagine spending an unforgettable week in paradise swimming with wild dolphins, feasting on delicious food, dancing under the moon and rejuvenating in a sacred waterfall. In this retreat, Dolphina will share with you her special connection with the dolphins and her secrets to living your own Goddess Life

WHO COMES
Women of all ages (must be 18 years or older), sizes and walks of life who desire an unforgettable experience. This retreat is appropriate for dancers of all levels, from absolute beginners to those who want to become licensed to teach the Goddess Workout. At the end of the Teacher Training, dancers have the option to purchase for an additional fee, a license to become certified to teach The Goddess Workout with Dolphina. For the wild dolphin swims, it is usually best to be both a good swimmer and comfortable snorkeling in the ocean to swim with the dolphins. If you do not feel comfortable swimming in the open ocean, you will still be able to experience the magic of dolphins from the shore or boat

THE CENTER
Our GoddessLife retreat will take place at the lush and secluded Kolealea (which means 'bouncing waters' in Hawaiian) in "upcountry" Maui. The center enjoys 80 degree weather year round and is surrounded by Plumeria Trees, quiet walkways with bridges over streams and a valley of ginger, and the famous "road to Hana" is at our back door. We will dance in a studio with bamboo floors with views to the tropical garden on all sides.

ACCOMODATIONS
There are several charming cottages nestled throughout the pristine aina (land) of Kolealea retreat center. Each house has something unique, including an outdoor shower, hot tub, and views. Sleeping is double occupancy.

THE CUISINE
We will feast upon 3 vegetarian gourmet meals a day. All meals are prepared by a loving staff dedicated to the spirit of Aloha using fresh local produce grown in organic gardens.

TRANSPORTATION
Book and fly the airline of your choice. Dancers come from all over the world for our retreat and teacher training, so there is no way to include airfare in our package price. There are three airports on Maui. We will provide van pick-up and lei greeting between 3-5pm on August 20th at Kahului, Maui, HI (OGG-Kahului) Airport. You are welcome to rent your own car to explore the island.

PRICING
Deadline for the discount to save $1999 rate is June 25th!
50% Deposit due upon registration. Balance due by July 25th.

HOW TO REGISTER
Fill out registration form and fax and mail with your deposit check, money order or credit card information to GoddessLife. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a registration package that includes a detailed itinerary, how to prepare for your retreat and what to bring. Space is limited and will sell out!

GoddessLife
4051 Glencoe Avenue #5
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Goddesslife@gmail.com
www.goddesslife.com

GoddessLife Hawaii Retreat

Imagine spending an unforgettable week in paradise swimming with wild dolphins, feasting on delicious food, dancing under the moon and rejuvenating in a sacred waterfall. In this retreat, Dolphina will share with you her special connection with the dolphins and her secrets to living your own Goddess Life

WHO COMES
Women of all ages (must be 18 years or older), sizes and walks of life who desire an unforgettable experience. This retreat is appropriate for dancers of all levels, from absolute beginners to those who want to become licensed to teach the Goddess Workout. At the end of the Teacher Training, dancers have the option to purchase for an additional fee, a license to become certified to teach The Goddess Workout with Dolphina. For the wild dolphin swims, it is usually best to be both a good swimmer and comfortable snorkeling in the ocean to swim with the dolphins. If you do not feel comfortable swimming in the open ocean, you will still be able to experience the magic of dolphins from the shore or boat

THE CENTER
Our GoddessLife retreat will take place at the lush and secluded Kolealea (which means 'bouncing waters' in Hawaiian) in "upcountry" Maui. The center enjoys 80 degree weather year round and is surrounded by Plumeria Trees, quiet walkways with bridges over streams and a valley of ginger, and the famous "road to Hana" is at our back door. We will dance in a studio with bamboo floors with views to the tropical garden on all sides.

ACCOMODATIONS
There are several charming cottages nestled throughout the pristine aina (land) of Kolealea retreat center. Each house has something unique, including an outdoor shower, hot tub, and views. Sleeping is double occupancy.

THE CUISINE
We will feast upon 3 vegetarian gourmet meals a day. All meals are prepared by a loving staff dedicated to the spirit of Aloha using fresh local produce grown in organic gardens.

TRANSPORTATION
Book and fly the airline of your choice. Dancers come from all over the world for our retreat and teacher training, so there is no way to include airfare in our package price. There are three airports on Maui. We will provide van pick-up and lei greeting between 3-5pm on August 20th at Kahului, Maui, HI (OGG-Kahului) Airport. You are welcome to rent your own car to explore the island.

PRICING
Deadline for the discount to save $1999 rate is June 25th!
50% Deposit due upon registration. Balance due by July 25th.

HOW TO REGISTER
Fill out registration form and fax and mail with your deposit check, money order or credit card information to GoddessLife. Upon receipt of your application, we will send you a registration package that includes a detailed itinerary, how to prepare for your retreat and what to bring. Space is limited and will sell out!

GoddessLife
4051 Glencoe Avenue #5
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Goddesslife@gmail.com
www.goddesslife.com