There is/was a lady in Fat Chance by the name of Suzanne, I think, who was a larger lady. You see her on the San Francisco Beledi DVD. Girlfriend can dance and looks smashing!

Shay,
I'll be the first in line for that video of yours!! Go for it!

I forgot about this thread, but the calendar is here:
www.cafepress.com/bbbdcalendar.127506761

(the troupe I'm in is featured on December, and my teacher Petra is Ms. November!)

I loved that clip! They were fantastic!!

Margaret, you picked a good one (and beat me to it in the process, darn it! ~ *smile*). Marjhani *is* a wonderful, graceful, comfortable-with-herself woman. She's definitely inspired *me* to be more comfortable with where I'm at, size-wise, and not worry about what someone else may think.
Megan, let her know there'll always be cruel (and stupid) people who don't like themselves very much and the only way they can feel better about it is to make someone else feel bad. (if someone's making her feel like this... SHAME on them!) She should do what makes HER feel good and, if it's dancing, DO IT! When I started taking BD, I was very nervous, but I knew I *had* to try it. Guess what, you *still* can't get me to show my belly off completely, but I feel SO feminine and good about myself! If she has issues with her stomach size and "showing it off", there are options (other than a choli w/a bib). There are the leotard/unitards that a lot of sites sell that have the mesh center. I have two in black, one long sleeved/legged for when it's cold and one short sleeved/legless for summer. It helps me feel secure (and secured) and allows the teacher to see my middle so she can correct anything I'm not quite getting.

Thanks for mentioning us! It is awesome to be a part of The NDC because we all understand that being a dancer has little to do with one's size. We run the gamut.

And Kallisti Tribal is a great representation that womanhood in all our shapes and sizes can be beautiful and powerful.

I want to put a word in with those who mentioned Hiba and Elinor. I had actually dropped Elinor a line asking if she had video up so I could direct people to see her (she doesn't yet.)

She danced at Tribally Yours in Montreal last February and did the most hypnotic fan dance I'd seen in a long time. And the woman moves like melting butter on hot corn... smooth and fluid.

Hiba is just so powerful to watch. She takes the stage and can be serious or playful, but always polished in her technique.

Props to both these ladies.

I love that music in this Magidah vid. Who is it?

That is terrible and the lady must be distressed for sure, my advice would be to maybe show her this thread. I've just been reading down through the posts, and literally one after another everyone is recommending stuff right of the batt. So it proves its not uncommon or unheard of at all, but the way all dancers of shapes and sizes should be and thats appreciated! Good luck, hope it works out!

Hey!! Thanx! we have a couple of you tube vids if you wanna check em' out. I dont have the links though I cant get them through this computer :(

I will agree that Majida is an awesome dancer. I've seen her at TribeO 1 and 2, and was amazed by her grace and her SHIMMIES! Wow!

Wow Ziah

Thank you for the kind words..I'm honored..seriously

ahh gothic on youtube? nice ^_^

I agree that Emily is another lovely dancer and I love it when you two do a duet! You complement each other so well.

Meliza Wells has always been an inspiration to me. She used to be in Romani back in the day, and now dances with a group called Lapsus.

She is hot. And sweet. Mmm, like a sticky bun!
people.tribe.net/a8e2e127-...f004af0390

Hi Megan,

Another thing that might help is to show her more costuming options rather than just bare belly. Since I came to tribal dance from the SCA (where at least the people there that I danced with seldom showed much skin), I personally am uncomfortable with showing that much skin.

I currently wear a mesh tank that goes to low on my hips (I tied my belt over it).

Our dance school has a compliment policy thought up by our assistance Director. If you say something negative about yourself, you are required to immediately come up with a compliment about yourself. I think it really helps break the negative thinking train up.

If the music moves her, she should dance like no one is watching!

Ooops... once you click the link you have to click again on TCBA with Christina King or something like that.

This may have been posted and I missed it but if the lady is on tribe we have one for us bigger gals, its under Big Beautifulbellydancers. Also, thank you everyone for all the info and clips, this is great!

Naimah- I just love the music blend! It has a pile of music I love in it- I would LOVE to get a copy of that and have some fun! (The one of SnakeCharmer 2)

You are all beautiful! You looked like you were all having so much fun- and the crowd was having fun from the sound of it too!!

And the Tribal Fest Vid- WOW! I loved it...such an awesome demonstration of synchronicity- one spirit! It was beautiful!