A common misconception about belly dancing is that it is suggestive and intended to entertain men.
This notion could not be more wrong.
Belly, or Oriental, dancing is probably the oldest form of dance, with roots in all ancient cultures, from the Orient to India and the Middle East.
Most importantly, belly dancing developed as a form of communication among women in the seclusion of their homes. With no TV or internet, older women used this dance form to educate their daughters about life.
St Lucia’s Lizelle Vermaak had become despondent with the monotony of everyday life and was seeking something more meaningful when she saw a belly dancing advert on TV.
After winning a DVD from which she learned the basics, Lizelle quickly recognised her need for formal training. She formed a group of women interested in learning the dance form, but St Lucia’s outlying location meant Lizelle’s future in belly dance hung in the balance.
Nonetheless, she forged on and was eventually introduced to Anne Knowles, CEO of Belly Dance SA in Pietermaritzburg, who put together a distance learning programme.
Lizelle would have to qualify as a teacher to ensure a future for belly dance in St Lucia. Zahara Moon Belly Dance was born.
By the beginning of 2013, Lizelle’s belly dancing class had grown, she had passed the first two teaching levels and resigned from her permanent job.
By keeping her end goal in mind, Lizelle overcame many obstacles and was well on the way to carving out a career from her new found passion.
‘The beauty of belly dance is that it can be done by women of all ages, shapes and sizes,’ said Lizelle when asked why she chose to pursue this dance form.
Belly dancing also ‘strengthens a woman’s self-confidence’, it is ‘feminine yet empowering’.
A busy year for Lizelle, 2014 marks the third anniversary of Zahara Moon studio and will see her complete levels three and four of her teachers’ qualification.
Lizelle will then be qualified in the basics of belly dance and will start delving into the many different styles.
With 10 levels to complete, Lizelle considers herself a ‘baby’ when it comes to belly dance, but she is enjoying the journey.
Highlights of her belly dance career include her studio performing at last year’s Mr Price Pro Ballito surf competition and meeting belly dancers from around the world through dance workshops.
