The Crier - The Lakes
May 2009
Isis Rising - A Night to Remember
- Betty Perry
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The 135 residents who attended the "Christmas in July" Club Dinner of the 25th were treated to the beat of a different drum this year. Instead of Carols and jingle Bells, the haunting sounds of the Middle East - flutes, tinkling jewellery and throbbing drums - were the order of the night as the accompaniment for the exotic Isis Rising Belly Dancing Troupe.
A jolly life-sized Santa greeted patrons and a most enjoyable meal complete with plum pudding was served before the stage curtains were drawn to reveal a brightly coloured backdrop of Eastern design and lighting, which set the mood for a night of Egyptian Fantasy. Greatly enhancing the illusion were the beautifully co-ordinated costumes of the nine talented belly dancers and emcee.
Principal dancer, Jane Marin, opened the performance with a seductive routine of gyrating and hand movements, before producing, as if from nowhere, the magnificent Wings of Isis. Many of the audience gasped in surprise initially, but as Jane wove the simmering, magical wings around and over her, most fell silent obviously fascinated by the spectacular routine. |
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This was followed by performances involving various techniques and performers whose ages ranged from teens to an inspirational 71 year old who is the oldest member of "Goddess Magic" which is a "fifties plus" branch of the group. Other fascinating dances involved the use of accessories such as swords and costuming.
The night ended in hilarious fashion as members of the audience were invited to participate in a Belly Dancing lesson. Some ladies showed great potential, while others - particularly some gentlemen - writhed and snaked their whole bodies into such contortions that some of use doubted they would ever walk unaided again.
To sum up: Excellent entertainment; appreciative audience; Good food; and a great night.
Bundaberg Newsmail
May 2008
Hone your body
with belly dance
- Cherie Curtis
Tribal mix helps mind and spirit
The whispering swish of the coins on the hip scarves are almost a chant as the dancers twist and sashay to the tribal music beating withing John Vianney Hall.
Jane Marin, a qualified yoga instructor and reiki master, has asked me to experience the splendour of belly dancing.
Over the years, my belly hasn't featured much on my mind, but the idea of unwinding with movement to traditional music - and maybe learning some tips - is too appealing to miss.
I'm feeling like a Besser block after toiling over my computer all day, bu the girls are quick to reassure me that you can turn up in any shape.
"The classes are relaxing, re-energising and mentally stimulating," Samantha Green, an engineer says.
"My work can be vrey stressful but belly dancing brings me back in touch with my body."
New Mum Carmel Donovan has been belly dancing or years, but the arrival of her son Kailen at Christmas has brought a new meaning to the art.
"Most ancient cultures developed some style of belly dancing to prepare women for pregnancy," Ms Donovan said.
"This is brilliant for getting your body back into shape afterwards and it's a very feminine thing,"
So I take the plunge.
I've missed the warm-up so we're straight into the dance steps. Discovering how to do the camel, hip drops and belly rolls is a little harder than I thought, but it's fascinating and centring. And my muscles are enjoying htis relaxing treat.
Relaxing?
Yes, they've been taut all day,so the movements stretch them back to where they should be.
And it feels good.
"Athletes and profesionals are often the ones who find it the hardest to belly dance because they must allow their body to relax," Mrs Marin said.
After focussing on a few individual steps, the students perform a dance and are rewarded witha pleasant warm down. some stay on for the Wings of Isis Performance Class, where they practise dances to perform at charity events etc.
Arts teacher Kellie Holmes said belly dancing was life-changing.
"It made me feel womanly and beautiful after a few challenges in my life, "Ms Holmes said. "I can remember after doing the classes for a while, someone said 'You look nice lately - have you lost weight?' "No I answered, I just stand up straight now."
Isis Rising offers beginner classes, beyond the basics and a yogafusion class. Telephone Mrs Marin on 41 597355.
Ancient art has fertile history
Some form of belly dancing is embedded in almost every ancient culture in the world as women prepare themselves for marriage or pregnancy.
Jane Marin said the dance had evolved from many different countries, encompassing many different cultures and techniques.
"At Isis Rising, the belly dancing is based on Egyptian, but we've also drawn from Turkish and Indian as well as tribal belly dancing from places like Afghanistan and even America," Mrs Marin said she gave up ballet and jazz at the age of 40 becuase of problems associated with arthritis. "The arthritis isn't a problem when I belly dance, and I'm fitter now than when I was doing classical ballet and jazz."
The dance focusses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in sensuous patterns, weaving together the entire female form. The dance is natural to a woman's bone and muscle structure, with many movements almost instinctive.
Accessories such as swords, Wings of Isis and candelabras are used in many modern dances which are often influenced by ballet and flamenco.
Bundaberg News Mail
December 2006
Belly Basics
Julia Iles chews the fat with Bundaberg belly dancing enthusiasts.
She will make music whrever she goes - is not just the last line of a nursery fhyme - but illustrates the effect of a costumed belly dancer in motion. The various shapes and sizes of half a dozen Bundaberg belly dancers assembled in John Vianney Hall on Wednesday night with their vibrant costumes jingling with jangling metal pieces producing a sound reminiscent of Fahter Chrismas' belled reindeers.
For Jane Marin, principal of Isis Rising Belly Dance School, a little magic happens as soon as the costumes go on.
"I think the jinging sound definitely adds to the belly dancing experience," she said.
"We practice to a range of music from traditional to modern and it adds an element that not many other dances have.
"My background is ballet and I've taught yoga and jazz before... with belly dancing you still get a great work[out , unlike other forms of exercise, you get a freedom of expression."
Mrs Marin said the movements especially worked the upper body and mid-section.
"You get really toned and we do a fusion of all the different styles of elly dance,' she said.
there is also a range of levels, from beginners through to the performance group called "Wings of Isis"
Olya Chaschin performs with Wings of Isis at a range of functions including weddings and camel races.
"We danced at the Moore Park Festival and were very well recieved, while at more conservative places, like the Mt Perry Camel Races the people looked at us as if we were showing too much skin," Chaschin said.
"It's fun and flirty, I have been dancing for a year and a half now and really enjoy it."
Weaving together the feminine form,the art of belly dancing for centuries was performed by young woment at feritlity and marriage rituals.
The history of the dance stretches into all ancient cultures, most prominently through the rich past of the Middle East as well as through Spain and Greece.
According to Mrs Marin, it cofuses on isolating different parts of the body and moving them independently in sensuous patterns.
Her daughter, 16 year old Levana Marin, National Champion of dance acrobatics, is also a keen belly dancer. She will defend her acrobatics title at the National Dance Showcase in the Gold Coast in January and is a contenstant for dancer of the year.
"Although I dance jazz and acrobatics, what I like best about belly dancing is the freedom you have in the movements." Levana said.
"It's not all restricted and is a lot of fun." she said.
The newest bellydance recruit, Carmel Donovan, who has danced for three and a half months, loves the work-out. "It really owrks your muscles, once I got the moves down it was easy to relax and take it all in." Ms Donovan said. "I also like the spiritual aspect to it."