Snake Season

While we have our own beloved troupe of them, snakes have been worshiped in the East for over five thousand years. Late this month is the Hindu festival of Nag Panchami, a celebration based in learning to respect and not fear the serpents, and likely started because the July rains flood the snake holes and they suddenly surface in human habitats. The snake has been rumored to have saved the lives of Lord Krishna, Buddha, and Jain Muni Parshwanath. Often represented eating its tail, the serpent is a symbol of eternity and immortality. Snakes appear with gods and on many spiritual sites.

Nag Panchami celebrations vary everywhere. People ask the snakes for blessings by offering them milk and honey, dancing with them, and wearing flowers and coins, amongst other events. Snake-charmers appear to woo snakes out of their baskets with their magic flutes- but in reality, the snakes are responding to vibrations from the charmers' fancy footwork and his fascinating flute. In addition, the snakes are generally de-fanged and de-venomed!

We love to dance with snakes, whose bodies afford them the natural undulation and rhythms we work so hard to master. If you aren't ready to do the snakey locomotion, you can start with our Discover Bellydance series and shimmy solo!

BELLY COSTUMES

If you are looking for a last-minute low-budget costume idea, or just need to bring to sparkle and glam into your wardrobe this holiday, here's an idea for you. Take one of your favorite t-shirts or tank tops that could use a new breath of life, and get some fun and sparkly sequins or other embellishment. Sew the sequins along the trim, straps- anywhere you want to add some shine, and voila!- you have a new look! And, just in case it doesn't work out, here's an added bonus tip. If you are using a strappy tank, you can sew the bottom of it shut, turn it inside out, and embellish, and you have a brand new tote for your zills, cds, hip scarf and veils!

For more tips like this, check out our new book,
"The Way of the Belly"

BELLY LETTERS

Dear Neena and Veena,
I have been using your bellydance for beginners exercise series since 2003. I just recently purchased the Indi-Hop series video, and it was quite a challenge! Although the choreography is a bit challenging for me right now, I'm confident that I will master the moves in no time.

I have let many people borrow the VHS version of your bellydance videos (box set with separate slim down video). The consensus is that they are difficult to do in a good sense. I find that many people do not stick with routines because they become bored with them or they would rather not make the effort. I have been working out for years, and I understand that it is important to change things every now and again to gain a sense of variety and freshness. Thus, this is what I always do, and this is why I keep coming back to bellydance and your related series.

I still love the bellydance for beginners series. I think the challenge for me is maintaining a graceful posture while trying to perform the moves. As well, performing the moves correctly makes all the difference. I always tell people that, at first, they are not typically performing the moves properly and in their entirety. Thus, the workouts actually become more challenging as one transitions to the proper mindset and performs the moves correctly. It's the opposite of other workouts where one becomes less challenged as they become more familiar with the exercise moves. Your videos present more challenge as one moves further into the "performance."

I see, as well, that you have come out with a core video series. I'm going to check it out now on your website to see if it's something I'd like to try.

Thanks for putting new things out there and keeping it fresh for those of us who stick with it and love non-traditional exercise routines. I feel sexy, relaxed, and more alive every time I work out with you two. I also see beauty in a different light, as I feel that now my beauty comes from within and surrounds me like a veil of subtlety. Subtle beauty is great beauty because it does not boast its presence. People have to find it, and that's what makes it sensual and alive. At 39, I feel and look great.

Thanks for putting out such great video series,

Lisa Cipollo-McGillicuddy
Portland, Oregon

Hey Lisa!
Thanks for your wonderful comments. It seems as though you are getting everything we want out of the series. You are diligent, and with practice you will work through Indi-Hop the same way you have made it through the previous workouts- and good for you for working on getting your form correct and realizing the benefits of that! Remember you Are sexy and beautiful- it does all come from within. And, 40 is the new 20! At least, at 40, you will have what girls at 20 wish they did!

Keep dancing and keep well,

The Bellytwins

Send us your letters... We would love to hear from you!

"Getting to know you… getting to know all about you..."

When someone asks "what's your sign?" - they really mean your Sun Sign, which represents your direction and focus. It is the sign of the zodiac that the Sun was in at the time of your birth. The Sun rules willpower and ego.

This month is Cancer
(The Crab)
(June 22nd to July 22nd)

Cancer, the sign of the crab, is one of the most emotionally-based signs in the zodiac. Ruled by the moon, Cancers are naturally maternal and create warm homes for themselves and others, yet they value their solitude. On the surface they can appear to be cold, unfeeling, and stubborn, when in truth that shell is protecting a sympathetic and sensitive creature capable of great love and caring. These moon children can be very intuitive and insightful. They are often perceived as drama queens due to their wild imaginations, and they love art, literature and theater. In fact, these romantics can be wonderful performers, but they are conflicted because their need for attention is countered by their self-protective shell. They can be quite sulky and moody, and fall victim to confidence problems, which can lead them to instability. However, the next mood swing can make them ardent supporters of many causes, and they love flattery! Once this crab is drawn out if its shell, is warm, wonderful, loving underbelly can be revealed.

(Information adapted from www.astrology-online.com)

DANCE & FITNESS / CANCER:

Cancers are naturally drawn to the mystical and romantic aspects of bellydance, making a perfect physical activity for them. They are also particularly fond of the sparkles and shine in the costumes and the expressive quality of the performance. They do not like failure, so they might be more successful if they start simple with our Discover Bellydance: Basic Dance DVD. Cancers would also love the hypnotizing and bewitching music of many our audio cds available on our website.

Celebrity B-days in June:

Twyla Tharp
Dan Akroyd
Olivia DeHavilland
Cheryl Ladd
Ann Landers
Abigail VanBuren
Pierre Cardin
Giorgio Armani
Anjelica Huston
Tom Cruise
Donald Sutherland
Harrison Ford
Robin Williams
Kevin Bacon
Merv Griffin
Ringo Starr
Sylvester Stallone
Henry David Thoreau
Ginger Rogers
Linda Ronstadt
Don Knotts
Bridgett Nielsen
Princess Diana
Ingmar Bergman

Gettin' down with Dr. 90210

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