Guess who’s back?

It's me!

Back again - sitting at my computer, writing, and listening to a video game soundtrack. Heroes of Might and Magic IV, to be exact. That’s right - I hate to be the one to have to tell you this, but I’m a nerd. I’m a geek. I’m a weirdo, and proud of it! I’ve often been the misfit, the one who didn’t belong. The one who was laughed at and made fun of for the clothes I wore, the things I liked, and my general unwillingness to give up my ideals in order to “fit in”.

I learned to embrace it. I learned it was ok to not be what others expected of me. It was ok to not change who I was in order for others to like me better. And in that journey toward self-acceptance, I found more people like myself. I found other misfits and nerds and weirdos and whatevers! In college, my roommate and I made a sign for our dormroom door that said “only those on the fringe of society may enter”, and I think it worked! Our dorm became the hangout spot for so many unique individuals who I might not have otherwise met. And I've carried that mentality with me ever since.

That's how I like to view my studio as well. As a space for people who might not feel like they belong at a dance studio. People who feel like they’re the wrong body type, the wrong gender, the wrong age, the wrong ethnicity, the wrong culture, or the wrong skill-set for dance. This space is made for you!

Regardless of what you may have been told:

You are the right body type.
You are the right age.
You are the right gender, cultural, and ethnic identity.

You are right for dance and you belong at our dance studio.

And whether you consider yourself “on the fringe of society” or not, you may enter.

We can’t wait to see you!
Mandy

Hi, my name is Mandy and I'm the owner of House of Hips dance studio in Buffalo NY. I've been thinking about writing this blog for a long time now. I feel like other people could benefit from hearing my story about the healing powers of dance in their lives - especially as an adult beginner. Shout-out to my husband for encouraging me to write more. Apparently, it's in my star charts that writing can help me access my true potential - and who am I to ague with the universe?

So here it it, my first bit of "Mandytory" Information. Get it? It's mandatory... but my name is Mandy? See what I did there? Anyway......

In the fall of 2004, I went to see one of my good friends dance at her first belly dance performance. I was mesmerized! She looked so powerful and so graceful and so beautiful, and I decided that I wanted that for my life. So the next day I called and signed up for my first belly dance class - and I haven't looked back since.

I was in my mid-20s and had never taken a dance class before. I felt like the most awkward, ungraceful, anti-girl individual you could meet. I hid beneath oversized boy clothes, long hair, and glasses. I sought to distance myself from "girly" things because I was always told that girls were weak and unintelligent and that wasn't who I wanted to be. I struggled with severe depression and moderate anxiety. I had a very negative perception of my body and myself as a whole.

My first belly dance class was a struggle. My movements were stiff & jerky. I constantly compared myself to the other students and felt like I was far behind them. But I knew that I wanted to continue, because I could already feel some physical improvements. I had suffered from back issues since I was about 18 years old, mostly stemming from bad posture. As a tall girl, I often felt the need to literally shrink myself to make others feel more comfortable. But in belly dance class, there is a strong focus on good posture, and even in the first few weeks, I noticed a difference.

As I continued in my classes, I found muscles in my back that I didn't even know were there. The combination of constant reminders to stand up straight and increased strength in my back muscles and abs, led to a huge decrease in my back pain - to the eventual point of complete relief. I was amazed! I never expected anything like that to happen. But the physical improvements were just the gateway.

I learned that being graceful and being strong were not mutually exclusive.

I could be powerful and feminine.
I could be intelligent and playful.
I could be girly and be respected.

I started taking 2 to 3 belly dance classes each week. With each class, I gained more self-worth and more of a feeling of belonging. I felt like I was truly starting to become myself.

I learned as many different belly dance styles as I could from as many different teachers as I could. Each of them helped my dance journey, and therefore, my journey toward better physical and mental health.

And that, my dear students, is why I eventually decided to start teaching in 2009 and the request of many different friends and peers. I wanted other people to experience the real change that I did. The physical, mental, and emotional benefits of dancing. And as someone who was quite possibly the worst dancer ever when I started, I can say with confidence: "If I can do it, you can do it!".

It's never too late to start. All you need to do is to decide "I want that for my life" and I promise you can do it too!

Until next time - happy shimmies!
Mandy