I ran into my friend, Maria, who I haven't seen in fifteen years. She said, "You'll never guess what I'm doing. I'm teaching belly dance to women at my local YMCA. I'm turning seventy in a couple of months, and I can't believe it. I'm so excited!" I congratulated her and said, "I can believe it. You're in beautiful shape, and I'm sure you're students are having a great time." Maria responded, "Thanks. I feel wonderful, and the best part is I can still wear my costumes from twenty years ago!"
That's the advantage of belly dancing. We get better as we age. Not only is it a unique dance form, but it evolves from our personal experience. I've watched in awe of belly dancers well into their eighties move with grace and elegance that only comes from continued practice.
Years ago, I was performing at a Middle Eastern restaurant on the beach in South Florida. Everyone was taking their turn on the dance floor with me when I saw a small group at a table motioning me over. They wanted me to bring a woman up to join me. Sitting very quietly, with a black shawl around her shoulders, was a gray-haired woman with her head down. I asked her if she would like to dance. Immediately her head came up, and she had a huge smile on her face. She stood up, her shoulders back, her head held high, she moved to the center of the room. I watched as the years seemed to fall away from her. She was full of youthful energy and danced with heartfelt passion. I can still see her to this day; the memory is that strong.
We worry too much about the number of trips we take around the sun. Our age shouldn't be a hurdle or challenge to overcome. Instead, we should embrace our knowledge and experiences as assets. I've met several people who are in the process of changing the direction of their lives when they didn't think it was possible. My friend Al, at eighty-one, discovered he's an excellent comedian. He's now performing at various comedy clubs. My friend, Carolyn, is seventy-one, and she's training to be a volunteer for disaster relief in her community. I recently met a woman who turned seventy and fell in love with karate. She even entered a tournament and won against women half her age!
Our attitude plays a big part in how we age. When we continue to explore and try new things, we find that the possibilities are endless. We let go of fears and enjoy new opportunities. Each of my friends has something in common: they have an open mind, and they keep moving. Whether it's dancing, doing karate, or learning to drive a rescue wagon, they stay in motion.
Find your motivation by getting involved in a new pursuit or a hobby you left behind for a while. For me, belly dancing is a fun way to exercise and stay in shape. I want to be that woman that seems frail until she's asked to dance. I want to inspire people of every age to keep their energy strong and full of fun.