Taking Tribal Global – Invoking the Tribal Spirit , part one
Connecting to such wonderful goddesses around the world is one of the magical benefits for me in Deirdre’s Dance Den (and for everyone in the Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance™ world and beyond). Through Nina Martinez, a Master Teacher and member of Gypsy Caravan Dance Company International, I am linked to a growing tribe of ladies in different parts of Australia who have been dancing and taking our Collective Soul Tribal Bellydance intensives.
I have a couple of stories from this part of the world that are related. I hope to hear back from other places where this wonderful practice shows up.
What do I mean ?
Well, one aspect of this growing dance community that has blown me away has been the great tribal spirit that is radiating in these groups and the wonderful way the groups start their dance classes. When we gather for class, our ritual ‘hellos’ with our circle and warm-ups, initiate the start of our special time.
Some groups have added in another level of tribal spirit….
Cara Johns, from Townsville, North Queensland, Australia continues :
Cara Johns
“Greetings! I am the director of Nomadica Tribal. I originally started Belly Dance at the age of 12 and danced Cabaret style well into my late 20’s.
And then Nina Martinez of Gypsy Rain ‘found’ me. She introduced me and a small group of students to Gypsy Caravan Tribal Style Bellydance™.
We were hooked!!! The deep connection we felt with the dance, the improvisation, and the feel, meant we couldn’t get enough! We started our Tribe initially as a small project to practice among ourselves but soon found it called other women needing to find ‘their tribe’. In the most organic beautiful way we started growing.
Nomadica Troupe’s blessing/prayerNomadica Troupe
Our beautiful tribe prayer came about when we found that the dance was challenging us emotionally. It was bringing out our deepest fears (in a good way) and calling us to be our most authentic selves.
Our tribe member Katrina Zicchino wrote the prayer as a way to stay mindful of each other.
“We are united through the spirit of dance We come into this circle as individuals to create an energy of oneness
One Tribe, One Nomadica May we always be mindful of our connection to each other, and to the earth With every movement may our energy remain grounded
Open hearted, united, grounded Grateful to each other and each day May we spread joy One tribe, One Nomadica”
Looking into 2015, we are hoping to continue to grow, laugh, learn, love and share this gift of Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance ™ with other women in our community. Four of us have gained our Collective Soul Level 1 certificaton, and will be moving into Collective Soul Level 2 and Teacher Training Level 1 next year. I am so honored to lead this beautiful group of women.
Watch this space—wonderful things are happening!
Thank you Sara and the wonderful ladies of Nomadica for sharing your special words with us. I have another Tribe sharing their words in a future blog – this topic really resonates with my core passion for this dance – so please let me know if YOU have a group, student blessing or prayer that embodies your tribal spirit – its the yummy glue that binds us altogether in this earthy, connecting dance, that is what makes us and this dance so unique.
Deirdre’s Dance Den
