The Secret Language of Belly Dancing
by Maria Strova
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Book Summary Information
Author: Maria StrovaEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-25
ISBN: 8875076162
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Macro Edizioni
Book Reviews of The Secret Language of Belly Dancing
Book Review: Shiny and Worth It Too
Summary: 5 Stars
This book loses 5 stars for bad publishing and formatting, and for its sheer verbocity, but gains it all back for vivacious content. Not a primary reference book for dance, but a nice addition to anyone's dance library solely based on the author's intent and the scant few exercises the author prescribes.
Look, I instantly shy away from books that have flotsam photos and illustrations as well as over-fonted re-quotes in the margins as they smack too much of a publisher's interference and attempts to market to those folks who appreciate shiny objects (like me). It also is sad to see autobiographical information taking up more than a few pages in any book that wasn't meant to be an autobiography. I was disappointed to find this book had all of these symptoms of kitsche writing styles and cheap marketing. I blame the publisher, solely and completely. If I could roll this book up like a newspaper and swat the publisher, exclaiming "BAD, BAD PUBLISHER" I would (but security won't let me in the front door anymore).
I was pleasantly surprized to see that Ms. Strova actually listed her research references at the end of each chapter as well as in a full blown bibliography section at the end of the book. Now that is truly impressive and it made me want to actually READ the book instead of just look at the pretty fonts and pictures.
The content was not ordinary at all, and this is its most saving grace. Despite the spotty-but-good attempt to justify her "her"storical assertions, Ms. Strova really, really tries hard to put across the idea that dance is sacred (no longer a marketing ploy to neo-pagans, but a true attempt to reawaken artistic self-expression). In my opinion, she succeeds. Here, this book earns all its stars back.
I found myself "getting it" - now inspired to experiment a bit more beyond the mechanics of belly dance and the choreography of others, this book helps one to actually listen to the rhythm of Life. It inspires dancers and non-dancers alike to be better at recognizing their own, internal rhythms, without being too blunt (I did mention verbocity, but how can one put in words that which is without description otherwise, short of physically being in the room with you and demonstrating it?). Yes, Ms. Strova, I get it. You get waaaay more than 5 stars.
If just for that inspiration, this book is worth every penny.
Summary of The Secret Language of Belly Dancing
Bellydance is incredibly popular today, but many prejudices remain about this art because it is not understood deeply enough. In the Secret Language of Bellydance, the author Maria Strova, renown dancer and master teacher, reveals the inner meaning of this dance, far beyond the taboos of the body and the imaginary images of the harem - where the dance is erroneously considered to have originated. This confusion has influenced, not always in a positive way, the image of bellydance even today. But where did bellydance originate? What inspired its gestures, what is the meaning of the veil, the jewel on the navel or the serpentine movements? ?Everything in bellydance is secretly intentional and its movements hide an eternal language,? affirms the author. From this concept, she takes the reader on a fascinating journey into its prehistoric roots in the Neolithic Age. Imbued with a sacred character, the dance was part of ancient conception and birth rites and sought to explore the cyclic and cosmic processes of life. To illustrate this ?original image,? Maria Strova utilizes the symbols of the dance: belly, omphalos or navel, waist, breasts, hands, eyes, hair, veil, spiral, serpent, and the elements earth, air, fire and water. All of the images are used as a key to reveal the poetic language of bellydance and its collection of myths, verse, secrets and personal experiences. In the actual practice of bellydance, this symbolic approach playfully calls on the imagination to reconnect us, through movement, with the instinctive, sensual and sacred wisdom of the body. Dance becomes a powerful instrument which reveals the profound life of the belly.Dance Books
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