Plus Size Dancers

da Sage

New member
I know a local teacher gave a class for heavy women and those with physical issues. It wasn't one of her usual offerings; I think it was by special request of an already existing group. I heard nothing but rave reviews about her teaching, and the tenor of the class.:)

And I've signed up for a "Fat Woman" class before, just not in belly dance. Frankly, I appreciated the option.
I don't need special help or special classes because I'm fat. I'd be offended if someone suggested I go. Being a separatist doesn't help people integrate.

No one "suggested" that I go to the fat woman class. The kickboxing place offered several different courses, and I chose the one specifically for fat women. I wasn't sure I could keep up in the "regular" one. All the more advanced courses were integrated, and the fat woman beginner class probably serves as an effective "feeder" to those advanced classes, for people who originally would have been too intimidated to sign up at all in the first place.

EDIT: I don't see what the big deal is, as long as all classes are welcoming to all sizes.
 
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Eve

New member
anyone else find it odd to have a fat bird class?

I know we're drifting OT (again) sorry 'bout that.
to be fair being able to handle yourself in a womens only kb class will be a big difference at handling yourself in a mixed class - speaking from my own experience. It could do more damage to their confidence when they move up to 'normal' classes. Please don't think me big headed when I say I was better for training with men compared to the ladies I encountered who were in training in women only classes.

I guess some of my annoyance stems from being denied the right to box, in fact even the right to train! So thinking we need special fat girl classes adds to that feeling of exclusion I encountered & kicked against 10 years ago.:think:
 

da Sage

New member
anyone else find it odd to have a fat bird class?

I know we're drifting OT (again) sorry 'bout that.
to be fair being able to handle yourself in a womens only kb class will be a big difference at handling yourself in a mixed class - speaking from my own experience. It could do more damage to their confidence when they move up to 'normal' classes. Please don't think me big headed when I say I was better for training with men compared to the ladies I encountered who were in training in women only classes.

I guess some of my annoyance stems from being denied the right to box, in fact even the right to train! So thinking we need special fat girl classes adds to that feeling of exclusion I encountered & kicked against 10 years ago.:think:

I'm sorry you were denied the right to box, but giving people specialized opportunities in with a range of other opportunities is not the same thing as excluding them from opportunities in general.
 

da Sage

New member
is sport anymore specialised than dance?

Perhaps more so, since there are movements to include dance as a sport in the Olympics....thus putting dance under the sport umbrella.:think:

I also support female-only schools and African-American-focused schools. Not to replace traditional education, but as an alternative for those who feel such an environment will be more supportive to/nurturing for them.

It's about supporting the individual, rather than forcing them to try to conform.
 

Shanazel

Moderator
Perhaps more so, since there are movements to include dance as a sport in the Olympics....thus putting dance under the sport umbrella.:think:

I also support female-only schools and African-American-focused schools. Not to replace traditional education, but as an alternative for those who feel such an environment will be more supportive to/nurturing for them.

It's about supporting the individual, rather than forcing them to try to conform.

Would you also support male-only and Irish-American focused schools? Not trying to be belligerent, but I am curious.
 

da Sage

New member
Would you also support male-only and Irish-American focused schools? Not trying to be belligerent, but I am curious.

Male-only is OK for K-12, but I look askance at most male-only colleges. If Irish-Americans were having issues with low academic achievement, or if the focus was history/human rights based, I'd be OK with it.:)

My friend really wanted to go to a Native Hawaiian heritage-based school, but logistics prevented it. And I've attended a European tradition based college (no restrictions on entry; but most attendees had European ethnicity).
 

nightdancer

New member
One of my most favorite dancers in the Virgina area is very slender. My other favorite dancer in Virginia is not. But they each bring something to the floor that is utterly amazing. I am sorry that the OP feels that because of her weight, that she is not supported in the dance. I'd say its time to find a new teacher. In the end, its about beauty, skill, and education, for me. I dont care what the number on the back of the costume tag is.

Humorous story-There is a woman in my group that can do this utterly amazing shimmy/drop/lift/shift thing (its all one movement, thats the best I can describe it). I looked at her and said "Dang, Diane, how do you do that??" She patted my butt and said "You gotta have something back here to do it with."


Forward three weeks to Hafla. Said favorite dancer who is slender is performing. She has this amazing stomach and you can literally see every muscle isolated in its own movement. I said to her, "Dang, how do you do that??" She said (laughing) "It's not hard, but you cant mess up, or everyone will see it."

Moral of the stories-Everyone, of all shapes and sizes, brings something to the floor, and if you are good at it, shimmy on, baby.
 

Artemocion Malta

New member
Keep fit with Belly dance

I think that if the person is happy and the size is healthy it is ok . But if the size is not healthy , no matter if she is a Belly dancer or not she should try to lose some weight. Super skinny won't look good but a healty size is glowing. Use your belly dance techniques to lose weight...just use some Turkish rmusic(tends to be faster than classical so its great cardio) or modern Arabic music and dance freely at home you will enjoy it and lose weight ...and tone up aswell. Dont do stupid crazy diets or something like that... just make healthy choices ...such as eat lot of fish, fruits and vegetables ...and drink water. Belly dance helps to get a better body but dont you aim to become verrrrryyyyyy skinny... you would get depressed and that not healthy either!


You are a woman , beauty is inside you no matter what size. If you need some tips on Body ,food and how to use belly dance as cardio and muscle exercise send me an email or post something here. I am one of those people that will never starve myself to have a nice body soo i just use the tricks and try to make healty choices:)
good food and belly dance are the ultimate secret for a great body

CORA>>
 

Babylonia

New member
I have some "Queen Sized" women that have joined my class. It is so hard for anyone to take the first step towards any new activity and it is especially true for people who may feel self conscious. I am so happy that they have been consistent in coming to to my class for almost 2 months now. They must feel that they are getting something positive out of it because last week they all went and bought hip scarves. I am also very pleased that I have made them feel comfortable enough to brave "circle time". :)
 

LadyofLostTimes

New member
This thread has taken a detour, but for Lost Lady - do not hang up your coin belt, and don't let some small-minded people make you a victim and take away something you love. I'm sure that for every cutting criticism, there are an equal number of admirers. ALL women are beautiful. We were made that way. My old Mum taught me that women were like roses - small and beautiful when young, eventually blossoming and becoming fuller, but still beautiful until the end.

Dance on!
La Reina

I want to thank you all that have left such nice comments. :D

I know that I have to lose weight but that is to be healthier not to make any one else happy. I am working on that so far I have lost 10lbs. I am just tired of people telling me that I have to if not I cannot be a belly dancer. You ladies have renewed my hope that there are still kind dancers out there. I truly wish that you lived by me. I do still dance but I learn from videos now, which can be fun when your cats want your hip scarf every time they hear the sound. LOL
 

Salma Parvaneh

New member
Thank you for building up this thread!

In Germany, we discussed about it and came to the conclusion that a festival for "big beauty belly dancers" definitively is necessary.

We plan contests without being jugdeg for our shape and with costume shows for plus size dancers.

So I'll keep you informed and maybe you want to join us!

happy dancing!
Salma
 

Aisha Azar

New member
Show for + sized dancers

Dear Gang,
I find the idea of a show for only large dancers as offensive as I find a show for all male dancers. It should not be about gender, size, shape religion or anything other than good dance.
Regards,
A'isha
 

Salma Parvaneh

New member
Oh,

we will not close our doors for dancers with a "petite" shape, it is only the thing that we will offer more for the "bigger" ones.

Or do you have costume sellers in your corner who offers costumes and dresses in queen-size? We don't have.

And a.a.m. we are bordered out in contests, so I see no problem in starting an own one for the rubens ladies ;-)

KR
Salma
 

da Sage

New member
I want to thank you all that have left such nice comments. :D

I know that I have to lose weight but that is to be healthier not to make any one else happy. I am working on that so far I have lost 10lbs. I am just tired of people telling me that I have to if not I cannot be a belly dancer. You ladies have renewed my hope that there are still kind dancers out there. I truly wish that you lived by me. I do still dance but I learn from videos now, which can be fun when your cats want your hip scarf every time they hear the sound. LOL

My kitties also love my hip scarves and veils! It is not easy to practice sometimes.:lol:
 

Aisha Azar

New member
Dance

Dear Salma,
Right now there seems to be a trend toward doing all male shows, or all this or that kind of shows and events..... Isn't the idea supposed to be great dance, and not great male dance or great plus sized dance, or great thin person dance.
I do not see it as beneficial to the dance to limit the stage to a "type" of person. When I suggested that it is unhealthy for the dance to do shows based on gender, some people got really pissed. Just for everyone's information, I am an overweight old person, so no one should be getting nasty about what a prejudiced bitch I am this time around, hopefully. And yes, I do feel a bit defensive with good reason.
Regards,
A'isha
 

Shanazel

Moderator
A'isha makes an excellent point. I think you mean well, Salma, but it is condescending to segregate people based on gender, size, age, or race from the general population on the pretext of giving them an equal but separate opportunity. If you want to give a show, then give one, but don't think you are doing anyone a favor by emphasizing size or any other distinguishing personal characteristic as a theme for the presentation.
 
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