Her arms move smoothly, cutting geometric shapes in the air. Her chest rises and hips swivel as she draws circles with her stomach. The rhythm runs down her body and is isolated in her hips momentarily with alternating dips and pops. She begins to shake, jangling the bells on her hip scarf until her whole body is shaking in rhythm with the music.
Jane Sutton has always felt compelled to move with music .
In her clubbing days in the mid-1980s, long before club dancing consisted of mostly grinding, her style of dancing didn't fit in.
"I have a very sensual nature. I have a different sense of rhythm and it just wasn't acceptable," she said.
But when she started taking belly dancing lessons while living in California in 1993, she found her calling.
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"It's extremely expressive," she said. "It doesn't have the rigidness that other dance styles have."
Sutton moved to Casper in 1995 and initially started teaching belly dance so she'd have others to dance with. Eventually some of her students became teachers, too, and they continue to offer group and private lessons at The Sacred Door and Casper College. Sutton also started a professional belly dance troupe called The Desert Stars, which performs at events throughout the Casper area.
History
Belly dance has deep roots in the Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa. Different cultures have their own style of belly dancing, but all are uniquely designed for the female form.
"One of the things belly dancing does is take advantage of all of the body parts that some women hide," Sutton said.
Hips. Breasts. Stomach. All are emphasized with smooth, yet rhythmic moves.
However, the idea that the movements are meant to entice men is a misconception. It's a sensual dance, not sexual, Sutton said. In many cultures, men were not allowed to watch, as belly dancing was only meant to be shared by women.
"No one appreciates belly dance more than other women. Women will say, 'Oh, that looks like it feels so good. I want to do it!' which is great," she said.
While some cultures may still have rigid rules regarding the movements and clothing of belly dance (some don't actually allow showing the belly, or any skin for that matter), Sutton enjoys having more artistic license here in the U.S. She teaches an American version of Egyptian Cabaret, with influences from Turkish, Saidi and Saudi dance as well as a bit of Lebanon and Gypsy.
She uses all types of Middle Eastern music, including pop and techno, in addition to hard rock. Led Zeppelin is great to belly dance to, she says.
Self confidence
Many of Sutton's students initially want to take belly dancing lessons for their boyfriends or husbands, but after a few classes they're dancing for themselves.
"It puts you in touch with your deep, feminine parts - not just your body parts, but your soul," Sutton said.
At first, it may be difficult for some women to take pride in the body parts they've tried so hard to hide for so long. But in belly dancing, the body is an instrument rather than an accessory, Sutton said.
"It forces you to look at your body issues, which can be very difficult and very healing," she said.
Taking belly dancing classes with Sutton has given Yvette Parkhurst of Casper more self confidence. Now, she helps other women by teaching classes, too.
"It's empowering for women because you get so confident with your body," she said.
As dancers get more comfortable in their own skin, they can express their emotions through movement. And as they emotionally evolve, so does their dancing.
For Sutton, finding a form of dance that fit not only her body, but her personality, has given her personal growth.
"It has allowed deeper aspects of myself to come out and play every day," she said. "It's given me a lot of confidence with my body and allowed me to open up and feel more secure."
Take a class
For more information on belly dancing classes at The Sacred Door in Casper, call Jane Sutton at 307-235-3540.
