Sylvia Reyes-Maas
Some of the things that Sylvia Reyes-Maas loves most about belly dancing……the costuming, the freedom of movement, connecting with the feminine, the opulence of the music, and the love of the dance. Belly dancing originated with women dancing for other women; it was an experience they shared to create camaraderie, it was a way to laugh and have fun. It made their bodies strong and powerful, it opened their meridian channels energetically. Women would belly dance in preparation for child birth. It made their physical body, emotional self, mental processes, and their spirit healthy.
Sylvia’s perception is that women were able to reclaim their power through belly dancing. In days past, women were not in a position of power. Because the women were so beautiful, men would ask them to dance for them. It is said that they would be paid in coins, and they would attach the coins to their garments. The best of the dancers had costumes adorned with many coins. This is one of the ways that women were able to use their authority, exercise their rights, and own their power. Now women dance because they want to dance, because they love to dance, and it still makes them strong.
Sylvia began belly dancing at the age of 50, nearly ten years ago. “What it did for me personally is that it made me love and appreciate my body more, dancing made me stop being so critical of my body. It helped me to be okay with being feminine. Belly dancing is about getting in touch with the divine feminine and the energy of loving your body. It is about getting in touch with one’s own sensuality and taking that back.” During the time that she taught belly dancing, Sylvia observed that women would gain more confidence, and have more self love. They would begin to appreciate their strength and agility. As the physical body was uplifted, the emotional self would follow. Women were continuing to reclaim their power!
Sylvia is a massage therapist practicing in Loveland, she can be reached at 970-214-2112.
