Alessandra's Paramount Theatre Photo Shoot

Warning! Narcissistic post ahead! Last month I did a photo shoot at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. This historic theatre provided a fun setting and beautiful backdrop for a photo shoot! I've finally rounded up my favorite shots and am sharing them as this month's blog post. Pictures were taken by the talented Chris Yetter.

Aging and Belly Dance

Back when I first started this blog, I wrote a post about why I love belly dance. To this day, it's continued to be one of the most popular posts on this site.  However, I was reflecting on this topic recently, and realized there is another big reason why I love belly dance that wasn't included in that original post.

The reason is this: belly dance is open to women (and men) of all ages.

You can start at any age and you can stop at any age.

In many dance forms, ballet especially, if you don't start training as a small child, your body won't develop in accordance with the structure needed to execute the dance at a proficient level. Ballet dancers have to work to change the body's natural state so that the legs can work while turned out from the hip, the feet can carry the weight of the body while balanced on the toes, and body fat stays lean for ease of executing jumps, partner work, and aesthetics. Due to the grueling and taxing nature of the dance, many ballet dancers peak young, frequently in their 20s to 30s, leading them to the path of early retirement (at least as performers).

Belly dance is quite the opposite. Belly dance doesn't required any reshaping of the body. It works with the body's nature alignment and composition, and thus allows dancers to start at any age. In fact, most belly dancers do not start as children or even teenagers. Most start in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, like myself, who started when I was 26.

I also appreciate the fact that belly dancers aren't forced into early retirement. I see belly dancers in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond still regularly teaching, performing, or participating. Usually the attitude I see toward "older" dancers is one of appreciation as wise and experienced voices in the community, as women to be looked up to and emulated for their nuanced and intricate skill at performing and emoting. These are the women who are sought after as teachers and mentors, rather than being issued an expiration date.

Living daily in a culture that revers and worships youth, this opposite attitude enveloped in the belly dance community is a breath of fresh air. It's a wake up call for women to embrace and appreciate themselves and their bodies, knowing that their worth doesn't decline with age.  Age and value aren't correlated like advertisers and popular culture want us to believe.

This is why I love belly dance. As I grow older, belly dance grows with me. It's an art form that is continuously broadening and awakening, allowing me to fall more fully into my authentic self. Leaving judgments behind and embracing and supporting the individuality I continue to excavate. Regardless of age, I know that belly dance will always be there for me when I reach for it,

Photo Credit: Painted by Corporate Art Task Force and available on FineArtAmerica

Nutritional Supplements for Belly Dancers

In a perfect world, we'd get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that we need from our diets. However, for the vast majority of us that doesn't happen. We live in the age of processed, convenience foods, coupled with little time, and lots of stress. And even for those who do find the time to cook home-cooked meals of fresh produce and lean proteins, we may still not be getting all of the nutrients we need from our meals due to a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to, food that's lost its nutrient value from traveling long distances to reach us, absorption issues within our own bodies, and other pollutants and toxins in our environments.

I've always had a keen interest in food, nutrition, and health. In fact, it's an interest that lead me to becoming a certified nutritionist a number of years ago. I'd like to take today's post to share a few possible supplement suggestions for optimizing health as a dancer.

Please note that these are intended as suggestions and may not be the right choice for everyone, as everyone's body is different and unique. Please consult with your own trusted health practitioner before implementing any changes, especially ensuring that any supplements you add to your diet won't adversely interact with any medications you are taking. Also, if you having severe or ongoing symptoms of any nature, you should seek medical advice and testing to ensure that your symptoms are not indicative of a more serious symptom or disease that cannot be treated with supplements alone.

And of course, all the supplements in the world won't do you any good if your diet is filled with garbage! Be sure to eat an optimal diet that's filled with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit and lean proteins, while avoiding too much sugar, starches, grains, alcohol, trans fat, and other processed foods.

1. Collagen Hydrolysate - Collagen is a form of protein that breaks down into peptides that are responsible for repairing connective tissue in the body, including bone, skin, ligaments, hair, and nails. In addition to making the body stronger and better able to withstand injury (because 10 years from now, you hope to still be dancing, right?), recent studies have shown initial indicators that consuming supplemental collagen can improve skin elasticity, literally plumping the skin from the inside out. Additionally, for anyone with IBS, "leaky gut" or other irritable/inflammatory bowel conditions, collagen can aid in repairing intestinal wall linings and reducing permeability. Unfortunately, there is  not currently a product on the market (that I'm aware of) that is not animal protein based. But if you're not vegan or vegetarian and you're looking for a brand to try, I recommend Great Lakes Geltin. 
2. Rodiola - Had too many late nights and your energy is lagging? Feeling like you just don't have the stamina and vitality to get through your upcoming evening gig? Rather than turning to a sugar-laden coffee or caffeinated soda, consider giving rodiola a try. Rodiola is an adaptogenic herb that can help prevent fatigue and less the effects of stress on the body. Studies have also shown that it can give the immune system a general boost. Be sure to take it in the morning or early afternoon and not right before bedtime.
3. Probiotics - You've probably heard of this one before; probiotics are the helpful or "friendly" bacteria that inhabit your gut and help keep your digestive system in balance. But what you might not have known is that 70% to 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. Thus, if your digestive system is not functioning properly you could be setting yourself for further aggravated health issues down the road. I'm sure that down the road you'd rather be dancing than heading to the doctor, right? A daily probiotic supplement can help you take care of your tummy and in extension, your overall health. Look for brands containing Bacillus coagulans (BC-30) and Lactobacillus GG. 
4. B Complex - B Vitamins do wonders for our bodies. The Vitamin B family helps with carbohydrate metabolism, maintaining a calm and healthy nervous system, adrenal function, and other vital metabolic functions.  Additionally, B vitamins are largely responsible for glowing skin and strong, health hair. If you feel like all the layers of stage makeup and hours of hot styling tools on your hair are doing you no favors, taking a B vitamin supplement could help you rediscover some of your inner glow.  
5. Melatonin - Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland that helps regulate your sleep cycles. As dancers, we are often traveling and working odd and late hours, which can disrupt our natural circadian cycles. If your zzz's are out of wack, taking a melatonin supplement at bedtime can be an all-natural way to treat jeg lag and insomnia. 
6. Digestive Enzymes - Nobody likes to feel bloated and gassy at any time during the day, but especially not when you're about to don a two piece outfit and perform abdominal isolations. This is where a digestive enzyme can come to your rescue. Your digestive system is full of enzymes that break down your food so that you body can absorb and utilize what you consume. However, due to factors such as aging, genetics, current or past medications, and many other factors, you may not have enough enzymes for your digestive system to function at an optimum level, with the result being a varying range of digestive ails, which can include pain, bloating, gas, cramping, heartburn, constipation, and diarrhea. Taking a supplemental digestive enzyme can help with these symptoms. My hands down favorite digestive enzyme is Dr. Brantley's Active Enzyme Plus.  

Here's to a happy, healthy, and vibrant you!

Photo Credit: Unknown