Hollyhocks!
By Ariadne
Sahda, Vancouver, October 2001
As life shifts into the busy patterns of fall, I am trying to retain some of the spirit & grace of Summer's experience at Hollyhock. I had the good fortune of being one of sixteen women who participated in a five-day retreat, "The Art of Bellydancing" led by Nanaimo dancer and instructor Lynette Harper.
Let me first tell you a little about Hollyhock, best described as a New Age resort idyllically located
on magnificent beach nestled in old growth forest, on Cortes Island near Campbell River. It's a bit of a trek to get there from the lower mainland, but that's part of the feeling of being well away from it all. Hollyhock is the epitome of the West Coast Experience: the cuisine is gourmet vegetarian, the atmosphere laid back, the scenery spectacular, and the accommodations spartan but comfortable. Bathing suits are optional in the outdoor hot tubs, if that sort of detail is important to you.
Now imagine being in this beautiful setting and being able to bellydance for five or six hours a day. Heaven!
Lynette gave us a wonderful blend of warm-ups, creativity exercises, technique and exposure to different cultures. We learned a wonderful Zar choreography we performed every morning to connect with the Spirits. We explored gypsy style and mood, and invoked our 'Gypsy' selves. She challenged us with a difficult drum choreography, which despite skill levels varying from novice to expert, we managed to master and perform at the final evening's Hafflah. We also explored a gypsy choreography, the Ghawazee style, and other ethnic styles.
Then there were the impromptu dancing-nude-in-the-ocean sessions, accompanied by Goldean's fabulous drumming, for those who felt six hours a day of dancing was not enough. Lynette also shared videos of various styles of dancing, and made available her extensive collection of books and CDs. We had a show-and-tell of costumes, trading tips and ideas, and of course were able to dress to the nines for the Hafflah. But the most wonderful part of the experience was the bonding and energy-raising that occur when a group of women get together to dance. To be able to connect, with these women through sharing the dance was a very emotional experience, with many tears shed during the final circle. And somehow the ability of the individual becomes elevated by exposure and participation in the group.
I am still amazed that women who have never bellydanced, or had taken one introductory course, were able to learn and perform complicated choreography; and no only that, to do it with style and grace. The whole is truly greater than the sum of the parts!
Thank you to Lynette for your warm and caring spirit that nurtured and encouraged us all during this intense retreat. Thank you Hollyhock for providing such a wonderful place to live and dance. And thank you to each of the dancers with whom I had the privilege of sharing this experience. I hope you foundit as inspiring as I did. |
