One day last year , I was meditating on how to grow my business.
The thought that dropped into my lap was " Belly Dancing". The next day I of course received an invitation to join a belly dancing class in my area.
Rather than continue to struggle with developing a linear,"tactical" business growth plan, I listened to my gut which is always right.
Why is my gut always right? Here are a few insights from the most current research on belly wisdom.
The belly is known as the second brain, because it houses our enteric nervous system(ENS).The ENS not only sends signals to the brain and vice versa, the ENS is like a giant recorder, absorbing everything we think and feel. From a somatic point of view, belly tissue is our psychological hard drive. Those of us who have become experts at listening to our body wisdom know what's what. And for those who aren't quite there yet, belly dancing WILL help.
Rigid belly? Rigid thoughts. Rigid actions. Rigid business plan.
Undulating belly? Riding the waves of your business. Creative actions. Visionary business plan.
Rather than face your business plan "head on", slither up to it "belly on" with these
belly dancing basics.
Hip Circles
When building your business , consider all the different ways you can grow your business. Expand your territory beyond your vertical linear thinking. Embrace and include new ideas, enveloping them into the fold.
Figure 8’s
No matter where you go with your business plan, trust that you will always return to home base: WHY you want to create your business. Be willing to stray away and explore new possibilities with the knowledge that you will come back home.
Hip drop
Lift yourself out of any limited thinking about yourself or your business. Only drop what you don't need anymore when the rhythm is right. Play more, and tease your naysayers. You're in control of that hip, and your business.
Undulations
Business success and growth comes in waves. Flow with them.You know you are moving fluidly with the waves when your bare feet stay on the ground. Undulations can retreat but they can also push forward.
Shimmy
Shoulder and hip shimmies shake things up in the most subtle of ways- just enough to keep you from staying on one task for too long, or following a lead that drains your energy. Shimmies feel light and free, but make no mistake, it takes A LOT of practice to maintain control while still staying loose.
All belly dancing starts in the feet and knees. Solid footing , trusting that the ground will support you, allows shimmying. Don't get in over your head , say 'yes' when you mean 'no' or do anything that will close down your joy.
Smile
Don't be concerned with feeling you need to be serious or "professional" when you meet with clients and peers. Belly dancing helps you maintain your ground.You can't help but feel like smiling when your hips are doing all the talking.
Rhythm
Belly dancers move to the rhythm of the drum. They use their whole body to transmit that rhythm in both large and small movements. Listen to the rhythm of your business rather than force your business to follow someone else's rhythm.
Mastery
Only by tuning in to the subtle wisdom of your body will you gain mastery of your dance. Mastery is only achieved through practice. You have to earn your shimmies, undulations and figure 8's by taking the time to learn proper technique. When developing your business plan, know that it is a work in progress. Are you really the same in your business as you were one year ago? If you are, it is time to take up belly dancing today!
Dress for sensual success
Be more visible in your business. Take bold steps. Get out there. Go barefoot for a change. Be unencumbered in your approach to your business . Less is always more. Always include all your senses in your decisions. When offered an opportunity, or a payment, ask yourself " Does this turn me on?"
Celebrate your beauty by caring for yourself.
Belly dancers aren't wearing much, but what they are wearing is soft, gilded, and reflective of their environment. Their hair is down. Their eyes are expressive. They mix structure with a billowy sensuality that makes us say Oooo and Ahhhh. Are you too billowy, getting lost in your world without personal boundaries? Wear a pair of harem pants. Are you so locked in your old ways that you can't even think about doing a hip circle? Throw on a flowy dress and take a barefoot walk in the grass. Dare to say yes to what you are really feeling.
And most importantly, tie a belly dancing scarf around your hips and start dancing. All those gold coins dangling from your belly won't move unless you shake them.
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