Belly dance your way to less alimony

A New York City woman recently lost some of her divorce settlement money. She had claimed a car accident left her too injured to work. Then she blogged about belly-dancing performances. When her ex-husband found out about her hip-shaking hobby, he took her back to court.  The woman says the dance was medical treatment. Her doctor did not corroborate the story. [NPR]

Here is a tip.  If you are going to claim that a non-traditional exercise routine is for medical treatment, get the doctor’s note before you start taking the classes.  But if you are going to get caught malingering by your ex-husband, make sure you are doing something good. Belly dancing, burlesque, or roller derby are three pretty good options.  Avoid activities such as Jazzercise or water aerobics.

In any event, if you have an interest in studying the art of belly dance — try gothic belly dance.  The Ultimate Goth Guide explains —

Gothic bellydance (also known as “Raks Gothique”) usually [utilizes] movements from cabaret and tribal fusion bellydance styles, but with added drama and theatricality, using dark costumes and themes. The music that is used can be typical Goth and Industrial music, and music from related genres such as dark cabaret and dark ambient (for example, the Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks DVD features music from Collide, Skinny Puppy, Jill Tracy and Nox Arcana). Bands such as Dead Can Dance, Vas, and Faith and the Muse have suitably Middle-Eastern stylings in their music and are also often popular.

Gothic belly dance is apparently very popular.  There are even bands and festivals dedicated to it.  This is great and all.  But how in the world is such a thing as gothic belly dance so widespread, and yet Siouxsie can’t find a single goth yoga class? 

~ by siouxsielaw on April 28, 2011.