Astarte Mind & Body

Tomorrow sees the launch of the inaugural South Coast Seaside Soiree and Belly Dance Expo!

Two decades ago, when I was still really a beginner in belly dance and fusion, the old school Tribal Soirees provided me with an opportunity to enjoy a fun road trip with dance sisters to see and meet other dancers and troupes within the belly dance fusion sphere. I still have connections with the beautiful women I met through those events to this day.

Hence I wanted to create a day long event in Shellharbour where the focus wasn't just on performances, but also on allowing an opportunity for dancers from across the region and beyond to connect and get to know each other a little better. This event is also about providing an opportunity for anyone who is interested or curious about belly dance to experience the beauty and diversity of this cultural art.

Providing opportunities for others to shine has always been a prime part of my personal and business goals, and I am so excited to be able to host this tomorrow. 🌟

A shout out to my friend and collaborator Mandylynne West who has helped with the organisation of this major event for the South Coast.


Astarte Bellydance & Fusion

My foray into the fitness industry actually started via Martial Arts, and belly dance helped get my foot in the door.

I began studying belly dance and karate in the same year, 1996. After four years of training, my Karate instructor invited me to be an assistant teacher for kids karate classes, and to also teach a women's kickboxing class.
I felt like I needed more knowledge in fitness training so embarked on my Certificate III and IV in Fitness in 2000.

At the time I still was working in high schools as a visual arts and casual teacher, but had become frustrated at not being able to secure a permanent position.

And so, in 2002, when the opportunity arose to apply for a job in the brand new Fernwood Women's Health Club in Shellharbour, I decided to leave the education system and try my luck in the fitness industry as a Personal Trainer.

I remember mentioning during my interview that I was studying and performing as a belly dancer, and the owners expressed interest in potentially having something like that on the timetable in the future.

I didn't immediately get a job, but the membership increased to a point where I was invited to join the Personal Training team.

At the end of the year I trialled the first of a series of weekly belly dance classes there that would then continue for the next 13 years.

During my time at Fernwood I worked my way up to Personal Trainer Manager for Fernwood Shellharbour and Wollongong, and also did my Pilates Matwork Certification.

I initially left my PT position in 2008 to return to higher education at UOW, and began teaching some small, private classes in my home studio to help finance my studies. I was struggling financially so took one semesters leave ... and then decided to focus on building my own mind body and dance focused business instead.

I continued teaching classes at Fernwood throughout the years until I made the decision to expand my mind body business, and moved into a commercial premises in 2015.

After having my studio close due to lockdowns, and working online for the past 5 years, I am returning to where it all began, once again teaching weekly belly dance classes at Fernwood. I can't wait! 💃

Sometimes I feel like I am split three ways in my business, being constantly pulled between my passion for mind body movement and wellness, the creative and visual arts, and the world of belly dance.

For a long time I struggled with trying to amalgamate and combine everything into one program or a singular focus. However, the more I tried to push things together, the more things pulled apart. I could feel the resistance in not only my actions, but in my soul.

It took me time to realise I am not a one dimensional or singular focused being. I held on so tight to what I loved to do because it is actually part of my multi-faceted being.

I realised that it's ok to be a multi-passionate person as long as there is alignment with the truth of who you are, and your purpose.

As far as I roam, my heart continuously brings me back to teaching, and creating opportunities for other people to learn, grow, and shine. 🌟

Random thoughts on relationships

Some people are fortunate to have one 'bestie' in their life who they can be absolutely themselves with, and with whom they can share anything and everything without fear of judgement.

Most of us, however, both foster and maintain relationships through employing a series of filters.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. It is simply using a combination of social rules and etiquette to manage relationships, just as we do in general interactions.

Different people traverse your social sphere at different times, and many times, if you are open to it, the right person will present in right timing.

In my role as a teacher, manager, and director, it has been a challenge to foster relationships outside of that role as I believe there is always a professional line that needs to be maintained for the sake of balance and equity.

The deeper relationships I have developed are usually through collaborations in teaching or creative endeavour, as there is a combined focus and goal.

We also develop different relationships with different people based on different interests and aspects of ourselves.

Today I caught up with a friend where our relationship developed through aligned beliefs and a keen interest in more esotoric and theological subjects. Our long conversations alway energise me, and leave me with a sense of curiosity and new perspectives.

In other friend circles the discussion might focus on health and fitness, or be bolstered by a common passion such as dance ... or cats.

When it comes to friendships and relationships I firmly believe we do not need to find a clone or mirror of ourselves in others.

We can be friends and develop relationships with people who do not share all of our beliefs, ideas, or even political leanings, as long as our general ethics, morals, and standards of respect are met.

Life is not black and white. It is full of colour, diversity, culture, history, and differing ideas, beliefs, and ideologies that are constantly changing and evolving. This is what makes life interesting and helps us to keep exploring who we are, what our own beliefs are, and how we relate to or fit in the world around us.

I ignored my body's gentle reminders and quiet complaints until they became silent screams for attention. Even then I pushed them deep down, fearing their acknowledgement would somehow make me appear less; less capable, less worthy, weak.
The external world didn't care about my internal world. It simply kept pressing. I had commitments. I had obligations. I had to maintain the facade of invincibility for the outside world as much as for myself.
Those suppressed screams did not go away, however. Rather, they manifested into physical illness, injury, and disease.
Instead of gentle reminders, my body pulled the reins, forcing me to stop and reassess everything.
It was a tough lesson, but an important one.
Now when there is even a whisper, I stop to listen. My body knows me better than my brain and ego does.

Each year around this time I have to undertake a series of tests and appointments to check if my cancer has returned or if there is evidence of matastasization. It's never a comfortable time as there is always that tinge of fear lurking in the back of my psyche that I will once again hear those words "It's cancer".

Those who have been through similar will understand. Something changes deep within when faced with something that can be life threatening, and you are never really the same again. Life can suddenly feel more intense and more urgent. However, with that sense of intensity and urgency can also come a greater sense of clarity, especially in terms of what is important.

I must admit that this years round has been a little more challenging than previous years with having just lost a beautiful friend from the same insidious disease. It just feels awful and so unfair.

As for me, my results this year have shown no evidence of disease, just a few small anomalies that need monitoring. I can live with that.

5 years is the deemed standard time for any potential recurrence, so only two more years until I am officially discharged from being labelled a 'cancer patient' in the system. I can't wait to throw that label off. It's heavy and itchy!

I'm so excited to be hosting the inaugural South Coast Seaside Soiree in a few short weeks in Warilla. We have over 40 performances over the course of day, with dancers attending from across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Sapphire Coast, Central Coast, Sydney, and the ACT.
A fantastic day of music and culture awaits, as well as a cavalcade of colour, amazing costumes, and great shopping from Mandylynne West , ✨Cinnamon Twist Belly Dance , 𝔖𝔥𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔞𝔩𝔞𝔞 𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔟𝔢 , Wildfire Jewels, and more.
Donna from Donna photographer PORT KEMBLA/ WOLLONGONG/ SOUTH COAST is also offering professional photos of dancers on the beach on the day.
All day entry is only $15, with free entry for children under 12 years.
Astarte Bellydance & Fusion