Wendy Cook, a mum of three teenagers, has set up Phoenix Bellydance in Billericay, to start non-dancers on their bellydance journey. Frail and ill and suffering from a debilitating illness just six years ago, Wendy has changed her life and she believes bellydance was the catalyst.
“Four years ago, I watched my best friend from school dying from cancer. Though poorly myself, I was not going to die so, I embraced life and everything it had to offer, culminating in my daughter and I walking into a bellydance class and asking if we could join.
At just 6½ stone, I had to get fit and well to be able to pursue my new passion so, I attended bellydance classes twice a week and started taking part in workshops all over the country from teachers from all over the world. The knowledge and inspiration I have gained, has inspired me, over the past four years, to follow my dream and gain the skills I need to be able to teach bellydance today. Recently, I had the privilege to spend time with Hossam and Serena Ramzy, fabulous exponents of Egyptian musicianship and dance, and they supported and reaffirmed my belief in teaching traditional Egyptian bellydance to beginners, as a platform on which to pursue other styles and forms of the dance. I hope to remagic the joy I find dancing with my daughter, by hosting a Mother & Daughter workshop and classes as well as a beginner’s workshop and course. The Mother & Daughter classes will mirror the way the dance was originally taught, from mothers to daughters, from women, for women. Bellydance is an ancient, natural way to dance, full of benefits for the feminine physique and a wonderful way to get fit and energised. Bellydance is personal to the individual so, once you have the basic techniques and moves in place, you can never dance it ‘wrong’! Inspired by the music, bellydance is free flowing and flexible and can be improvised, choreographed, danced solo, in groups, circles, with veils…the possibilities are endless!
My first beginner’s workshop is on 9 th June 2007and the Mother & Daughter Dance Day is on 11 th August 2007. Course and classes begin the week of 4 th September 2007. Please contact me via my website www.phoenixbellydance.co.uk.”
Wendy Cook
June 2007