Ishtar's Philosophy

Dance is a metaphor for life - we move to the rhythm of the music in our own way. Self-discovery is a prerequisite for self-mastery. Through the dance we can learn to exceed what we think our body can do and yet to know its limitations.

I have been teaching and performing belly dance and Goddess philosophy for ten years. I have always taught within a framework of Goddess spirituality. I also teach psychology, run self-esteem workshops for women and teambuilding events. I have a degree in psychology/women’s studies and have professional qualifications in holistic healing and stress management. I hold a teaching cert. I have been taught by a variety of international dance teachers.

I have also been taught by a variety of metaphysics teachers and studied transpersonal psychology. Through travel and engagement with a variety of cultures I have learnt about trance and ecstatic states brought about by dance, movement and drumming. My classes, workshops and performances have a strong emphasis on pleasure, fun, laughing, enjoyment, learning, transcending, healing and mutual support and encouragement.

I like to combine the holistic health benefits of the dance, with the glamour and fun of cabaret performance techniques. Belly dance highlights all the different feminine archetypes. One can express innocence, artistry, coquettishness, sexiness and feminine power all in the same dance. I have orchestrated a host of performances with people from a wide variety of abilities, including women from a women’s aid refuge, professional contemporary dancers, pop videos, and school children. I regularly perform to a wide range of audiences, including Arabic and Turkish people, festivals, nightclubs, weddings, Culture days, community events, etc. I teach and perform dances from the Middle East including belly dance, which is a cabaret form of Arabic dance. I have recently done a lecture and performance tour of the American mid West.

As well as dance workshops I have hosted a variety of team building and personal growth workshops, e.g. RSPCA, Women’s aid, junior and senior schools and cultural organisations, etc. I use a wide range of psychological techniques and creative disciplines. I emphasise the spiritual aspects of the dance. I have hosted many powerful and Trance-formative events. I work with artists, musicians and transpersonal councillors. As a singer, dancer/choreographer and lyric writer, I am part of Shifting Sands music and dance collective. We are producing our second CD. and have performed gigs nationally. I also lead a dance group called ‘Women of Mercia’. We combine Celtic combat movements and mythologies with Arabic dance. I have choreographed shows with over thirty dancers in a variety of styles.

I have had my writing published in a range of media on the subjects of Goddess philosophy, shamanism, dance and psychology. I have two courses published internationally by BSY on psychology of personal identity and Shamanism.

I want to give people the courage to affirm - your body is sacred and beautiful. The body is the temple of the soul, through conscious movement you can use the body to transcend ordinary awareness and free the soul. Through the ancient movements it is possible to access blissful states of awareness, similar to certain meditative states.

People have expressed many Tranformative effects of the dance both physical and mental. Diseases that are connected to stress, guilt and feelings of low self-esteem seem to respond well. Most women have been programmed to not like their bodies. For some they do not perceive the physical self as a recipient of pleasurable experience. Moving in a way that feels good is a revelation to some women.