"I started to belly dance in 2007 upon a friend’s recommendation to
overcome a sport's injury causing chronic back pain. I had never taken
dance before and preferred competitive sports. I was an active amateur
women’s disc golfer and loved being active and trying new things. I took
weekly lessons in Egyptian style with Galatea and eventually joined her
student troupe in 2008. I enjoyed the company of the other women and
performing on stage. It became one of the few things I did just for me
off season as I had a busy schedule as a full time social work
supervisor, wife and mother of two active kids.
In the fall of 2009, I found myself at a critical turning point and needed
to make changes in my life. I had been burning the wick at both ends
for so long it was negatively affecting my emotional and physical health.
I had to start making cuts to my schedule to balance my children’s
sporting interests and my wish to be there cheering them on. The same
day I realized I had to quit my troupe, I decided to try an SGI class with
Stefanie Masters. It was on the one night of the week that didn’t
interfere with other schedules. “When one door closes, another opens”.
The first evening was magical and I was thrilled to be asked to stay for
level 2. I knew I was a quick study, knew basic movement as I had
always been a Jack of all trades. What I did not prepare for was the
differences between the two dances on an emotional level. I had to be
fully present in the moment and just dance. There is no way to multi
task this dance. The dance was mirroring my life journey. It was
imperative that I learn to focus on one task at a time and to give
purpose to my activities instead of just going through the motions to
check off a box toward a goal.
I was ready to start enjoying the journey. This was the beginning of a
huge personal undertaking for me. I took a leave from my high stress
job and spend time focusing on discovering and healing past traumas
and figuring out new strategies to move forward with. Throughout this
time, I was readying myself for auditions in Stefanie’s Sacred Moon
student troupe. The connection I felt with the other women at times was
overwhelming. It was like someone had cut me open and put me on
display at the Smithsonian. However, it is just that bond I hold onto
proudly today as one of the most important connections to my true self,
outside of my husband and children.
I have spent my life thus far blaming my body for failing me through life
threatening and chronic illnesses. The movements of the dance have
shown that I must care for my body temple gently and thoughtfully. I
can make a difference in the future functioning of my body by
supporting it instead of cursing it. I have incorporated many other
healing modalities to support my new self.
I am beginning a new professional and personal journey thanks to the
dance and Stefanie Masters for forcing me to be present with myself, so
I could care for myself. “One cannot fill others if they are empty
themselves”.
~ Nikki Brodlo
overcome a sport's injury causing chronic back pain. I had never taken
dance before and preferred competitive sports. I was an active amateur
women’s disc golfer and loved being active and trying new things. I took
weekly lessons in Egyptian style with Galatea and eventually joined her
student troupe in 2008. I enjoyed the company of the other women and
performing on stage. It became one of the few things I did just for me
off season as I had a busy schedule as a full time social work
supervisor, wife and mother of two active kids.
In the fall of 2009, I found myself at a critical turning point and needed
to make changes in my life. I had been burning the wick at both ends
for so long it was negatively affecting my emotional and physical health.
I had to start making cuts to my schedule to balance my children’s
sporting interests and my wish to be there cheering them on. The same
day I realized I had to quit my troupe, I decided to try an SGI class with
Stefanie Masters. It was on the one night of the week that didn’t
interfere with other schedules. “When one door closes, another opens”.
The first evening was magical and I was thrilled to be asked to stay for
level 2. I knew I was a quick study, knew basic movement as I had
always been a Jack of all trades. What I did not prepare for was the
differences between the two dances on an emotional level. I had to be
fully present in the moment and just dance. There is no way to multi
task this dance. The dance was mirroring my life journey. It was
imperative that I learn to focus on one task at a time and to give
purpose to my activities instead of just going through the motions to
check off a box toward a goal.
I was ready to start enjoying the journey. This was the beginning of a
huge personal undertaking for me. I took a leave from my high stress
job and spend time focusing on discovering and healing past traumas
and figuring out new strategies to move forward with. Throughout this
time, I was readying myself for auditions in Stefanie’s Sacred Moon
student troupe. The connection I felt with the other women at times was
overwhelming. It was like someone had cut me open and put me on
display at the Smithsonian. However, it is just that bond I hold onto
proudly today as one of the most important connections to my true self,
outside of my husband and children.
I have spent my life thus far blaming my body for failing me through life
threatening and chronic illnesses. The movements of the dance have
shown that I must care for my body temple gently and thoughtfully. I
can make a difference in the future functioning of my body by
supporting it instead of cursing it. I have incorporated many other
healing modalities to support my new self.
I am beginning a new professional and personal journey thanks to the
dance and Stefanie Masters for forcing me to be present with myself, so
I could care for myself. “One cannot fill others if they are empty
themselves”.
~ Nikki Brodlo
| Kristi Krueger kristi@kristikrueger.com (920) 946-5994 Belly dance (aka Middle Eastern dance) instructor / teacher and performer in the Sheboygan, WI and surrounding areas Home I About Kristi I Classes & Workshops I Book a Performance I Events I Student Resources I FAQ I Gallery I Troupe I Merchandise/Apparel I Contact Kristi Design and all contents of this website ©2011 Kristi Krueger. All Rights Reserved. Images and content of this site cannot be reproduced or copied without permission.II |