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SNAKEDANCE by MESMERA
Excerpts from Instructional Video
"DANCE OF THE SERPENT"
Throughout the world, tribal religion and art features the serpent as a symbol of great power, regeneration and inspiration. Many ancient tribes honored the MOTHER OF CREATION in the form of a serpent, paying tribute to her eternal wisdom and ageless mystique. This was a vast influence in the origin of belly dance.
At the lovely Hathor's temple at Dendarah, Egypt, in the innermost shrine, are long wavy serpents carved in black basalt and featured in places of honor among the other power symbols. For several millennia the caduceus, two snakes intertwining up an eternal flame or winged staff, has been widely used in the medical and healing professions.
Snakes are MOVERS! They exist in a celebration of primordial atonement and natural "beingness", making them inspiring teachers and wonderful dance partners ........ although dancing like a snake doesn't necessarily mean dancing with one. Besides, we all have our own Kundilini Serpent ready to rise up our spine and vivify us. This is the dance of life; the metaphor of our creative existence, moving in time to the beat of the universe.
In the pre-Christian era, snakes appeared in sacred places of power and respect throughout Africa and the near and Far East. Since then there have been many false rumors. They are not Satanic demons of temptation, nor are they cold and slimy. Their muscled bodies feel strong and smooth and beautiful. I've studied their moves for a long time, and discovered that they each have a slightly different "dance".
 For example, SESHA, my Royal Python from the grasslands of West Africa, likes to get a good grip and hold on, which is very good for freedom of movement in dance. She and her consort, OBSESSION, often remain positioned as magnificent bracelets or even a crown. Like most predators, they favor live food, which they consume about twice a month. They would never strike at someone unless they felt threatened and needed to defend themselves. Most snakes are particularly sensitive to sudden moves and rough contact. it causes them to become tense and fierce. In this way, they refine the approach of all who touch them.
Then there's ZILA, a Brazilian Rainbow Boa, with gorgeous deep red color and patterns, glowing with rainbow iridescence. Her dance is very different from the royals. She's full grown at 7 or 8 feet. I've had her since she was a baby and only twelve inches long. I like dancing with her because she's active and inquisitive. When relaxed, she goes exploring. I move in the way that features her curves and loops as she travels different parts of my body. In this way her dance directs mine .......... it's a duet.
When ZANGBETO, my Burmese Python, flicks out his forked tongue, he's taking a sample of the air which he "tastes" to give him information about his surroundings. Like the others, there are small vents below the nostrils that are heat sensors. They tell him where to locate a cozy warm spot to sleep awhile or perhaps ..... dinner.
Continued on next page: Snakedancing with Mesmera
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