Crystal Bindi Studios

New class session coming to Wednesdays in October! Who’s ready for some shiny shenanigans?

On the twentieth anniversary of Adrian’s death, I am sharing her story again. We no longer have a brick and mortar building (thanks Covid) but our Tribe is still going strong! And the beauty that has come from the ashes of Adrian’s death has been without measure.
It mattered. SHE mattered. And lives have been changed because she lived for a short time on this earth.

I've been in business now for twelve years; the Studio officially became Crystal Bindi Studios in 2009. I still get calls asking for "Crystal", and I explain that Crystal isn't a person! This year we have met a lot of new folks, so I'd like to take the time (as I do periodically) to explain the meaning behind the name.

A "Bindi' is the jewel worn on your forehead, and my daughter Adrian's favorite was this little cheap crystal jewel in a tear drop shape. The whole dancing thing was her idea, not mine. I never aspired to be a dancer, just wanted to do something fun for fitness, something that made me feel okay in my own body.

But Adrian was on fire with it, and she inspired me to keep going when I wanted to quit. At the age of 17 she was already teaching and performing. She told me she wanted to be a professional bellydancer, and as a mom I fully supported her dream and accompanied her to every workshop we had in the area at the time.

Her dream came to an end in August of 2004, when she died at the hands of a reckless speeding driver. So often as parents, we encourage our children to run out and play while we finish their chores for them. The way I see it, Adrian ran along to play and dance with the angels, while I decided to finish what she started. The hardest thing I ever did was to walk into a workshop some months later without her. But these women enfolded me, loved me, and assured me that every time we danced, she would be with us. They were my tribe, my community. And many of them still are to this day.

But back to the story of the Bindi: On the night Adrian died, I found it in a place where it simply could NOT have been. The mourners had all gone home or to bed, leaving me alone with my grief. I began nervous cleaning, and finally at 3am my kitchen was spotless. Floors cleaned, counters sparkling, and all that was left was a pile of photos. As I went through them, I found this photo of Adrian smiling, her Bindi gleaming on her forehead. I wanted to see her smile first thing when I woke up the next morning, so I walked over to the refrigerator to pin it up.

And there was that Bindi, on the floor, shining up at me.

No explanation. I had just cleaned that floor; if it had been there I would have seen it. I knew that its appearance was nothing less than supernatural, a message that it was all going to be okay. Eventually. And so, that crystal bindi became for me a symbol of HOPE that when you are experiencing the very worst thing that could possibly happen, there is still joy and purpose to be found in life. That joy and purpose is what I hope to pass along to each and every woman who walks through my doors.

When life brings you to your knees, it's okay to stay there for a bit, and maybe pray for strength. But then you have to GET BACK UP, because your life has meaning. Your life matters. There is HOPE, no matter what is happening to you. And you are worth every effort it may take to find out just how amazing you are, and how strong you can be through adversity. Find your joy - it's there, I promise!

Here are some flowers to remind you that it’s spring, and that means we only have a couple of weeks left of regular classes!
Tonight and next week we will be at Creekside at 6pm. After that we will do pop ups and work on choreography with the troupe for the summer. See you all later!

Hey everyone, just a reminder that I am at a ZBA training today, and there will be NO class tonight!

Hey Lovelies, if you are new and plan to try out a class, please come within the next couple of weeks. After that we will be working on adding things to the basic movements we’ve learned! Cost is suggested $5 donation, and all monies will go toward community ministries. Hope to see you in class this evening at 6pm!

Time to shake things up! Come join us tonight at 6pm for a shiny good time. Beginner friendly, Sassy shenanigans expected!

Hey y’all. If you’re coming to class tonight, the entrance or exit may get interesting. They are planning on doing some painting and such so we may be rerouted either coming in or going out. But not to worry, if you’re taking my class, chances are you’re used to changing things up - and then putting glitter on them! See you at 6pm!

Yeah, except they’re not fine. Snow over ice and blinding wind gusts… ick.

I have heard from a lot of you who aren’t super excited to drive in to town even if shiny shimmies are involved. Therefore, we will be canceling this evening’s class. See you NEXT week!

Fierce and Wonderful Middle Eastern Dance and Movement class resumes tonight! Creekside Community Church at 6pm. No experience necessary, all levels welcome. Come have fun with us!

While we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s check in with these ladies giving themselves some love! Join us on Feb 21 at 6pm for shimmies and shenanigans!

It’s time to shake things up again!

Middle Eastern Dance and movement class is for Every Body. Regardless of age, size, range of motion, or body type, all women are welcome to this fun and uplifting class!

We create a safe space for you to explore movement, build confidence, and rejoice in the amazing discoveries you will make along the way, while celebrating a centuries’ old dance designed for the way the female body is designed to move. Plus, there are shiny things involved!

Join us each Wednesday (except Valentines Day) until Spring break for this beginner friendly session! 6pm at Creekside Community Church Traverse City. Class is donation based (suggested $5) and all money supports mission programs at Creekside.

Who’s ready for shiniest, shakin’est classes?
Well… we have to wait just a few more weeks to reclaim our spot in the gym. Classes will resume on January 31 at 6pm.

But, it’s worth the wait, right? Empowering freedom of feminine movement while wearing shiny stuff, among a community of supportive women. Plus, you have time to invite more friends to join the fun!

There are four more weeks to catch our fall Bellydance classes! Join us on Wednesdays and shake up your mid week with some shimmying shiny shenanigans… nothing like a workout that taps into your feminine side. Creekside Community Church, in the gym, 6pm!

EDIT:
Looking at the chart, our dance and drum troupe may be going on just a little earlier than 12:30.

Leelanau UnCaged returns to Northport Saturday One of the region’s most unique and anticipated festivals returns to Northport tomorrow (Saturday), and Sandy Dhuyvetter says you’ll want to be there at 1:45pm. “We’ve got some real surprises, and at 1:45 we’ve got a huge surprise,” says Dhuyvetter, president of the always fascinating Le...

Getting ready to shimmy. Reminder that we are at Long Lake Twp park so look for the sign and the picnic tables!

Who’s up for some summer shimmies and maybe some shenanigans? How about an impromptu free belly dance class and drum circle in the park at Long Lake Township Hall, 8870 N Long Lake Rd?

Join us on Monday night, Aug 21st at 6pm for some dancing fun! Bring your hiney and make it shiny. You don’t have to be experienced, just adventurous!

I’m smiling today, looking back on this past session of mischief that only dance peeps know how to bring!

I am taking a week off, but I am planning a loose summer schedule. We may dance at parks, beaches, or other venues, so check here for updates!

Some of you have indicated a desire to do choreography at the home studio, and I will do that in two categories: Choreography for fun to help the moves make sense, and choreography for performance. Let me know which category you are in, and I will plan my home classes accordingly.

Hey Dancing Peeps! We are winding down this session of Fierce and Wonderful Bellydance class, but for the next three Wednesdays we plan to be, well, Fierce and Wonderful!

This Wednesday the drummers have the night off, so Sharon and I are going to bring you some tunes that are oldies but goodies.
If you have veils (about three yards of silky fabric) please bring them. I will have a few extra!

During the summer we will be playing in various parks when the weather is nice. Stay tuned here for the where and when! For those who want to learn choreography, I will have both beginner and intermediate opportunities in my home studio. So let me know if you’d like to be included! See you tomorrow at Creekside Community Church for Wiggle Wednesday!

Here’s a nice spring picture for Spring Break.
YES class is on tonight! 5:45 at Creekside Community Church. See you later!

It's Wiggle Wednesday! But, apparently it's also Winter Wednesday. Due to the impending storm and other unforeseen factors, we will postpone tonight's Fierce and Wonderful class, and see you all next week!

Please be safe, and practice your belly rolls and basic shimmy. Try to do both at once! You can multi-task - women do it all the time!

We were so honored to have Sharon, the original Jewel Jiggler, teaching some sassy moves tonight!

Put some shiny on your hiney and get some wiggle in your jiggle! Fierce and Wonderful Bellydance fitness tonight at 5:45, Creekside Community Church! Beginner friendly, bring a friend!

Fierce and Wonderful Bellydance fitness class for beginner and beyond begins this Wednesday! Six weeks, January 18 - Feb 22, at 5:45pm. Suggested donation of $5 goes to ministries at Creekside Community Church (formerly First Christian; South Airport Rd next to Best Buy).

This low impact class will help build core strength and balance, reduce joint friction, and increase muscle memory, while helping you find confidence in movement your body was designed to do!

Plus, there are glitter and shiny jingley coins involved. What’s not to love?

Time to put some shiny on your hiney and join me for a whole lotta shakin’! Beginner friendly, super fun, and full of shenanigans, this class is just what your mid- week ordered! $5 suggested donation.
5:45 Wednesday at Creekside Community Church (formerly First Christian) next to Best Buy. Only three more classes before we break for the holiday season!