Thursday, September 27, 2007

Dancing with Sabrina

Okay, I'll say it: I'm devoted to watching tv's Dancing with the Stars. I love seeing how the newbie dancers develop their skills and confidence from week to week.

On Monday, September 24, the six women in the competition took the dance floor with their professional partners. Far and away, it was actress and "Cheetah Girl" Sabrina Bryan who delivered the most dazzling performance.

And, with all due respect, it was supermodel Josie Moran whose performance left both judges and audience yawning.

From a body-confidence point of view, the contrast was amazing. The scenes of Josie in training highlighted how uncoordinated she was. (Well, anyone might stumble around on their first day of dance training.) Still, she lacked strength and fitness, admitting that just because a model looks good for the camera doesn't mean she's physically fit. As this svelte figure moved through her steps on Monday night, her shapely arms and legs were lovely yet they seemed to be floating in space, disengaged from her body's core.

Again with all due respect, as tall and skinny as Josie is, Sabrina is short and chunky. And the non-question of the night was: Who cares? So what?

Sabrina drenched each step, twist, and turn with overflowing exuberance. In the moments she fixed her gaze on judges and audience she made direct transmissions of delight. It was plain to see she was taking supreme joy in her body and her capacity to move.

I wish every girl and woman beset by worries about her weight and shape could see this pair of dancers, could compare and contrast Josie's and Sabrina's vivacity and vitality. I would ask each one: On the way to being your true self, whom would you rather emulate?

Hands down, I choose Sabrina as my inspiration.

Now about breasts...

A friend writes:

The Breast Cancer Site invites people to visit and click the pink "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at the top of the page. Clicking on the button enables the National Breast Cancer Foundation to donate at least one free mammogram a day to a woman in need.

It takes less than a minute and doesn't cost you anything. The site's sponsors donate mammograms in exchange for advertising.

Here's the web site! Pass this message along to people you know: www.thebreastcancersite.com

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Who are your "gutsy women"?

On page 6 of The Woman's Belly Book, I invite you to list the women you admire and their qualities that inspire you.

Sherryl Treen writes:

"This is my list: Comedian Phyilles Diller; Florence Nightingale, who improved/started nursing; Clara Barton, who started the Red Cross and went to war zones to help people; Deborah Samson, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Also abolitionists Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth. These are gutsy women."

Thanks, Sherryl!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Heart of the Game


The Heart of the Game tells the story of a scrappy Seattle high school girls' basketball team and their unconventional coach, Bill Resler.

Ward Serrill began filming the Roosevelt Roughriders girls' basketball team without knowing the drama that would unfold over the next six seasons. He shows how these gutsy girls triumph on and off the court — and how their coach provokes their self-esteem and self-confidence along the way.

See this movie (available on DVD) and revel in the images of young women expressing their soul power as physical, emotional, and spiritual strength.

Also: check out the conversation between coach Resler and filmmaker Serrill included in the DVD's special features. You'll see a fine example of men actively serving and supporting women as winners.

As Resler says: Have fun. Never give up. Put yourself in a position to be lucky.

A Charming Review...

I recently received this poetic review of The Woman's Belly Book — I'm charmed! Say it out loud and see if you hear the poem as a rap:


The image in the mirror — the body that is me
I feel is looking good except my fat belly
My stomach sticks out, my pants are stretched tight
50 situps each day haven't put it right

Then I read a book that changes how I feel
My belly becomes my center and my soul is real
Centered in my fat white belly that I was taught to hate
are intuition, compassion and the ability to create.

Now I look into the mirror and smile
Breathing life deeply all the while
Thinking how wonderful my belly can look
After reading Lisa Sarasohn's book.

— Brenda Phillips