Belly dance is a celebration of life, women, and all that is sacred.  It empowers and transforms, touches your soul, lifts you up, and awakens a longing for self-expression and connection.  From ancient birth rituals
to the sisterhood of the harem, from tribal beginnings to modern fusion, belly dance has persevered throughout the ages and become a world-wide phenomenon.  A dance style that honors each and every woman, it offers the chance to reclaim a powerful life force deep within. 

Kundalini Belly Dance Tribe is honored to share this dance, to inspire and inform, to awaken and transform.

We are Tracy Carlton, Jenny Fuller, Sonya Castoe, Jenny Upchurch, and Kimberly Wooten.

Scroll down to learn more about each of the dancers!


Jenny has always had a love for dance in all its forms. Watching dancers perform causes emotion and inspiration to build up inside of her, and she always wished that she had learned some form of dance as a child so that she could have a relationship with dance as an adult (other than busting a move on a night out at the dance clubs!). In 2007, at the age of 30, Jenny signed up for a local belly dance class taught by Tracy, and she hasn't looked back! Women of all ages, all sizes, all paths, all levels of dance experience, dancing together in an amazing community of beauty, support, creativity, and celebration. She was hooked!  When Tracy formed a performance troupe later that year, Jenny was honored to be invited to join. Participation in the troupe has been a life-changing experience.  For the first time in her adult life, Jenny has a hobby, a creative outlet...just for fun, just for herself.  Something deep inside her is nurtured by tribal belly dance.  Jenny honors and admires Tracy for following her passion for dance, and changing people's lives in the process.  When not dancing, watching dancers perform, working on dance costumes, or learning about tribal belly dance, Jenny is a mommy of twins, wife, and speech-language pathologist.

Tracy  is the founder and director of Kundalini Belly Dance Tribe.   Loving dance in its many forms, belly dance offered her the chance to empower herself, to connect with other women, and to feel great about her body!  After watching a performance by Fat Chance Belly Dance over 10 years ago, she knew she had to make this dance a part of her life.  She started to seek out belly dance opportunities, and though she was impressed by the technique of solo dancers, it was the power and beauty of a whole tribe of dancers that spoke to her most.  The strength and sisterhood of a group of women dancing together, swaying and undulating as one, as a tribe, awakened something deep within her.  She pursued lessons, danced with friends, and was thrilled to be part of the troupe Barenaked Bellies.  While dancing she found she could become fully present and engaged, the chatter disappeared, letting creativity and beauty unfold.  Now, as a teacher, troupe member, and forever-continuing student of belly dance, she hopes to inspire other women to reclaim and express the creative spark that is within, to awaken the powerful and transformative energy of life through dance. 
Jenny...why does she belly dance?  Jenny loves the challenge, the music, the costumes, the way she can't think about anything else while she dances, the way that she feels connected to people all over the world and through the ages, and the women in her troupe.  She took a belly dance class in college and performed once.  Then years later she joined the Barenaked Bellies troupe and really enjoyed being a part of the choreography and performing.  Now she is part of Kundalini and she loves the different kinds of energy that each person brings to the group.
In 2005 while attending Massage Therapy school, Sonya over heard a classmate talking about a belly dance class she attends. Unfortunately, the classes were in another county, but the classmate suggested some at-home instructional videos.  After mentioning her interest in belly dance to a friend, Sonya was given the number of a friend of a friend who is a belly dancer.  So Sonya called Ayla, who gave her Tracy's phone number, who was starting tribal belly dance classes here in Amador County.  Sonya took the classes, fell in love, and inquired about being part of a performance troupe.  So, here we are in 2008 and Kundalini has several performances under their hip belts and many more to come in 2009.  Belly dance has given Sonya friendship, peace in her life, and a new love ~ Poi!  Belly dance has taught Sonya to be in control of her body in a way no other dance has, and the best part is you don't need a dance floor because your body is the dance floor!
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There was one distinct point in Kimberly's life where she realized that dance allowed her to leave her shy self far behind, and since then she has always been willing to dance to many different beats, in many different countries.  Belly dance takes this love a step beyond the creativity of a solo dancer; while still allowing for a deep groove and a beautiful aesthetic, it also teaches a togetherness with other women.  When the beat starts to become part of you, those things that fetter you most are lost or forgotten, and an elated kind of freedom is achieved.

Photo coming soon!
...there is power in numbers, and to be part of or to watch a circle of women swaying in unison is awesome and hypnotic. 
Paulette Rees-Denis, Tribal Vision
Kundalini Dance
PO Box 987
Pioneer, CA 95666
(209) 419-1362
kundalinidance@yahoo.com
Also see us at motherlodeholistic.com!
Many thanks and much honor to those who have inspired, taught, and shared this dance with us: Paulette Rees-Denis & Gypsy Caravan, Carolena Nericcio & FCBD, Amy Sigil & Unmata, Kajira Djoumahna & BSBD, Suzanne Dante, Michelle Hofmann, and all our dancing sisters in Amador and Calaveras Counties.
Kundalini Belly Dance Tribe
Kundalini Belly Dance Tribe
photos by: Bill Lavallie at lavallie.smugmug.com