For years concerned scientists have been noting the steady worldwide decline of nature's amphibians. Today, these same scientists from the Declining Amphibian Task Force (DATF) are happy to report the first documented increase in amphibious life forms on our planet.

The first sightings of a large school of new-age amphibious bellydancers were made in Maui in January 1992. These dancers were seen dancing both on land, in fresh water ponds and waterfalls, and in the salt water of the Pacific Ocean.Their numbers seem to be steadily increasing each year with increasing frequency!

Upon closer observation of these life forms, it was discovered that their land based habitat was none other than Mana LeOa Gardens, a beautiful retreat facility located at the foot of Haleakala Volcano (on some very powerful lay lines, according to local Kahunas). Dancers were seen dancing in the jungle, the hot tubs,the swimming pool, and in the spacious mirrored dance studios. They were accompanied by what researchers suspect are semi-aquatic musicians and a few merman husbands.

Scientists surmise this is not just a local occurrence, since the dancers spoke many different languages and come originally from the far reaches of the earth. A reasonable assumption can be made that this is either a global phenomena or soon will be!

Researchers also take this as a hopeful sign for our environment, since amphibians have highly permeable membranes and are therefore more sensitive and conscious of subtle changes in the environment of land and sea. Amphibians are seen as leading environmental indicators of what is really going on in the here-and-now, present moment!

It may be that the increase in ultra-violet rays from the depletion of the ozone are triggering the instinctual survival mechanisms of the human brain to get their act together in relationship to the environment before it's too late. The appearance of the amphibious bellydancer is a hopeful sign that Mother Nature's consciousness is returning to the planet, and that human beings are evolving a more holistic and maternal relationship with the natural world.

Previously, the bellydancer's natural habitat was the dingy smoke-filled night club, occasional shopping mall, Renaissance Fair, or Christmas office party. This broadening of the opportunity for dance expression is seen as another giant leap for womankind (Thank goodness!).

Researchers have tracked down what they think is the first link in this relatively new dance evolution. It begins with the specimen identified as Delilah, who originates from Seattle, WA. Humans from this area have been accused of having webbed feet due to the exceptional precipitation occurring in this area. In addition, new age spokesperson Shirley MacLaine has made claims that the Northwest is a rather cosmically conscious location on the global map (no doubt this explains it).

Perplexed by the findings, scientists are having to admit that the gap between physics and metaphysics is narrowing everyday; thus they are not ruling out anything in their efforts to unravel the mystery of the arrival of the amphibious bellydancers. We can only thank our lucky starfish that they have arrived. Best sighting indicators are for Maui between dates January 13- 23rd 1999.

If you'd care to learn more about how to become an amphibious bellydancer in the future, please check our Retreats page. Or, you can email us, call us at 206-632-2353, or even write us a letter!...VISIONARY DANCE PRODUCTIONS, PO Box 30797 Seattle, WA 98103. Do it now!