Gymnastics Fusion

It seems to be fashionable to complain about how there is "too much gymnastics" in contemporary nightclub style belly dance, particularly in regard to influence from the former Soviet Union. I have mixed feelings -- I appreciate athleticism, but generally don't like aggressive styling in the context of traditional belly dance. But anyway, here's an fSU example of belly dance in gymnastics that I think is wonderfully successful fusion. The dancer/athlete is Russian rhythmic gymnast Yulia Sinitsina. Look at the beautiful lyrical lines of her arms and feet.



Here's another clip of the same piece.  The video quality is not as good, but this one has no sports commentator talking over the music, and without the cuts between cameras it's a little easier to both see the composition and appreciate the enormous floor space she covers.