Belly Dance For Better Health

Belly dance is a unique way to get in shape. A single belly dance session works hundreds of muscles, burns calories and helps students to de-stress. An hour of belly dancing can burn as much as four hundred calories!

The benefits of belly dance are both mental and physical. Dancing provides a good cardio-vascular workout and helps increase both flexibility and strength, focusing on the torso or ‘core muscles’, although it also builds leg strength. Many belly dance styles emphasise muscular ‘isolations’, teaching the ability to move various muscles or muscle groups independently. Veil work can also build arm, shoulder, and general upper-body strength. Playing the cymbals can get fingers trained to work independently and build strength. Hip kicks, circles, rolls and body twists strengthen abdomen muscles. The long muscles of the back are strengthen by hip kicks, hip circles and making figure-eights. Belly dancing at low intensities increases metabolism. The dance not only strengthens, tones and tightens the body, but also improves flexibility. As a form of exercise, it can burn as many calories as light jogging, swimming or riding a bike.

Belly dance is considered a low-impact, weight-bearing exercise, which is especially good for women, since it can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. There is minimal stress on knees and feet. Depending on the rhythms of the music and the repetitive body movements, participants can increase breathing and raise their heartbeat, which can assist in building cardiovascular strength.

The advantage of belly dance is that it is suitable for all ages and body types. Also, the dance can be as gentle or as physically challenging as the dancer or student chooses. In Eastern medicine as well as in physical therapy, the centre of the body plays an important role. In Eastern and Indian philosophy, the pelvic area is the source of strength and storage of energy. Exciting the pelvic area with belly dance movements allows for the vital area at the base of the spine to open, freeing the flow of energy in this important area.

The movements associated with belly dance strengthen the abdominal and pelvic region, preparing a woman for labour and birth with less pain and more celebration. Belly dancing is hence used as a good pre-natal exercise. Traditionally, belly dance often was taught by wise women and includes a school course about pregnancy and birth. Many of the moves incorporated in belly dance, in fact, are similar to what a doula or midwife would ask you to do during labour.

Extensive research involved experiences with belly dance by women with menstruation problems. The statements of the women showed a more positive approach toward their menstruation, sexuality, and bodies during the course of the class. The movements of belly dance are ideal for the mature body. All the organs affected by the hormonal changes of menopause are strengthened by increased blood circulation. Belly dancing has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues, and even increased their libido!

Women are once again looking to belly dancing to discover the beauty and power of their bodies and to receive the physical and emotional benefits that arise from dance.
So come, embrace your bodies through this centuries-old art form. Not only will it leave you fitter, healthier and a few pounds lighter, it’s a lot of fun!

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