A midriff baring blouse dripping with sequins, flowing skirts with slits up to the hips, ankle bracelets, and silk veils—enter into the world of belly dancing! Take off those tennis shoes and start swivelling those hips. Do you secretly dream of swaying your hips and shaking your belly to the rhythmic beat of oriental music? Bored with your local cardio kickboxing class? Belly dancing consists of a full body workout: swaying hips, an undulating torso, and graceful movements of the arms and shoulders. It is a comprehensive, fun, sexy, and a new hobby your hubby will cheer on. Why not give it a try?

One of the oldest forms of dance

Perhaps one of the oldest form of dance, belly dancing or “oriental dancing” has roots in ancient cultures in both India and in the Middle East. The types of belly dancing vary according to the country of origin. Belly dancing did not become popular in the western world until the late 19th century when it was introduced as a type of performance art. Now, it has become the newest rage in gyms and studios across the Anglophone world.

Dance your way through the bulge

We all notice our midsection increasing as we get older. Belly dancing is especially suited for toning the waist and middle area but also offers offer comprehensive benefits for your entire body. It is a low impact workout that is suitable for all ages and ability levels and can be practiced at varying intensities, according to the capability of the person performing the dance. The dropping and rolling of the hips and pelvic area work muscles in the abdomen, pelvis, trunk, spine and neck.

Weight Loss

Belly dancing is aerobic and anaerobic—that is to say it is both cardiovascular and weight bearing. The harder you dance, the more you will get your heart rate up, the more calories you are likely to burn.

As a weight bearing or anaerobic exercise, belly dancing works to tone your muscles, including your abdomen, back, arms, shoulders, as well as your quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes: basically a full body workout! Just try dancing for a few minutes and see how long it takes for your arms to start to burn. Benefits are visible in the first few weeks even for beginners. Any sort of weight-bearing or muscle toning exercise is especially beneficial for women because it helps prevent osteoporosis and strengthens bones.

Because the dance works all the muscles of the back and spine, it is an excellent way to improve posture. It can also help relieve stress in the back and counteract compressions of the disk that occur from a sedentary lifestyle.

Are you pregnant? Belly dancing can help prepare you for childbirth. Toning your abdominal muscles and tucking your hips are very similar to the “pelvic rocking” taught during prenatal classes. Belly dancing is also a great way to get back into the habit of exercise post childbirth, allowing you to move your muscles gently and gradually.

Because many dance classes don’t meet every day of the week, it is a good idea to supplement your dance classes with additional aerobic routines.

Have fun with it— try costumes and props!

One of the most fun parts about belly dancing is coming up with a costume. We’ve all seen pictures of them— elaborately decorated bras, belts, and skirts. Belly dancing should be a fun experience. Just go with it. Be creative and explore your artistic side. Find something that makes you feel confident and sexy. You can either buy a costume or look on the Internet for ideas how to make your own.

To add a little spice to your belly dancing, try dancing with a veil. Traditionally, veils were used by women in the Orient to show discretion in public. Start with a light-weight, short scarf that is easy to hold. Silk is generally the best material because it is light weight and catches easily in the air. Eventually, you will graduate to the use of a long veil (about double the length of your arm span for a basic rectangular veil). Dance to soft, flowing music rather than a drum solo. To dance with the veil, lift up your head, relax your shoulders, and open your chests. Hold the veil between your thumb and fingers and treat it ass a natural extension of your arms. Move it gracefully and let the veil complement the movements of your body with a soft flow.

If you are really ambitious, you can use finger cymbals to accompany the music you are dancing to or simply as the sole accompaniment to your dance. Other accessories can include a headband, necklace, or wrist and arm cuffs. Remember that will all props, it is essential to integrate the movements. Rather than manipulating the prop as a separate object from your body, consider it as a natural extension of your body. Also remember that most belly dancing is done barefoot.

Start swiveling today!

Look in your local yellow pages or on the Internet to find the belly dancing class nearest to you. Or, just put on some music and shake your thing!

For more information about belly dancing including more of its history as well as additional costume ideas, please visit www.joyofbellydancing.com

Elizabeth Farabee

Tags: Fitness, health //