Belly dancing for a healthy body

Belly dancing is both a relaxing and enlivening dance that can help tone the body and improve body confidence. Its physiological benefits include improved fitness, better circulation, suppleness and correction of postural alignment. On a body confidence level, many women feel they have regained their 'feminine self' and become more comfortable with their bodies through bellydancing.

belly dancing skirt

The basis of the core moves is always the centre - just below the navel - or in esoteric arts the place known as the hara, second chakra or simply 'the cente'. Yoga and Pilates are two popular exercises that like bellydancing, focus their energies on the 'centre' and the breath.

Physical fitness can greatly improve with regular sessions of bellydancing. It helps firm and tone the muscles in a gentle way, especially the abdominals, arms, upper back, hips and thighs. A more vigorous bellydance 'workout' lasting for at least thirty minutes, practiced 3-4 times a week, will certainly improve muscle tone and overall fitness, as bellydancing can be a fun and energetic form of aerobic dance.

Working out to fast paced, repetitious music with spicy tabla rhythms will make the exercise more enjoyable. A series of constant stepping moves, lifting and alternating arm poses and shimmies is the basis for a safe, low impact workout. As with all aerobics safety precautions, it is advisable to begin with a warm up consisting of gentle movements, in this case shoulder rolls, arm lifts, basic step/points and circular moves. Then gradually increase speed and repetition of moves, and after the workout remember to stretch and cool down.

Here are some physiological benefits of bellydancing:

*Improved circulation *Improved suppleness *Increased joint flexibility *Deeper breathing, better oxygenation of blood *Relaxing and calming, reduces stress *Possible aerobic exercise workout - burns fat, raises metabolism and improves resting heart rate *Tones all major muscle groups - legs, thighs, calves, gluteals, abdominals, upper arms, back *Reduces cellulite *Eases PMT symptoms *Prepares major muscle groups for pregnant women to assist the birthing process
Bellydancing for suppleness and relaxation

The suppleness and fluidity of movement necessary for belly dancing can help relax and lubricate joints and can be helpful in cases of arthritis, particularly in the wrists and shoulders. The dance, practiced gently in the beginning stages, usually produces beneficial results for muscle and joint conditioning. Participants who had suffered uncomfortable back pain or shoulder stiffness for years, have reported improvement after several weeks of bellydancing. It is becoming a popular form of rehabilitation exercise, now advised by doctors and therapists. Of course, if anyone has chronic back or knee problems, they are advised to see a doctor first before embarking on a bellydance course.
The relaxing benefits of belly dancing calm the mind and assist the focus required to learn new movements. Repetitious swaying, circular and flowing movements are likened to a state of dance-meditation. The dancer often finds that a session of taqsim or slow, graceful dancing will clear the mind and induce a state of mental relaxation. The faster forms of bellydance are stimulating and fun, and either slow or fast bellydancing can be useful in cases of anxiety or mild depression.