Belly Dancing: Mind, Body and Soul

By: Issy Hart 

Belly Dancing, also known as Oriental Dance or Raks Sharqi ("Dance of the East"), is an excellent workout, a celebration of life and a spiritual experience all rolled into one.

You may be drawn to belly dancing by the exotic costumes, or because you have seen dancers perform and want to move your body in the same way. Perhaps you are sick of the gym and looking for a fun activity to get you in shape.

These are all wonderful reasons to start belly dancing. It is ideal for:

Exercising

You'll get a full-body low-impact workout and have so much fun it won't feel like exercise. Belly dancing stretches, tones and stregthens the body, improves flexibility and posture, and works multiple muscle groups, Belly dancing burns up to 300 calories in an hour, so many dancers enjoy a considerable weight and inch loss from the extra exercise and toning (especially when combined with a healthy diet).

Stress Relief

Losing yourself in the rhythm of the music while gently stretching your muscles and enjoying the community of fellow dancers will melt away all the cares of your day.

Confidence

Belly dancing boosts self-esteem, reminds you of your sensuality and femininity, and makes you more accepting of your body, whatever your shape and size. Society puts enormous pressures on women to adhere to the unnatural image of the perfect body. Belly dancing cuts through those stereotypes, and will soon leave you feeling in tune, not at odds, with your body.

Acceptance

Belly dancing is not about perfecting moves and looking better than everyone else. It is about finding joy in dance and movement. It's empowering to be a part of a belly dancing community and to find an acceptance with other dancers that is often lacking in mainstream society.

Your age, size, shape, and fitness level do not matter when it comes to belly dancing. From teenagers to grandmothers and everyone in between, if you have a desire to learn belly dancing, go for it!

Issy Hart writes about the art of Belly Dancing, including Belly Dancin Costumes and Belly Dancing Music.

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