When we hear the term “bellydance,” many of us have visions of scantily clad women dancing for a Sultan in a faraway land. It is, perhaps, one of the most mysterious and misunderstood forms of dance, and yet it has become more popular than ever. Nowadays, you can find bellydance classes all across the country as people are discovering its healthful benefits for the body, mind and soul.Dance historians believe that bellydance was originally performed by women, for women, at family gatherings and celebrations where men and women were often segregated. There is also some evidence on its usefulness for childbirth preparation (it exercises all the muscles of the pelvic floor, and compresses abdominal contents). It wasn’t until the 50’s that it started to appear in the nightclubs for entertainment purposes.
Whatever its origins, it is clear that bellydancing is truly a great workout which targets the core muscles and postural stabilizers, along with offering great cardiovascular benefits. Having taught bellydance for several years, I have watched my students lose inches from their waist and thighs but, more importantly, they have learned to move gracefully. Something changes in these women as they begin to attach emotion to the movements. Their confidence grows and they no longer shy away from their reflections in the mirror. The dance is an expression of femininity and it’s wonderful to watch these transformations occur.
In order to properly bellydance, it is important to unlock the joints (hips, shoulders and knees). Students learn to isolate parts of their bodies so that their torsos can remain still while they move their hips, and the head remains steady at all times. Certain movements like shimmys or travel steps will increase the heart rate, while the gentle swaying movements increase muscles tone as the dancer works against gravity to create fluid, snake-like motions.
Whether you’re looking for a fun and different form of exercise, a way to de-stress, or, are looking to surprise your significant other with a private Valentine’s Day performance, bellydancing just might be the answer. There is no shortage of places to indulge your curiosity.
Tava Naiyin Auslan is a bellydance instructor, performer and choreographer living in Fairfield County. She has appeared on television, in print and regularly contributes articles to dance-related publications. She teaches an average of 7 classes per week and performs throughout the tri-state area. In addition to her dance career, Tava is a licensed massage therapist and Reiki Master.
Tava is a guest contributor of fitness tips for "Your Personal Best," a regular feature of Aetherial Living.
If you enjoy this article, or would like to know more about Tava, please drop her a comment at tava@aetheriaspa.com
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