'The True Health Benefits of Bellydance'
Article by YUKI for Nafoura Belly Dance Magazine June 2009 Issue.
Why Belly Dance?
For many women, belly dance is a life-altering experience. We belly dance for a multitude of personal reasons. For many among us, it is much more than a physical workout. It can signify strength, femininity, poise, and rhythm, as well as fitness, positivity, creativity, and self-awareness. It is truly an all encompassing discipline. Not only does it tone your body physically, it impacts your posture, flexibility, and coordination skills, as well as boosting mental and emotional well-being. Few understand the true benefits of belly dance – that is, until they experience these benefits for themselves.
Many years ago, whilst working as a researcher in Japan, I unexpectedly fell upon the world of belly dance. It was the strangely mystical combination of the music and rhythms, and the mesmerising belly dance moves that first drew me in. Over the years, I have made belly dance ‘my own’ and it has truly become an essential component of my life on many levels. Below are some useful thoughts – for belly dance newbies – and reminders - for the rest of us - on the profound benefits of belly dance.
Physical Benefits of Belly Dance
One of the most significant physical benefits of belly dance is the positive effect it has on your posture. The dance focuses on correct posture at all times and works on core muscles through isolation. The emphasis on maintaining this correct posture can bring out incredible poise and confidence in your stature. The low intensity nature of belly dance and its repetitive motions also mean that it is safe and gentle to your joints, working in line with your body, rather than ‘against’ it. With good posture and the pelvis tucked in, movements such as the hip drop and figure eights when done correctly, aid in preventing lower back pain. With practice and repetition, lower and upper body muscles are evenly toned in a safe manner.
As in any cardiovascular activity, belly dance is also beneficial for weight management depending on the intensity, duration, and frequency of the dancing. It is an alternative exercise option that can provide a great low impact workout for women of all ages. Other evident physical benefits include improved flexibility, strengthened muscles, toned arms through upper body repetitions such as the snake arms and shoulder movements, and stronger bones. Such physical improvements to your body can also result in a positive spill-over effect on other important areas of your life that appear lacking or that may need a boost.
Certain belly dance repetitions are also widely recognised to be helpful for pre and post natal women.Practicing smooth upper body movements, circular hip movements, figure eights, and various gentle travelling steps can maintain fitness, ease back pains, strengthen pelvic and abdominal muscles, and effectively de-stress pregnant women. These movements can also help in speeding up recovery after delivery, and promote feelings of wellbeing during such a vulnerable stage in a woman’s life.
Holistic Benefits of Belly Dance
Often not enough focus is placed on the mental and emotional - or holistic – aspects of belly dance. In public, belly dance is often showcased as a physical or sensual dance, and less emphasis is placed on its real emotional benefits.
Belly dance is a significant confidence-building dance. The act alone of attending a belly dance class often produces feelings of happiness and positivity. Over time and through consistent practice, movements start to look graceful, flowing, and effortless, and the dancer learns to develop poise, elegance, and self-esteem. Many dancers then begin to develop a desire to excel further in the dance. It has inspired countless women who are usually timid and introvert to perform with confidence and joy for family and friends, and in public.
Many of the movements in belly dance involve control and awareness of the breath. Even when doing repetitive lower body moves such as the shimmy,the dancer needs to maintain steady breathing. When doing a chest drop, you can break down the movement further by inhaling as you lift the chest and exhaling as the chest comes down. Such movements encourage breath awareness (like in yoga), and develop control of the breath that is vital for stress
relief and emotional stability. By attending belly dance classes, women are
also given opportunities to learn belly dance in a supportive environment and socialise with other like-minded belly dance enthusiasts. This may further encourage them to attend other belly
dance workshops and events, and participate in performances together. Through a mutual appreciation of this art form, women often feel extremely empowered. Many strong and lasting friendships have been developed as a result.
One of the most unique aspects of belly dance is its enchanting sounds and rhythms that are associated with the dance. Arabic music encompasses complex sounds and hypnotic elements that can really draw you in as a listener and dancer. Listening and dancing to these melodies is inspiring and uplifting. It also encourages us to be creative.
Belly Dance is FUN
One of the best aspects of belly dance is that it is constantly evolving and that there are no ‘hardset’ rules. In that sense, we can make it our very own fun, liberating dance. There are also no requirements or preferences in terms
of age, body shape, or nationality. Women are celebrated and accepted as they are. Many women continue their involvement in belly dance through attending weekly belly dance lessons and workshops. There are also those
like myself who have chosen to share their experiences through teaching. Others may focus primarily on performing, selling belly dance
merchandise, or organising belly dance events. Whichever path is taken, what is evident is that women today can hugely benefit both physically
and holistically through belly dance. We
can enjoy, self-improve, maintain our health, be inspired, and express ourselves positively in many ways and for a lifetime, through this beautiful
art form.
Why Belly Dance?
For many women, belly dance is a life-altering experience. We belly dance for a multitude of personal reasons. For many among us, it is much more than a physical workout. It can signify strength, femininity, poise, and rhythm, as well as fitness, positivity, creativity, and self-awareness. It is truly an all encompassing discipline. Not only does it tone your body physically, it impacts your posture, flexibility, and coordination skills, as well as boosting mental and emotional well-being. Few understand the true benefits of belly dance – that is, until they experience these benefits for themselves.
Many years ago, whilst working as a researcher in Japan, I unexpectedly fell upon the world of belly dance. It was the strangely mystical combination of the music and rhythms, and the mesmerising belly dance moves that first drew me in. Over the years, I have made belly dance ‘my own’ and it has truly become an essential component of my life on many levels. Below are some useful thoughts – for belly dance newbies – and reminders - for the rest of us - on the profound benefits of belly dance.
Physical Benefits of Belly Dance
One of the most significant physical benefits of belly dance is the positive effect it has on your posture. The dance focuses on correct posture at all times and works on core muscles through isolation. The emphasis on maintaining this correct posture can bring out incredible poise and confidence in your stature. The low intensity nature of belly dance and its repetitive motions also mean that it is safe and gentle to your joints, working in line with your body, rather than ‘against’ it. With good posture and the pelvis tucked in, movements such as the hip drop and figure eights when done correctly, aid in preventing lower back pain. With practice and repetition, lower and upper body muscles are evenly toned in a safe manner.
As in any cardiovascular activity, belly dance is also beneficial for weight management depending on the intensity, duration, and frequency of the dancing. It is an alternative exercise option that can provide a great low impact workout for women of all ages. Other evident physical benefits include improved flexibility, strengthened muscles, toned arms through upper body repetitions such as the snake arms and shoulder movements, and stronger bones. Such physical improvements to your body can also result in a positive spill-over effect on other important areas of your life that appear lacking or that may need a boost.
Certain belly dance repetitions are also widely recognised to be helpful for pre and post natal women.Practicing smooth upper body movements, circular hip movements, figure eights, and various gentle travelling steps can maintain fitness, ease back pains, strengthen pelvic and abdominal muscles, and effectively de-stress pregnant women. These movements can also help in speeding up recovery after delivery, and promote feelings of wellbeing during such a vulnerable stage in a woman’s life.
Holistic Benefits of Belly Dance
Often not enough focus is placed on the mental and emotional - or holistic – aspects of belly dance. In public, belly dance is often showcased as a physical or sensual dance, and less emphasis is placed on its real emotional benefits.
Belly dance is a significant confidence-building dance. The act alone of attending a belly dance class often produces feelings of happiness and positivity. Over time and through consistent practice, movements start to look graceful, flowing, and effortless, and the dancer learns to develop poise, elegance, and self-esteem. Many dancers then begin to develop a desire to excel further in the dance. It has inspired countless women who are usually timid and introvert to perform with confidence and joy for family and friends, and in public.
Many of the movements in belly dance involve control and awareness of the breath. Even when doing repetitive lower body moves such as the shimmy,the dancer needs to maintain steady breathing. When doing a chest drop, you can break down the movement further by inhaling as you lift the chest and exhaling as the chest comes down. Such movements encourage breath awareness (like in yoga), and develop control of the breath that is vital for stress
relief and emotional stability. By attending belly dance classes, women are
also given opportunities to learn belly dance in a supportive environment and socialise with other like-minded belly dance enthusiasts. This may further encourage them to attend other belly
dance workshops and events, and participate in performances together. Through a mutual appreciation of this art form, women often feel extremely empowered. Many strong and lasting friendships have been developed as a result.
One of the most unique aspects of belly dance is its enchanting sounds and rhythms that are associated with the dance. Arabic music encompasses complex sounds and hypnotic elements that can really draw you in as a listener and dancer. Listening and dancing to these melodies is inspiring and uplifting. It also encourages us to be creative.
Belly Dance is FUN
One of the best aspects of belly dance is that it is constantly evolving and that there are no ‘hardset’ rules. In that sense, we can make it our very own fun, liberating dance. There are also no requirements or preferences in terms
of age, body shape, or nationality. Women are celebrated and accepted as they are. Many women continue their involvement in belly dance through attending weekly belly dance lessons and workshops. There are also those
like myself who have chosen to share their experiences through teaching. Others may focus primarily on performing, selling belly dance
merchandise, or organising belly dance events. Whichever path is taken, what is evident is that women today can hugely benefit both physically
and holistically through belly dance. We
can enjoy, self-improve, maintain our health, be inspired, and express ourselves positively in many ways and for a lifetime, through this beautiful
art form.













