Don’t Shy Away From A Shimmy – Belly Dance IS For You!
Today on the website, The New Indian Express, Aparna Chandra of Bangalore published a great article about the benefits of Belly Dance — and why YOU shouldn’t Shy Away From A Shimmy We couldn’t wait to share this excerpt with you!!!
“Bellydancing 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,
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many women feel they regain their ‘feminine self’ and become more comfortable with their bodies through bellydancing.
Physical fitness can greatly improve with regular sessions of bellydancing. It helps firm and tone the muscles in a gentle way, especially the abdominal area, arms, upper back, hips and thighs. A more vigorous bellydance ‘workout’ lasting for at least thirty minutes, practised 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.
How it helps keep fit
The suppleness and fluidity of movement necessary for bellydancing can help relax and lubricate joints and can be helpful in cases of arthritis, particularly in the wrists and shoulders. The dance, practised 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.
The relaxing benefits of bellydancing include calming the mind and assisting focus that is 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 both slow and fast bellydancing can be useful in cases of anxiety or mild depression.
How it builds Personality
Bellydancing is a creative, transformative energy.
As a teacher, I have seen incredible transformations in my students in terms of self confidence and personal empowerment. Some treasured quotes I have gathered from students concerning their improved self confidence and poise through bellydancing are: “I walk with more dignity,”, “After years of slouching, I have finally lifted my shoulders and walk proudly,”, “I feel like I walk like a queen now,”, “My chest and heart have opened up, I can love more.”
The strengthening effects of the earthy shimmies and grounded walking styles used in bellydance have an empowering effect too. They bring out a primal assertion in the body expression – clear and independent. Some dancers have said: “My feet are more earthed, I feel stronger,” or that “the strength that bellydancing has given me has flowed into my personal life, “ and even “as I dance better, I communicate more clearly in relationships!” Co-ordination, symmetry and spatial awareness are elements of bellydancing that help improve confidence.”
I agree that belly dancing is definitely creative. It takes a creative mind to even consider doing belly dancing because it is outside the normal hobbies that most people consider. If you consider yourself to be a right brained person that prefers monotonous tasks it could be a good idea to pursue belly dancing to step outside of your comfort zone and pursue belly dancing as a method of exercise!