I'm thinking about starting belly dancing.?

Question

Does anyone have any thoughts, tips, or ideas for or against why I should try out belly dancing? It seems as though it's a great way to stay in shape and just and overall fun idea to try.

Answer 1

My sister-in-law does belly dancing - we all laughed when she started, but she has some pretty cool moves now, and looks a lot better.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The following is from Wikipedia:

Health and belly dancing:

The benefits of belly dance are both mental and physical. Dancing provides a good cardio-vascular workout and helps increase both flexibility and strength, focusing on the torso or "core muscles", although it also builds leg strength. Many belly dance styles emphasize muscular "isolations", teaching the ability to move various muscles or muscle groups independently. Veil work can also build arm, shoulder, and general upper-body strength, and playing the zils can build strength and independence of the fingers. Belly dance is suitable for all ages and body types, and can be as physical as the participant chooses. As with starting any new exercise routine, people would be wise to consult their doctor before starting a belly dance regimen and to talk with the belly dance instructor to find out the level of difficulty in the classes. The practice offers mental health benefits including an improved sense of well-being, better body image and self-esteem, and the generally positive outlook that comes with regular, enjoyable exercise.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the practice of belly dancing may benefit women preparing for childbirth, as the movements strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles and the woman becomes more familiar with the way her muscles work. The hip-circling movements used in the dance may relieve some of the common discomforts of labor.

Belly dancing and weight loss:

Besides being an art form, belly dancing has been adapted as a health program. Since it gives a complete cardiovascular workout and strengthens the abdominal muscles, it is gaining popularity among men and women who want to lose weight. An intense sixty-minute session may burn around 330 calories. Since one focus of belly dancing is to gain strength and flexibility in the abdomen, the dance form is said to be one of the quickest ways to achieve firmness and reduce the paunch.

Look in Wikipedia for more information.

Answer 4

Many people are surprised to learn that Middle-Eastern Dance, commonly known as "belly-dance," involves much more than the belly! In fact, belly-dance can benefit many parts of the body. Here are some of the health benefits of Middle-Eastern Dance:

Exercising the carrying muscles without impact:
A belly-dancer uses her quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes to hold her steady as she performs hip movements or travels smoothly across the floor. However, even though she gets a great lower-body workout, the amount of impact to her knees and ankles is minimal. Impact is measured not only by how hard our feet strike the ground, but by how much stress is placed on our joints. Using this measure, most of Middle-Eastern dance is considered non-impact; some tribal and folk dances are low-impact.

Building the back muscles evenly:
Belly-dancers use their torsos a lot-much more than ballet, modern or tap dancers. Only jazz dancers come close to our use of rib movements and undulations. These movements, coupled with shoulder movements, exercise the back muscles, and they exercise the muscles evenly. Strong back muscles prevent back injuries, and they promote good posture as well.

Exercising the arms:
New belly-dance students are always surprised by much they have to use their arm muscles. Belly-dancers have to hold their arms up for long periods of time, and it actually takes quite a lot of strength to perform arm movements slowly and gracefully.

Aiding digestion:
It's true! Exercising the abdominal area, not just by rolling the belly, but also by swaying the torso, helps food move along the digestive system. Any form of exercise will have this effect to some degree, but belly-dance is especially good for this purpose.

Weight loss
BD can burn up to 300 calories per hour. This estimate will vary, of course, depending on the intensity of your dancing. Combined with a healthy diet that involves sensible eating, raks sharki can without a doubt be part of a sound weight loss program.

Preparation for childbirth
The movements make an excellent prenatal exercise regimen that strengthens the muscles used during the childbirth process. The toned abdominal muscles and natural hip tucks, which are similar to the "pelvic rocking" taught during prenatal classes, teach the expectant mother how to move her pelvis. For women who desire natural childbirth, this form of exercise through dance, with its emphasis on muscle control not only facilitates natural childbirth, but also makes an excellent post-natal exercise that helps encourage abdominal tone.

Stress reduction
In this day and age of almost continuous stress, the subtle rhythms of belly dance and the traditional movements are calming. The repetitive movements of the dance and the concentration needed to do them can help a mind filled with daily stress to "let go" for a while and relax. It's hard to worry about deadlines at work when you are thinking about getting that next drop just right, or while making sure that you are in time with the music.


Thats a whole load of benefits from a "dance" isnt it ?

Answer 5

Very interesting post. I myself am interested and have found several sites where more information is available:

http://www.squidoo.com/BellyDanceLessonsOnline/
http://www.squidoo.com/bellydanceapparell/
http://www.squidoo.com/tribalbellydancing/
http://www.squidoo.com/bellydancingclothes/

Live, Love, Belly Dance!
-- Rem

Answer 6

I took a class for 10 weeks. After the third week I saw a dramatic diff. in my abs! We only met twice a week, but the class & extra practice made such a diff. I highly recomend it. I'd still do it if the lady didnt move her studio!

Answer 7

I practice since 2003, is a perfect combination of gym, music, seduction and fun!!!!! Don't waste the chance

Answer 8

Here are some tips for beginning belly dancers:
http://www.helium.com/tm/138240

Good luck!

Answer 9

Enough people agree that you should be above to find classes in most cities.

Answer 10

i say if its something you want to do then go for it who`s to tell you that you can or can`t do it . it`s all up to you.