Middle-Eastern Dance, commonly known as Bellydance, and properly known as Oriental Dance,is one of the oldest dances in the world. The dance dates back for several thousand years in the Middle East, parts of the Mediterranean and North Africa. It continues to mesmerize and inspire people, whether they are dancers, audiences, or people who just want enjoyably engaging exercise.
Middle-Eastern Dance has a multitude of health benefits to offer. Women and men of all body-types can, and do, learn the dance. It is deeply meditative, relieving mental and emotional stress. The dance teaches body and space awareness, very precise muscle coordination and grace. Because it has no basis in western body image stereotypes, it can help to improve physical self-esteem issues.
For information about how movements in Middle-Eastern Dance stretch the muscles and follow the structure of the muscle fibers, making them strong and flexible, as well as how it does not harm joints, please see the link to "Morocco". The dance strengthens upper and lower abdominal, oblique and back muscles, and tones the arm, leg and buttock muscles. It may benefit those with back problems, helping with posture and flexibility, stretching muscles in the lower back, relieving physical stress from sitting at a desk, or strenuous activities such as gardening.
Women who are pregnant and women recovering from pregnancy can benefit considerably from Middle-Eastern Dance. Formal study of the dance can facilitate a faster recovery from pregnancy because of the specific strengthening of birthing muscles in the abdomen and supporting lower back muscles. Lamaze natural-birthing classes are based in a movement vocabulary encompassing some of the isolations and undulations central to Middle-Eastern Dance (again, please see link to "Morocco" for further information). |
