| Bellydancing is swaying its way into being one of the | | | | leotards! |
| most popular forms of entertainment and exercise. | | | | 5. You'll love the music. Just as there many different |
| Considered to be one of the oldest dances in the | | | | types of bellydancing, there's also a wide range of |
| world-practiced by ancient cultures from the Orient to | | | | music you can choose to dance to. There are the |
| the Middle East-the modern world has embraced it for | | | | traditional songs, which include Indian and Egyptian |
| numerous reasons. | | | | influences, or modern Oriental music that have all the |
| 1. It's a fun way of losing weight. Many women have | | | | elements of pop but retain the ancient rhythms, or |
| problems losing weight in the abdominal area. | | | | completely contemporary songs that include rave, |
| Bellydancing has a way of tightening that tummy (and | | | | techno, and called "World Music." Find what makes you |
| the flab in the arms, thighs, and oh, just about | | | | groove! |
| everything). And what makes this so effective as a | | | | 6. It's relaxing. If yoga isn't your thing, bellydancing's |
| weight control program is that women rarely skip a | | | | rhythmic movements can help clear your head and get |
| session. The classes are so enjoyable you don't | | | | the adrenalin moving. A great stress reliever! |
| realize you're burning calories. | | | | 7. You feel sexier. Bellydancing is not, as Hollywood |
| 2. You can easily adopt the program to your needs or | | | | portrays it, primarily a dance of seduction. It had |
| skill levels. Start with the simplest of moves and then | | | | religious roots and was meant to liberate the power of |
| develop your own choreography when you're ready | | | | the inner woman, not turn her into a man's plaything. |
| for something more complicated. This easy adaptability | | | | That being said, you do feel very sexy while doing it, |
| makes it appropriate for women of all ages. Plus, you | | | | which does wonders whether or not you have an |
| never get bored-there's always something new to try! | | | | audience. You feel good about your body and you feel |
| 3. You can get in touch with your feminine side. | | | | good about yourself. |
| Bellydancing used to be part of a goddess ritual, and its | | | | 8. You can do it in your own time. Aside from the large |
| moves had a spiritual significance. The reason it | | | | number of bellydancing classes where you can find |
| focuses on the belly isn't to titillate male viewers-it was | | | | one that fits into your schedule, you can practice at |
| to celebrate the womb, and the power of women as | | | | home just by playing the bellydancing videos. |
| the source of life. Very empowering! | | | | 9. You can get in touch with your ethnic roots. If your |
| 4. Those costumes will make you look hot! If you're the | | | | family has roots in the Orient and Middle East, |
| type of girl who loves experimenting with fashion, then | | | | bellydancing can be a great way of connecting to your |
| you'll enjoy the sheer variety of costumes that you'll be | | | | culture. |
| able to wear. Depending on which type of bellydancing | | | | 10. You just may earn money from it! Get good |
| you want to get into (yes, there are different schools!) | | | | enough at bellydancing, and you can perform. |
| you can wear something ethnic, something exotic, and | | | | Bellydancing is a popular form of entertainment, and |
| all the modern "fusion" clothes that mix together | | | | you can do gigs on weekends. Not a bad way to earn |
| elements from the East and West. Hey, beats | | | | extra money! |