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Ancient Therapy - Discovering the Joy of Dance During Troubled Times

Since ancient times, dancing has served we have vary from the mundane to the
as an informal method of helping people deeply meaningful conversations. A
cope with life's challenges and crises. conversation or a dance can unexpectedly
In modern times, there is a branch of turn into something profound.
psychology called Dance and Movement After modern dance pioneer Martha
Therapy. Viewing a performance can also Graham's interpretive dance Lamentation,
be a healing experience. Dancing is a a woman from the audience told Martha,
complex art capable of expressing "You will never know what you have done
feelings that are beyond the limits of for me tonight. Thank you." The woman had
language. been unable to vent her grief from a
There is a profound link between body recent family tragedy. Seeing Lamentation
movements, facial expressions, and was therapeutic for her; when the woman
emotions. In the mid-1800's, elocution saw Martha on stage, she saw her own
expert Francois Delsarte said that feelings being expressed, and this gave
"motion creates emotion" and 50 years her relief from the emotions that she had
later the psychologist William James said been holding inside and unable to express
that if you make movements expressive of on her own. Some belly dancers (also
joy, then you will feel joyous (the called Oriental dancers) have reported
opposite is true as well). Dancers similar conversations with audience
express a range of emotions during members after their performances. Both
performances, and audiences watching the modern dance and Oriental dance are
dances feel the emotions too. Dances with capable of expressing deeply personal
a happy or comic theme generally make the emotions.
audience smile and feel uplifted too. Martha Graham said, "What I learned that
Most of the time, watching a performance night is that there is always one person
is simply entertainment, but occasionally in the audience to whom you speak. One."
it goes beyond entertainment by The Ancient and Modern Art of Belly
expressing a deep emotion that we cannot Dancing
put into words. Without being aware of Belly dancing is rooted in ancient
it, dancers sometimes help viewers in the history, but is continually evolving. It
audience express emotions that they incorporates traditional folkloric dance
cannot give vent to by themselves. movements along with some aspects of
The Zar Ritual dances which evolved later, such as
The Zar ritual from Africa is an example ballet. However, belly dancing retains
of an ancient dance therapy tradition its classical emphasis on expressing joy
enduring into modern times. The Zar is a and happiness; belly dancing is a
traditional way of releasing a djinni traditional part of Near Eastern wedding
(genie), or spirits who are believed to celebrations and parties. All age groups,
cause distress, negativity and from children to senior citizens, enjoy
depression, especially to women. The Zar belly dancing.
traditionally consists of a group of In addition to its entertainment value,
women friends and relatives of the belly dancing is also known for its
"patient," along with musicians and a ability to express deeply serious
female leader of the ritual. The ritual emotions. Women of middle age or older
consists of specific percussive rhythms are appreciated as mature artists of the
and dance movements. The patient is dance form; although youthful dancers are
guided through the hadra ritual by the lovely, emotional maturity contributes
leader, with the support of her friends, the dancer's power on the stage, and
until exhausted. The community of requires time to develop.
participating women also alleviate their Internationally-renowned Oriental dancer
own stress through the dancing. Nadia Gamal once said, "Do you know why
Scientists believe that the swinging I dance the way I do? Because I have
movements of the body used in the Zar suffered. I have gone through divorce,
create chemical reactions in the body death, a lot of heartache...that's the
which alleviate depression. In any case, art. You can show anyone a step, but not
the movements of the Zar influence a soul."
emotions and feelings; dancers report Professional belly dancers can be
feeling extremely relaxed afterwards. powerful performers into their 70's,
Dance choreographer Ibrahim Farrah called whereas ballerinas and other dancers
the Zar "the exorcism of a bad day." retire from performing decades earlier.
Besides its traditional context, the Zar Although technical expertise is stressed
has also been staged as a performance in belly dance classes, emotional
piece. expression continues to be a crucial
Training from a qualified instructor is aspect of this dance.
required to learn this dance, in order to Belly dancing unites the science of body
reduce the risk of injury. Caution is movement with the soulful beauty of art,
also required; even professional dancers helping an individual express their
have sustained injuries from performing unique feelings and emotions. Dance
the Zar. classes are a wonderful way to exercise,
Modern Dance alleviate stress, and make new friends.
Dance is like language; the conversations




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