| Contrary to popular belief, belly dancing doesn't involve | | | | avoided due to strong pelvic floor muscles. The gentle |
| only the belly in its movement. The entire body moves | | | | repetitive movements of belly dancing helps lessen the |
| in the dance and it has evolved from traditional forms | | | | pains of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and cramps |
| to heart pumping work-outs. Its a form of exercise that | | | | during the periods of women of childbearing age by |
| any adult, regardless of age, gender, weight, agility and | | | | stimulating blood flow to the lower regions of the body. |
| knowledge of dance steps, can participate in. This is | | | | Hip rolling, figure eights and undulations also help |
| something that serves as an excellent alternative for | | | | improve circulation in and alleviate congestion in the |
| people who don't normally like going to the gym. One | | | | pelvic area. |
| thing is sure though, belly dancing can be highly | | | | The relaxation that belly dancing gives to its |
| addictive. Belly dancing is low impact (the risk of injury | | | | practitioners help them deal with stress, which a major |
| is minimal when the dance movements are done | | | | contributing factor to pre-menstrual syndrome. It is also |
| correctly). The most distinguishing feature of belly | | | | considered to be a weight bearing exercise since a |
| dancing is the isolated motions of the abdomen. These | | | | dancer is on her feet, constantly moving all throughout. |
| circular, rolling, angular and vibrating movements are all | | | | Weight bearing exercises can help prevent |
| based on natural body movements and it is exactly | | | | osteoporosis (calcium deficiency) and increase bone |
| that makes belly dancing such a safe form of | | | | density. It can also burn up to 300 calories/hr. |
| exercise for people of any age. | | | | depending on the intensity of your dancing. The biggest |
| The flowing movements of hip drops, rolls, pivots that | | | | problem for people trying to lose weight and maintain a |
| are done during belly dancing use the muscle groups in | | | | lifestyle is boredom. Belly dancing is fun, improvisational, |
| the abdomen, pelvis, spine and neck. During belly | | | | personal and easy; its a good idea for those who are |
| dancing, the joints and ligaments in your lower back | | | | on their first attempts to lose weight, and for those |
| and hips are put through a full range of gentle | | | | who tend to backslide on their exercise programs. |
| repetitive motions. Don't you know that belly dancing | | | | Closely related to stress release is the deep breathing |
| can prevent pregnancy pains? The movements of the | | | | results in better oxygenation of the blood, which helps |
| dance mimic the childbirth process and teaching | | | | us eat and sleep better, and slows down the aging |
| mothers how to move their pelvises. Pregnant mothers | | | | process. |
| also find that belly dancing helps relieve them of back | | | | Physical therapists and doctors who have known this |
| pain and keep their body supple. While shimmies should | | | | dance recommend belly dancing because of its |
| be avoided during pregnancy, the figure eights and | | | | suppleness and fluidity of movement that can help |
| rolling circular movements are good preparation for | | | | relax and lubricate joints and can be helpful in cases of |
| childbirth; they assist the normal pelvic relaxing process | | | | arthritis, particularly in the wrists and shoulders. There |
| to prepare for birth and at the same time, helps firm | | | | are some emotional benefits that can be derived from |
| the pelvic muscles for labor and post pregnancy | | | | belly dancing. It has been noted that it can free your |
| recovery. | | | | mind from stress and tension. The subtle rhythm, |
| A woman's body also gets into shape faster after a | | | | repetitiveness of the dance allows you to let go of |
| natural birth if the woman has been belly dancing both | | | | other concerns, inducing a state of mental relaxation |
| before and after giving birth, because the emphasis on | | | | that gives you breathing room in your mind. It has been |
| muscle control helps encourage abdominal tone. Post | | | | also noted that it can boosts self esteem and gives |
| birth incontinence(inability to control of urine) is also | | | | you a feeling of empowerment. |