| Most gyms across North America offer aerobics | | | | shoulders. As you alternate them back and forth at a |
| classes called belly dancing or baladi, and if you haven't | | | | rapid pace, your breasts will shake as a result. Wear a |
| heard of or tried them yet, you will fall completely in | | | | good bra, the last thing you want is for your breasts to |
| love once you do. | | | | be swinging around painfully. |
| Belly dancing focuses mainly on the mid-section of a | | | | Belly dancing moves #3 |
| woman's body, but includes elements of arm and | | | | Hip articulations |
| upper body movements that will make you feel like | | | | You will learn how to isolate your hips and move them |
| you had a good run once you're finished. | | | | one at a time. You will be shown how to move them |
| You will sweat, you will laugh, but above all, you will | | | | up and down, and from side to side. This is incredibly |
| have a good time enjoying a belly dancing classes filled | | | | difficult to learn, but you probably won't be discouraged |
| with women from all walks of life and different shapes | | | | because most of the class will have the same issue. |
| and sizes. | | | | Belly dancing moves #4 |
| Origin of belly dancing | | | | Traveling steps |
| Belly dancing, called Raqs Sharqi in Arabic and | | | | Once you learn how to isolate certain body parts, the |
| Oryantal Dansi in Persian, is believed to have originated | | | | next step is learning how to continue these body |
| in the Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa, and dates | | | | specific moves while walking backwards and |
| back as far as the 4th century B.C. | | | | forwards. It's quite trying to learn but you will laugh and |
| What you need for belly dancing | | | | have a good time in the process. |
| Although typical belly dancing requires a full frock | | | | Belly dancing moves #5 |
| including scarves to tie around your hips, a veil and an | | | | Rib cage movement |
| outfit, you do not need to have any of these things for | | | | There are 3 rib moves, or undulations, that you will |
| an effective workout. | | | | learn: the rib cage slide, in which your rib cage |
| Some classes offer a box of scarves with sequins, | | | | protrudes from the top and is brought in by making a |
| but most don't. You can invest in it yourself or opt to | | | | wave with your back; the rib cage circle, in which you |
| learn the moves without seeing the full effect of what | | | | stick out your ribs out as far as they can go toward |
| you look like doing it. | | | | each of the four corners of the room, eventually |
| A typical belly dancing class | | | | working it into a circular motion; and the rib cage figure |
| Belly dancing classes start out with a warm up to heat | | | | eight, in which you attempt to draw the number "8" |
| up the muscles. The warm up consists of performing | | | | with your ribcage. |
| each move for the class individually. | | | | Belly dancing moves #6 |
| Don't worry about not being flexible or having the ability | | | | Abdominal moves |
| to isolate certain muscles in your body. Slowly but | | | | Ah the belly, the heart of the dance. Learning how to |
| surely, you will learn and adapt the moves to your | | | | control your stomach muscles and make your |
| body, and perhaps even tighten your core while doing | | | | stomach protrude in a wave is quite difficult, but the |
| it. | | | | beauty of this move is that it's preferable to have a bit |
| Common belly dancing moves | | | | of a tummy than not. And we like that. |
| Belly dancing is not easy by any means, but it is a lot | | | | Belly dancing moves #7 |
| of fun and will help you get to know your body much | | | | Neck slide |
| better, as well teach you how to isolate and control | | | | Easy for some, more difficult for others, the neck slide |
| certain muscles and joints. | | | | will have you moving your neck from one shoulder to |
| Some common belly dancing moves include: | | | | the other all the while hold your hands above your |
| Belly dancing moves #1 | | | | head, palms facing out. Think "Walk Like An Egyptian." |
| Hand & arm movements | | | | Learn belly dancing |
| You will feel the burn in your shoulders and increase | | | | Belly dancing is a fun and unique way to learn how to |
| flexibility in your wrists as you sway your arms up and | | | | take better control of your body, increase flexibility and |
| down by your side and in front of you. | | | | have a great time doing it all. |
| Belly dancing moves #2 | | | | As the weeks go by and you continue to get better |
| Shimmy | | | | and better at it, before you know it, you'll be showing a |
| Just about every woman enjoys this maneuver, which | | | | certain someone all the fantastic moves you've |
| consists of keeping your entire body still except your | | | | learned - dressed to the nines. |