| Belly dancing has roots as old as the first human | | | | movements, but these are not the only parts of the |
| civilizations. It is very good for the mind and the body; it | | | | body that move. Belly dance also involves traveling |
| helps you to achieve a good level of fitness and at the | | | | steps and arms, hands and neck movements. The key |
| same time it relieves stress and tension. So if you are | | | | about belly dancing though, is muscle control and |
| looking to start a new hobby, belly dancing may just be | | | | isolation. For example, you may move you upper body |
| the perfect thing for you. | | | | but keep the hips still or vice versa. This may seem |
| Belly dance has many names. The term was invented | | | | difficult to begin with, as we do not usually move in this |
| by the French in the 19th century, who called this type | | | | fashion, but with a bit of practice it becomes second |
| of dance 'Danse du ventre' (belly dance). In some | | | | nature. |
| Arabic countries it is known as Raqs Baladi. The word | | | | A lot of people may think that belly dancing is for |
| Baladi in Arabic means 'of my country' and the word | | | | women only. However, this is not the case as there |
| Raqs means dance. Hence, Raqs Baladi is usually the | | | | are a lot of male belly dancers and some of them are |
| folkloric version of belly dance, danced by local people | | | | very good. While both men and women can belly |
| socially and informally. Another expression used to | | | | dance, they will interpret the movements differently. |
| refer to belly dance in Arabic countries is Raqs Sharqi, | | | | For example, men are stronger and can perform very |
| which means Oriental dance. This is usually known also | | | | well energetic movements, while women are generally |
| as cabaret style and danced by professional dancers. | | | | more flexible, especially around the hips, and can |
| Belly dancing involves a lot of hips and belly | | | | create more fluid and sensual moves. |