| As a belly dancer and an enthusiast of Pilates, I have | | | | example undulations, belly rolls, hip circles, chest lifts and |
| always found that practising Pilates is extremely useful | | | | more. |
| to develop the muscles involved in a lot of belly dance | | | | Another aspect of belly dance that practising Pilates |
| movements. After all, Pilates is used a lot by ballet | | | | can help with, is posture. I always stress during my that |
| dancers as part of their training, so it can surely be | | | | good posture is paramount in belly dance, in order not |
| good for other styles of dance as well. | | | | only for the movements to look good, but also to |
| The core muscles (abdominals and pelvic floor | | | | make the moves possible and to protect the back. |
| muscles) are the main focus in many belly dance | | | | Last but not least, Pilates helps improving balance by |
| movements, so it is extremely important that these | | | | strengthening the core muscles. The stronger your |
| muscles are very strong if a belly dancer wants to | | | | core muscles are, the easier it will be to hold your |
| perform those movements correctly, without injuring | | | | balance, which is fundamental in dance, including |
| her back. A lot of Pilates movements involve | | | | bellydance, for spins and travelling steps. |
| strengthening the core muscles. | | | | A good instructional DVD, which provides a fusion of |
| A popular type of Pilates exercise, which I always use | | | | movement between Pilates and belly dance, is 'Belly |
| as part of my belly dance training, are planks. Planks | | | | dance for Beginners Fitness Fusion PILATES' by |
| are amazing in that they strengthen the abdominals like | | | | Suhaila Salimpour. Also, there are various books and |
| no other exercise and also there are many different | | | | instructional DVDs available for those who wish to |
| variations for planks, which allow you to progress | | | | practice Pilates, but of course finding a good local |
| gradually. Having strong core muscles is also | | | | instructor is the best option, at least if you are new to |
| extremely important to perform the famous belly | | | | Pilates. |
| dance backbends. | | | | To summarise, if I was asked what a good type of |
| Also, a lot of Pilates exercises involve isolating individual | | | | exercise would be to help belly dancers achieve |
| muscles and becoming aware of their activity. Again, | | | | excellence, I would say that Pilates is one of the best |
| this is very helpful in bellydance training, as in belly | | | | options to choose in order to complement a belly |
| dance isolating single body parts is very important. | | | | dancer's regular training. |
| Bellydance movements that involve isolations are for | | | | |