What is bellydance?
Bellydance is a beautiful art form born in The Middle East. It is part of the way the Middle Eastern cultures express themselves and it nowadays involves a wide range of styles such as classical, folkloric, tribal, fusion, Turkish, Lebanese, Egyptian, etc.
Needless to say, women all over the world dance to Arab music, feel it and they also feel identified with the beauty of this dance. Women from countless countries enjoy bellydance in different ways: as an art form, as a way to do physical exercise, as a therapy, as an activity to help break with the routine and release stress. The diffusion of its practise also helps people appreciating other cultures and being more interested in them.
Benefits of its practise...
In the latest years some bellydancers have carried out researches about how this activity helps their students. The senior bellydancer Devorah Korek, -with more than 25 years of experience in the field- dedicates in her book a chapter to the benefits of bellydance. She mentions a series of benefits witnessed by her students: flexibility, stamina, lung capacity, decrease of menstrual cramp, toxins elimination, joints release, etc. (Korek, D. (2005): 58) . Obviously these benefits depend on every person; they are potential but not always guaranteed!
It is also important to refer to the benefits of bellydance at other levels , since bellydance is also well known for making women feel beautiful and more comfortable with their bodies, no matter what your body type is. And this dance can definitely be a beautiful experience to share with other women like yourself and seen as a bond to each other.
1Korek, D. (2005) Danza del vientre Barcelona: Ed. Océano
Who can attend bellydance Classes?
Bellydance is a great way to keep fit, having fun at the same time. The degree of physical challenge varies according to the level: the higher the level, the most physically demanding it is. It also depends on your personal choices on what to do or whether to practise extra hours at home or not.
This means that anyone can enjoy a bellydance lesson because anyone can find something special about this dance!!
Women of all ages and shapes are welcome and encouraged to try bellydancing!