Shimmer

If you have made it to adulthood safely, someone, somewhere, sometime, has probably told you that there is something ‘wrong’ with you dancing. You may be the wrong shape, the wrong nationality for the dance-form you want to do, the wrong age, the wrong look or simply ‘not made to dance’.

Forget it all.

Goddesses come in all shapes and sizes, and so do great belly dancers!

More then any other dance-form, belly dance is open to everyone. As belly dance gives the body a gentle all-over workout, it is ideally suited for use as a stretch-out class for women who participate in other, more intensive athletic activities. Unlike other forms of dance, belly dance utilizes most of the body's muscles without putting an undue strain on any particular set of joints or muscles. This facet also makes it an ideal choice for women looking to improve their general health and fitness from scratch- women who are perhaps not willing or not able to commit to a more rigorous or strenuous exercise regime. Remember- every bellydance movement was designed for stregthening and utilising the muscles of the female body, not adapted from masculine movements [as many gym excercises are] or deriving from an 'unnatural' useage of the body [as is found in many other danceforms].

The discipline offers a variety of benefits, both physical and mental. There is, of course, the benefits associated with any form of exercise- reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol. Belly dance can assist in weight-loss, and greatly aids in toning and tightening muscles, particularly those of the abdomen and back. It can help develop or improve concentration, balance, flexibility and fitness.

More importantly, belly dance boosts the confidence and self-image of the participant. It offers an opportunity seldom given in a stress-filled modern world for women to connect with one another and have fun at the same time, without the impingement of the negative stereotyping which the media surrounding us is prone to- too fat/thin/old/young/tall/short.

Participants embarking on a personal weight-loss plan have often found that their participation in classes helps them find the motivation and confidence required to stick to their goal. It can have more serious benefits as well- many dancers have come to belly dance as a means of overcoming emotional or physical trauma. Breast cancer victims, in particular, have found that belly dance has helped them rediscover their femininity and self-confidence, and it is unsurprising that one of the largest internet-based chat groups for belly dancers was established especially for cancer suffers and survivors.

The only real limitation to anyone dancing is going to be serious old injuries, and even these don’t mean you can’t dance at all- there may just be a movement or sequence of movements you have to take it easy on. Any healthcare practioner worth their salt will be able to advise you on how to get the most from your classes, and your teacher should be able to help out too. Pregnant ladies are also advised to chat with their physicians- dancers who have been dancing a while when they fall pregnant often benefit from the excercises, but sometimes the abdominal movements can be a little too much for complete newbies.

So come along and give it a bash- you won’t be sorry!