The ancient art of bellydancing with flowing, sensual movements began in community gatherings and ceremonies where women danced and celebrated with and for each other. Bellydance is an art form that benefits the body, mind, spirit, and community.
Bellydance is a low impact form of exercise which, when done correctly, can help strengthen and relieve joint pain and increase flexibility and core strength. Because bellydance works with the body’s natural swaying movements and muscular counter balances, movements that come naturally to a woman’s body, it is a dance which any age, shape, and size woman can enjoy! Bellydance “can help relieve stress to the back, counteracting the almost constant compression of the disks that occurs from sitting and a sedentary lifestyle. 1” This dance strengthens the abdominal walls and pelvic floor muscles and can be beneficial in pregnancy and post delivery.
Bellydance also strengthens and calms the mind. Focusing on isolations and muscular movements connects pathways between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, developing these connections in the same way that doing crossword puzzles or playing piano can combats memory loss and Alzheimer’s. As with many forms of exercise, bellydance releases endorphins that relax the mind and combat stress signals. Most importantly, it’s FUN!
Bellydancing gives women a chance to take a break from their hectic day, for many women taking time for oneself takes a conscious effort to balance being mothers, sisters, wives, daughters as well as working. It is a celebration of women in all stages of life and in all shapes and from all walks of life.
For more information on bellydance come drop in on a class and for further reading see the books:
“Grandmother’s Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing,” by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi
“Serpent of the Nile: Women and Dance in the Arab World,” by Wendy Buonaventura
1. http://bellydanceatlanta.com/ProspectiveStudents/ClassHealth.html
Erika Ryn spends her time relaxing and nurturing guests as an esthetician at the spa, as well as being a mama to a spunky 11 year old daughter. She also decorates the beautiful Belly Vita casts of pregnant women (see her work at the spa!).
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