Belly dance
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Loading... - Nadja Panger
- 17 Dec 2020
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Belly dance is a type of Middle Eastern dance. Many experts say belly dancing is the oldest form of dance, having roots in all ancient cultures from the orient to India to the mid-East.
Probably the greatest misconception about belly dancing is that it is intended to entertain men. Throughout history, this ritualized expression has usually been performed for other women, generally during fertility rites or parties preparing a young woman for marriage, where mostly the presence of men is not permitted. In Egypt today, it is still the custom for the bride and groom to hire a belly dancer for their wedding, and to take a picture with their hands on the belly dancer's stomach. This is an obvious reference to the dance's relation to ancient fertility cults.
Belly dancing is natural to a woman's bone and muscle structure with movements emanating from the torso rather than in the legs and feet. The dance often focuses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in sensuous patterns, weaving together the entire feminine form. Belly dancing is generally performed barefoot, thought by many to emphasize the intimate physical connection between the dancer, her expression, and Mother Earth.
Belly dancing costumes are often colorful, flowing garments, accented with flowing scarves and veils. Finger cymbals (made of brass and known as zills) are common, dating back to 200 B. C. as well as exotic jewelry, including intricate belts made of coins that, in earlier days, comprised the family's wealth so that it might be portable in the event the woman needed to move quickly or flee. Other interesting accessories used during the dance are swords, snakes, large vessels, and even huge candelabras, complete with flaming candles.
In America, belly dancing enjoyed its first significant renown when the famous dancer Little Egypt performed at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. Americans found themselves fascinated by the exotic body rhythms and music, eventually including them in many silent films made just a few years later. Costumes and dancing styles were given a distinctive Hollywood flare and, in turn influenced dancers in the Middle East, thus evolving the art form to a new level. For example, belly dancing with flowing veils hadn't been documented before the 1900s but is now quite popular throughout the world.
Since the turn of the century, belly dancing has grown enormously in popularity worldwide. Belly dance festivals, workshops, and seminars take place constantly, attracting large audiences of interested, involved men and women. Many dancers now study the art form intensively, traveling to the mid-East and elsewhere to experience it where it originated.
Belly dance is a wonderful, low-impact workout you can do throughout your life. It’s blessedly easy on joints and offers a great way to work and stretch muscles in the torso, hips, thighs, glutes and, oh yes, the belly, too. Get ready to develop muscles you didn’t even know you have.
Gentle undulations provide a healthy squeeze and release of internal organs. This stimulates the glands to produce a fresh batch of hormones which get secreted into the blood stream, promoting hormone rebalancing.
Three minutes or more of shimmies (abnormal vibration or wobbling, rapid shaking of the body) per day also stimulates the body’s lymphatic system to release waste products. But the lymph system must have an outside stimulus to accomplish this. The rhythmic vibration of shimmies does the trick.
You can get fit belly dancing with its cardio and muscle-conditioning benefits. And it will improve your posture.
Belly dance makes you feel good and keeps you ageless. Many of the world’s best known belly dancers are still performing in their sixties. It keeps the juices flowing and it makes your smile real. ;)
