Belly Dancing Your Way to Fitness

     Looking for a new way to get it shape? Belly dancing has become a popular way to tone your muscles, burn calories, strengthen your core, and even get a great cardio workout in!

Belly dancing originated as a traditional Middle Eastern or Arabic Dance. It has many different styles, depending on what country or region you are in, both in style and element.

There is great debate as to where belly dancing started-some say it was a cultural or courtroom dance, others say that it was a worshipful dance that began in North Africa. Still others say that birthing rituals are actually what began this sensual and romanticized dance.

None of these theories have solid evidence to prove either way, but all are recognized as a possibility. The dance was later popularized during the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th centuries, with images of harem life in the Ottoman Empire.

Various world fairs featured belly dancing, and the crowds it drew rivaled the inventions of that day! It continued to grow in popularity, and in global expanse.

Now, it has become a part of pop culture, as more and more celebrities are claiming it has helped to tone their abs, and carve their bodies. Studios have opened around the country, and you can even find instructional dance DVDs at your local media stores, or library.

There are basic steps which each routine combines, and creates variations and modifications upon. The first of these steps is the shimmy.

A shimmy is essentially a vibration of the hips. This vibration is created by moving the knees past each other at a high speed, or by contraction of the gluteus muscles.

Dancers can also put one leg to the side, and the shimmy is created through the weight-bearing leg. Shimmy is also created by the shoulders and chest.

The arms are an essential part of the dance-they carry great expression, all the way from the shoulders to the fingers of the hands. Arm movement is used to highlight the femininity and beauty of the dancers.

Using the arms can be a great way to tone them, as workout DVDs will focus on repetitive weight-bearing arm movements. It will also tone your shoulders and chest.

Hip punches are another basic move which is used as a foundation for other movements. They alternated the weight on each leg, and create the impression of the swinging pelvis.

Using your hips will help to tone your thighs and abdominal muscles. If you tighten your abs with each motion that you do, not only will it help to support your spine, but it will strengthen that inner core.

Undulation is a rotating movement of the chest which takes it forward, upward, back, and down to create the impression of riding a camel. This is seen as a very sensual movement.

While this dance carried a stigma of being burlesque, overly sexualized, immodest, and inappropriate, it has evolved over time to become a female empowering workout. It is even referred to as the "Goddess" workout, as it unlocks the divinity in each woman.

It is a suitable workout for all ages, because it is non-impact and easy on the joints and muscles. It is said to be a good exercise for the prevention of osteoporosis in older people.

The undulation of the stomach creates a massaging of the organs which promotes better digestion and function. The movement of the back and neck create a relaxation of the muscles which will relieve tension, and stress.

The movement of the head and neck is said to massage the thyroid, and stimulate your metabolism. While traditionally seen as a movement of only the hips and stomach, the entire body is essentially used to create each movement.

The isolations in each muscle group create a strength training that improves flexibility. Isolations are generally seen to be the most effective way to build and tone muscle.

Belly dancing is a fun way to strengthen your body, increase your flexibility, and explore your feminine, sensual nature. You can find a local class, studio, DVD, or even a fitness TV show which will help you to meet your health goals, have fun, and find a new hobby!

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