New Article: Belly Dance Your Way to Emotional & Physical Health

As someone who for years thrived on intense and challenging workouts, it has been refreshing in the past few years to explore more low impact exercises that are fun, still challenging, but less strenuous on the joints. Now in between weekly yoga, cardio, and training sessions, belly dancing has become a delightful hour of my life once and sometimes twice a week. 

My new interest in belly dance made me very curious about what health and/or physical benefits belly dancing offers the dancer.  Was interesting to find that in addition to toning abs of course, the dance can prepare women for pregnancy because the muscles of the pelvis are strengthened. Also, as well as offering some other great physical benefits,  many women have healed themselves emotionally through belly dancing. Prior to taking up belly dancing myself, I knew many women that were extremely creative who made belly dancing a regular part of their lives, so I also have this theory, not necessarily supported by scientific evidence that it can stimulate creativity and awaken the inner goddess as well. Even if that isn’t true for all, I can tell you after my first class, walking down the street I don’t think I’ve been cat-called that many times in succession in such a short time frame. My hips were moving freer, and it felt well, good.

Below is a link to my article on Suite 101 that summarizes some of the amazing benefits of moving your belly:

http://mindbodyfitness.suite101.com/article.cfm/belly_dancing_for_health