Health Benefits of Bellydance
Bellydance is an ancient form of exercise designed to strengthen
and tone women's core muscles, arms, and legs. Belly dancing is
extremely low impact and very fun and energizing. For those looking
to lose weight, its caloric effect is roughly
comparable to that of a low-impact aerobics class. Yet bellydance is
a lot of fun and most students feel energized and happy when they
finish class
In bellydance, the knees should always be flexed. Hip and torso
isolations in this position strengthen the quadriceps, glutes, and
calves as well as the muscles that stabilize the knees and ankles.
All of this is accomplished with virtually no impact to the joints.
Also, the knee flexion and relaxation of the pelvis required for
most isolations relieve stress that can occur in the lower back,
placing it firmly on the quads, which strengthen to handle it.
The back muscles are also exercised evenly in bellydance. Hip,
torso, shoulder, and head isolations exercise and coordinate all of
the muscles in the back in a gentle, controlled fashion. As the back
is worked out, so too are the muscles in the front and sides of a
woman's body. Muscle development is even throughout the woman's
core and posture will gradually improve under the guidance of a
conscientious teacher. As an added benefit, bellydance greatly
strengthens the abdominal and corset muscles, which frequently
translates to a narrower waistline.
Bellydance has traditionally been regarded by tribal societies as
good exercise to prepare women for pregnancy and childbirth. In
women who have had children, substantial restoration of abdominal
tone can be accomplished through bellydance. Some assert that
gastric and metabolic functions can also be improved through
bellydance. Shoulder isolations are known to massage the thyroid
just as core isolations massage the gastro-intestinal and
reproductive tracts.
One of the biggest surprises people find in bellydance is how strong
their arms must become in order to support the graceful, flowing
moves that characterize the dance! Veil work, in particular, gently
works the triceps, shoulders, and biceps. The traditional "snake
arms" further develop the triceps, creating surprisingly strong,
well-formed arms.
Overall, belly dancing strengthens and tones the entire woman's
body slowly and evenly with very little impact. Belly dancing is a
gift to all women and its practice can, over time, effectively tone
your body into its personal, optimal physical shape. This is true
regardless of your body type or skeletal proportions. Arms become
stronger, posture improves, bellies tighten, legs and glutes
strengthen and grow. There is no one "type" of body that's
right for bellydance. It is designed to benefit all women's
muscular, physical structures. Plus it's a lot of fun, so try it
out and see for yourself what it can do for you!
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