It is not only fun, but Belly Dance also has a lot of positive effects on your body. It is a potential work out and excellent for burning calories. And the best? You don't even realise it because you are dancing and enjoying it. Check the list below:
1 - Muscle Work - while you are doing hip drops, ondulations, shimmies and so on (basic Bellydance moves) you are working abdominal, pelvis and gluteus muscles. It helps to improve your posture and tone. You gain more flexibility. But the best thing is that you exercise them in a natural way, using the normal body form and posture. It helps to increase the flow of substances that are good for your joints (synovial fluid, check it on Google). It prevents lower back problems, by the repeated moves of putting your pelvis forward and tucking it in. When you dance, you relieve any stress or tension from your body. There is no better way to relax and have fun!
2 - Improved Posture - It is also great to elongate you body, as you need a right posture to dance beautifuly. Your back muscles get stronger, preventing Lordosis (a back problem).Your arms and hands become smooth and graceful. And you get the exact balance between being strong and delicate.
3 - It gives you energy - when you dance, you become active and less sedentary. Your body releases endorphins, which gives you the feeling of well-being. On top of that, you improve your balance, not only for dancing, but for your daily life, while walking, etc. You feel alive and energetic. In addition, anyone can enjoy Belly Dance, even beginners. So no excuses to stay on the sofa.
4 - Curiosities - It has low impact on the body, which means the risks of injury are minimal when the moves are executed properly. There is no age limit, anyone can belly dance. It helps the process of weight loss. It can burn an average of 250 to 300 calories per hour. Obviously, it will depend on how intense your class is.
Interesting, isn't it?
I know a lot of people who are enchanted by the graceful and different moves in Belly Dance. It has a lot of health benefits as coordination, tonification of the body, a way to burn many calories, etc. It also helps to bring self-confidence, body awareness and a sense of femininity. This post is about those people who want to start it but don't feel comfortable about what to wear for a class.
The most important accessory: the hip scarf.
The hip scarf is an enhancer. It will bring all your movements to life by making the hips stand out. Be careful with coin belts (not all teachers are keen on them) because of the noise they make you can't really hear the music properly. And not everybody enjoys the "ding ding". I know they are cute, but they can also leave traces, little coins or beads, on the floor.
What else to wear? Should I show my belly? Simple. Wear what you feel comfortable in. Tops will make your dance become real, as you need your belly exposed to make Belly Dance happen. But if you are not confident with it, just wear a t-shirt and you should be fine. I prefer black leggings, so I can contrast them with a coloured hip scarf to show my hip movements and flats, like the picture below.
Should Bellydancers be barefoot?
Not necessarily. Think of it. I just mentioned about beads and coins falling off from your pretty class clothes. It can be very unpleasant to step on something unexpected on the floor, as well as dangerous. So if you are barefoot, make sure you know the floor you are dancing on and feel confident about it. Some bellydancers also wear heels when performing, which can be very elegant depending on the occasion.
Some little tips:
- I don't recommend wearing short skirts to practise. The whole point is to focus on hips and belly, not the legs.
- Wearing nice clothes and accessories for the class, I mean the more you invest in yourself, will raise your confidence in the class. Feel good.
- The proper Belly Dance costume is meant just for performances. They are too much for a class. You need to feel as much comfortable as possible.
Is there anything you would like to know about dancing? Any doubts? Please leave a comment. I will be very happy to answer, or maybe create a post just about it. So let's put hip scarves on and happy shimmies everyone!
