One of the oldest forms of dance; Belly Dance is a great way to stay in shape, gain confidence and stay healthy no matter what your dance experience.
Belly Dancing promotes femininity, creativity, balance, posture, strength, digestion, coordination and confidence as well as being a fun and highly expressive art form.
Our adult Belly Dancing Classes are open to everyone and here are 5 ways belly dancing could benefit you.
1) Gain core strength and tone muscles
Belly dancing significantly aids muscle toning with its refined movements of internal muscle anatomy. Movements were historically created to work those core feminine muscles such as, the Gluts (bottom), Oblique’s (stomach), Quads (thighs) and of course the Hips! It is a great workout without even feeling like you’re exercising, once you get lost in the music and art form! Your spine is strengthened and lengthened as your joints are lubricated. The best part of Belly Dancing is that it is a low-impact exercise that anyone of any age can take part in. Therefore you will be gaining strength without straining or stressing your body and muscles.
2) Increase your confidence levels
Due to the improvement in body image and muscular tone, pushing past comfort zones and doing something new – confidence levels are naturally increased within weeks. I have literally seen students transform when they live through their bodies and gain a sense of empowerment. The fact that you are “exercising” is not even noticed as you enjoy the music and dancing. Belly dancing (as with most other dance exercises) also allows your body to secrete endorphins and dopamine, which are both the ‘feel good’ hormones in your body. You are therefore always guaranteed to leave a class feeling great about your productivity and yourself! Furthermore, as you dance each week and become familiar with movements, you unsurprisingly want to show these movements off with grace, control and elegance! Self-love and healing are fundamental for our body, minds and spirits and in Belly Dance classes, you are sure to attain this.
3) Balance and Posture
Belly dancing incorporates many similar core and flexibility movements and postures of Yoga and Pilates that both work the spine, knees and pelvic areas of the body. Your back, knees and pelvis are all conditioned to be in the correct stance for healthy execution of movements. Belly dancing works with the body and skeleton instead of against it, by providing the correct alignment and poise for mobility and to relive stress or tension within the body. You gain flexibility, a strong core and work to avoid any risk of injury so that you can dance to your full potential.
4) Sociable
The classes are a great way to make new friends who have a similar interest and to meet people from all walks of life in a safe and supportive environment. Not to mention the colourful and beautiful belts you can use in class, sharing costumes, music, great beats, swirling skirts, fancy harem pants and sparkling outfits! You can share and experience your dance journey together and learn about new people and their stories, which is a great emotional and mental boost. It is also a great way to share positive energy and to learn and develop deeper connections whilst forgetting the restless world outside.
5) Relaxation
Belly dancing can almost be a meditative stress-releasing experience, strengthening your mind-body connection, especially the ‘cool-down’ part of the class at the end with its captivating music and with the fact that you are completely present! It is a feminine form of exercise that can provide the deepest form of expression and it is practically ritualistic and holistic. Your mind is settled after a hard day at work and you are fully present in a calm atmosphere. The mental, emotional and spiritual elements of belly dance are profound and the experience is highly addictive which will leave you wanting to come back for more.