Belly dance

The origins of Oriental dance stem from Middle Eastern women sharing the pleasure of being with other women, family members and friends. It gives us an age old opportunity to  both express ourselves creatively and receive the benefits of a good physical workout.

The dance moves we know as Oriental or Belly Dance originally traveled from the Middle East to the Occident  through the Silk Route/Gypsy trail. In the past 25 years Oriental dance has flourished in the Western world. Many Middle Eastern dancers have settled in Europe and the US, where they are free of religious or cultural constraints and can explore andexpand on this art form.

Main benefits

Whether you are attracted to Oriental (Belly) Dance because of its recent popularity as an excellent way to get into shape or as a very  feminine  dance form, continued practice will transform you in one way or another.

Belly dance can be a form of meditation during class, when we dance on our own or in performance. We practice being in the moment, conscious only of our bodies, our breath and the music. And from this point we can connect with our feminine power (Shakti as it’s called in the Far East), uniting body and soul with the oneness of the universe.

The practice of belly dance physically develops and tones the large muscles of the body, and with its undulating movements, exercises the muscles around the internal organs, giving them a massage. Women who belly dance are better able to handle the full range of daily chores as well as the rigors of childbirth.

The movements of this dance include many circular and figure 8 (symbol of the infinite) patterns  which work to balance both hemispheres of the brain. Belly dance can connect you with your breath and help you relax.