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Shape Up Your Groove Thing
Bellydancing as Exercise By Carma Haley Shoemaker
During the past decade, we have witnessed the birth of many different forms of exercise. From Tae-Bo to Pilates, there is a form of exercise to fit anyone's tastes. But dancing? Is it possible to gain any type of physical benefit from an ancient form of dance? You bet your belly it is!
We've all seen photos or films of the ancient art of bellydancing: women with long veils, finger cymbals and bodies befitting contortionists mesmerizing onlookers with their grace and beauty. But bellydancing isn't reserved for the beautiful. Now anyone can learn this lost art form and get one heck of a workout, too. "Bellydancing originated in Egypt," says Veena Bidasha, who along with her sister Neena, practice bellydancing in Los Angeles, Calif.
"Bellydancing is practiced and enjoyed, not only in most of the Middle East, but all over the world," says Bidasha, who was raised by a physically disabled mother who passed on to her daughters the benefits of bellydancing as exercise.
"After spending a fair bit of time in Turkey where all the women are good at bellydancing, I decided that I needed to learn to move my hips, waist and belly, too," says Marnie Holmes, a writer from Sydney, Australia. "When I returned to Australia, I sought out some lessons. I was initially daunted by the idea of rolling my tummy around in public. But everyone was very interested in what they were doing and not in comparing capability or physical fitness. It was a really great time."
