Belly Dance

  • Overview

    Belly dance is a modern and extremely general term referring to a wide range of dance styles found throughout the world. Most styles are believed to have evolved from Middle Eastern, African, Asian and Eastern European dances performed by ordinary people at festive events. Contrary to Hollywood portrayal, belly dance was not created as an erotic seduction tool and more often than not it is performed at festive family events where children, married couples and grandparents are welcome.

  • Origins of Belly Dance

    Belly dance has existed in many forms throughout a variety of cultures and doesn't have a single point of origin. It is not really possible to say where "belly dance" originated since this modern day term covers the integration of many dance forms throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and even North and South America.

    Belly dance is often wrongly portrayed as an ultra-erotic technique designed to titillate and seduce men. In reality the earliest forms of belly dance are believed to have been developed in the Middle East as a commonplace festive and recreational art. It was performed by regular people at happy events just as modern cultures often include dancing at festivals and parties. It was something to be performed and enjoyed by men, women and even children. In strict Muslim cultures men and women often celebrated separately at same-sex parties which means that in many places men traditionally never watched the women perform belly dance because they were off doing their own versions of the dance. It is believed to have been common in many regions, including what has become modern day Turkey, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Armenia and countless others. Over time these forms of dance intermingled and spread throughout the world to evolve into what we now refer to as "belly dance".

    Even now, belly dance is an extremely general term that applies to a wide range of styles found throughout the world. For this reason, to clearly communicate a specific type of dance people often qualify the term “belly dance” with the name of a particular culture or style (e.g. “Egyptian Belly Dance”, “American Tribal” or “Cabaret”). In spite of what Hollywood would have you believe, belly dance in America is most commonly performed at public family events such as weddings, fairs, birthday parties and even at ethnic family restaurants. Rather than a horde of drooling bachelors, such events are typically attended by entire families, including children, husbands, wives, grandparents, etc. While it is undeniable that belly dance has a sensual appeal, more often than not it is most appreciated by female audience members who enjoy dancing and like the pretty costumes, upbeat music and gracefully challenging moves.

  • Belly Dance as Exercise

    In recent years it has become very common for woman of all ages, sizes and body types to take belly dance classes at local community centers as a form of aerobic exercise. It is a terrific low-impact exercise that tones body, improves posture, enhances self-esteem and increases energy levels. In any given class you might encounter young teenage girls, middle-aged moms, nubile young ladies and overweight women who are all looking to improve their health and grace while having a good time.

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