Exotic Art of Belly Dancing for fitness

Although many of us may assume belly dancing originated as an entertainment form, performed by women for the amusement of men, it actually began as a means of communication purely between and among women. Because its roots go back to pre-recorded time, they are almost impossible to trace. "This dance began with the people of the earth," Ms. Donahue observed, "in the beginning, when everyone danced together to the rhythms and heartbeat of the seasons."

Some historians speculate that belly dancing was a way for women to teach one another about sex and childbirth, unspeakable topics in ancient Middle Eastern societies. Women may have gathered at a birthing to help a new mother, undulating their hips and moving their bodies in an effort to help her follow her own body's natural rhythms and to feel less alone in her labor. Today, belly dancing is typically performed at weddings in many Middle Eastern countries, encouraging a natural expression of sexuality for newly married couples while providing entertainment for their guests.

"When women in Middle Eastern cultures get their periods, they put on a hip scarf and dance for their mothers, their sisters and their aunts," said Ms. Donahue, who sees belly dancing as an expression of the strong connection that develops among women when they begin to release the social restrictions restraining them.

Belly dancing:From the inside out

A turning point for Ms. Donahue came at a class she where everyone came dressed in oversized T-shirts. One day, a large-bodied woman spontaneously took off her shirt as she danced. "Everyone clapped — she was glowing — her body had been freed and she was celebrating." Seeing the effect of that release, and the spontaneous self-expression that followed, was inspiring to Ms. Donahue. "The idea that I could do that for other women, for everybody and anybody, became an obsession."

Unlike other forms of dance, belly dancing teaches you to draw out your own natural rhythms from inside your body and then incorporate them in complex rhythms like figure-eights, circles and snake-like movements. The inspiration comes from within and, through concentration and knowledge of technique, is expressed in forms that are as individual as the dancers themselves.

Parts of the body (hips, chest, hands, head) are isolated for certain movements while the torso may continually undulate. And while a classical ballet dancer may push her body into unnatural positions and movements, a belly dancer releases the natural movement inside her and integrates it with the techniques she's learned.

Belly dancing:Releasing inhibitions

If you're going to belly dance, forget all those things your mother taught you about holding in your stomach and minimizing your hips.

Belly dancing is all about release. "It doesn't exclude anyone because they're heavy or because they've had no training. You get in a circle and just follow what's inside you and what others are doing," said Ms. Donahue. "And you have to let go. You can't make circles with your butt or your belly if you're holding them in." It's not until you let go and find your own natural rhythm and movement that you can learn and adapt the very specific techniques of belly dancing to who you are.

"And like anything, it takes practice," noted Ms. Donahue. "Belly dance makes you more aware of your posture, the inside of your bones and muscles. And it's huge exercise — I've lost 30 pounds since I started this. If you do snake arms with energy and a bit of tension, your arms tighten up and start to look like they did years ago."

Belly dancing:Health benefits

In addition to psychological release, self-discovery, shaping and toning, belly dancing brings other health benefits.

The hip drops, rolls and pivots associated with belly dancing are natural and easy physical expressions for the female body. They work all the muscle groups associated with our complex spinal structure, strengthening ligaments and bones in our spines. The pelvic tilt involved in so many belly dance movements relieves the stress our backs experience from sitting all day long in front of computers, at desks or in front of the television. Flexibility and lower back strength result, prophylactics against the lower back pain that plagues so many women.

Like any weight-bearing exercise, belly dancing strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. It can burn up to 300 calories an hour and, combined with a more aerobic workout, can complete an exercise regime.

The pelvic exercise involved in belly dancing is also great preparation for natural childbirth and for post-partum re-toning. It relieves stress, increases blood flow and relaxes muscles while it strengthens them.

Belly dancing:Cabaret or Tribal?

"When I started belly dancing, I felt like I entered a room full of queens from another time. Dancers didn't wear black or the neutral tones we're taught to wear to hide our bodies. Colorful, exotic looks were everywhere," said Ms. Donahue.

Like most art forms, belly dancing is subject to interpretation. Cabaret-style belly dancing is more revealing, according to Ms. Donahue, with the glittery bras and wide belts, dramatic, sexy movements, and coquettish use of veils. Tribal-style belly dancing is "more ethnic, with pants worn under skirts and a flamenco but earthy feeling."

Ms. Donahue teaches a variety of classes, from "Belly Dance Hip High" to "Girls Night Out," and she encourages her students to wear flowing skirts "because they're romantic and add rhythm to your movement." She incorporates Pilates, costume making and Tibetan rites in some of her classes, following her students to see where their interests lie. The basic hip drops and chest circles are taught in every class, but the students themselves determine their expression.

Why belly dancing?

"People come because there is something calling them," said Ms. Donahue. "There are no rules except inclusivity. It's totally about your own self, about feeling good in your own body. It's fun, sexy and sensual, with an 'other world' quality."

Ms. Donahue's self-discovery through belly dancing has inspired her decision to teach it. In the first class she took, "I instantly felt something completely deep, wonderful, joyful, celebrational and totally different than all my previous dance training — a whole new world."

In some ways, the physical health benefits of belly dancing are frosting on the cake. Through a modern interpretive approach to belly dancing, "I have met so many wonderful new people. Just like the openings in my body, this dance has brought new openings in my life," Ms. Donahue observed.

So here's your chance. Find the belly dancing class that's right for you and find YOUR inner spirit. Learn the moves, understand the theory, shed your inhibitions — and have fun as you shape and tone your body and maybe even take off the pounds.

By Jana Porter

Belly dancing is found in Mediterranean countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. Many dancers disagree over the art's origin but say the different forms of belly dancing reflect various regions that they came from.
Today, numerous versions of belly dancing are taught nationwide. One is the oriental form, which can be found in many traditional belly dancing classes. Those students often are required to wear veils that they carry across their shoulders, finger cymbals and hip scarves that sometimes are adorned with dozens of coins. Berman has been taking such classes at Jasmin Jahal's School of Dance in Chicago since November.
''It's particularly good for women. You see people all shapes and sizes, and it's so unlike a lot of exercise classes where you compare yourself to everyone else,'' Berman said. ''It's a form of dance that encourages camaraderie.''
Other forms of belly dancing include American tribal, which was created in the United States, and another is cabaret, which is glitzier than tribal.
Belly dancing also is offered at some neighborhood gyms. Oreet Jehassi, who teaches an aerobic-like belly dancing that she calls SharQui at seven gyms in New York City, says all her classes are packed with people eager to learn belly dancing.
''It's very high intensity, just like taking a step class,'' said Jehassi, who started teaching classes five years ago. ''It's a total body workout, but it's not just about working the body, it's about working yourself, increasing self-confidence.''
Boosting self-esteem is why many dancers say belly dancing is becoming more popular.
''You feel beautiful when you dance,'' said Marianna Hanchar, who takes classes with Berman. ''You feel more sensual, as opposed to sexual. It's very ladylike.''
It also can be a tough workout.
''It sculpts your body, but it sculpts it like a belly dancer,'' said Sonya Hohmann, an instructor at Jasmin Jahal's School of Dance. ''You're not going to have a washboard stomach, but you'll have curves.''
Besides, doing camel walks and belly rolls is fun.
During one of Hohmann's evening classes, her arms are spread out like wings as she twists her hips front and back.
''It's kind of like your hips are the agitator in your washing machine,'' Hohmann explains. Her students smile and continue the twisting, which crescendos into fast shimmying. The coins on their hip scarfs sound like a chorus of tambourines trying to compete with the loud Middle Eastern music in the CD player.
The more fervent the music, the more dramatic the students' movements and by the end of class, each woman has looked in the mirror and smiled at her reflection.
''In belly dancing, you're actually applauded for your body,'' Jehassi said. ''You just thank God for what He gave you and that's what fitness should be about. We want women to come to class to feel good about their bodies.''