Sofia's Belly Dance Page

I did Belly Dance for many years, and although it is not the only kind of dance that I am trained in, it is the one with which I found the most affinity. As a small girl, I was trained in ballet, jazz, and tap dance, and my mother (being the wild Cuban that she is) had introduced me to AfroCuban dance and music from a time before I could walk. Over the years I also took Hawaiian Dance and Modern Dance.

Of all of these, Belly Dance I have found to be the most sensual and provocative. However, due to its widespread regional origins, it is also quite diverse in its applications. Stylistically, Belly Dance, also known as Oriental Dance, varies greatly, movements ranging from smooth and silky to abrupt and punctual. The arms are often moved smoothly, but the hips vary from radical, quick movements to more rounded and seamless movements.

As with all exercises, Belly Dance brings with it many possible health benefits as well as possible injuries. Here is a (short and non-conclusive) list of those that I have noticed during my practice.
Disclaimer: As with any exercise program, you should consult a health professional prior to performing Belly Dance movements.

Health Benefits of Belly Dance

Fat loss
Muscle gain/toning
Cardiovascular exercise is possible, depending on the teacher
Toning of the waist muscles
Toning of the leg muscles (although, much less than with Hawaiian Dance or Ballet)
Toning of the belly muscles
Improves ability to move more gracefully and fluidly
Improves performance abilities
Heightens ability to move/feel internal sexual organs
Improves ability to isolate movements in various parts of body

Possible Injuries During Belly Dance

Overextension of foot muscles. Try to use sandals or dance shoes at all times.
Knee, ankle, and wrist injuries. Protect joints by warming them up prior to exercise.
Lower back injuries. Do not lean back constantly, as is the recent trend in 'super sexy' Belly Dance. Do not overextend hips during hip circles in forward or back positions. Do not do anything that you feel puts pressure on your lower back.
Neck injuries. Warm your neck muscles prior to vigorous neck movements. Be particularly careful if you have chronic neck problems.
Overheating. As in many kinds of exercise, it is extremely important to keep water in your system. If you have not been drinking too much water, you may have to ingest some electrolytes as well, such as Gatoraid or Pedialyte. Be sure to drink enough fluids during doing any kind of dancing.

Above all, listen to your body. If there is something your body does not want you to do, by all means, don't do it! Everyone benefits in the end if your are healthy and able to dance later. Don't push yourself over your body's limits. But do push yourself to do the best that you can. Only you know how far you can go, and you will greatly benefit from awakening within yourself that light, that WILL, which keeps you going in times of hardship.