HEALTH

How belly dancing is empowering Aussie women

11 May, 2023 . 0

Looking for a fun, full body workout that allows you to express your individuality? Then let yourself be charmed by the ancient art of belly dancing.

While belly dancing is a great way to stay fit and active, the fluid and sensual dance also celebrates the beauty and diversity of the human body.

Also known as Middle Eastern or Arabic dance, belly dance originated from Egypt and is often distinguished by circular motions of the hips and arms and use of props such as veils, finger cymbals, and swords.

World Belly Dancing Day on May 13 and Australia’s first Belly Dance Convention soon to take place in July, its increasing popularity is clear even from outside the Arab world.

So, why are many Australians growing interested in the art of belly dancing?

Belly dancing can help strengthen muscles

Regardless of style, dance can greatly improve muscular strength and have a positive influence on functional fitness, especially in older adults.

One study found strengthening the pelvis through belly dancing may be an effective non-surgical treatment for urinary incontinence.

Physiotherapist Melanie McAuliffe says while belly dancing highlights muscles in the lower body such as the pelvis, buttocks, abdominals and thighs, it can still provide a good all-body workout.

“Hip rolls, lifts, locks and drops, undulations, thrusts, figure eight’s, shimmies and shakes of the pelvis are also coordinated with upper limb movements including shimmies, arm flutters and snake arms,” Melanie explains.

Belly dancing can improve lower back pain

Good for core strength and flexibility, belly dancing can help with chronic lower back pain.

Belly dancers require greater control over their body for balance and strength to maintain complex, coordinated moves, Melanie points out.

“Belly dancing utilises movements that isolate spinal segments by stretching and moving these joints,” she says.

“This can cause a dramatic decrease in overall spinal stiffness which is a common reason why people hurt their backs.”

It improves cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health

Exercise physiologist Jennifer Smallright explains belly dancing can be beneficial for both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health.

“Being cardiovascularly fit also reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attack and strokes,” Jennifer says.

“Muscles become strengthened, which is protective against diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

“Being on our feet in such a way also improves bone density.”

Not only that, regular aerobic dance has been found to improve bone mineral density and help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Belly dancing can boost mental health

“Exercise has been shown to be 1.5 times more effective at treating depression than counselling or leading medications and dancing is no exception,” Jennifer says.

While dancing releases feel-good endorphins, belly dancing in particular has been found to have a positive effect on mental wellbeing and body image.

Research has also shown belly dancing helped improve quality of life and depressive symptoms for women with breast cancer.

“The focus on upper limb movement is beneficial as this is a group that gets affected by surgery to lymph nodes, decreased range of upper trunk and shoulder movement as well as psychological issues surrounding surgery to the chest area,” Melanie says.

Belly dancing creates feelings of connectedness

Jennifer says while belly dancing involves feminine movements, it can help bring a deep feeling of joy and connectedness.

“I would recommend belly dancing for anyone looking to explore, express and connect with the feminine part of themselves,” she says.

“For chronic pain sufferers, we also know that enjoyable movement is a key aspect of coping, so belly dancing would be a wonderful avenue to explore if it hasn’t been tried before.”

For more fitness reads:

Written by Melissa Hong.