History of Belly Dancing

Belly dancing is a westernized name that refers to Middle Eastern dancing. Performed by the ghawazi in the 19th century and the raqs sharqi Arabic dance in the 20th century, it has spread to countries such as the United States, Turkey, France, Africa, and Egypt. (BDH)

Belly dancing in the 1960 – 70s has gained popularity in a time when women morphed into free spirits. By this reputation, western and middle eastern women worked hard to re-invent the famous dance by performing in conjunction with celebrations of the female body such as childbirth.

“In many parts of the world, travelers and locals alike fully expect to see a belly dance. You won’t experience typical Moroccan nightlife without participating in one. Similarly, it’s nearly impossible to visit Hawaii and not see its native belly dance: the Hula. The latter, in fact, derives from the Polynesian form of belly dancing, which arrived with Hawaii’s earliest settlers back in the fifth century.” (AHOBD)

Movements That Make Up The Dance

While the basic dances such as jazz and ballet exercise skilled isolation, belly dancing incorporates stylization, colorful costumes, and the core muscles of the dancer’s body as opposed to using external muscles by itself.

“There are many steps found in the various styles of belly dancing performed all over the world, but the classic steps that come back throughout several periods in the history of belly dancing are:

Shimmy – Using the muscles of the lower back to vibrate the hips. Occasionally performed in the shoulders, you can shimmy from the front, back, or side to create vibrations.

Hip hits – A pulsation of the hips moving out from the body. If the dancer uses more speed, then it looks as if the pelvis is swinging, but it’s the pulsing of the legs that makes the illusion of the hip.

Undulations – A circular twist of the hips and stomach region along the pulsation rhythm of the chest to create fluid movements throughout the body.” (BDH)

Benefits to the Body

Belly dancing is an exercise that is low-impact suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. It benefits the spine and improves the torso’s flexibility.

Participants can even correct poor posture with the dance’s unique, isolated movements. And because people usually find it more interesting than most other forms of exercise, it’s become an enjoyable and sustainable way to tone muscles — for those of nearly any age group or fitness level. (AHOBD)

Read below to show more benefits of the dance…

● Dancing with a veil improves upper body strength, arms, and shoulders

● Playing the finger cymbals (sagat/ zills) trains the fingers to work independently building strength

● Using hip movements strengthens the long muscles of the back and the legs (BDW)

You can learn about hand gestures in belly dancing in these videos below…

● How to improve your belly dance hands movements - YouTube

● Hand Movements for Belly Dancers || Belly Dance Basics - YouTube

Join Us At Ecstatic Dance OKC for an Opening Belly Dance Class

Zen Zone at Mind and Body Fitness Connections has partnered with Ecstatic Dance OKC and other amazing local businesses to offer a free form dance event including professional DJ’s, dance instructors, Qigong practitioners, and sound bath healers all helping to facilitate this beautiful monthly event. We are excited to announce our October 15th, 2021, opening Belly Dance class by Ayperi Al Jawahir. Ayperi is President and creative director of Aalim Dance Academy in Oklahoma City and has over 20 years of experience in raqs sharqi, or belly dance. Ayperi is best known for her fluidity and grace and is an in-demand instructor and performer entertaining throughout Oklahoma and beyond. Learn more about Aalim Dance Academy

On Friday Oct 15th Ayperi will lead a movement-based warm up and teach some basic moves used in belly dancing at our Ecstatic Dance event. The moves will be put together for a fun combo that gets everyone moving and grooving, the perfect start to Ecstatic Dance! P.S. Belly dance is for everybody!

Ecstatic Dance creates community and encourages spiritual connectedness. You can learn more about Ecstatic Dance here. We gather to help people connect to their heart, the music, and our dance community. Our purpose is to grow a community of healthy, empowered people. Join us as we allow the energy from the music and the group to enliven our connection to divine source energy.

To purchase tickets and keep up with event details join the Ecstatic Dance Facebook group here