(OK...so it's actually Wednesday, but I'm just trying to get us all caught up from the long holiday weekend. Still waiting to hear how everyone conquered the holiday. — Hannah)
I am a person who hates to exercise but loves to move. So what’s a girl to do? Belly dance of course! I have been belly dancing for five years now and I love it. It is a great form of exercise and any body type or age can do it. It is unique from other dance exercise because it is all about engaging and isolating different muscle groups. There is such a sense of sisterhood when you belly dance. It is a very spiritual form of dance, so when you dance with a group of people for a while you create this very strong bond. It kept me sane when I was going through my divorce, knowing I had this group of people to go dance with and dance my cares away.
Belly dance has also led me to other forms of movement, like yoga and other folkloric dances. And the newest form of dance I am doing is Bhangra. Talk about a workout! One of the schools in my area had a free class the other night so I went. It was awesome. Very high energy and a lot of hopping around. It is a folkloric dance form that comes from the northern region of India, called Punjab and it has been modernized. It is a dance you do to celebrate and is performed at joyous occasions such as weddings.
I encourage you to find a belly dance instructor in your area and check it out. It is a great way to have fun and move at the same time!
— Gina
Print | posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 9:30 AM