Much has been said about the physical and emotional benefits of belly dancing, but few have explored them in depth.
After many years of experience as a dancer and teacher, coupled with ongoing training, I would like to delve deeper into these benefits and share my insights with you. This article marks the first in a series of short discussions on this topic, with the hope that you find them helpful.
Let’s begin with the most visible, tangible, and fundamental aspect: the body.
Why do so many doctors, osteopaths, gynaecologists, and physiotherapists recommend belly dancing, even without having attended a single class? Perhaps it’s because they intuitively understand that belly dancing strengthens the body’s inner musculature.
Which internal muscles do we engage and strengthen?
Depending on experience, practice, and the quality of movements, belly dancing can strengthen the muscles of the spine, such as the erector spinae, intertransversarii, interspinales, multifidus, sacrolumbalis, latissimus dorsi, and quadratus lumborum, among others. While some may argue that these muscles are also strengthened by other bodywork techniques, belly dancing stands out for its unique focus on muscular dissociation, allowing for individual and combined movements at will.
For example, when performing a hip drop, the focus is on engaging only the quadratus lumborum, while keeping the rest of the body aligned, static, and prepared for optimal muscle engagement. It’s common to see belly dancers, with minimal movement in a small space, activate a wide range of internal muscles.
At the abdominal level, we engage the transverse abdominis, external and internal obliques, and the rectus abdominis. By moving the pelvis through these muscles, we gently massage our abdominal and pelvic organs. Depending on the quality of movement, these muscles often work in synergy, calling upon the pelvic floor for support. This coordination between the pelvic floor and the abdominals not only creates cleaner, more precise, and powerful movements but also prevents excessive abdominal pressure.
The interplay between the pelvic floor and abdominal movements in belly dancing is a topic deserving its own article, which I will address in the future.
Healing through movement
Mobilizing the pelvis while keeping the femurs static and parallel can aid in the healing of the hip joint by gently moving the bones, muscles, and ligaments. Belly dancing metaphorically “releases” the weight of the hips. But how is this possible when the trunk’s weight is supported by the hips? Through continuous pelvic movement, we activate the anti-gravity muscles, pelvic floor, abdominals, and the push from the plantar arch. This movement could be likened to a tree, rooted in the earth, growing upward from the core.
In summary
Through belly dancing, not only do you learn a new form of body movement and culture in a playful way, but you also strengthen and increase the flexibility of your spine’s internal muscles. You encourage the production of synovial fluid in your joints through small, sinuous movements, massage your viscera and internal organs, and strengthen your pelvic floor. You also develop greater body awareness, centered in your core.
Does this spark a desire to continue practicing with dedication and mindfulness? I hope so!
Thank you for reading this short article—I look forward to your thoughts and comments.