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Dance Movement Therapy is psychotherapeutic use of movement
and dance for emotional, cognitive, social, behavioural and physical conditions (www.adta.org, 2008).
In every woman there is a goddess waiting to be discovered...I
can help you get to know this sensual inner goddess within....Embark on a journey into the magic of belly dance for empowering
your life and nourishing your soul. Learn about the origins of this ancient art with an Egyptian teacher and lover of
this sensual dance. Discover the physical and emotional benefits of belly dance as you allow this ancient art to
weave its magic through your life in surprising ways, transforming your body, mind and spirit as you dance.
I am a Psychiatrist/Psychotherapist and I have been dancing from the age of 3. I ran therapeutic belly dancing groups and
witnessed great outcome. I am a believer in its physical and mental benefits and I use it personally for relieving the stress
of work and life.
Belly dancing encourages personal expression. You CAN use any part of your body to tell
a story, convey a mood, or share an emotion. In Middle Eastern cultures it is often not even considered a cultural thing:
many Middle Eastern women like myself will tell you "No one taught me how to do this, this is just how I dance"
and this is because the most characteristic element to this art form is the improvisational, personal expression of the dancer.
So Why Belly Dancing?
Belly dancing as a
form of enjoyable exercise
Belly dance is a non-impact, weight-bearing exercise, which is especially good for women, since it can reduce
the risk of osteoporosis. There is minimal stress on knees and feet. Depending on the intensity of exercise, participants
can increase breathing and raise their heartbeat, which can assist in building cardiovascular strength and burning calories.
Belly dancing, heart and fitness
Professor
Fobröse at the athletic academy in Köln, Germany,
showed that regular belly dancing not only strengthens trapezius and abdominal muscles but also strengthens the heart and
increases circulation. You can lose weight if needed through this structured fun exercise.
Flexibilty and suitability for all ages and shapes The advantage of belly dance is that it is suitable for
all ages and body types. It is as physically challenging as the dancer chooses.
Belly Dancing and weight
Dancing not only increases the energy
consumption through more exercise, but also shifts the entire mode of metabolism into a different state, as if the body would
want to be a different shape.
Belly dancing and muscle strengthening
Many belly dance moves develop the ability to move various
muscle groups independently, increasing flexibility in the torso and back. Dancing with the veil can help build strength in
the upper-body, arm and shoulders. Playing the zills can get fingers trained to work independently and build strength. The
legs and long muscles of the back are strengthened by hip movements.
Belly Dancing, menstruation and sexuality
Anette Paffrath at the University of Hamburg ressearched the effect of
belly dance on women with menstruation problems. The statements of the women showed a more positive approach towards their
menstruation, sexuality, and bodies during the course of the class.
Belly dancing, pregnancy and labor
In Eastern philosophy pelvic area is the
source of strength and storage of energy. Belly dance movements focus on this vital area, freeing the flow of energy in this
important area. The movements associated with belly dance strengthen the abdominal and pelvic region, preparing a woman for
labor and birth with less pain and more celebration. Traditionally it is believed that belly dance was taught by wise women
to prepare for pregnancy and birth.
Belly dancing and back pain
Relieves from back pain – Belly dancing helps to increase the secretion
of synovial fluid which is a natural lubricant of the body and joints. This helps in the lubrication of the joints, especially
the lower back and hip, as belly dancing is more involved in lubricating these areas. Hence your back pain will get reduced.
The benefits of exercise for treating depression
There is a substantial body of evidence
to show a causal link between physical activity and reduced clincal depression. Belly
dance type exercise has been associated with reduced anxiety, enhanced
mood, improved self esteem and body image. According to the National Institute For Clinical
Excellence:
“For patients with depression,
in particular those with mild or moderate depressive disorder, structured and supervised exercise
can be an effective intervention that has a clinically significant impact
on depressive symptoms.
There are several theories about
why exercise through belly dancing is beneficial to mental health. These are related to biology
(exercise leads to an increased release of endorphins and encephalins), sociology (attendance
enables people to build new relationships), skill mastery (exercise improves body condition and
creates achievable goals) and distraction (exercise creates a diversion
from a preoccupation with negative thoughts).
Belly Dancing and eating Disorders
This is my own professional experience. Working in an Eating Disorders unit,
I created a group called love your body, this is a belly dancing group for our inpatients who usually have body dissatisfaction,
it is designed to make these patients start to accept their bodies during the refeeding process and also start to celebrate
the curves and what makes us women. The feedback was great and a lot of patients found it a very empowering group for body
image acceptance, self esteem and lifting of the low mood associated with the eating disorder.
References
Daley A. (2002) Exercise Therapy And Mental Health In Clinical
Populations: Is Exercise Therapy A Worthwhile Intervention? Advances In Psychiatric Treatment
Vol 8
pp262-70.
NHS (2001) Exercise Referral Systems: A National Quality Assurance Framework NHS: London p13
National Institute For Clinical Excellence (2004) CG23 Depression: Management Of Depression In Primary Care – NICE
Guidance London: NHS p5
Jackson, MR, Gott, P, Lyle, SF, Ritchie, JW and Clapp, JF 3rd. 1995. The effects of maternal
aerobic exercise on human placental development: placental volumetric composition and surface areas, Placenta 16(2): 179-91.
Ostgaard, HC, Zetherstrom, G, Roos-Hansson, E, Svanberg, B. 1994. Reduction of back and posterior pelvic pain in pregnancy,
Spine 19(8): 894-900.
McIntyre, IN and Broadhurst, NA. 1996. Effective treatment of low back pain in pregnancy,
Aust Fam Prac 25(9 Suppl 2): S65-67.
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