Movement
ovement is agility acquired through practice. Belly dancing is one of the oldest known forms of physical expression. It is called Middle Eastern Dance, Oriental Dance, which contradicts the origin of this form of dance as having originated in Africa generally, Egypt specifically, common among the people of the time. It, along with other finds of these "exotic" places, was brought to other parts of the world as a novelty. It is a talent to be learned. It is as old as women had hips, but all women with hips do not master it.
My Short Experience with
Movement Belly Dancing
I took belly dancing lessons at Serena's Studio in New York in the late 1970s. The instructor's name was Fran. She drew a picture of herself on my card complete with flower in her headband. Fran had a great personality and she was a good teacher. I liked movement belly dancing as another way to exercise my body. Around that time, computers were gaining in popularity but Internet did not exist for the public. Belly dancing is still taught in person with one or more students. Now the world can view belly dancing dvds, Youtube and other video sites online for entertainment and personal instruction, free of judgment. Belly dancing artists have produced dvds so students can learn in the privacy of their own homes.
I shared with a classmate at college that I studied the art form a little. If memory serves, she was from Syria and told me that the dance was not created for men but for women especialy when they were about to give birth.
From several resources, I gathered that it was more involved than that. There are stories where women roll their abdominal muscles, to hold the attention of the birth mother. She imitates the moves which help her focus, breathe and experience bringing her child or children into the world with the least amount of discomfort. All exercise helps the body to rebound in less time. Belly dancing also helps the core muscles. Standing erect, carrying weight, breathing, digestion- all of those activities improve when the core is toned.
At World of Belly Dancing and Pregnancy many cultures use hip rolls and circles in their traditional dances. Belly dancing does as well and the benefits include strengthening abdominal muscles, used to hold the growing baby and, the pelvic girdle, that is important during childbirth. The moves are wave-like. The steps, gestures and movements help lubricate the joints, stretch the muscles gently and effectively. It would be difficult to pull a muscle during belly dancing. Damage and pain discourage people from continuing. There is down-time during recuperation. Then there is doubt that it would occur again and, ultimately, resignation. Belly dancing enables a woman to express her femininity because such moves are associated with women. We beckon. It does not have to be someone to which we are attracted. It could be Energy. It could be Power. It could be anything we want to bring to and into ourselves. Our minds think, see, and our emotions amplify the intention. Belly dancers evoke attitude. They smile as they dance. They know what they are doing.
Exercise is Movement
Fall In Love with Exercise Again
Posted October, 2017 by Lisa Zeigel
Fall marks a change in seasons and can also be a good time to make personal changes. If you’ve been sticking with your fitness routine but it’s not as fun or rewarding as it used to be, it may be due for a fresh start. What are some signs that your fitness routine could use a shake-up?
These might include:
Not feeling energized by your workout.
Feeling prolonged aches or fatigue after you exercise. Dreading your workout (and eventually making up excuses not to do it). You
know about all the benefits of regular exercise so you know it won’t
pay to quit. Instead, try one or more of these tips and make a change to
help you stick with, and perhaps fall in love with your workout all
over again.
Boost the challenge with interval training.
Many beginners like to
stay in the “safe” zone. After all, it was scary getting started in the
first place. But by keeping your efforts minimal, you are missing out on
added benefits such as increased endurance, and positive hormonal
effects. There is also the potential for increased calorie burning and
metabolism. Increasing the intensity allows you to achieve maximum
effects with the least amount of time. You can easily up the intensity
without feeling overwhelmed by incorporating “intervals” of higher
intensity. For example, if you are used to walking at a comfortable
pace, increase the speed of your stride for up to a minute just above
that pace. Return back to the former for 2 or 3 minutes and repeat.
Boost the challenge with interval training.
Many beginners like to
stay in the “safe” zone. After all, it was scary getting started in the
first place. But by keeping your efforts minimal, you are missing out on
added benefits such as increased endurance, and positive hormonal
effects. There is also the potential for increased calorie burning and
metabolism. Increasing the intensity allows you to achieve maximum
effects with the least amount of time. You can easily up the intensity
without feeling overwhelmed by incorporating “intervals” of higher
intensity. For example, if you are used to walking at a comfortable
pace, increase the speed of your stride for up to a minute just above
that pace. Return back to the former for 2 or 3 minutes and repeat.
The Dancer by Allison L. Williams Hill
Be sure to include resistance training in your routine.
It is easy
to fall into the habit of being a devotee of “cardio” exercise while
excluding all-important resistance training. If you are spending 45
minutes or more on a treadmill or elliptical, know that cardio is
important but, you don’t have to spend that much time. 30 minutes is
sufficient (even less if you boost the intensity). Just 20 minutes of
resistance training 2-3 per week will reward you with a more toned
physique, even more energy, and you can pick up and carry heavier items.
That’s something to get excited about!
Join a group or a class.
Going it alone works for some people
but others need a little community support. Joining a class can put you
in touch with like-minded individuals – all striving for the common goal
of getting fit and having fun. In addition to instruction and guidance
from the class leader, you can also gain a sense of belonging and
camaraderie. I recently heard a new participant rave about how joining
my circuit training class made her feel excited about exercise again
because it introduced her to new exercises and challenged her to do
things she would never have thought to do on her own. By the same token,
working out with a buddy adds a social element and can be more exciting
for both of you, perhaps emboldening each other to try new modes.
Track Your Workouts.
Smart phones and smart watches will track
everything for you to give you immediate feedback and even
encouragement. If you haven’t been using one, in the words of a person I
know who just started doing so, “it changes everything” taking her from
being a casual exerciser to a serious goal-setter.
It doesn’t take much to tweak your routine to make it seem less routine.
Fall-in with something new and fall in love with exercise all over again!
From Zone Diet Newsletter: Fall In Love with Exercise Again by Lisa Zeigel
Links
The above meditation mandala will be available soon.
