Health and
belly dancing:
The benefits of belly dance are both mental and physical. Dancing provides a good cardio-vascular workout and helps increase both flexibility and strength, focusing on the torso or "core muscles", although it also builds leg strength. Many belly dance styles emphasize muscular "isolations", teaching the ability to move various muscles or muscle groups independently. Veil work can also build arm, shoulder, and general upper-body strength, and playing the zils can build strength and independence of the fingers. Belly dance is suitable for all ages and body types, and can be as physical as the participant chooses. Read more of my article.
The benefits of belly dance are both mental and physical. Dancing provides a good cardio-vascular workout and helps increase both flexibility and strength, focusing on the torso or "core muscles", although it also builds leg strength. Many belly dance styles emphasize muscular "isolations", teaching the ability to move various muscles or muscle groups independently. Veil work can also build arm, shoulder, and general upper-body strength, and playing the zils can build strength and independence of the fingers. Belly dance is suitable for all ages and body types, and can be as physical as the participant chooses. Read more of my article.
- Keeps you physically fit and healthy
- Total body workout - you work every muscle
- Increased body awareness and acceptance
- Improved posture
- Release of stress and tension
- A means of creative self-expression
- Increased grace and freedom of movement
- A chance to dance to fabulous music and no need for a partner
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Introduction:
This site features Veda Sereem, belly dancing
performer and teacher for over 30 years. See
her belly dancing instructional and performance
dvds, beautiful costume
accessories, professional belly
dancers, informative entertaining articles
on belly dancing, schedules of classes and workshops in her
special technique, the Veda Sereem
TM teaching technique, belly dancing music, and
other delights from the world of Middle
Eastern Dance belly dancing and music.
Learn from Master: Veda Sereem
The Veda Sereem classes are for all levels from the beginner to the most advanced belly dancers. Veda Sereem offers instructional dvds as well complete 213 page instruction book to assist everyone to keep in practice between classes and to advance in technique as well as to learn on your own.
Subscribe to Veda's Blog for up coming events, classes, workshops and
Belly Dancing in Maryland.
Belly Dancing - Costume & Makeup tips from Veda Sereem.
Learn from Master: Veda Sereem
The Veda Sereem classes are for all levels from the beginner to the most advanced belly dancers. Veda Sereem offers instructional dvds as well complete 213 page instruction book to assist everyone to keep in practice between classes and to advance in technique as well as to learn on your own.
Subscribe to Veda's Blog for up coming events, classes, workshops and
Belly Dancing in Maryland.
Belly Dancing - Costume & Makeup tips from Veda Sereem.
The Steps
of Belly Dance:
The ancient art of belly dancing is as complex in its origin as it is in it's movement. The oldest and most well known dance in the world has left little evidence of it's history. Belly Dance evolved through a multitude of cultures and has felt the effects of various historical time periods. Whether positive or negative impact, this blend of influence has shaped the art into the modern form of belly dance.
Myths attach the dance to several cultures including that of Egyptians, Greeks, Turks and even Indian Gypsies, and place it as far back as at least 4,000 BC. Experts agree that the myths are only speculation of stories passed down by ancestors, and that there is not enough valid evidence to provide a definitive answer to the question of specific origin. However, most agree that it started and flourished in the Middle Eastern Dance region. More on Steps of Belly Dancing.
The ancient art of belly dancing is as complex in its origin as it is in it's movement. The oldest and most well known dance in the world has left little evidence of it's history. Belly Dance evolved through a multitude of cultures and has felt the effects of various historical time periods. Whether positive or negative impact, this blend of influence has shaped the art into the modern form of belly dance.
Myths attach the dance to several cultures including that of Egyptians, Greeks, Turks and even Indian Gypsies, and place it as far back as at least 4,000 BC. Experts agree that the myths are only speculation of stories passed down by ancestors, and that there is not enough valid evidence to provide a definitive answer to the question of specific origin. However, most agree that it started and flourished in the Middle Eastern Dance region. More on Steps of Belly Dancing.
Middle Eastern Dance Music has Definite
Rhythm Patterns:
The rhythms are uncomplicated and the belly dance is improvised - a visual expression and interpretation of the rhythms. The musicians improvise too, their moods and speed changing dramatically from lively tempo to slow, dramatic and intense ones.
Music is divided into sections: The Chiftetelli and the Taksim. Chiftetelli is sometimes referred to as Beledi - an Arabic word referring to the lively part of the dance. The musicians play happy, lively music with a combination of instruments, varying in tempo from slow to medium to fast. The predominant beat is basically four count 1-2-3-4 and can be play slower or faster, doubling the beat of four counts to 1 and 2 and 3 and 4, the accent being on the first and third beat. The rhythm of 9/8 being called a Kashlimar. (Audio Sample)
The rhythms are uncomplicated and the belly dance is improvised - a visual expression and interpretation of the rhythms. The musicians improvise too, their moods and speed changing dramatically from lively tempo to slow, dramatic and intense ones.
Music is divided into sections: The Chiftetelli and the Taksim. Chiftetelli is sometimes referred to as Beledi - an Arabic word referring to the lively part of the dance. The musicians play happy, lively music with a combination of instruments, varying in tempo from slow to medium to fast. The predominant beat is basically four count 1-2-3-4 and can be play slower or faster, doubling the beat of four counts to 1 and 2 and 3 and 4, the accent being on the first and third beat. The rhythm of 9/8 being called a Kashlimar. (Audio Sample)
Belly Dance Styles:
Modern Egyptian cabaret dancing is very controlled, elegant, refined and may even include some ballet. Muscular control is emphasized and movements are small and internalized. "Less is More" is the working philosophy. Egyptians must by law wear stomach covers, so many followers of this style do also.
It is widely believed that the wearing of navel jewelry has its origins in the early film industry days of Hollywood where exposure of the belly button was considered taboo. A Saudi woman told me that stones are placed in the navel to practice abdominal exercises and the stone being held in place solely by muscle control. As one accomplishes the muscle control you become more adapt so the size of the stone is increased. More on Belly Dance Styles.
Modern Egyptian cabaret dancing is very controlled, elegant, refined and may even include some ballet. Muscular control is emphasized and movements are small and internalized. "Less is More" is the working philosophy. Egyptians must by law wear stomach covers, so many followers of this style do also.
It is widely believed that the wearing of navel jewelry has its origins in the early film industry days of Hollywood where exposure of the belly button was considered taboo. A Saudi woman told me that stones are placed in the navel to practice abdominal exercises and the stone being held in place solely by muscle control. As one accomplishes the muscle control you become more adapt so the size of the stone is increased. More on Belly Dance Styles.
