bellydancing????

[tobmac]

hi i was wondering if anyone does or has done bellydancing . I heard it was supposed to help you lose weight also without being too harsh on the body?? i am wanting to sign up this year and have just found out there are classes near by......i would love to hear some of your stories if you have tried it

[Nex]

I bellydance. It's good fun, great for time with the girls. Gentle to vigorous exercise, mostly low impact and easy to do at home 'for practice'

When we were practicing 2-3 times a week for a concert I really noticed a difference, my abdomen was flatter and my muscles in my hips, back and legs, less stiff. But even the once a week classes make a difference to my fitness levels.

You get to dress up and wear beautiful costumes too! Even for practice you wear a coin belt and a full circle skirt with a chiffon veil to wave about!

I've missed it, as with all the drama of TTC last year and being preg I let it slide.

Try to find a friendly, fun troupe. Some can be a bit 'militant' and they're not so much fun as they are more like semi-pro performance groups.

Must get back into it.

[ealing]

hi,

took an 8 week course in bellydancing. Can't remember if it was Turkish or Egyptian, think it was Egyptian one. Quite fun and discovered some abs that I didn't know where there. I remember getting quite hot doing it as I took the course in winter with a girlfriend, was quite fun and social.

i agree, the coin belt is the way to do, they at least you can get the jingle bits going. The bigger your belly, the more fun it is as when you are skinny, nothing wobbles and doesn't seem as fun if that makes sense.

have fun!

[blackdog]

I love it! I did two terms last year and really noticed the difference in my abs! It is also fantastic for your pelvic floor muscles!

I have just bought this video

http://www.amazon.com/Bellydance-Basics-Beyond-Technique-Foundation/dp/B000FSL8WQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1200896489&sr=8-1

Have a look at the customer images on the left.:D

Also, check out this....

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rDM97S4jPiw

modified to add: it is a running joke with my belly dancing mate and me (we are both 38) "So, when do you suppose we are going to start looking like Shakira?"

[shala]

hi,
i have been bellydancing for a year & a half now, i started going for a bit of fun & love it so much i started performing. i have got a 5 week old bub & never actually stopped belly dancing throughout my pregnancy. i did my last performance in november when i was 38 weeks pregnant. before i fell pregnant i was at my thinest i had been for years & i think it was the bellydancing that really helped form a nice waistline. besides the weight loss factor the dancing is great for releasing tension in your lower back & makes you feel very womanly, i would recommend it to anyone. i cant wait to get back to my classes in a few weeks.
hope this helps!