PRLog (Press
Release) – Nov 11, 2008 – Belly dancing is a very ancient
folkloric art form. Its movements are consistent with those of childbirth,
and older women are the ones to instruct the younger ones. The movements are
mostly circular and spiral. There is little pressure on the joints, which
for many of us have been weakened or stressed over time. In fact, it's known
by rheumatologists that Belly dancing stimulates the synovial fluid which
lubricates the joints.
In SESCIL's classes, Seniors learn all the basic movements, which are of
isolations and undulations of the torso and hips . There is not a part of
the body from the head to the toes which is not used. The movements may
prove difficult at first for some women of a certain age or culture. But
they have been told early on not to move in ways that might be construed as
suggestive. The arms are used throughout the dance, and surround - rather
than touch - the hips or the torso. Much of the class is spent learning to
use arms beautifully and gracefully.
The music also is very different from what most of the women are used
to. It is mainly Mid-Eastern, but also Spanish, Greek, Celtic, Israeli with
a touch of New Age electronic. One could just as well dance to classical
music.
On the whole, Belly dancing is a beautiful and artistic dance. It allows for
improvisation and self-expression, which are also assets for those who are
tired of living within the confines of "what is expected of them".
Belly dancing has nothing much to do with the 'belly'. It's one of the
oldest dances that we have in history and is fused with many other folkloric
dances. The true beauty is in its freedom. The true difficulty is in saying
to oneself, 'these are natural movements of my body, and I can do them in
time.'
It is transformational for one to see mature women finally learn to move and
to experience Belly dancing and all of its expression and emotion.
SESCIL's Belly Dancing for Fitness and Fun class meets weekly at 9:00 am
on Mondays in the spacious annex to its Landmark home at 228 Grand Avenue,
Englewood, NJ 07631. For more details about joining the FREE exercise
program, contact Frieda Wells, Assistant Director, at 201/569-4080.