Belly dancing focuses on the waist. A flat, sexy stomach may be nice to show off during performances, but strong abs for belly dancing are essential to perform the complicated movements smoothly and with control. Doing ab exercises will also translate to better posture, and to look good when you dance, you must have good posture.
Belly Rolls
Belly rolls are not only an ab exercise that trains your rectus abdominus, they are also a belly-dancing move. Belly rolls start with contracting the abs to bring the upper half forward as you roll the bottom half backwards. Your ribs come forward a little as your chest lifts. Tilt your pelvis back a little but do not stick your butt out. Tuck your tailbone to bring your lower bottom half of your stomach forward and pull the top back. Your abdomen rolls like a wave, rolling up, rolling down and then back up again. Keep as much of your upper body and legs still as you can to emphasize the abs. Do the desired number of belly rolls.
Chest Lifts and Rib Slides
The chest lifts and rib slides exercise trains the rectus abdominus and obliques so the sides of the abdomen come into play with this exercise. The chest lifts begins with your hands on your hips, your feet together and your chest in line with your hips and feet. Raise your chest upward and drop it back into neutral alignment. Do the desired number of reps and then slide your rib cage to the right without moving your hips. Come back to center and slide rib cage to the left. Your hands on your hips give you feedback so that you know your pelvis isn't sliding too. Slide side to side for the desired number of reps.
Camel
The camel exercise strengthens your rectus abdominus with a large movement that moves your entire spine and torso. When done correctly, your spine should ripple from top to bottom with the strength of your abdominals. Stand with your feet together and your arms bent slightly at your sides. Pull your shoulders back, lift your chest and arch your lower back. Let your arms pull back with your shoulders. The abs relax during this motion to prepare. Next, contract your abs to round your back and draw your tailbone under you. Your abs also pull your rib cage down toward your pelvis, which is called spinal flexion and is the main component of an ab crunch. Let the shoulders round forward. Reverse the motion smoothly and fluidly for the desired number of reps.
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