Belly Dancing Moves To Lose Weight

Women and men alike flock to belly dance, also called Oriental or Middle Eastern dance, for a variety of reasons. This dance style is well-suited to a plus-size body -- you don't even need to bare your belly. Best of all, if you dedicate enough time and energy to belly dancing moves, you might even leave those extra pounds behind.

Benefits

A belly dance class may provide a welcoming environment, particularly for women. You're likely to find yourself in a room full of women of all body types. Belly dancing also is low-impact, which is helpful if you're overweight. Since your joints already carry extra pounds, this type of workout is easier on your body. Belly dance also works well if you want to lose weight. While certain belly dancing moves deal with just one body part at a time, you'll use every major muscle group if you keep moving constantly as you perform different routines.

History

Belly dance may be the oldest form of dance, according to the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance, or IAMED. Although its history spans thousands of years, the first significant interest in the United States was spawned by a Little Egypt performance at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, according to IAMED. Dance studios, fitness centers and gyms often offer intensive in-person belly dance training. Even if you don't have an instructor in your community, you can buy Internet- or DVD-based lessons.

Moves

Although numerous belly-dance styles create thousands of authentic moves, you should start with the basics. For example, Magical Motion narrows basic belly dancing down to a dozen core moves, including hip bumps; twists; figure-eights; circles; diagonal, vertical and horizontal rib cage circles; arm waves; shoulder rotations and head slides. Learning even a few of these moves -- and performing them regularly -- will get you started on your weight loss journey.

Equipment

Technically, you don't require equipment for belly dancing. You don't even need shoes, as belly dancers traditionally perform barefoot. However, you may enjoy using a hip scarf to emphasize your movements. Use belly dance equipment to inspire yourself to more enthusiastic practice, which means more successful weight loss. Common props include veils, scarves, canes, candles, tambourines, baskets, finger cymbals called zills and even, at advanced levels, swords.

Losing Weight

Belly dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking or riding a bike, according to MayoClinic.com. Paired with a healthy diet, 60 to 90 minutes of belly dancing on most days of the week could help you lose a pound or more of fat every week. That weight loss isn't automatic, though. The more energy and effort you put into your dancing, the more calories you'll burn and the faster you'll lose the weight.