Belly dancing is considered a low-impact cardiovascular workout that helps strengthen and tone your muscles. Many of the movements done while belly dancing involves muscular isolation, or focusing on a specific set of muscles. Combine the movements into a belly dance exercise routine to help strengthen your abdominals and back muscles as well as your arms, legs and chest.
Hip Circle
Spend a few minutes on hip circles and work your obliques as well as your glutes. The steps in this exercise sort of resemble that of hula hooping. If you haven't hula hooped in a while then start off with your feet hip-width apart. Imagine that you are standing in the middle of a clock. In front of you is 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock is to the right, 6 o'clock is behind and 9 o'clock is to the left. Keeping your upper body still, swing your hips around the clock. Add more fluidity in order to make it less jerky. Repeat going counter clockwise.
Rib Slide
Strengthen and tone your abdominal muscles as well as your obliques with this simple belly dance movement. Place your feet together and your hands on your hips. Keeping your lower body still, move your rib cage to the left then to the right. Try not to jut your hips out in opposite direction of your ribs. It may take some practice.
Shimmy
For a full-body workout, incorporate the shimmy into your hips as well as your chest and shoulders. To shimmy the hips, start off with your feet close together and both knees slightly bent. Start by slightly straightening each leg alternatively. This will cause your hips to sway. Speed it up to make your hips sway faster. To shimmy your shoulders, alternate bringing each shoulder forwards and back. Raise your arms to incorporate your chest into the move as well.
Head Slide
The head slide helps put the final touch on a belly dance exercise routine. It works the muscles in your neck as well as your upper back. Start with your hands clasped together in a prayer pose then lift your arms about your head. Your head should be in between your arms. Keep your neck and shoulder muscles relaxed and upper body still as you slide your head left to right. Try to keep your arms from sliding left and right.
References
- CBS News; Get Fit Belly Dancing; Tatiana Morales; December 5, 2007
- Fitness Magazine: 10-minute Workout: Belly Dance Away Ab Flab: Hip Circle
- Fitness Magazine: 10-minute Workout: Belly Dance Ab Flab: Rib Slide
- Talla Dancers: Learn Belly Dance Online
- Belly Dancing Video: Basic Arm, Shoulder and Head Moves
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