Bellydancing, or Raqs Sharki/Sharqi as it is also called, is an ancient dance.  It is practiced both professionally and in folk-dance forms around the Mediterranean basin from Morocco to Greece.  Egypt is the most famous of the bellydancing nations with a variety of forms originating there (including Shaabi and Baladi) and it has a thriving live performance culture today. 

Bellydance is a graceful and sensuous dance that can also be fun, modern and funky.  What we consider “bellydancing” today has borrowed from regional folk-dances and was influenced by ballet in the last century.  Today, modern forms of bellydance, such as tribal fusion, borrow elements from Flamenco, Indian/Bollywood, Hip-Hop and other dance forms.

Bellydance looks beautiful on a wide variety of body shapes and sizes and can be great for helping to improve self-image and self esteem.  As with most forms of exercise it aids general fitness and is a mood-booster.  It can also be particularly effective in helping alleviate mild to moderate lower back pain as the dance specifically develops and strengths muscles in the back, abdomen and pelvic floor.

Alma Aicha's dance in the Egyptian café of 
the Rue du Caire, Paris, 1889
 (Bibliothèque Nationale, Département des 
Estampes et de la Photographie).

©2010 ShelleyDance