Health

Can dance actually help us feel more comfortable and confident in our bodies? A new systematic review published in Frontiers in Psychology provides some encouraging evidence. And importantly for us as belly dancers, belly dance was one of the dance styles included in the research. You might love dancing but still wonder: “Do I look silly?” “Is everyone looking at my stomach?” “Am I too old to wear this costume?” “What will people think when I move like this?”

In 2014, Australian researchers Marika Tiggemann, Emily Coutts, and Levina Clark set out to explore why belly dance seems to support positive body image, and whether it fits within a growing psychological framework known as embodiment theory. Their findings help explain what many belly dancers already know in their bones.

Highlights of 4 scientific papers on the impact of belly dance on those going through breast cancer treatment.

I am back teaching again, dancing daily and enjoying life! But it has been quite a journey..

Dr. James Levine did research showing that for every hour you sit down, your life expectancy decreases by two hours!

Seize the day to dance A memorial and heartfelt reminder to take face your fears and to follow your dreams.

I thought this was a great idea to quickly solve the issue of stained nails or slightly uneven lengths. This is a reblog from henna artist Maeve from Living Henna, an 11yr old entrepreneur that comes up with some very unique ideas.

I had honestly never given glitter much thought in terms of its impact on the environment. I had wondered about its safety and potential toxicity given it can stick to the skin or scalp for such long periods of time and be hard to remove; but beyond that simple pondering, glitter has simply been glitter.

If you are a dance instructor and you want to be inclusive of people who are on the spectrum but do not know where to begin, I have some suggestions! Many may feel that they want to be inclusive but don't feel like it is their place to try to teach people who have a neurological condition that they don't personally understand. Please abandon that thought process. Inclusivity is not segregation. Everyone can be an ally and those who have the patience and creativity to teach ca

As dance artists we are drawn to expressions of art on our bodies. I think its a natural extension and I have no judgement on those covered in images or those that are 'clean skins' (the term used by the tattooed to refer to those not in the club ;) )- however... How safe is the ink? Does anyone regulate it? Apparently not.

How is this for the love of belly dance. One of my students (Tahnee) spent an arduous afternoon painting her nails so she could come to class with 'Belly Dance' written on them. Talk about dedication!

If your belly dance sword doesn't have grooves at the balance point, you can slow down the speed of it sliding..

Belly dance leads to improvement in pain, sleep pattern, functional capacity and self-image in patients with fibromyalgia

What are the best snacks for the travelling Belly Dancer or basically any gluten challenged traveller? With our strict ‘no fruit and vege’ policy for interstate travel in Australia, having an appropriate snack with you on your way to events is pretty handy. On my trip to Perth last month I bought several pre-packaged gluten free snacks to get me through awkward travel times and not knowing what food was available and where. I thought I would share my findings with you

Have a busy life and find it hard to fit in a bit of Belly Dance practice? Always mean to run over a few steps but life, work and /or the...