Bellydance, oriental dance or Raks Sharki is a discipline which has generated a good deal of interest in the western hemisphere even if it comes from a thousand-year-old oriental tradition. The great sensuality of the dance and its advantageous effects on the female body produce a certain physical and spiritual liberty that has sparked a roar in dance schools, teachers and oriental dancing students.
The story of belly dancing is a little difficult to summarize, for there are many different accounts about its origins, One of those is that it is born during pre-monotheistic eras in different oriental cultures where fertility rituals with priestess dances took place to adore Isis, Astarté or other fertility Goddess’s. The existing versions differentiate depending on the class of dance or region where it’s from, but it seems that all agree that fertility is one of the fundamental aspects of this discipline. Whatever origin Bellydance may have, the truth is that Raks Sharki trespassed the boundaries of Northern Africa and the middle east during the XVIII and XIX centuries with the Romanic movement. During those centuries oriental artists would exhibit their music and dances to represent what life was in a Otoman Harem, this way, even if it is an extended and popular practice in western civilizations, its due to an effect of the colonization that would show belly dancers in movies and paintings where, even with its great success, it was criticized due to is “lewd movements” along with the scantily clad and very provocative dancers
Nowadays these provocative and half dressed dancers called Bedlhah, which is a combination between a traditional dance uniform with burlesque elements and fantasy incorporated from Hollywood of the 30′s along those sensual movements attract many women to practice Belly dancing; on the other hand, the physical and emotional benefits of its practices are many and widely recognized for its a dance where muscular movements are repeated and help maintain flexibility and strength. The workout that the dancer performs with her abdominal and pelvic muscle makes it a recommended discipline for pregnant women as it helps them to have a pain-free labor due to the flexibility it gives the body. It is so beneficial that many health centers and nursery schools have incorporated this discipline in their programs for pain-free labor preparation, specially in Spain
Bellydance is one of the most popular dances in the western world. Its a dance that can be practiced by women of all ages, it increases self esteem and the sexual life of those who learn it and it’s great idea for those that want to feel more attractive and happier with their body, it is also a great exercise to burn calories.
Luz Obscura
If you’re interested in knowing better the history of bellydance and enjoying a wonderful show somewhere original with the best dancers, you should rent apartments in Marrakech now, get your luggage ready and start enjoying the benefits and the magic of this oriental dance.
Translated by: Marc
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