Belly Dancing

Kim has suggested that we start a belly dancing class to train our body to be more "pliable". So far, 4 person have given their firm nod including myself. We are getting a group of at least 6 pax to start the class. Proposed session date is on every Friday evening.

In fact, some of the basic movements in belly dancing such as belly roll, hip bumps, shimmy shimmy are kind of movements which are commonly used in our line dancing. It is a very good tummy trimming exercise and it helps us to refocus on the correct breathing technique. Reason being that we women tend to breathe using the muscle at the chest than the muscle at the torso. Belly dancing thought us how to differentiate one part of our body then another and eventually we learn to control our muscles more consciously.

I believe once we have mastered the belly dancing skills, our future line dance movement will become more sensual and graceful looking (a better way to describe it as sexy and seducing). For example we can apply the belly roll for our "Made in India" dance or those dances require shimmy shimmy and hip bumps.

Sad to say that I have observed a number of people who do/instruct belly dancing do not eventually gets slimmer like the aerobic instructors. Perhaps belly dancing only does more towards toning than the fat burning. Unless the dance movements are vigorous, the fat burning effect is not as effective as aerobics. So do not expect this dance alone will give a quick result in weight loss. Don't be despair, I haven't given the conclusion yet. However, when belly dancing is coupled with high impact cardio from line dancing like what we usually do 3 times a week, we will be able to shed the kgs more effectively and stay lean for live. So no matter how much durian or makan-makan sessions we organise, we will not be afraid to put on weight so long as the output (fat-burned) is more than input (calories intake).

It is worth noting that many belly dancers are rather fleshy. Don't know why. Probably it because you need to have a little fat to do the shimmy shimmy to give the vibrating effect...Well, so if I am convinced to do it, how about you?

p/s: I have previously uploaded some basic belly dancing from Youtube but the file is too big to post. You may view from this url:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOMtF6irGNg