Belly dancing is a Western name for a style of dance which was developed particularly in the Middle East, and which is identified by swaying hips, undulating torso, and articulated isolations employed in a range of dynamic and emotional expressions.

What is Belly Dancing?

Basically, the most common characteristic of belly dancing includes that of curving patterns, undulations, thrusts, lifts, locks, and drops, as well as shaking and quaking body movements. As well, the primary focus is on that of isolated movements in regards to individual parts of the body with little notice given to the footsteps that are involved; the aim is to have the focus on the belly in belly dancing.

There are certain costumes that are typically worn for belly dancing, and this generally means a bra and a hip-belt which is worn over a floor length skirt; the reason for the floor length skirt is to again help to hide the movement of the feet during the dance. The skirt can be either circular or straight it does not matter and, instead of the skirt and bra, if the dancer wishes they can also wear a gown called a baladi dress topped with a hip-belt or a hip-scarf, for example.

This type of dance is also known in other terms, such as for example: Middle Eastern dance, Balady or Raks Balady, Egyptian Raks Al-Sharqi, Danse du Ventre, and the Oriental Dance, for instance; regardless of what term you use, they all basically mean the exact same thing, and so it is your own personal preference as to what you call it.

This dance has been considered as being around forever and in fact, many experts say that this dance is the oldest form of dance of all, as it has roots in all ancient cultures from the orient India to the mid-East; as well, probably the biggest misconception surrounding this dance is that it is intended to entertain men, because that is not the purpose of it at all.

In fact, throughout history, this style of dance has been done by women for other women and not for men, generally during fertility rites or parties that are held in order to prepare a young woman for marriage, and in most cases, the presence of men is not permitted at all. Although men are not allowed to watch the dance, it still is certainly not solely for their pleasure at all.

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