[UrsusMaritimus]

I went to my first belly dance class today. I've always wanted to try it, and I thought it might add some variety to my exercise routine, which at the moment consists mostly of hiking.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I LOVED it! For one thing, unlike most dance instructors in Boulder, CO (land of the bombshell triathlete), my instructor actually has a sizable belly. For another thing, there are women of all shapes and sizes in the class, and the moves were so strong and sensual and fun. I came away feeling 100 times better about my body, and sore in brand new places!

Just thought I'd share with y'all in case you want to add a little shimmy to your workouts!

[broadabroad]

Word! Belly dancing is GREAT fun, great for strengthening those core muscles, makes you feel sexy and the music's great too! It's all good!

[net knee]

Does this use a lot of back muscles? Would I be able to do it with a back injury. I can't bend over, stand up from sitting down like a normal person either...any movement in my spine forward or backwards is excruciating...
Think i'd be able to do it? * might be a dumb question * but I've never seen it done but on tv and well ya know how tv is... thanks!

[UrsusMaritimus]

I don't know enough about it yet to know, but I'd bet you could call any instructor to find out. In my class there was a lot of emphasis on posture to protect the back.

[whitlockdj]

OMG! Great post. I took my first belly dance class last summer and really enjoyed how it made me feel and MAN is it a workout?! but it makes you feel so sexy and have you moving your body in ways you didn't know you could move! It really makes you sweat too. I love the music too. I went to Barnes & Nobles bookstore and bought a belly dance cd and bought a hip wrap from class to practice once session was over. There are also plenty of bellydance dvd's out (I actually just finished working out to one a few minutes ago). Google belly dancer Jillina, she has red hair and really curvy. Her dvd is great!!

[UrsusMaritimus]

Ooo, I'm gonna look for Jillina. I also like "Belly Dance: Basics and Beyond" with Jenna (I like how belly dancers only use their first names). It's not a workout DVD per se, but a beginner's lesson on form and isolations and some practice combinations. At the end, there's a choreography where she puts everything together. Jenna's instructions are very clear and your muscles will hurt by the end. GREAT DVD.

[Fat Chick B Gone]

I've been meaning to go and try this out!

[JigglyBits]

They have these classes at the gym I go to but I never actually had the guts to walk in and try it. You can hear the music from across the room and it sounds interesting. I know it involves a lot of shaking and I don't think I can do that right now, I shake as I walk as it is so.. lol
I do want to give it a try someday when I'm a little 'firmer'

[bettyred]

I so want to try this! My mom wanted to do this years ago and I never gave it a second thought- lol Now I'm wishing I had!