Suheir

I've resurrected Tina Hobin's defunct website, "Tina Hobin, The Mother Of The Belly Dance", by the power of the Internet Wayback Machine. This is what it was saying on the front page last year:

"Belly Dancing And Its Health & Relaxation Benefits

The Belly Dance evolved from a combination of symbolic rituals. The undulating movements of the abdominal region and pelvic area are especially significant as the abdomen, which is emphatically accentuated in the dance, is an extremely important part of the body- the seat of all sexual activity.

In contrast to other conventional dance forms and exercise, which imposes movement upon the individual, this ancient dance forms an intrinsic power within one, which exposes self-expression, creativity, and femininity and boosts energy levels.

The movements of the dance which concentrate on the lower parts of the body release the energy block of the solar plexus situated between the twelfth thoracic vertebrae and the first lumber vertebrae.

The ancient Shamans discovered that by reactivating this area, the effect on illness was positive. It had healing qualities on diseases of the stomach as well as creating a feeling of well being"

khanjar

Yes, I was wondering if the movements were somehow helpful for the base chakra and for that matter, some of the others too.

Could it at all be possible that Yoga and ME dance have a link from the past ? The region of origin for both is similar. The practice of Yoga I believe goes back some thousands of years, could it be possible that some parts of the science became fluid in dance form as a means to promote health ?

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jenc

There are other dance forms all over the world (well perhaps only in warmer countries - topivc for discussion?) such as Samba, African dance hula. Next thing will be the return of the Atlantis theory of bellydance.
This thread is to demystify the gobblydegook not add more

Brea

Thank you jenc. The idea is demystification. Khanjar, the reason things like what Suheir posted above are in this thread is to show that people are more interested in propagating complete myths about this dance. Our dance is nowhere near as old as that and jenc is right- there are many, many other dance forms around the world (probably with their own problems with all this mythology). The information provided there is pretty much entirely false.

Thank you, Suheir, for that! It's interesting what people will use to sell this dance even if it is made up out of whole cloth.

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Suheir

Some more dubious words of wisdom from the same teacher in 2001: Belly dancing -- a unique and relaxing way of keeping fit

"Thanks to films and the media, many people have, perhaps, got the wrong idea about belly dancing. Even the popular view of the scanty two-piece costume is outmoded. Belly dancers today wear full length, one-piece, Egyptian costume with the midriff covered, in accordance with Islamic fundamentalist rules" - bull.

"The movements of belly dancing are based on the natural structure of the body. The rhythmic swaying improves balance, strengthens and tones muscles, and increases energy levels in a relaxed, gently way. Because it does not exert any unnecessary stresses and strains, it is an excellent form of exercise for anyone suffering from a bad back, for example. In fact, it is widely supported by many medical and orthopaedic practitioners. Practising those hip rotations, drops and lifts, pelvic tilts, and shimmies, is great for loosening stiff joints and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Consequently, belly dancing has been shown to be beneficial for sufferers of a variety of health problems from heart disease, or hip replacements, to the early stages of arthritis or endometriosis, as well as a number of other abdominal and gynaecological problems such as IBS"

The natural structure of the body? What does that mean? I'd like to see the documentary evidence for all these medical claims.

Belly Dance

"...an acknowledged expert on the subject"

Reen.Blom

Prolly it makes them feel more important if they add "ANCIENT" to the dance form.... like it makes it worth more or something? Hmmmm.... to think about another "most ancient profession"....ehem.....

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Suheir

Aisha Azar

Ah yes, that ancient dance that Eve did as she took fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Now that livened things up considerably!!!
Regards,
A'isha

khanjar

Agh, I cannot help but speculate on things as one of my loves is anthropology, I am of the belief that everything started somewhere and I enjoy seeking the source. I do however see parallels with BD movement and certain thoughts in Yoga, I cannot help but wonder at the advanced medicinal science of that geographical area some thousand years plus ago, a science that exists to this day and has been confirmed as beneficial by many modern health professionals.

It was originally what brought me to the desire to learn BD, as a moving exercise similar to Yoga. I would sooner move naturally to fine music than do as I normally do, fall asleep doing yoga. Stilling the mind is not an easy thing for me to do.

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Brea

Khanjar - I am a historian and anthropologist. To be a responsible researcher means to investigate the reality of matters that can be proven. Otherwise it's all speculative...and that is the main problem here. That is, the supposition/invention of stories. For instance, I could say bellydance came from the moon, and nobody could prove/disprove it, kind of like the Flying Spaghetti monster idea. I believe there are other historians/anthro/socio here on the site as well.

What we do know is that raqs sharqi emerged from raqs baladi. This dance's origins are probably about 100 years old, if even that. My challenge to you is that...if this is true (which it is, as far as we know): do you still want to do it? Even if the idea that it is 'ancient' is false?

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