There are many things in life we can do to show emotions and
let others know how we feel. Some people sing, some people write poetry, some
retreat within themselves and hold it all inside. Others dance. Dance has for
centuries been a way to express a wide range of emotions. It is an excellent
outlet for the emotions that at times our minds simply cannot process. Dancing
is a method in which you can work through those emotions and to some degree
move on with your life in spite of emotional upheaval.
Believe it or not, many people believe that belly dancing
(or Oriental Dance) brings not only emotional healing but also physical healing
for some situation. Dance is well known as a form of exercise but belly dancing
is a type of dancing that is body friendly. This means that you do not need to
be in the best of physical shape to enter into this sort of dancing. You will
not have to worry about stress on your joints due to high impact moves that
other forms of dance require. You should also note that the movements in
oriental dance these moves are smooth and natural.
Among the health benefits you can experience through
Oriental Dance are improved circulation, lower blood pressure, improved joint
health, and the burning of calories. Some believe that in addition to the health
benefits mentioned above that Oriental Dance can also help improve whiplash
symptoms and back problems. If you are considering belly dancing to address
these sorts of symptoms you really should consult with your doctor before doing
so and make sure that you have a highly qualified instructor.
When it comes to Oriental Dance, physical healing isn’t the
only sort of healing that is often experienced. Many dancers also find
themselves letting go of the stress and tension in their lives as well as some
quite traumatic issues that have been in their past that may continue haunting
them long after. For this reason, Oriental Dance is sometimes recommended for
treatments of emotional issues as well as physical ailments.
There are videos such as Healing Dance that will allow you to
learn some of the basic moves at home. However, if you have the resources
within your community there is really nothing that can replace taking dance
lessons with a group of women. You will find that these women come in all
shapes and sizes and from all sorts of financial, physical, and spiritual
backgrounds. It’s a solidifying experience to join with other women for the
sake of physical and/or emotional healing such as an Oriental Dance class will
provide.
In addition to the Oriental healing dance there is also the
African healing dance. This is a little more high impact in nature and focuses
on healing through expressions of joy. This is a very uplifting form of dance
and one well worth considering if you would like to focus on feeling happy and
active and renewing your joy for living but prefer something that offers a
little more impact than the Oriental style of Dance for healing.
There are also healing water dances or hydrotherapy that is
often used in helping people with specific injuries. These sessions are low
impact though there is some degree of resistance offered through the water for
great results. You should make certain however that if you are considering this
sort of dance you have a qualified instructor and if possible one on one
attention.
For many common ailments, there is a good chance that some
form of dance exists that could aid you in recovering from your ailment. In
addition, there are often classes offered for groups in your area. If you are
considering learning to dance in order to improve your quality of life or just
your enjoyment of life in general, I for one hope you dance.
