Holistic Belly Dancing

An Article by Sue Thomason

Hi, my name is Sue Thomason.

I am a spiritual healer from childhood and it helps being integrated into my reflexology treatments and also my massage treatments, with laying on of hands.

I started Belly Dancing about 11 years ago, during a bad spell of arthritis, I learned and loved the dance because my whole body felt so much better. I trained and attended courses, and was given permission to start teaching the dance.

I have been teaching for 6 years, in local halls in the South Cheshire area. I teach the basic dance movements for fitness and health. And the results are so fantastic. Women who are stiff and feel they are growing old, become so "Alive" and supply, I guarantee a dress size loss of at least one. Some in one of my groups have lost 3 dress sizes and are over the moon.

I give a good safety talk first. Explaining the areas of the body the dance works through. A good warm up then stretching and core muscle warm up. Then into the movements, then about 20-30 min's of dance routines as a group with veils. Sticks. Zills. We all leave high as kites, and feeling great.

I feel the belly dance teaches us to stand and move in a subtle way. Giving confidence to the whole mind, body, spirit. Energising but relaxing. Making us so supple and toned. Most of all enjoyment, being able to laugh and shout and dance as women for women. The music is varied and goes from wild to serene.I use some lovely Rasa meditation music to wind down at the end.

I recommend the dance to everyone - I have ladies of 16 right through to my two 80 year olds, who come decorated up at Christmas with flashing lights on their belts. It is a dance for everyone. And it heals in all ways. Mind, Body, and spirit. Gives confidence as well. Great for back problems. Even GP's agree.

It should be available to everyone. I am just about 58 but feel about 30ish. So do all my ladies!

Sue Thomason IHHTI. Arabic dance tutor.