For some, daily exercise is as simple as a run through the neighborhood, a few laps at the pool or 45 minutes on the treadmill. If you dont enjoy this type of exercise, it can be difficult to get motivated and keep a consistent pattern.
Maria Parasson, who on stage goes by the name Mariah, has something else in mind. She teaches belly dancing. Developed in the Middle East thousands of years ago, belly dance, or in the Arabic language raqs sharqi, is not only fun, its fitness. Parasson will offer a class for beginners or seasoned dancers July 30 at the Tuscarawas County YMCA at Dover. The class will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and is open to women and men of all ages and body types.
Belly dancing does compare to other forms of exercise for its health benefits. Belly dancing tones muscles, improves flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration. Muscle groups in the stomach, thighs, hips and buttocks are conditioned using isolated movements. The muscle exertion and breathing rates of belly dancers, when performing one dance, for example, is equivalent to those of cyclists, swimmers and runners. As a form of fitness, belly dancing is a great choice for participants who want all the benefits of a vigorous workout that is still fun, exciting and socially satisfying, said Parasson.
Not just for burning calories, belly dancing also has cardio benefits. There are definitely cardiovascular benefits in belly dancing. The bodys circulatory system improves because your heart is pumping blood to the brain. Dancers deep and controlled breathing fortifies the lungs, increasing the lungs workload and making greater the lungs air capacity, said Parasson.
Belly dancing has been practiced for thousands of year in many parts of the world. Music is important and Parasson incorporates different styles into her instruction. We dance to music from countries mainly in the Middle East and North Africa. The music sounds very different depending on which country it represents. For example, Greek belly dance music sounds totally different than Lebanese music because musicians from those countries use different instruments. And, if there are vocals in the song, artists sing in the countrys native language. There is Arabic, Egyptian, Greek, Turkish, Moroccan and World music appropriate for belly dancing. Middle Eastern music has definite rhythmic patterns very different from the Western World, said Parasson.
Commonly thought of as a womens activity, belly dancing is for men as well. There are male belly dancers. As a matter of fact, men were the first to belly dance, dating back to pre-Christian times. Traditionally, feminine dance moves can always be modified for the more masculine male belly dancer. Some of the worlds greatest performers and teachers of Oriental dance, aka belly dance, are men. They are powerful yet graceful entertainers, said Parasson.
Belly dancing will get you in better shape! Even if you are really out of shape you will see results immediately, both mind and body. Not only will you feel stronger and more toned, but you will gain self confidence and better poise. Belly dancing is for all body types, ages and sizes, said Parasson.
In addition to this special event, Parasson teaches a belly dancing class at the Tuscarawas County YMCA every Monday evening from 6:30-7:30. The class is free for members. The Tuscarawas County YMCA is located at 600 Monroe St. in Dover.
