What Is Oriental Dance?
Oriental dance is considered one of the oldest dance styles in the world
Oriental dance is considered one of the oldest dance styles in the world, combining traditional elements from different countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Currently, it has influences of all types of dance: ballet, flamenco, Indian, fusion, etc. The origins are not very clear.
The History of Oriental Dance
In Turkey, hundreds of years ago, women performed ritual dances in honor of magical powers, where men were excluded. In Saudi Arabia, when a woman gave birth to a child, the other women danced around her. It was considered a secret dance, which was not shown to men.
In ancient Greece and Rome, various fertility dances were performed, based on hip and pelvic rotations. In Cyprus, ritual dances and songs were performed for the goddess Aphrodite. Other dances of honor of the goddesses came from Syria and Turkey.
Islam and Christianity destroyed the worship rituals of the goddesses when they began to dominate the Middle East in the 15th century. They tried to eliminate dances related to sexuality and fertility. From that moment, the oriental dance began to be valued for the sensitivity that dancers can provoke.
In the 19th century in Egypt, there were 2 classes of dancers: gawazee and awalim.
Gawazee were low-class street dancers with improvised dances. Besides this, they were dedicated to making tattoos for women and men, the art of guessing in shells and sand, coffee cup, etc.
Awalim were experts in various subjects such as music, dance, and singing. Many Arab women dance Raks Baladi because they learn it at an early age at family reunions, but few become professionals because they are not well seen in traditional Muslim society.
Myths and Reality
There is no certain age for oriental dance. It is a dance for all ages and physical states. It is a mistake to say that to dance you have to be young and thin. Some women in Arab countries, due to being overweight, were considered more beautiful dancing. From their life experience, they can make real musical performances.
In oriental dance, there is no woman less beautiful. The costume, the movement, the sensuality and assertiveness are the ones that will increase the beauty of the dancer and of the audience that will consider her attractive.
Although it is not easy, it is only a matter of time and practice to master the movements. Assimilating body movements varies from woman to woman.
Trust your teaching instructor. Trust yourself and those who are training you and discuss your concerns and what is happening to your body, then start practicing oriental dance.
Dancing is wonderful for everyone. There is a need for continuous professional training, studying rhythms, listening to music and learning. Try to dance to a song with the right movements, especially with joy, grace, sensuality and respect.
Dancing is an Arabic art. It is considered an art because it comes from Egyptian religious art. It is the deepest expression of the Egyptians’ understanding of the world. This dance is a representation of the knowledge of women in the world.
Helps burn calories. Like any aerobic exercise at least an hour three times a week, you will see results. It will burn about 300 calories because it will use the cardiovascular system.
In addition to burning fat, it helps define the waist, toning the hip, back and increasing self-esteem.
The body is not used to these movements and may present physical pain, a result of training in the first days. For those who have problems with the spine, it is necessary to know the intervals of movement and if there is chronic pain, seek the advice of your teacher or doctor.
Health and Beauty
Oriental dance, like any other type of dance, works with its own internal energy. It is not just a physical exercise, but an emotional balance. Let yourself be carried away by music. It is one of the best ways to find the inner self and let everything come out naturally.
This dance is feminine, although some men practice it. It is a sensual dance, but not erotic. It favors the whole female symbol, controls menstrual pains, and improves sexual life, creativity, imagination, inventiveness. Therefore, oriental dance is a complex exercise being highlighted all the physical, mental and emotional elements.
Some things can be acquired: flexibility, body remodeling, toning, reduce stress, develop refinement, grace, increase self-esteem, self-knowledge. It is an excellent exercise in which all parts of the body are put at work.
Being an improvised dance, try to express yourself without complexes, fear, feelings of worry, shame. All these are observed during a performance, even if we try to hide them.
Oriental dance unites all the components of other art styles such as yoga, tai-chi, pilates, ballet, Indian dance and many others that are based on the control of internal energy and body health, as well as in the search for one’s own essence.
