Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit - Softcover

Coluccia, Pina; Paffrath, Anette; Pütz, Jean

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1594770212 ISBN 13: 9781594770210

Publisher: Park Street Press, 2005

Synopsis

A comprehensive guide to the art of belly dancing

· Covers the origins, mythology, and history of the Middle Eastern dance, including its physical and mental health benefits

· Contains practical instructions with easy-to-follow photographs

· Includes recipes for perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food from the Middle East

Belly dance is pure sensuousness and has enchanted humans since ancient times. Yet beyond its erotic aspects, belly dancing offers many physical and emotional benefits. On the physical level it helps with muscle stiffness, autonomic nervous system disturbances, mobility of the abdominal region, and strengthening the back, which in turn enhances the body’s overall posture. Belly dancing also relieves menstrual problems and has been shown to be extremely useful during pregnancy and childbirth. On the emotional side belly dancing increases the libido and has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues and regain healthy feelings of sensuality and sexuality.Belly Dancing covers all aspects of this ancient art, beginning with its origins and mythical connections to the moon goddess. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs for the most important dance movements as well as guidance in costuming and related accoutrements. Additional information on foot reflexology and Indian chakras aid the further understanding of the art. The book also contains recipes for Middle Eastern perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food as well as suggestions for musical accompaniment.

About this title

From the Author:

Pina Coluccia worked as a nurse for seven years before opening a belly dance school for all ages. She gives weekly seminars on belly dancing at German universities. Anette Paffrath is a belly dancer and psychotherapist who has researched the beneficial effects of belly dancing on psychological blockages, fears, and menstrual discomforts. Jean Pütz is a well-known author and television personality in Germany. He was an engineer, math and physics teacher, and political economist for 30 years before entering the world of journalism and communications.

From the Back Cover:

DANCE / EXERCISE

Belly dance is a form of pure sensuousness that has engaged and enchanted humans since ancient times. In Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and other cultures of the East, priestesses in service of the Goddess opened their vital energy centers through dancing, receiving divine wisdom and channeling that wisdom to others. Ancient Egyptian priests mimicked the movement of the planets through the movements of their bodies. It is thought that women of these cultures gave birth by dancing their babies into the world.

Women are once again looking to belly dancing to discover the power of their bodies and to receive the physical and emotional benefits that arise from the dance. On the physical level, practicing the dance strengthens the lower back, mobilizes the abdominal and pelvic regions, tones the muscles, and enhances overall posture. Belly dancing also relieves menstrual problems and has been shown to be extremely useful during pregnancy and childbirth. On the emotional side, belly dancing has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues by allowing them to embody myriad facets of femininity--sensuality, nurturance, independence, strength--while at the same time increasing their libido and helping them to develop or regain healthy feelings of sensuality and sexuality.

Belly Dancing covers all aspects of this timeless art, beginning with its origins and mythical connections to the ancient Goddess. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs for basic dance movements along with guidance in building movement combinations, exercises for opening the body’s energy centers, and suggestions for costuming and musical accompaniment.

PINA COLUCCIA worked as a nurse for seven years before opening a belly dance school for all ages. She gives seminars on belly dancing at numerous German universities. ANETTE PAFFRATH is a belly dancer and psychotherapist who has researched the psychological benefits of belly dancing. JEAN PܔZ is a well-known author and television personality in Germany. He was an engineer, math and physics teacher, and political economist for thirty years before entering the world of journalism and communications.|

About this edition

• Publisher: Park Street Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1594770212
• ISBN 13: 9781594770210
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192