Going back over 2000 years it is one of the oldest dance forms on earth. The Arabs called it "Beledi", meaning "Egyptian folk dance." It was also known as "Raks Sharki or Dance Oriental." In the Western world this ancient art form is known as Belly dancing.

Why the belly?
The belly is the cradle of birth. The place of beginnings. The passion of birth, life and love are woven into this dance form with a special spiritual quality. Many westerners have misunderstood the passion of this dance based on Hollywood's interpretation of it. But it is increasingly being recognized for what it is, a classical art form that is incredibly healthy and liberating. Women get in touch with their inner self to celebrate their beauty as the true goddesses they are!

This dance form is also a great way to learn about the importance of working with the center or core of your body. A way to feel your sensual energy and connect it to good health and happiness. Our western culture often relates any movements with our chest, belly or pelvis to sex. This is unfortunate since there are so many health benefits to working with these parts of our body. "Beledi" massages your inner organs, helps with menopausal challenges, back pain, stress, self confidence and your body image. To be healthy, we need the freedom to move our body in sensual and fluid ways.

Beledi flourished throughout many countries of the Middle East. In India it was the dance of the gypsies. Over time the ancient dance developed many styles, some being Gypsy, Tribal, Raks Sharki and Egyptian Cabaret. Traditionally, young Middle Eastern girls, as early as the age of two, would be trained by their Grandmothers, to dance and honour their bodies in a
healthy manner. The focus of instruction was on building strong belly muscles preparing for the day of giving birth and to have strong bodies to show they could be a good wife!!! When a girl had her first menstrual cycle and was then considered a woman, she would be given her first belt with coins on it. She would then be able to do dance performances for her family and visitors on special occasions. Women would meet almost every day and dance for exercise and happiness. They would play games with each other to show their strength and to try and earn more coins to put on their belts. Sometimes there would be special days when the single women would meet at the village court yard and demonstrate their fluidity, strength and stamina in a dance for the village mothers and their sons who would be looking for the perfect wife!!!
Boys were also taught to dance and use their bodies at a young age so they could build strength for general labour. They would also dance at special occasions like the birth of a child or at a community gathering. Dance was a great way for men to express their masculinity. Sometimes they would dance with the sword. Men also learned to play musical instruments.
It was an honour to provide the music for the dancers.

Beledi, at times was like a sacred Birth Mime. When a woman was in labour she would be surrounded by other women who would dance around her, giving her support and encouragement. The circling and undulating movements helped tremendously in birthing. A big hip circle would help bring the baby's head to the base of the spine. The waves of a belly roll would help push the baby out. Woman would usually squat over a shallow hole that had been dug in the ground and lined with soft pillows to receive the baby as it entered the world. Once the baby was born all the woman would do a big dance in celebration of this new child. Then the baby would be wrapped in a white blanket and taken out to a separate tent where the men were gathered and they would then do a dance in celebration of this new life in the tribe. Following the men's dance, the woman
and men would celebrate together.

In these modern times, Belly dance has become a popular form of exercise and entertainment throughout the world. It's health benefits, therapeutic value, emotional and spiritual rewards turn it into an exercise that you WANT to do, rather that HAVE to do!!! It is great entertainment and always lifts up the energy of any event or celebration.

Taiya's personal story with Beledi is found in more detail in her "bio", but to summarize here, she lights up when she talks about the healing energy Belly Dance has brought into her life. In her own words,"I have a deep love for this dance form because it helped me release a lot of tension, stress and build self confidence while I suffered with epilepsy. The more I danced the better I felt and the less seizures I had. After working with this healing dance form and having brain surgery in April of 1998, I am now free of epilepsy. I have been teaching since 1996 and have seen Belly Dance help many students overcome serious physical and emotional conditions. It ranges from people who are delighted to take inches off their belly to others who get relief from things like sciatica, depression and back pain. I have been dancing with children, teens in middle school and high schools, many adults and seniors. It is so special to see people respecting their bodies of any shape or size, expressing with total freedom, honouring who they are and understanding the history and health benefits of this dance form. It is so empowering to discover the healing gifts of
dance, and learn how we can shape our lives when we work in harmony with our body, mind and soul. In the balance of self reverence we connect with the Source, the Universal Life Force. Divine Love. I experience Beledi as Divine Love in movement. Come and join me!"

For more great stories on the history of Beledi read the book, "The ancient rituals and healing power of belly dancing" by Rosina-Fawazia translated by Monique Arav. There are also many great web pages out there one being www.casbahdance.org