Women who practice belly dancing regularly develop a sense of mental and physical harmony in their bodies. They have a better body image and focus much less on their physical flaws than young women who do not sway regularly.
Belly dancing helps to better appreciate your body
To understand the benefits on the perception of the body of danceof the belly, Dr. Marika Tiggermann, from the department of psychology at Flinders University, gathered 213 women. Among them 112 professional belly dancers and students who do not practice this sporting activity.
All the participants filled out a questionnaire that allowed the researcher to understand the self-analysis they made of their bodies. The young women expressed what they thought of their bodies, the attraction they provoked in men, and how they imagined being perceived by others.
The results of this study reveal that belly dancers have a more positive view of their bodies than other women.
“Belly dancing is associated with a positive self-image because those who practice it focus less on their physical appearance and more on the experience itself. These women focus more on what they are able to do with their bodies, rather than on their outward appearance”, explains Dr. Marika Tiggermann, lead author of this study.
“This activity offers women a rare, creative and safe opportunity to explore and express their sensual and sexual selves, without judging themselves,” explains Dr. Tiggermann. However, the erotic nature of belly dancing was very little highlighted by the participants of the study.
This study confirms the benefits of dance on well-being. In fact, people who practice dancing are 60% more likely to be healthier than others, according to a Scottish scientific study published in 2013.
