The East is a delicate matter: why do children need oriental dances? Oriental dance - benefits for soul and body.

Smooth movements of the hips, wave-like vibrations of the abdomen, a mysterious smile, grace and plasticity of the dancer drive the audience crazy, immersing them in the bliss of sensuality of this exciting spectacle... And this has been going on for more than 11 thousand years... Belly dance - this is a way of expressing one’s admiration and praising the maternal nature of the women of Central Asia. This is not even a dance, but a form of meditation, a ritual with a deep sacred meaning. In a similar way women praised mothers in labor on the occasion of the birth of a child. The dance immediately interested representatives of other nations and gradually began to spread to other eastern countries and Mediterranean peoples. Due to the fact that different nations interpreted belly dancing in their own way, its meaning changed for each nation. Some put into it their concepts of astral perception of the world, others - healing properties. Some peoples used it to enrich their internal culture. The gypsies who lived in the east effectively incorporated belly dancing into their national dances, filling it with their extraordinarily beautiful and enchanting movements, overflowing with the passion inherent in the gypsy people. The only people who remained indifferent to belly dancing are an Islamic people whose faith did not allow them to focus their attention on such moments.

Storybelly dance
Initially, dancing was not common to everyone. They were of a ritual nature and were performed by shamans in their rituals. Ordinary people, participating in the actions, also had the right to make these movements. The abundance of customs and their accompaniment of many processes Everyday life led to an increasing penetration of dance into everyday life. The advent of instrumental music moved dance from the category of mysticism to the category of ways of entertainment or revealing positive emotions. They danced everywhere: after a successful hunt, to celebrate a victory, and to accompany a wedding ceremony. Negative emotions were often expressed through dancing. It was believed that in this way one could turn to God so that he would remove the heaviness from the dancer’s soul. The further development of dance art took place under the influence of Islam, which passed into the territory of modern Turkey with Seljuk and Iranian culture. During the formation of the Ottoman Empire, belly dancing continued its development in Istanbul, where it acquired its final form. When Islam became the main faith in Turkey, the canons of which prohibit women from showing half-naked bodies unknown men, the dances formed a rather unusual branch - men's dances, performed only by men. Women's belly dancing has acquired some modesty in outfits, which eliminated a number of movements and made it more restrained. But no matter who performs the dance movements, each of them is based on an expression of desire and passion. Therefore, oriental dances are considered the most erotic, and even sexy. Modern Turkish dances have been greatly influenced by various European movements. This led to the emergence, along with traditional religious movements, of new sports and modern variations. Historical movements can now be observed in isolated settlements, rarely visited by foreigners and only on holidays and ceremonies. Tourists, as a rule, can only observe the basics of traditional dance, without the full palette of diversity. Now, as before, oriental dances in Turkey are very popular, which gradually crosses the borders of the state and conquers larger and larger territories. European culture is beginning to adopt some features of Eastern cultures, including dancing.

The legend of the appearance of belly dancing
There is a legend associated with the appearance of belly dancing. A bee flew under the clothes of the young dancer, confusing her hot body, anointed with oils, with a fragrant flower. The girl, in order to get rid of the annoying insect, wriggled her whole body, began to vigorously twist her hips and make movements with her stomach... Researchers have established a connection between many dance movements and the movements of a woman in childbirth, which indicates its basic function of supporting childbirth. In the East, where girls were married off very early, belly dancing was taught first. The specificity of the dance is the constant dynamics of relaxation and tension of certain muscles, which helps a woman synchronize her movements and labor pains, and relieve pain during childbirth, increase the plasticity of the pelvic floor and joint mobility. Oriental dance has many roots. It existed in pre-Islamic and pre-Christian times, and even before Judaism. Its origins can be traced to the frescoes of ancient temples in Mesopotamia (Western Asia), which contain images of dancing people. Ancient Egyptian temples also have similar frescoes. They are believed to describe an ancient ritual dance that was performed at ceremonial festivals celebrating the birth of children and the harvest. Gypsy tribes had a great influence on belly dancing. The gypsies traveled throughout India, the Middle East and Europe, settling temporarily in Spain. It is not difficult to trace the similarities between Indian and Middle Eastern folk dances. Middle Eastern dance is also the ancestor of modern flamenco. Islamic countries, where harem relationships traditionally existed, shifted the emphasis in dance from maternal worship to seduction. Belly dancing for numerous women in the harem served as a way to win the attention of the owner. There is evidence that 3.5 thousand years BC. The art of oriental dance, traveling with nomadic tribes, also came to the ancient Slavs. The Proto-Slavs changed the nature of the dance. It already has a slightly different ritual meaning: the wife, dancing this dance annually for her husband on their wedding anniversary, remained just as desirable, young and beautiful many years later. About 300 years before the advent of Christianity, the Slavic version of this dance began its journey back to Asia. Once again modified in Turkey and among the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula, belly dance for almost 400 years retained its sacramental meaning of “dance for the only man", but then some dancers began to perform it for money. So the ritual version of the dance began to lose its esoteric meaning, and over the next 350 years became known in all countries of the East, in India, Ceylon, Japan, Afghanistan, as well as in Africa, Europe, and the Far Eastern lands. In the 80s XIX century Belly dancing became widespread in Europe. Dancers of that time, as a rule, performed in long dresses, with a scarf highlighting their hips. In the 50s of the 20th century, Islamic sentiments intensified in Egypt, which led to a harsher attitude towards belly dancing. Two new dance centers managed to emerge in the Middle East - one of them was Bahrain, where there was no strict rules regarding belly dancing. Libya became the second dance center. At the same time, in Turkey, belly dancing developed more in a cabaret style; the dancers' costumes were more open and seductive than in other styles.

Historical roots of belly dance
Belly dancing is a hymn of praise to Woman, Sensuality, Motherhood. This is the dance of Life, filled with deep experiences that accompany the birth of a new soul. Having survived through millennia, Belly Dance is being revived in the modern world along with the need of every woman to realize her true nature. The art of this dance, which has its roots in ancient times, reflects the ancient cults of fertility, abundance and love. It is with the rituals of worship of the Egyptian Isis, Greek Aphrodite, Babylonian-Assyrian Ishtar, who embody the image of the Great Mother Goddess, that the emergence of this ritual dance is associated. Belly dancing is the oldest dance on Earth. Therefore, it has many directions, styles, types. Many peoples of the world influenced and influence the development of this dance.
Ancient Egypt considered the birthplace of belly dancing. Geographical position Ancient Egypt was such that it was a rather isolated state, so for a long time the dance was formed only by the Egyptians and other peoples did not influence it.
In Ancient Egypt, the art of dance was highly valued. There were many various types dances: ritual, harem, war dances and dances that were danced just for fun. The images of dancers and dancers that have survived to this day testify to how the dances were performed. In Ancient Egypt, the dance was quite varied, there were much more movements than in the “traditional” belly dance. The hands, as a rule, were “soft,” smooth, open, but there were also characteristic jerky, geometric movements with clenched fists. Over time, Ancient Egypt became more influenced by neighboring countries: Syria, Palestine, Nubia, Sudan, Ethiopia. In 1500 BC. The Egyptians brought bayaderes from India to the court, who brought elegance, flexibility, and sophistication to Egyptian dance. After the period of the New Kingdom, Egyptian civilization began to fade away, increasingly subject to invasions from neighboring countries, and in 30 BC. e. Egypt became part of the Roman Empire.
Gypsies. The merit of the gypsies is that they were a kind of connecting link between different cultures. Wandering around the world, they left traces of their culture and absorbed the flavor of the culture of the country through which their path lay. The Gypsies left India around 420. AD and proceeded through the countries of the East to Europe, stopping in Andalusia, where they found people close to their liking. The flamenco style originated in Andalusia - a mixture of Arabic, gypsy, Jewish, Spanish and other dances.

IN Ancient Greece there were many religious ceremonies during which people danced. Dance was an obligatory part of the worship of such gods and goddesses as Dionysus, Bacchus, Artemis, Aphrodite, Demeter and many others. Greek dance characterized by energy, even frenzy, often accompanied by screams and rather loud musical accompaniment. Dance was considered a means of healing from various ailments of the body and spirit.
9th-10th centuries India associated with the heyday of temple architecture. At the temples there were always ritual dancers, who were considered very revered people, had houses in the best quarters of the city and did not pay land taxes. Each dancer had an excellent musical, choreographic and linguistic education. It was believed that the dancer was married to the temple deity, so she would never be a widow. For Indian dance the movements of the hands are very characteristic, each gesture has a certain meaning, therefore the dancer does not hold the cymbals in her hands during the dance, the cymbals are attached to various parts bodies.
Türkiye. To understand the nature of Turkish dance, you need to look into history. The Turks settled on the Central Anatolian Plateau, then they began to conquer nearby lands and move further into Europe, Africa, and Asia. The Ottoman Empire was formed, which for a long time united representatives of various civilizations and peoples. Therefore, there were several thousand folk dances that were intertwined with each other, and it is impossible to say that there was a purely Turkish dance. In Turkey there were religious dances, folk dances and even very spectacular performances. Türkiye has made a great contribution to the art of dance in the form of the invention of complex and interesting rhythms. Islamic bans on dance affected mainly dancers in large cities, populated areas, but had virtually no impact on folk dances in isolated villages, so even now in remote villages you can see the dance as it was many years ago.
Europe. Napoleon opened Egypt to Europe. In addition to many archaeological treasures, Europeans, along with Egyptian culture, also saw belly dancing.
USA. In 1893, Sol Bloom brought oriental dance to America. Since at that time there were rather strict morals and everything connected with the body was considered indecent, Sol Bloom managed to shock the audience with a perverted presentation of oriental dance, which he called belly dancing. Since then, the name, as well as the association of this dance with striptease, unfortunately, has stuck.

Styles and directions
Saidi. Saidi is a dance with a cane. It originated in an area of ​​Egypt called Said, where there were shepherds and warriors who used bamboo canes as weapons. Women transformed these warlike movements into a beautiful, energetic dance.
Dance with a scarf. This is one of the most theatrical dances, requiring acting. The scarf is also a background to highlight the beauty of the body and movement. This is also what hides in order to be revealed later. It is very important for the dancer to feel the scarf not as part of the costume, but as part of her body.
Gulf dance (Khalij). This dance is performed by the peoples of the Gulf countries. Khaliji is an incredibly subtle, lyrical dance. The costumes for this dance reveal only part of the face and hands. The basic step of this dance imitates riding a camel.
Dance with cymbals
Cymbals are one of the most ancient musical instruments in the form of two pairs of wooden or metal plates. The dancer uses their sound as musical accompaniment to her dance.
Saber dance. This is a rather complex dance. They say that in ancient times, when accompanying their husbands to war, women carried a saber on their heads - this is how this dance originated. They also say that by dancing with a saber, a woman demonstrates her rebellion.

Belly dancing before the 19th century
Until the 19th century, oriental dance was performed in the family circle and at family holidays. Weddings, circumcisions, bar mitzvahs and other similar events would not be complete without this dance. Sometimes a professional dancer was hired. Since these were mainly family celebrations, outsiders and foreigners rarely got to see this dance. Beginning in the mid-1800s, trade fairs became popular. Dancers from the Middle East began to perform in Europe. The first oriental dance show took place in Paris in 1889. The expression "Danse Du Ventre" ("belly dancing") was coined in 1893 by Sol Bloom, impresario of the Midway Plaisance and the Cairo Street Exhibition at the Columbia Trade Fair and the Chicago World's Fair. He did this deliberately to excite the warped imagination of the Victorians of the time, who were willing to pay any price to see something "obscene" in their minds, so they could go home and pretend to be shocked. Mr. Bloom's calculations were correct, and he earned enough money to finance his future congressional elections, which he subsequently won. As a result, the name stuck, thus contributing to this interpretation.
In the 1880s, Europeans began to embrace the fascination of the East. Writers such as Gustave Flaubert and artists such as Jean-Léon Gérôme traveled to the Middle East and North Africa for inspiration. Tourists visited the region to admire the exotic landscapes and people. The colonial armies of England and France occupied several countries in the region. From the 19th century through the first decades of the 20th century, professional dancers in Egypt were divided into Ghawazee and Awalim. Ghawazee were gypsies who usually performed on the streets or in courtyards, often with lower class people as their audience. The Awalim were more respected than the Ghawazee. They could not only dance, but also sing, play musical instruments and recite poetry, and they were often invited to the homes of the rich. Until the 30s. In the 20th century, dancers more often performed in homes or cafes. Then, in Cairo, a Lebanese girl named Badia Mansabny opened a nightclub, Casino badia, which was decorated in the style of European cabarets. The varied program featured oriental performances in the form of dancing, singing, musicians and comedians, also included various European acts, and even offered a concert for families during the daytime. Officially performed in fairly small venues, Raks Sharki had to adapt to larger stages. European dance choreographers, working for Badia Mansabny, helped train Oriental dancers, adding elements from other dance schools, especially ballet. At the beginning of the 20th century, Cairo became a major city with a population of a third of a million people, of whom 20% were non-Egyptians. Most foreigners in Cairo were traders. The Baladi style has evolved along with the urbanization of the population. When villagers came to the city, they were exposed to influences from different countries and the result was changes in dance style. The Baladi style, influenced by the West, and the dances of Greece, Turkey, North Africa, Persia, India, other Middle Eastern countries and perhaps through contact with Ghawazee, evolved into a new dance known as Raks Sharqi. New dance became a mixture of styles and costume details, tailored to the individual female performance. People often say "women's solo dance" to distinguish it from folk dances, usually group ones. A dance with a lot of hip movement is associated with Baladi, and the center of movement moves upward to the torso.

Varieties
There are more than 50 styles of oriental dance, the following areas are also distinguished:
- Egyptian school - a more chaste version of belly dancing in closed outfits with smoother movements.
- Arab school (Khalij) - hair dance, which got its name from the characteristic swings of flowing hair.
- the Turkish school is more sensual, the costumes are more revealing, dances on the table are accepted, communication with the audience during the dance is accepted.
Belly dancing is influenced by the Arabic folk dance dabka (a group dance with jumping, similar to the Celtic jig).
Accessories . Some types of belly dance may use accessories:
- cane (saidi dance, related to the male war dance takhtib)
- tambourine (shamanic dance of Nubia)
- fire
- sabers
- sagat (metal disks)

Costume
The belly dance costume has a name - bedla. Its classic elements are a bodice, a belt and a wide skirt, often with a slit at the hip. The costume for the conservative public involves a covering veil for the stomach, arms and hair. Bloomers can sometimes be worn instead of a skirt. The entire costume is decorated with beads, rhinestones, monists or pearls. Decorations play a big role because they attract attention, captivate the eye and give the dance an oriental meditative flavor. The skirt can be wide (sun, half-sun) or straight, with one or several slits. The bodice and belt are embroidered with sequins, beads, etc. Fringe and pendants decorated with sequins and beads are sewn to these parts of the costume. And this is no coincidence, because in oriental dance the emphasis is on isolated movements of the hips and chest, therefore the costume is decorated in such a way as to emphasize the movements and strengthen them. The costume enhances the fabulous impression made on us in oriental dance. In a traditional belly dance costume, the belly is left open to show the actual belly dancing, but another type of costume is long dress, closed with a scarf tied around the hips (this is how Egyptian women danced). Dance shoes deserve special mention. Traditionally, belly dancing is performed barefoot, but today, when belly dancing has become a type of pop show, dancers wear high-heeled shoes. But for training it is better to use Czech shoes, soft dance shoes, and, even better, to train barefoot.

Hearing the phrase “oriental dances,” many imagine dazzlingly beautiful women in bright dresses, shrouded in a soothing, misty haze of lamps and incense. For many centuries, these hypnotizing movements were companions of passion, enclosed in modesty and simplicity, which is characteristic of all Eastern women.

Perhaps it is safe to say that oriental dances are the most feminine and sexy, despite the fact that most of the dancer’s body is covered with clothes. A charming girl, in the process of dancing, reveals her sexual energy and becomes liberated. In the east, there is an opinion that in the process of performing belly dance, chakras 1 and 2 open, which release all unspent energy, and the woman gets rid of gynecological diseases.

However, there is more to this scientific explanation. In fact, all the movements that make up oriental dances - rotational, circular, upward lunges and downward bends - literally “accelerate the blood” and thereby prevent the occurrence of ailments associated with its stagnation.

History of oriental dances

If you believe history, oriental dances were brought to Europe by nomadic gypsies, and only then spread throughout Asia. That is why we cannot talk about modern directions oriental dance as one integral organism. In fact, it is a harmonious combination of elements different cultures, which was created over many centuries in order to appear today in its complete, ideal version.

There is a legend according to which one day, during a dancer’s performance, a bee flew under her clothes and, frightened, the girl began to rotate her shoulders and stomach to drive away the insect, without interrupting her performance. And, oddly enough, the audience was delighted with the movements that they were able to see.

However, its world fame Oriental dances began to gain popularity only in the 20th century, when everyone in Hollywood began to get involved in this art. One by one, various television shows and movie musicals were created, in which luxurious seductresses in bright, sparkling clothes, but with a bare stomach, took part, whose languid, alluring glances put the gentlemen into a stupor and did not allow them to look away.

And already in the 60s last century oriental dances finally ceased to be “harem” dances, and they began to be taught in almost all dance studios peace. And, of course, different styles began to appear, each of which was the result of the introduction of special cultural elements from different countries. Nowadays, the most popular areas are:

*Baladi;
*Saidi;
* Ghawazee.

All of them, despite the huge number of differences, involve “working” with swords, sticks and scarves.

There is another, no less attractive and charming direction, which is called “Tribal” - it uses music, movements and costumes that are taken from different eras. That is why the dancer has the opportunity to choose an outfit that will highlight her advantages in the most advantageous way, but in such a way that it does not look aggressive and too provocative, because the first thing to remember is that oriental dance should attract not with overt sexuality, but with modesty and mystery .

The benefits of oriental dances

Modern scientists confidently claim that oriental dancing has the most positive effect on the female body. And all due to the fact that performing movements increases blood circulation in the pelvic organs and helps maintain health and stability in all parts of the spine. In addition, they serve as an excellent way to prevent complications that often arise during childbirth.

Also, it is worth noting that psychologists consider belly dancing one of the most effective practices aimed at bringing the soul and body to complete harmony.

1. There are more than fifty varieties of oriental dances, among which even special directions stand out - Lebanese school, Egyptian, Turkish and others.

2. There is no need to confuse the stage style of “cabaret”, which is shown to us in Hollywood films, with true folklore movements such as beladi, saidi, khalidki, dabka and nubia. The stage style of belly dancing was formed in the process of merging two cultures - Eastern and Western, and this “synthetic” ensemble became popular all over the world due to its comparative simplicity movements and technique that is understandable, even to non-professional dancers.

3. Three great women are considered to be the creators of modern belly dance - Tahia Carioca, Badia Masabni, Samia Gamal. All of them starred in Hollywood films and, as part of their roles, often had to perform oriental dances.

4. A colossal contribution to the development of belly dancing was made by Mahmoud Reda, a man who staged many wonderful dance numbers throughout his life. He also came up with several styles, the most famous of which was the Alexandrian dance, which is now known throughout the world. His troupe at one time included such stars as Farida Fahmy and Rakiya Hassan. Many compare Redi’s activities with the contribution made to the development of Russian dance by Igor Moiseev.

5. Belly dancing can be performed not only by women, but also by representatives of the stronger half of humanity. Ever since Ottoman Empire There are styles such as tanura and tankhib, which were created specifically for men.

6. The style of costumes for performing oriental dances is constantly changing. Contrary to popular belief, there are no specific laws, everything depends on fashion. The “standard” set, consisting of a wide skirt, bodice and belt, is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Nowadays, belly dancing is often performed in trousers, or short skirts, to which special “rattles” are attached, designed not only to create a certain sound during the dance, but also to highlight and emphasize the rhythm that the dancer adheres to.

Belly dancing - what comes to mind as soon as we hear these words? Oriental fairy tales, Persian carpets, a magical atmosphere, and... a beautiful woman, skillfully moving her hips to the beat of the music, with a mysterious look in an indescribably beautiful outfit.

Today there are a huge number of dance schools and styles; belly dancing cannot be confused with any other dance. It has its own history, philosophy and meaning that has come down to us from time immemorial.

Spread of oriental dance in Europe and America

The dancer's clothing traditionally consisted of a long dress and a scarf tied around the hips. It was indecent to pronounce words such as “belly” or “female thighs,” not to mention openly showing any parts of the body.

At the end of the 19th century, belly dancing was called the Salome dance. He gained popularity in Europe thanks to Mata Harri, who began to openly expose herself while dancing, calling herself a master of oriental dance, although in fact it was more of a striptease.

"Oriental Dance" by Mata Harry was more like a striptease

Hollywood had a great influence on the popularization of dance. For the first time, women with open bellies appeared in films. Thanks to such revealing costumes, dancers who starred in Hollywood films could demonstrate their dance better. Their example was followed by oriental beauties, lowering the belt lower on the hips. For the first time, attention was paid to choreography and staging in dance; until that time, it had always been improvisation from beginning to end.

From that time on, the theme of the East began to be used everywhere in cabarets and bars, exposing the dancer’s body as much as possible.

The famous dancer Samia Gamal, on the advice of her choreographer, first began to use the veil in dance. Then they began to introduce swords and snakes into the dance, but the traditional dance still remains the most popular.

Eastern dance styles

There are several styles of oriental dances:

The “Egyptian” style is distinguished by a large number of sharp movements of the hips, clear placement of the hands, an abundance of drums, and energy. There is no place for coquetry; rather, with all her appearance, the dancer says that she herself does not know how her body makes such movements.

"Persian" style or arabic dance, he is elegant, feminine and delicate, there is no place for sexuality or provocation.

“Greek” is the name in Greece for the dance that came to their land from the Turks. It has many transitions from fast to slow, uses elements of rumba, and often uses a veil. It took root in this type of dance for the reason that Greek dancers did not have enough knowledge of the techniques of oriental dances, so they were forced to diversify their art with an additional subject.

Types of oriental dance

Dance with a scarf (scarf) is one of the most spectacular types of dance; it creates additional mystery when a girl under a scarf first hides one of the parts of her body from the audience, then exposes it. The girl should feel the scarf as part of her body. Most often, the scarf is used at the beginning of the dance for one or two minutes, and then it is thrown aside.

Dance with cymbals (sagat) is an ancient musical instrument in the form of two pairs of wooden or metal plates, similar to Spanish castanets. The dancer not only performs the dance, but also manages to accompany herself, complementing the music.

Dance with a saber - an interesting combination of femininity and fragility with edged weapons. Dancers can fix sabers and knives either on their stomachs, then on their hips, or on their heads.

Philosophy of oriental dance

Belly dancing is the dance of life, associated with the mother woman. He is associated with the cult of the Goddess of Fertility. In the ideas of the ancients, the sky was associated with a man, and the earth with a woman; as a result of their merger, all living things appeared. Ritual actions praising the gods were often accompanied by dancing to music.

Belly dancing is a symbol of conception, gestation and birth of a child, which is why its content contains erotic elements. With development Ancient world, the dance was transformed and gradually began to have another function - entertainment and became a common part of everyday life.

By the way, some Bedouin tribes still preserve oriental dance in its original sense. During childbirth, the woman is placed in a large tent, where a crowd of women dances around her, thus welcoming the baby with happiness and joy. And in In Arab countries, it is still customary to invite dancers to weddings, thus wishing the newlyweds a happy family life.

The perception of the dance as a whole by the viewer depends on the dancer. Sometimes it goes overboard when she turns a dance with deep philosophy and culture into a striptease. It shouldn’t be this way, because belly dancing is a dance of the soul and the feminine. inner world, complex and subtle. The dancer’s goal is a hymn to the feminine principle, motherhood. In most cases, this dance is performed not by girls with abs on their stomachs and bulging muscles on their arms, but by women with a “body”. This is how the dancers declare the need to love their body, about false shame about their protruding belly, which needs to be replaced with a feeling of gratitude and awe for the place in which a new life is born.

Philosophy of dance in movement technique

It is believed that the main point is the navel area; it is around it that all other movements are “played out”. It is the energetic and spiritual center of a woman’s body, since it is there that the internal female genital organs are located. The navel area must be motionless, regardless of which part of the body is in motion - this is the main condition of the dance.

Through dance, a dancer can distribute energy throughout her body and control the energy of the audience. The wave-like movements awaken the energy within a woman, preparing her for the next use. With the help of circular movements, energy is concentrated in a certain area; hip “blows” direct the energy flow to the audience. “Shaking” distributes energy evenly to all spectators.

Music for oriental dances

Music in dance should not come first; the charming woman and her dance should come first. Every nation has its own folk music. Professional dancers often complement the music themselves with the ringing of their bells on their costumes. In this case, music serves only as a background for creating rhythm and is used in a minimal amount.

Most often, the traditional fast melodic song is used for dancing. folk music with a quick start and abrupt transitions.

After the dance began to gain popularity in Western countries, a new direction arose - Sharky. It is a mix of Eastern music.

Modern dancers have a large selection of music to use in their arsenal: folk music, ethnic music in processing, and modern pop music in oriental style. The main thing is that there is a bright beginning, a relatively calm middle, sharp transitions and a colorful ending.

The ideal woman - the influence of oriental dance on health

Women who begin to practice belly dancing on a regular basis notice that it makes their figure more toned, slender and feminine. Moreover, it is believed that this dance revives and brightens the presence of the feminine principle - elegance, graceful movements, cheerfulness, gait, eyes glowing with happiness - all this sets a woman apart from the rest.

Even ancient records contain a lot of advice that a dancer should be able to control the internal and external energies of her body, let go of all her fears and worries. It is important to disconnect from problems and relax so that the body moves freely and naturally.

The positive effect of dance on the body is clear: it affects not only a woman’s appearance, but also her internal organs and her energy balance.

• Oriental dance, thanks to a huge variety of movements, makes the stomach both elastic and flexible.
• Arms and legs that are almost constantly in motion become stronger. By actively moving your hips and shoulders, your cardiovascular system is also strengthened.
• Correct posture is formed through constant training of the back muscles
• If you dance correctly, you can get rid of joint pain
• In the east great importance is given to meditation, which gives a person peace of mind and has a positive effect on his nervous system. Oriental dance can have the same effect. Relaxation occurs during the dance, new ones appear vitality and energy
• Since ancient times, dance has been mandatory for every Eastern woman to study. It is believed that due to the massage of internal organs, it helped not only during pregnancy, but also during childbirth. It was observed that women suffering from pain during the menstrual cycle reported a decrease in pain symptoms
• Many women noted that their family life became stronger thanks to the variety in their intimate life

Belly dancing has a positive effect on both a woman’s appearance and her internal organs.

Contraindications to oriental dances

Of course, you shouldn’t consider oriental dance as a cure for all diseases; it would still be better to consult a doctor before running for an oriental costume, because not every dance teacher can trace the external signs the health of your student. Of course, this active type of dance also has contraindications.

• Flat feet, as the pads of the toes are involved
• Problem spine
• Ovarian diseases
• Hypertension
• Liver diseases
• Severe pain during menstruation
• Tuberculosis
• Pregnancy

Belly dancing - a way of self-expression and health benefits

Belly dancing is one of the most ancient and mysterious forms of dance art. Its history is shrouded in mysteries and secrets. Eastern culture has always attracted people with its beauty and special charm.

Now there are many legends associated with the history of belly dancing and its performers. Everyone can imagine a flexible beauty moving harmoniously to rhythmic music. However, few people can confidently answer the question “where did belly dancing come from?” and whether we understand it correctly.

VERSIONS OF THE ORIGIN OF BELLY DANCE. HISTORICAL ROOTS.

There is an interesting legend that describes the appearance of belly dancing as an accident. Allegedly, one day a bee flew under the fluttering clothes of a street dancer. The insect was confused by the wonderful aroma of oils emanating from the girl. The dancer, without interrupting her performance, tried to get rid of the annoying bee, squirming while dancing. The girl did this very gracefully and plastically, so casual spectators took it for a special type of dance and were truly delighted. The smart girl, noticing success and attention, continued to move in a new, unprecedented way, demonstrating beautiful lines body and hands. Many people liked this dance and began to spread.

Of course, this is just a legend. The history of belly dancing lasted much longer than the performance of one beautiful girl. The roots of oriental dance go deep into history, and even now it is impossible to accurately determine the exact birthplace of belly dance.

It is generally accepted that the basis of belly dancing were ancient ritual dances that carried sacred meaning. They praised feminine, fertility goddesses and women in general. Belly dancing symbolized what in the society of that time was considered the divine destiny of every woman: the process of conceiving a child, bearing the fetus and the birth itself. However, gradually the dance began to lose its sacred meaning and acquired a more secular direction.

If we talk about the place where belly dancing originated, many researchers are inclined to Ancient Egypt. However, it is worth noting that many peoples contributed to the creation of this type of dance. Thus, the initially diverse and rich Egyptian dance was complemented by dancers from India. These were flexible and sophisticated bayaderes, with excellent choreographic preparation. Their hand movements were unique and carried special meaning. The Egyptians' close neighbors were also influenced: the Persians, Syrians, Palestinians and some African countries. Gypsy nomads also made their contribution. For many centuries, their own folk dances were combined with Indian, Arab, Jewish and Spanish traditions. In Greece, dance expressed emotions more energetically, brightly and sharply. In Turkey, in parallel with the growth of the territory, more and more folk dances appeared, which gradually mixed with each other. Thanks to this, a wide variety of movements, new unusual rhythms and forms arose.

DISTRIBUTION AND POPULARIZATION OF BELLY DANCE. INCORRECT NAME.

Napoleon opened Egypt to Europe. Sophisticated Europeans became interested in a new unknown culture. Interest was fueled by writers and artists who were the first to visit the mysterious country, who rushed to describe in all colors the beauties of the east, including the native beauties-dancers. The first travelers did not lag behind, talking about Eastern culture as something magical, exotic and erotic. Therefore, the interest was high, and they were able to successfully take advantage of this.

Already in 1889, Paris saw the so-called “oriental dance” for the first time. A few years later, one impresario of such shows decided to attract as many public as possible by using a frank and provocative title on the posters by the standards of the time - “Danse Du Ventre” (“belly dance”). The expected effect was achieved. Many were willing to pay any money to see half-naked exotic dancers. The idea and style of dance immediately fell in love with Hollywood. This had a strong influence on the further spread of “belly dancing”. The popularity of the show with the participation of oriental dancers grew, and the name was tightly “grown” to the very style of their dance.

Later they tried to interpret this name in different ways, again giving the dance a deep meaning. For example, some adhere to the version that belly dancing implies the “dance of life” (life was called the belly several centuries ago). And life is associated specifically with woman, mother earth and fertility.

Also, "bellydance" could simply be a misinterpretation of the term "baladi". This meant "homeland" in its very broad concept words. It was an Egyptian folk dance style that was danced in villages on various occasions, most often in the home, among relatives.

At the moment there are more than 50 styles of oriental dance. Each of them is saturated to varying degrees with elements inherent in one or another folk dance, which many centuries ago formed the basis of “belly dancing”.

SCHEDULE OF ORIENTAL DANCE CLASSES



MONDAY

SUNDAY



COST OF GROUP CLASSES

TRIAL LESSON:

1
hour
600 rub.
200 rub.

2
hours
1,200 rub.
300 rub.

3
hours
1,800 rub.
400 rub.

SINGLE CLASSES:

1
hour
600 rub.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: *

1
hour a week
4-5 hours per month
2,000 rub.
1,900 rub.
438 rub./hour

2
hours a week
8-10 hours per month
4,000 rub.
3,200 rub.
369 rub./hour

Dance has always been like a conversation with the world, a dialogue, especially women's dance - belly dancing. Many myths mention that the connection with the unknown occurred through a Woman. And while dancing (communicating with the world), the Woman came into resonance with nature, felt the rhythm of Life and coordinated herself with it. This freed her from unnecessary stress, through this communication she found answers to her questions, was filled with joy, calmness and felt protected, felt under the cover of Mother Nature herself. A woman is the source of life, whose main purpose is to be happy and free. In the east, women embodied these postulates in oriental dance - belly dancing. Belly dancing, exotic and bewitching, can easily help you reconnect the nature of your physical, energetic and physical state and emphasize your naturalness...
Oriental dances are distinguished by extraordinary plasticity, mesmerizing movements of the hips and arms. The variety of oriental dance styles allows you to reveal any temperament, individuality and always be in a good mood.
During classes, all muscle groups are involved, from the cervical spine to the tips of the toes.
As a result, you gain flexibility and plasticity of the body, joint mobility, the muscles of the chest and waist are strengthened, posture improves, congestion in organs and tissues is relieved, adhesions are stretched, blood circulation and intestinal motor function are improved. Numerous “eights” with the pelvis, working the abdominal muscles, “shaking” will become a unique massage of the internal organs of the abdomen and pelvis, as well as the best assistant in the fight for a thin waist, beautiful hips and smooth skin.

Types of oriental belly dancing

FOLKLORIC
Folklore dance is a dance born from the traditions of a country or region. Usually consists of movements that can be learned by a large number of people. According to tradition, folk dance is passed down from generation to generation in the environment in which it is danced. Folklore is the cultural heritage of all people, reflecting their customs, habits, music, costumes and history. Folklore dance, in turn, is divided into:
1. Performed by all people, expressing their feelings. It is not associated with theatre, but is very popular at national celebrations and weddings.
2.Performed by professionals of theatrical dance art.

Bellydance/belly dance.
Belly dancing is an Arabic national dance. Western name for a dance technique common in the Middle East and Arab countries. On Arabic it is known as Raqs Sharqi, in Turkish as Oryantal dans, that is, “oriental dance”. The uniqueness of oriental belly dance lies in its plasticity.

Belly dance
BellyDance is a combination of movements of the hips, abdominal muscles and shoulders. This dance combines the powerful life-affirming energy of body movements and the bewitching magic of the rhythm of oriental music. Significant role in this dance belongs to facial expressions, gestures, artistry.
The history of belly dancing dates back to the distant past. Some experts believe that it was the Ancient East that became the birthplace of a beautiful dance called belly dance(translated from French means " beautiful dance") or belly dance. There is an assumption that this is either Egypt, or Mesopotamia, or India. The dance's distribution area is vast: in ancient times, belly dance was danced in Egypt, Greece, Rome, Babylon and the Central Asian states. In 1500 BC, the Egyptians brought bayaderes from India to the court, who brought elegance, flexibility, and sophistication to Egyptian dance. The gypsies also made their changes to the dance, in whose dance there are many rhythms, passion and energy. They made invaluable contributions to the formation of belly dance. contributions of the ancient Greeks and Turks.
Today, belly dancing has conquered not only the East, but also the West. Western choreography introduced its elements into folk belly dance, but this did not spoil the dance at all, modifying and ennobling it.

According to one version, belly dancing arose due to a comical accident. A street dancer was performing in one of the squares of the eastern city, and a bee flew under her skirt. The girl began to squirm, trying to get rid of the insect that was bothering her, and the audience liked her movements so much that next time they asked her to dance in the same way, with her belly. According to another version, belly dancing was a purely harem dance. In order to gain her husband's favor, the Sultan's wife had to be able to attract his attention and for this purpose she performed an erotic belly dance. It was not by chance that belly dance got its name - “belly” is life, which means it is the dance of life. The concept of "life" is associated with a woman - mother and with the earth. That is why belly dancing is directly related to the development of the cult of the Goddess of Fertility, the Mother Goddess. Different peoples called this goddess differently: Anahita, Isis, Ishtar, Aphrodite. This cult was widespread in many ancient states. For example, in Egypt, the Babylonian kingdom, and India. Rituals in honor of the gods were accompanied by music and dances, which not only glorified these gods, but also reflected their functions, and dance is the most means of expression to depict any activity. If we talk about belly dancing, it reflects the process of conception, gestation and, finally, birth. That is why it is perceived so erotically. Subsequently, belly dancing became an entertaining element in everyday Eastern culture, eventually losing its religious significance.

What is belly dancing? This is the ability to be a woman...
There is no doubt that oriental dances have the strongest energy. In the process of learning belly dancing, a woman will be able to learn a lot about herself, identify and solve hidden psychological problems. You will “straighten up”, open up, and stop slouching. Pain in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine will decrease. Headaches will disappear and joints will become stronger. Belly dancing helps develop excellent coordination and improves posture. Active hip work trains the abdominal muscles and strengthens the abdominal muscles. While dancing, a woman experiences unique pleasure from movements, joy of life, and love for the world around her. Belly dancing improves health and prolongs youth, changing a woman both externally and internally.

GHAWAZEE
The Gawaizi are a gypsy tribe that settled in Egypt. The first significant mention of Gawazi dates back to the 18th century. When the Gawaizi were expelled from Cairo in 1834, they settled in Southern Egypt. Their music, dance and cultural attributes are markedly different from what the Saidi people who historically inhabited this area are known for. Cymbals are used in the dance. (Style Naima Akef.)

BALADI
Baladi means “homeland” or “hometown” in Arabic. In Egyptian slang it sounds like Oriental Shaabi. The Belladi dance was performed in many villages throughout Egypt. It was usually danced in the house of a woman and for women. It was mostly hip movements. The hand movements were quite simple and unsystematic. We danced barefoot. Traditional clothing for dancing - a white golobeya with a scarf on the hips and a scarf on the head. Shaabi is a style that is very popular in Egypt, especially in the central part of old Cairo on Muhammad Ali Street, where many famous artists were born and now live. This is the style of such famous dancers as Nagwa Foad, Fifi Abdu, Zinat Olwy.

KHALIGI
Khaliji means “Gulf”, and in the dance world this word refers to music and dance style from the Persian Gulf/Arabian Peninsula region: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman. This group of dances is performed by women and the emphasis is placed on the beauty of the dancer's costume and hair. Movements include precise, rapid shoulder shakes, hand clapping in varying rhythms, and varying steps. Traditional clothing for this style is Abaya (fustan khalig).

NUBIA
Nubia, known in ancient times as the Kingdom of Kush, stretches south from Aswan to the capital of Sudan, Khartoum. The Nubians, darker-skinned than the Egyptians themselves, have their own language, culture and traditions. Aswan is the sunniest place in Egypt. It is located in the south of the country and was a border town in ancient times. Life here moves slowly. It's nice to take a walk along the embankment or by boat along the Nile, sit in a restaurant right by the water, and listen to ancient Nubian music. Nubian dance is a group dance. Colorful costumes, special unusual rhythm. Nubia people are very cheerful and always love to dance together. At weddings, hundreds of people gather and everyone dances together.
Nubia is the name of a city and region in southern Egypt. Nubia is located on the border with Sudan. Nubian dance is a group dance. It's mostly hip movement. Nice hand system. A special unusual rhythm, mostly fast (similar to the Khaliji rhythm). Dof (tambourine) and Khus (reed plate) are used as dance accessories. Nubian dance is very fun and unique. There are a lot of jumps and claps in it. The position of the body in Nubian dance is not found in other folk styles of Egypt: the center of gravity is strongly shifted forward, peculiar movements such as kicking the chest up, interesting movements hands.

SIWA
Siva is one of the dance styles Arab Bedouins. On the border with Libya and Africa, in the Sahara desert, among the mountains there is the Bedouin settlement of Siwa. Until recently, Siwa was the most inaccessible of Egypt's oases. It is also one of the most unusual oases. The people of Siwa have their own culture and customs; they speak a Berber language, which is different from Arabic. Most women wear traditional clothes and silver jewelry. Translated in Arabic, the name of the settlement “wahet siwa” sounds like “an oasis in the city.” Siwa is the name of the city and the people. In the dance, the main emphasis is on the movements of the hips. This style of dance has narrow circle professionals. Traditional clothing for this style is a knee-length golobeya + trousers, a head scarf covering half of the face. Women love to use a lot of hand accessories (just like Gulf women).

ANDALUSIAN
Andalusia was the name given to the southern part of Spain, which was occupied by the Arabs for 800 years. This dance was formed there and acquired character traits flamenco. By the way, one of the versions of the origin of the word flamenco is from the Arabic “fallah man gu” - a singing peasant. This style of dance is performed to the accompaniment of beautiful, rhythmic yet soothing music, appropriately wearing a costume that emphasizes the ease of each movement.

DABKA
Dabka is a fiery folk dance from Lebanon, an indispensable element of folk festivals from antiquity to the present day. Dabka predominantly male dance(but there is also female version). It is also performed in Syria, Palestine and Jordan, and is considered very popular in many Eastern countries.
He can often be seen among men at holidays. The dancers grab each other by the shoulders, make numerous jumps, and make stomps with their feet. Women also take part, but quite rarely. The movements are energetic, and the music itself is cheerful, listening to which you want to start dancing.

ALEXANDRIA (Eskandarani)
Alexandria Egypt's second largest city, Alexandria has more Mediterranean than oriental features. The spirit and culture of the city is different from the rest of the country, although it is only 225 km from Cairo. Translated into Arabic, Alexandria sounds like “Eskandarani”. Eskandarani's dance style is very fun, fiery and playful. The traditional clothing for this style is a dress and cape (Melaya). Melaya is part of the national clothing of the women of Alexandria.

SHAMADAN
In Egyptian slang the name of this style sounds like
"Avalem". The full name is “Raqs el Shamadam” - dance with a candelabra. It has been danced in Egypt for a long time. A large patterned candelabra with lit candles is carried on the head of a dancer at a wedding, illuminating the path to a happy family life for the newlyweds. The art of isolated movements of the hips, chest and the softness of the step is amazing when a girl dances with a candelabra - after all, it should be motionless! You just need to think through the costume very carefully so as not to set it on fire or ruin it with dripping wax. The traditional costume for this style is harem pants + top or long dress with a tight top and wide bottom. Initially, the Shamadan dance was exclusively ritual - a dancer with a lantern or candelabra on her head performed the dance, lighting the path of the newlyweds to their new home. This was a kind of blessing and a wish for a happy married life. Over time, the dance with candelabra became a show, and at the wedding procession (Zeffa), the dancer was replaced by children with candles. But even now Shamadan is ordered for a wedding if it takes place in a club or restaurant - then the newlyweds symbolically walk in front of the guests, and a dancer with a candelabra illuminates their path.
The main thing is to correctly calculate the time and size of the candle. The candle should burn a little longer than the dance lasts. Therefore, it makes sense to check before the performance exact time dance and candle burning time. This is especially important for a wedding ceremony - according to Eastern beliefs, if a candle goes out in front of the newlyweds, this promises them unhappiness in their family life or the imminent death of one of the spouses.
When it comes to candelabra decorations, it all depends on your personal taste. Shiny pendants and glass hangings will add brightness and mystery to the dance, casting glare of light into different sides. Moreover, with the help of decorations you can make the candelabra more stable - for this, the bulk of the accessories should be placed closer to the base and center of the candelabra.
Recently, dancing with fire has been banned at competitions due to the danger of fire, so Shamadan is increasingly becoming an entertainment show in restaurants and clubs, and of course remains a ritual wedding dance for residents of Egypt and Arab countries.

FARAONIC DANCE
Seven thousand years ago, the ancient Egyptians already knew how to dance, and this is depicted on their frescoes and the walls of all ancient temples. “We still don’t know exactly how the ancient Egyptians danced, but we can suggest how they began a dance phrase and how they ended it, drawing inspiration and imagination from current Egyptian choreographers, we create movements and sequences based on what we saw on these ancient frescoes.” . (quote from the book “Dance in Egypt” by Mr. Nabil Mabrouk – famous master– choreographer and lecturer on the history of oriental dance).

Tabla
It is impossible to imagine the East without the Arabic drum called Tabla. The sound of this instrument can be heard wherever you are in the East: On the street, in the bazaar, in a cafe, on a ship, at any Arab wedding.....
Tabla is the most popular and famous Arabic instrument. This instrument is the heart of oriental music and dance. Extremely loved and adored in Russia. Maybe because the sound of this instrument resembles a heartbeat.... If we talk about its exact origin, it is unclear. In addition, they say that the tabla was created in India and is an Indian instrument, but in order to bypass all these disputes, it will be enough to say simply and correctly - the tabla is an instrument of the East. By the way, the most famous musician who played the tabla was Ravi Shankar.
As we have already said, the tabla is a drum, and if you have already visited, for example, Arab and other eastern countries, then you probably heard its sound everywhere - on the streets, in the bazaars, and on ships, and you can’t help but hear it at an Arab wedding. Residents of the East love to dance to the magical sounds of this drum, and this dance has exactly the same name as the instrument to which it is performed - the tabla.

Dance with a headscarf (scarf)
This is one of the most theatrical dances and requires acting skills. The scarf is also a background to highlight the beauty of the body and movement. This is also what hides in order to be revealed later.
It is very important for the dancer to feel the scarf not as part of the costume, but as part of her body.
There are many types and forms of scarves: Malaya, Gulf and others.
The scarf is so clearly associated with oriental dance that it seems as if it has always been there. However, historians cannot find ancient roots for this type of dance. The Egyptians say that the scarf may have even come from Russia. In the 1940s, Egypt's ruler Farukh invited Russian ballerina Ivanova to teach his daughters the art of ballet. Ivanova taught a famous Egyptian dancer named Samia Gamal how to make a beautiful appearance with a scarf and some movements with it, and the scarf took root in Egypt. Western dancers work with the scarf in great detail, wrapping themselves in it and revealing themselves seductively. The fairy tale is alive in the European consciousness: the East, the harem, the bodies of beautiful women are hidden by expensive fabrics... The Egyptians themselves use a scarf only to go on stage, and after 30-60 seconds they throw it aside. Western style seems tasteless to the eastern public and is too reminiscent of a striptease. Russian girls work in a kind of intermediate manner.

Dance with CYMBAL (Sagat)
Cymbals are one of the most ancient musical instruments in the form of two pairs of wooden or metal plates. The dancer uses their sound as musical accompaniment to her dance.
Sagat (or dulcimer) require a good knowledge of traditional music and rhythmic patterns. Sagat are distant relatives of Spanish castanets, only made of metal. The performer manages not only to dance, but also to accompany herself with the ringing of sagatas. You can also add your own rhythm to the music by playing the tambourine or tambourine.

Dance with SABER
This is a rather complex dance. The contrast looks very interesting: feminine belly dancing and the formidable edged weapons of eastern warriors. However, girls do not make combat movements with a saber; they usually use it for beautiful balancing on the head, stomach or thigh.
People like to believe that once in ancient times, women who accompanied men on military campaigns entertained them at night in tents with a dance with weapons. Western researchers are bringing us down to earth again. They say that everything came from a painting by the 19th-century French orientalist Jerome, which depicted a girl with a saber in a dancing pose. We, of course, will think as we want, but we must know that neither in Egypt, nor in Turkey, nor in Lebanon is the saber very popular among dancers. But there is a men's dance with a saber, where they wave the saber, but never balance it either on the head or on other parts of the body.

Dance with FIRE
Continuation of the cult of fire. Candles or scented oil lamps can be used. As a rule, they dance with thick, bright candles. A lamp with a candle, reminiscent of Aladdin's lamp, also looks great in a dance.

Dance with the SNAKE
A less common dance is the snake dance. It’s quite difficult to dance with such an “attribute”. It takes a lot of skill, courage and experience to handle a snake.
A snake can keep a girl company in a dance. To see what this looks like, look no further than the movie From Dusk Till Dawn, where Salma Hayek dances with an albino python. Of course, this was again invented by the West, greedy for small effects. Perhaps when we too have so many dancers that they will have to compete for jobs even by such means, snakes will also become somewhat widespread.

SAIDI ORIENTAL
There are many nationalities living in Egypt, but the most ardent and dangerous people in Egypt are the Saidi People. They live along the Nile from the city of ASYUN to the city of ASWAN, in the southern part of Egypt. Men in this area of ​​Egypt are very fond of beautiful mustaches. They specially grow and groom them, because a large and long mustache is a sign of prosperity and wealth, especially if the mustache is accompanied by weapons, gold and 4 wives.………… There is a saying that goes like this: The most handsome (cool) man in his own right Eagle can plant a mustache.
Saidi - this word refers to everything related to the Said region in Egypt. Saidi style can be danced with or without a cane.
Asaya: Asaya is the Arabic term for cane. This dance came from Southern Egypt from a region called Said or Upper Egypt. Traditionally, men in this area carried long bamboo sticks with them, which they used as weapons. Gradually, a special male dance took shape - Takhtib, in which stick fighting was imitated. Women adopted the style of dancing with a cane, but made the dance lighter and more playful, and created a separate style - raks el asaya (dance with a cane)