Health Benefits of Belly Dancing Belly dance offers us many benefits. These benefits being both mental and physical and accommodating for all body types and age groups. Whether it is high impact aerobics to slower seated arm and leg movements or just a hobby to professional performances. Belly dance is a versatile method of exercise welcoming newcomers to Professional Dancers of all styles to come and participate. Whether taking belly dance movements, slow or fast participants will still gain the physical and mental benefits of working out. This is one form of diverse fitness welcoming everyone. Physically, dancing thirty minutes or more, three times a week provides an excellent cardiovascular workout and helps increase flexibility, strength, dexterity and bone density. Mentally, dance helps to increase, concentration, mind clarity, memory, mood and self confidence. These are only a few benefits achieved through belly dance. When combined with a regular exercise routine and healthy living as well as a positive mental outlook, miracles can be achieved! While belly dance focuses on the torso or "core muscles", it also builds leg and arm strength in various ways. Belly dance movements require educating muscles to isolate and move independently or in groups. Prop work, such as, veil, cane, isis wings, candelabra, and sword to name a few can also build arm, joint and upper-body strength. Playing zills can build strength and fine motor skill development with the fingers. Upon combining isolated movements, both sides of the brain must work independently. Thus building dexterity with the right and left sides of the brain. These are only a few benefits belly dance offers. Today's society focuses greatly upon the general physical benefits of dance exercise; such as weight loss and flexible and toned muscles. However, there are many other physical benefits to dance exercise. When performed at an aerobic rate it increases oxygen consumption, blood supply to muscles, HDL Cholesterol (good cholesterol)and improves glucose tolerance and reduced insulin resistance. It decreases cortisol release (a hormone released during times of stress), muscle tension, heart rate, blood pressure, LDL Cholesterol (bad cholesterol) inhibiting plaque buildup in your arteries, blood triglycerides, body fat, heart disease, the risk of developing colon cancer, breast cancer and diabetes. While these are remarkable benefits, the psychological benefits can be just as, if not more significant than the physical benefits. The psychological benefits of exercise have surfaced from exercise physiology and sports psychology. One common area of study is neurochemistry. When exercising, chemicals called endorphins (feel good hormones) are produced in the brain and released into the body. Endogenous Morphine or "Endorphin" means morphine produced naturally by the body (www.biotech-usa.com). Endorphins relieve stress and pain naturally, producing a euphoric and invigorating feeling. Exercising reduces depression and anxiety and improves psychological well-being. It also promotes better sleep, which in turn can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. Regular exercise may help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep if you try late afternoon workouts. The natural dip in body temperature five to six hours after you exercise may help you fall asleep. Dancing at least three times a week has shown to be beneficial. Dance not only improves physical health, but also mental health. Anyone can begin a belly dance at any age or body type. Uniting the physical and psychological benefits of belly dance will help enhance quality of life. Beginning belly dance is easy and fun! We all want a healthy mind and body! What better way is there than doing what we love in a positive and welcoming environment. Article written by Kassandra of South Florida Bellydance Meetup