Belly Dance Can Replace
Your Gym Workout
By Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan
Photos by Carl F. Sermon
You go to the gym five times a week to meet the
recommended 150 minutes/week of exercise, and it’s
always the same routine: You run 30 minutes on the
treadmill or take a cycle class, lift weights for another 20
minutes, then stretch for 10. Snore. If you find yourself
practicing all kinds of avoidance because you’re locked
into and bored with that kind of regimen, maybe it’s
time to switch things up. According to Ma*Shuqa Mira
Murjan, an instructor who has been teaching belly dance
for over 40 years (and working out at a health club for over
30 years), trying something new -- such as belly dance -can be a great way to breathe new life into an old workout
routine. And yes, even slow, sensual belly dancing counts as
a good workout!
Here are some belly dance moves to try for a fun and
elegant workout:
Bellydance Moves for the Lower Body
Bored with calf raises and leg presses -- or just want to avoid
the glute machines that put you into awkward positions in
the middle of the gym? Look no further than ballet-styled
moves for a great lower-body workout. Depending on what
you do, you can work all muscles in the lower body. Don’t want
to take a structured ballet class with bar exercise so popular
at gyms today? Do ballet-styled bellydance movements that
are similar to ballet. For example, small arabesque lifts with
torso stretches and powerful, graceful leg extension work
your glutes and lower back, relevés work your calves, and
battement kicks (steps to the front or the side) work your
quads and hamstrings.
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The Belly Dance Chronicles
October 2016