one. If done properly, the back muscles are fully engaged and so,
are your abdominals. While whirling through movements with
a silk veil or “Isis Wings” (large pleated fabric “wings” as in the
goddess Isis), your triceps, and biceps assist your back muscles in
any pull-up-related action. And you work your calf muscles in
belly dance just by walking around on the balls of your feet in
relevé. Other bellydance moves target the inner thighs, glutes
and hamstrings – as we create dynamic depth of movement
with figure 8 torso and hip movements, exciting “body locks
and pops” as well as the ever-constant body undulation in
response to the musicality of Middle Eastern music.
Many of my conversations while working out in the
weight room with former Olympians and renowned sports
psychologists and from my own personal workout and dance
exercise history lead me to recommend that belly dance
can replace the gym workout. Personally, I used workouts in
belly dance and at the gym for my ovarian cancer recovery. I
recommend belly dancing for anyone who’s looking to alleviate
lower-back pain, decrease body fat, increase muscle definition,
improve stamina, boost energy, improve body posture while
adding grace to your stature and movement, preserve or improve
health, and build confidence – or to just have fun!
MA*SHUQA MIRA MURJAN & CARL SERMON
Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan has been
performing, teaching, and coaching for
over 40 years. Ma*Shuqa’s MPH in health
education and health coaching give her
the requisite background in addition to her
over 30 years of working out at a health
club owned by an Olympian. Her Ma*Shuqa Method gives dancers a
structure for developing improvised choreography while performing
with individualized styling. Her workshop is perfect for teachers and
dancers who want to enhance performance dynamics and styling. She has
authored many articles on aspects of professionalism and performance in
Middle Eastern dance. As a dance photographer – what she sees through
the camera lens reflects a dancer’s professionalism. www.MaShuqa.com
Carl Sermon is well known for his festival and performance photography
of Oriental dancers. Ma*Shuqa and her husband, Carl, work together
to provide artistic direction and performance photography for photo
sessions with Oriental dancers. See their work in The Belly Dance
Chronicles magazine, The GildedSerpent.com e-zine, and at
www.CarlSermonPhotography.Zenfolio.com
October 2016
The Belly Dance Chronicles
47