Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit [Paperback]

Pina Coluccia (Author), Anette Paffrath (Author), Jean P?tz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2005

A comprehensive guide to the art of belly dancing

• Covers the origins, mythology, and history of the Middle Eastern dance, including its physical and mental health benefits

• Contains practical instructions with easy-to-follow photographs

• Includes recipes for perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food from the Middle East

Belly dance is pure sensuousness and has enchanted humans since ancient times. Yet beyond its erotic aspects, belly dancing offers many physical and emotional benefits. On the physical level it helps with muscle stiffness, autonomic nervous system disturbances, mobility of the abdominal region, and strengthening the back, which in turn enhances the body’s overall posture. Belly dancing also relieves menstrual problems and has been shown to be extremely useful during pregnancy and childbirth. On the emotional side belly dancing increases the libido and has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues and regain healthy feelings of sensuality and sexuality.Belly Dancing covers all aspects of this ancient art, beginning with its origins and mythical connections to the moon goddess. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs for the most important dance movements as well as guidance in costuming and related accoutrements. Additional information on foot reflexology and Indian chakras aid the further understanding of the art. The book also contains recipes for Middle Eastern perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food as well as suggestions for musical accompaniment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Belly Dancing is something of a mini-feast for the senses. Overall, it is an excellent portrait of a sensual art form that is culturally rich, inclusive, and empowering." (Branches of Light, Spring-Summer-Fall 2005 )

"This introduction to belly dancing places a welcome emphasis on the spiritual roots of the form."
(Branches of Light, Spring-Summer-Fall 2005 )

“This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of this ancient art, beginning with its origins, mythology and history of the Middle Eastern dance, and including its physical and mental health benefits. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs of the most important dance movements, as well as guidance around costuming and related accoutrements.”
(Axnet News, June / July 2005 )

“Beginners will welcome this clear examination of belly-dance routines and meaning.”
(The Midwest Book Review )

“Dispelling the myths around this ancient art form, the authors trace the history of dance, explain its culture and health benefits, and introduce the basic movements, all in striking full color.”
(Spirit of Change, July/August 2005 )

"I love the idea of Belly Dancing because it is one of the only forms of dance that is made for real women. Skinny little stick women look funny doing this dance but regular sized women suddenly look graceful, elegant, and confidently sexy. It’s a great whole body exercise and it’s fun too."
(Tami Brady, TCM Reviews )

"The combination of simple language, clear design, and glossy, colorful photos of contemporary dancers and ancient art makes Belly Dancing an appealing read--perfect for a rainy weekend with a little classic Turkish music playing softly on your stereo."
(Eva Yaa Asantewaa, Book ?em, May 12, 2005 )

From the Back Cover

DANCE / EXERCISE

Belly dance is a form of pure sensuousness that has engaged and enchanted humans since ancient times. In Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and other cultures of the East, priestesses in service of the Goddess opened their vital energy centers through dancing, receiving divine wisdom and channeling that wisdom to others. Ancient Egyptian priests mimicked the movement of the planets through the movements of their bodies. It is thought that women of these cultures gave birth by dancing their babies into the world.

Women are once again looking to belly dancing to discover the power of their bodies and to receive the physical and emotional benefits that arise from the dance. On the physical level, practicing the dance strengthens the lower back, mobilizes the abdominal and pelvic regions, tones the muscles, and enhances overall posture. Belly dancing also relieves menstrual problems and has been shown to be extremely useful during pregnancy and childbirth. On the emotional side, belly dancing has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues by allowing them to embody myriad facets of femininity--sensuality, nurturance, independence, strength--while at the same time increasing their libido and helping them to develop or regain healthy feelings of sensuality and sexuality.

Belly Dancing covers all aspects of this timeless art, beginning with its origins and mythical connections to the ancient Goddess. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs for basic dance movements along with guidance in building movement combinations, exercises for opening the body’s energy centers, and suggestions for costuming and musical accompaniment.

PINA COLUCCIA worked as a nurse for seven years before opening a belly dance school for all ages. She gives seminars on belly dancing at numerous German universities. ANETTE PAFFRATH is a belly dancer and psychotherapist who has researched the psychological benefits of belly dancing. JEAN PܔZ is a well-known author and television personality in Germany. He was an engineer, math and physics teacher, and political economist for thirty years before entering the world of journalism and communications.|

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press (February 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594770212
• ISBN-13: 978-1594770210
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #584,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant taster of oriental dance!, June 11, 2005

By 

I. Raspe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit (Paperback)

Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit by P. Coluccia, A. Paffrath and J. Putz: While still wondering, should I try oriental dance perhaps? ... I came across this book, and I found it a very encouraging and easy-to-understand introduction for beginners or those who consider taking up belly dance. It gives you a lot of background and history and has great photos. There are very interesting chapters on oriental dance for children, and how it can be helpful for women with painful periods. Next, the movements are explained and illustrated with photos so that even a complete beginner can try them with some success! But the book doesn't stop there, it also has interesting chapters on Eastern music, scents and, yummy!, some great recipes. The book certainly won't replace a good class, but if you want a taster of oriental dance, why not start here! It certainly got me started.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear examination of belly dance routines and meaning, June 8, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit (Paperback)

How can a book possibly describe belly dancing? If you think it just can't be done, turn to Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art Of Energy And Spirit by Pina Coluccia, Anette Paffrath and Jean Putz to see just how the dance can be embodied into a book form. A history of belly dance moves from artistic and spiritual insights to physical movement, with chapters focusing on both health benefits and routines. Chapters covering the basic stances and their meanings are also included. Beginners will welcome this clear examination of belly dance routines and meaning.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn the history of belly, March 21, 2008

By 

Azime "Kitty" (Tijuana, Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Belly Dancing: The Sensual Art of Energy and Spirit (Paperback)

I really liked this book because it gives you a lot of info regarding the beginings of belly dance and it's a great read for anyone interested in belly dance.