Belly-Dancers Are More Accepting of Their Bodies Than Other Performance Artists

There's no doubt that the exotic and sensual movements of belly-dancing exercise can make a woman feel sexy. Yet recent findings examined on this torso-driven form of dance helps many women feel more open and comfortable about their bodies and their sexuality.

Previous studies conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom have shown how street and modern dancers hold a more positive body images of themselves than many exotic dancers. To better understand previous findings, researchers examined the scant literature available on belling dancing.

In addition, they recruited 112 belly dancers from two dancing schools in Adelaide, Australia, along with 101 college women who had never participated in this activity before. All participants were asked to complete questionnaires in which they rated their own bodies, how they thought others saw their bodies and if their bodies were attractive to the opposite sex.

Findings revealed that many belly dancers were more open and accepting of their bodies, including "flaws" typically addressed in the fashion world. They also had fewer self-objectifying thoughts, and took others' perception of their body with a grain of salt.

Lead stuedy author Marika Tiggemann of Flinders University in Australia reiterates that besides the fun and noticeable health benefits of belly dancing, the art gives women more ownership of their bodies and helps them appreciate themselves more mentally and physically in the present "moment."

"Belly dancing is an activity associated with positive body image, because participants tend to focus less on their external appearance, and more on the experience and what they are able to do with their bodies," concluded Tiggemann, in a news release. "It allows women a rare, safe and creative opportunity for exploring and expressing their sensual and sexual selves."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Sex Roles.