How was Einstein able to conceive the Theory of Relativity?
He said the one crucial thing that helped him was his ability to visualise:
"What would it be like to be riding on the end of a light beam?"
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You will find yourself moving more fluidly when you walk, and the stiffness which was hampering your life, will be gone.
All the movements used in Belly
The spine is given greater flexibility as strengthening the abdominal and side muscles protects the back, where the muscles in the small of the back are particularly thin and weak.
Sessions start with gentle breathing from the abdomen and stretching the body upwards to improve flexibility.
Raising the arms above the head releases ‘happy’ endorphins in the brain and creates a feeling of well-being. Winners always raise their hands above their heads. Raising the arms above the head and making a large circle out to the sides and back to the centre point at hip level balances the 'chi' (life force).
Arm and leg muscles are stretched and relaxed to improve flexibility and the neck is flexed in every direction except backwards; never backwards, and never in a circle as this can be very dangerous.
Over a period of time, the weight of the head tends to drag the neck muscles forward and without constant flexing these muscles weaken – thus the ‘dowager’s hump’ makes an appearance. The ear should be in line with the shoulder, chin slightly tucked in.
Balance is improved as the leg muscles strengthen and knee, hip and ankle flexibility improves. Hip flexibility is the main contributor to stability. Hips act in a similar manner to shock absorbers in motor vehicles, or stabilizers in ships - they help to even out the rough patches. If hips are truly flexible, they automatically adjust to different surfaces or levels, underfoot. Flexible hips allow you to descend stairs without concern for your safety.
Shoulders are stretched and flexed until the shoulders are completely free and can move independently through a wide arc of movement. Many people do not move their shoulders and after some years, they find they cannot move their shoulders; or their job may force them to hold their shoulders in awkward positions for several hours a day – just watch a hairdresser at work.
The rib cage is moved sideways, forwards, backwards and in diamond and circle configurations whilst keeping the remainder of the body completely stationary.
Then the hips are moved through the same movements whilst keeping the rib cage stationary. Hip movements cover an extremely wide range and incorporate flicks and drops and sits and figure eights (which can be horizontal, vertical or forward and back).
Circles are drawn with the hips without moving the rest of the torso, and there are little circles and big circles. Circles can also involve moving the rib cage in a counter-balancing circle to the hips, (corkscrew). You will find a hip circle easier to do, if you put one foot slightly in front of the other, with the weight on the back foot and your knees slightly bent.
Abdominal muscles are flexed in circular movements upwards, sideways and obliquely, creating abdominal rolls, flutters and waves. To strengthen abdominal muscles – suck in the belly button on an out breath and force the belly outwards on an in breath. This flexes the abdominal muscles and can be done at any time, waiting in queues, washing the dishes, watching television or just sitting. Do NOT use sit-ups as a means of strengthening abdominal muscles as this can do irreparable damage to the spine.
All these movements may be performed whilst moving the arms, feet, neck, shoulders, even eyes and eyelids. This is called ‘layering’.
When muscles stretch and contract they stimulate the many vital organs within the torso as well as the lymph system. Elimination of toxic substances within the body will be markedly enhanced by the stimulation of the lymph system. The manipulation of the abdominal muscles creates a massage effect on the major lymph tract, which runs up the centre of the torso to the top of the rib cage, where toxic lymph is discharged into the venous system and thus eliminated from the body.
Exercise decreases blood volumes in venous reservoirs such as the spleen. The shifts in reservoirs makes more blood available to the heart, arteries and exercising muscle; and respiration more efficient. The body learns to mobilise sources of nutrients rapidly for energy production.
21st Century scientific observations of Astronauts, who have spent extended periods of time in Space, have shown that there is considerable loss of calcium, bone density and muscle mass, in a gravity-free environment.
Astronauts may take several years to recover their pre-flight health status - the effect of zero gravity on the body is similar to the effects of ageing. Astronauts who spend 3 months in weightless conditions lose 30% of their muscle mass.
The conclusion is that it is vital to constantly 'resist' gravity, in order to remain healthy. Therefore, it is better for you to climb those stairs, resisting gravity all the way, than to use the lift. It is better for you to get up out of that chair instead of asking the children to bring you cups of tea.
Modern buildings are being designed to force people to walk greater distances to and from areas such as the car park or other sections of the complex. Lifts are deliberately set at 'slow' to encourage more people to take the stairs.
Resisting gravity is the best way to keep your body healthy, and negate the expected effects of ageing.
There are two general types of muscle in the body – cardiac and skeletal.
Skeletal muscles fall into two general types, commonly known as ‘fast twitch’ or white muscle and ‘slow twitch’ or red muscle. ‘Fast twitch’ are responsible for rapid, sudden movements, whilst ‘slow twitch’ maintain slower, sustained movements. Individuals are born with a set ratio of ‘fast twitch’ muscles to ‘slow twitch’ muscles and this ratio in unchangeable. However, the ratio of these muscles in individual body parts does vary from person to person.
Thus athletes with a higher ratio of ‘fast twitch’ muscles in their legs will make good sprinters, whereas those athletes with a higher ratio of ‘slow twitch’ muscles in their legs will make good marathon runners.
For this reason dancers will perform movements totally differently each from the other. This makes the individualistic style of belly dancing most appealing; there is no demand to conform to a rigid structure.
To become a classical ballet dancer, you would need to have a specific build, with a specific balance of 'fast twitch' and 'slow twitch' muscles in a specific area of the body.
To become a belly dancer, there is no limit on body weight, height, age or eye colour.
Doctors are recommending belly dancing as a pain management system for women suffering from Endometriosis.
Blood pressure is stabilised; the heart muscle is strengthened and lung capacity increased, and the whole body is left with a feeling of well-being. Talking about blood pressure, some people find a small amount of powdered ginger in apple juice works to maintain a healthy blood pressure – alternatively eating celery – about 4 sticks a day.
Fertility is enhanced and a dancer can expect a trouble free pregnancy and birthing. One lady, a midwife, suffering from agoraphobia after the birth of her son, found that bellydancing helped her to regain her self-confidence, as her ability improved.
A dancer will probably take about 6 months to reach a good standard of flexibility, muscle power and balance; but even the first lesson will be fun, with much laughter and happy feelings.
Western dancers have to overcome their
rigid upbringing, but once they learn that there is no embarrassment in moving
the body, and come to love the driving music, they will become enthusiasts.
Zaida
Being myself includes taking risks with myself,
taking risks on new behaviour,
trying new ways of 'being myself'