Posture is the first thing Belly Dancer should learn. Her position should exude pride and elegance.  It should allow optimal breathing and oxygenation to her entire body.  By positioning herself correctly, her balance will be more steady permitting her to execute move more precisely.  Proper lift will make her "light" on her feet allowing to spin more gracefully and giving the dancer an all around graceful look.

Poor posture can contribute to strained joints, connective tissues and muscles.  If your back is overarched, you could be subject to back injury and your movement can be restricted.  Slumping makes it harder to breath, affects balance and generally ruins your body lines.  Standing or sitting with weight on one side can stress joints and body from foot to head. By changing to good posture you can give the appearance of instantly losing 10 or more pounds and look like royalty rather than a slob.

Practicing good posture every day will make the task of getting into good posture when you dance much easier.  AND for belly dancers, good dance posture is very much like general good posture.

Some elements of good posture and benefits are:

• Soft slightly bent knees (helps avoid shock not only to the knees but to the entire body

• Pulled-in abdominal muscles -- supports your internal organs

• Lifting your body weight up and out of your joints -- helps with full breathing, balance and appearance

• Pressed-down shoulders without squeezing your shoulder blades together (as you lift your arms overhead, push your shoulders down) - helps reduce strain on neck and upper back

• Chest lifted and expanded forward (breath into it until you feel the stretch of the supporting muscles under the rib cage and around the back)- for increased breathing an oxygen flow to entire body which nourishes muscles and energizes  (Also Great for your appearance)

• Your head and chin held high and chin level (not forward) - protection of neck and spine