Scientific Study of Body Image and Belly Dance

I found this article on a scientific study examining belly dance and a positive body image.

Scientists take a look at the feel good benefits of belly dance

The conclusion is that belly dancing leads to a more positive body image. For anyone who does belly dancing, these findings are not surprising. I have not heard a single story of someone feeling worse about their body after doing classes.

What I don't like about this study is the perpetuation of the discourse of sexuality that plagues the idea of belly dance. They refer to belly dancing as "erotic and sexually alluring" which is not exactly true. Westerners often mistaken hip and undulating movements to be sexual, and of course there are dancers who bolster this view by dancing sexually and wearing very little. But the nature of the dance is more sensual than sexual.

Luckily they do conclude that most belly dancers do not dance to be sexy or alluring to men. "Most women rated the possible sexual nature of the activity as a lesser reason for enjoying belly dancing. This supports the idea that women participate in this somewhat erotic and sexually alluring activity purely for themselves, rather than to feel sexier and more attractive to others." Sexual misconceptions aside, this study is important to back up the claims belly dancers have been making for years. That belly dancing is more than just exercise. It's also a healing tool for body and self-image.