Hey everyone, my friend (fondly known as Hunter Princess) 
cajoled me into signing up for belly dancing classes at a studio so we could work on our hips, back and core muscles. I was skeptical at first since I had no idea what to expect, but it is a GREAT exercise! I feel my hips and lower back loosening up and I’m finding muscles in my upper abdomen and shoulders that I didn’t know even existed! I never realized just how tight and tense our shoulder blades can get from riding until I started this class. Anyway, just wanted to share with you all and encourage you to find a local dance studio that offers these classes. It is FUN! 
[QUOTE=GreekDressageQueen;4694926]
Hey everyone, my friend (fondly known as Hunter Princess) 
cajoled me into signing up for belly dancing classes at a studio so we could work on our hips, back and core muscles. I was skeptical at first since I had no idea what to expect, but it is a GREAT exercise! I feel my hips and lower back loosening up and I’m finding muscles in my upper abdomen and shoulders that I didn’t know even existed! I never realized just how tight and tense our shoulder blades can get from riding until I started this class. Anyway, just wanted to share with you all and encourage you to find a local dance studio that offers these classes. It is FUN! :)[/QUOTE]
My younger sister got interested in belly dancing several years ago and became an instructor. She has since gone up two cup sizes.:eek: So there are other benefits as well.
I’ve posted before that I think belly dancing is a GREAT toning exercise for dressage. Not only the stretching etc., but you really learn to isolate pretty much the same areas we use for riding. I love love love it 
[QUOTE=TheHorseProblem;4696352]
My younger sister got interested in belly dancing several years ago and became an instructor. She has since gone up two cup sizes.:eek: So there are other benefits as well.[/QUOTE]
Oh… that’s unfortunate? Not sure… I CAN tell you that belly dancing helps build your pectoral muscles that lie underneath your breasts so she might have gained more muscle which added overall size. She might not be happy to have larger breasts, but at least they have a better foundation and will sag less! 
And you get to wear really cool outfits, tooo :winkgrin:
Seriously, you will probably be able to wear those breeches that the rest us can’t.
Oh how cool!!! Does anyone have an instructional DVD to recommend?
This is great news!
I just started a belly dancing class this week and am super thrilled to know that it may have positive effects on my riding as well. I agree that it was an ab workout with a high degree of flexibility involved. I am excited to know that others have felt riding benefits. Another reason to keep taking this fun class. Thanks for the encouragement!
Belly dance is awesome for riding! The whole thing is about building a strong core and being able to isolate muscle groups. Wish I could find a local class 
