Sensory Bellydance - Somatic Approaches to Improve the Dancer's Experience from the Inside Out Article by Keti Sharif, Dec 2024 A Somatic approach to Bellydance movement focuses on enhancing awareness of the body’s internal sensations and fostering a deeper connection between mind and body. This approach contrasts with more externally-focused techniques, which might emphasise the performance of specific movements or adherence to prescribed forms. Instead, Somatic practices invite dancers to explore how movement feels from the inside out, improving the quality of movement by promoting fluidity, ease, and mindfulness. Bellydancing, with its sensual, free-form nature, is a highly Somatic dance practice, and can create a beautifully sensory experience for the dancer. Its blend of hypnotic rhythm and flow, contrasting accents and curves, and emotional content, easily lends it self to the Somatic space. Bellydancing in all its wonderfully diverse forms, celebrates the body with heightene...