Bellydancing if you have a knee problem

Bellydancing is no longer just a dance that women enjoy for fun; on the other hand, as we have pointed out before in a series of articles, belly-dancing is now considered as a great way to lose weight, stay fit, and bring out your feminine side. (Related article: Bellydance for losing weight)

But bellydancing is not for everyone. Apart from being a very strenuous form of exercise for beginners, it is particularly hard on a woman's knees. That is why we have suggested that if you have knee problems, you should stay away from it.

Sandy, who has a bad left knee, is very interested in bellydance lessons. She asks, "I take Cortizone shots every three months but with certain movements, it hurts really bad. Would you recommend bellydancing for me? And do you think it would be safe for my bad knee. My (male) doctor who knows nothing about bellydancing and can never appreciate how much I want to do it, simply keeps telling me to walk. Please advise."

As we said in the article, bellydancing is tough on the knees and it is best to discuss this with your doctor before you decide to do it. However, it may be OK to start with simple moves and stop when it hurts. Also stay away from those moves that seem to put undue pressure on your knees.

And since you may not have this freedom in a formal class, try to buy a DVD and do it at home so that you can enjoy it at your own pace and pick the moves that work for you. A bellydance teacher is likely to follow a set routine that will work for a small group of women. She may not be able to accommodate your individual requirements.

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