Parent to Parent: Belly Dancing

WSVN -- If you're looking to shake and shimmy, you've come to the right place.

Michelle Maniaci: "So we know where are hips are now, let's do big circles with our hips."

Michelle Maniaci, a belly dance instructor says this type of movement was created thousands of years ago by women for women.

Michelle Maniaci: "Belly dance originated as a dance to celebrate women and rites of passages."

Rites of passages like becoming a strong and confident woman.

Michelle Maniaci: "The girls get a chance to explore movement, their bodies, feel more connected to themselves."

Seven's Parenting Expert Dr. Valerie Goode says that connection is important because belly dancing promotes a positive body image for young girls.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "The better a girl feels about her body, the less likely she is to act out."

Dr. Valerie says in addition to the health benefits, belly dancing allows women to celebrate their bodies and teaches girls to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "It's important that we pass this message along to our daughters, so that they too can feel comfortable about their bodies."

She says belly dancing can be a bonding experience between moms and daughters because not only are you having fun together, but you're both connecting with your female side.

Stella Harm and her 9-year-old daughter Femke really liked dancing together.

Stella Harm: "I think it will add a lot of fun to our household because it's something we can practice together."

Femke Harm: "It made me feel like I was dancing in a show, and everyone clapped for me."

Sisters Dewi and Soraya came with their mom and say they like the way belly dancing makes them feel.

Dewi Nijman: "I wasn't embarrassed. I just let myself go and showed my emotions, and it made me happy."

Soraya Nijman: "I thought it was fun because you just get to dance, just shake, just be loose and free."

Letting loose, having fun and releasing your inner diva made all these moms and daughters feel closer to each other.

Michelle Maniaci: "Opening our hearts and showing our curves, letting everything jiggle, so it's a lot about honoring that feminine goddess that's always inside of us."

Lynn Martinez: "Belly dancing is also an excellent exercise for moms-to-be preparing for labor."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Michelle Maniaci
Belly Dance Instructor
http://www.nurturingmoves.com/

Dr. Valerie Goode
http://www.drvaleriegoode.com/