In Arab countries belly dancing is a form of art. Both men and women can perform it. Europeans discovered it for the second time in the 1920's thanks to Isadora Duncan - the new age dance legend. Mahmoud Redapromoted belly dancing on a worldwide scale by adapting it's steps and choreography to theatre and film sets.

In belly dance, the body is divided into the part belonging to the earth (from the navel down) and the sky (from the navel up). It is a natural energy line. It's basis are circular hip movements which symbolise the earths journey around the sun. The other movements are horizontal and vertical the figures of eight which symbolises infinity and eternity respectively. At the centre of the two is the dancer. The hands serve as conductors of energy between earth and heaven. It's not surprising then that the most attractive part of a belly dancer is her wrist.

Belly dancing can be practised by anyone, irrespective of their age.