3 Ways The "Naturally Thin" Stay That Way

The Naturally Thin Don't Worry - As Much As We Do:  According to a survey conducted by Health Magazine late last year, 54% of all those surveyed said they worry more than their spouse.  Experts that specialize in this area recommend those that worry become aware of what's happening now and keep it in context to your overall goals.  It's not that those that are "Naturally Thin" don't worry - they do - it's just they keep their worries "compartmentalized" and don't allow the worry to overshadow their goals in life.  They take it in stride.

The "Naturally Thin" Eat What They Want:  They eat what they want - within reason.  The key lies in eating until one is satisfied and they don't eat the same high fat foods frequently.

The "Naturally Thin" Look At Food As a Source Of Fuel - Not Comfort:  While it's fine to have a craving for something, "Naturally Thin" people don't look to food as the answer.  They don't think "I'm so sad/stressed today that I'm going to go home and eat a whole pint of ice cream".  The "Naturally Thin" eat and enjoy their food - and move on.

Hopefully these 3 tips help you in your fitness goals.  Remember, feel free to eat, enjoy your food, and don't let life worry steal your peace of mind.

Thank you for taking time to read this.  Feel free to post comments below.

How To: Egyptian Hip Drop/Hip Drop Kick

As always, your will start with both of your knees will be slightly bent. With your weight on the standing foot (in this example, let's make it our left foot), bring the other foot (your right foot) in front of the standing foot with only the ball of your foot touching the floor. At this point, over 90% of your weight should be in the standing foot. To help your balance, you can lean back slightly, but you must keep your back straight. Now lift your hip up and towards your waist and "snap"/drop it down once on the beat. To perform the "hip drop kick" action, the next time you drop your hip, kick your heel out. Alternate with your foot touching the floor, foot kicking in the air, touching, kicking, etc... Remember, don't bounce.

Bellydance Movements Executed Slowly Build More Muscle

Did you know that one pound of muscle burns through 75 calories per day? By comparison, one pound of fat burns through 2 calories per day. Bellydance movements executed slowly build more muscle and help you burn fat while you are resting because it increases your metabolism. So S-L-O-W-L-Y shake it!

Lawyer Turned Bellydancer - Saphira

Bellydancing graces the covers of "The Washington Post" and "NPR Radio" again!

One would think that if you earned a six figure salary as a lawyer and bellydanced that this would be enough to handle in your life, but we at Jade Fitness and Entertainment often say that once the "bellydance bug" bites you, there is no turning back.

A successful lawyer, Rachel Ortega fell in love with bellydancing a few years ago but it wasn't enough to take a few classes and perform. Eventually, she "took the plunge" after being bit by the "bellydance bug", left her career as a lawyer and started her own school. Today, it is a successful and busy operation with 9 instructors and teaches hundreds of women the art of bellydancing. Like Jade Fitness and Entertainment, her students hail from all professions and backgrounds and enjoy her classes.

To learn more about Saphira and her story of how the "bellydance bug" bit her, CLICK HERE.

We at Jade Fitness and Entertainment wish Saphira well!!

Burn Fat By Working Out In Your Head!!!

Did you know, those that visualized working out "in their heads" had a higher resting metabolism in scientific studies than those that did nothing "in their heads"? Yes, it's true!!! You can burn a bit more fat by turning on your favorite song or soundtrack in your head while walking or sitting and watching television.

So shimmy away in your head before you go to class or between classes for extra calorie burn!!! Need some "material"? We've got great new moves to give you in all of our classes where you can be the star of the show in your head!!!

Bellydance Factoid: How Do I Shoulder Shimmy?

Shoulder Shimmy

There is a difference between a breast shimmy and a shoulder shimmy although they look rather similar. The main difference is that the shoulder shimmy is executed by pushing one shoulder forward while pulling the other shoulder back. In class, we also call it "punching". Punch the right shoulder, then punch the left shoulder. Alternate your "shoulder punching". There is no way to keep the "girls" from coming along for the ride, since they are connected to the upper part of your body. However, you don't want to lead with your chest.

****Note, highly recommend you start out practicing with a supportive bra on when you do this move. The first time we did it without a supportive bra, our "girls" were moving a lot!!! (laughing)

Bellydance Moves: How To Camel Roll

We have covered a lot and there is still more to come. In the meantime, here is a breakdown on the "Camel Roll".

Camel Roll
To do a camel roll you should start with the rib cage and the tuck and release of the pelvis. Let's start with the rib cage by pushing the ribs forward, up, back and center. Then round it out till it's smooth (This is what your torso will be doing also). Next we'll work on the pelvis. Start with your feet parallel and facing forward with your knees slightly bent. Now tuck the tail bone under causing your hips to go forward. Now, release it back to center and the push it slightly back and then back to center. Keep your spine supple.

Now let's combine the moves.

Think of your body being divided into sections, your top is section one, the middle is section 2, and the pelvis is section 3. Think of an imaginary wall in front of you. Not one section of your body can touch the wall at the same time. Sooo, if section "one" is touching the wall, then section two and three are not. If section "two" (your stomach/midsection) is touching the wall, section one and three are not. With this in mind, push the ribs forward and the pelvis back. Next, push the ribs up and the pelvis goes back to center. As you execute this movement, section "one" is touching the imaginary wall and section two and three are not. Then, pull the ribs back a bit more as you tuck the tail bone under you. Keep your spine supple and flexible. At this point your section "two" should be touching the imaginary wall, section one and three are not touching. Your spine should be pretty concave at this point as you move into pulling your ribs back and your pelvis toward the center. Finally your hips (section "three") should move forward as your ribs and hips return to the center. Attempt this move again, but try to smooth it out.

Also, try it with one foot in front of the other or on the balls of your feet (helpful for walking). Make sure your roll down the spine though every vertebrae.

Benefit and "Why You Should Care Factor": Works all of the muscles in your torso for a slimmer physique. Also works your stomach because you are executing a "mini-ab-crunch" for your upper abs (reduce and tones upper belly size). This also increases the strength in your back over time because we commonly don't work our backs because we are sitting all day (less back arches and injury).

Belly Roll and Childbirth

As promised to last week's Wednesday night class, I've located several articles that cite the benefit of using the "Bellyroll" to aide in the birthing process.

These are the following sites:

Bellydance Your Way Through Pregnancy

Discussion Board Post #21 By "Belly dancer" on 1-29-08 at 2:04 am

Belly Dancing and Childbirth by the bellydancer Morocco

Essentially, the sentiment was the same. If you start learn the bellyroll early on, your birth will be an easier one because of your ability to isolate the muscles in that area. Another benefit includes providing the reproductive organs with more oxygen resulting in improved health. So ladies - let's roll!!!