C U Shimmy offers Middle Eastern dance to girls/women aged 16-25 who have a variety of mental health difficulties. The aim is to focus on the healing aspects of the dance in terms of body image, self esteem and social confidence.

The rationale for this proposal comes from the proven link between physical health and mental health, as well as numerous personal testimonies from women who have found learning to belly dance to be a positive and life-changing experience.

"Since that first class, three and a half years ago, I have stopped all destructive behaviour towards myself and finally broken out of the never ending cycle of self hatred. I have learned to love myself and my body and be comfortable with myself as a woman."

Belly dancing has been found to be beneficial in many ways including improving overall fitness, reducing joint and muscular complaints and increasing confidence and positive body-image.

In relation to positive body image and self esteem, belly dance provides an environment where women of any shape, size or age can feel proud of their bodies and of being women. The dance is an ancient dance and its spiritual ties to fertility and childbirth present women with a rare opportunity to celebrate their unique abilities.

"I have accepted my ‘fat bits’ now. My self confidence has improved beyond belief. I have had to do quite a few ‘public appearances’ lately. Couldn’t have done that before. Made new friends, enjoyed haflas and performed in public."

By offering an environment of healthy body image and exercise, the risk of young girls developing mental health problems, which can so often be related to low self esteem, will be significantly less. For those who may already be experiencing mental health difficulties the project offers healthy coping strategies and a great way to reduce stress, anxiety and low mood.

In raising girls and young women’s self esteem, in particular with relation to their bodies, numerous benefits and healthier, happier women can be predicted for individuals, families and communities.

"I feel that it has given me back a shape, especially at the waist and tummy. I can’t believe that I danced in front of a crowd albeit as part of a group. It has improved my social life. I enjoy haflas and watching belly dancers who are more accomplished than myself dance. Its something to aspire to. Since I was young dancing was never my forte, but belly dancing has made me realise that I can dance."

C U Shimmy is a very new and alternative concept. Dance therapy is already an established discipline but no one in Britain has used belly dance specifically in this way before. There are private organisations in England which use belly dance as a therapeutic tool and it is a well established idea in the USA but offering this opportunity free of charge to the groups of people who would benefit the most and who would perhaps have difficulty accessing such services normally is a new direction in mental health. The research that has been done has come back with the same answer time and time again…..YES!!! We want and need this service.

Young People’s Quotes from focus groups when asked if they thought bellydance could improve confidence and body image: Its good fun and takes your mind off things Yes, they would be more confident and make them fitter Yes because they maybe want to do more exercise It will increase confidence and get you fit Bellydance could improve all of the above. It gives you a better sense of your body in a positive light, especially having a brief talk on the history of bellydance and its origins

For more Testimonials on how Belly Dance can change your life
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