When I was younger, exercise had a point - it was about training to win. I jogged in the morning to improve my endurance on the tennis court. Weight-lifting allowed me the strength to pull in my sail in heavy wind. Ballet gave me pretty extensions so that my figure skating routines didn't look like spin, jump, spin, but rather had some artistry.

There was no mind/body connection. My goals were directed toward being able to push harder, longer and better so that I could win.

So when I stopped playing sports, I also, for the most part, stopped exercising.  But recently, I've realized that exercising doesn't have to be about how hard you can push yourself; it can be an almost spiritual event, where mind and body play in harmony.  

This is why belly dancing intrigues me. The dance is one of the oldest in recorded history. It is steeped in ritual and it is a dance created by women for women. At its root, belly dance is a way for women to express themselves. Ancient belly dancers performed a dance for death, menstruation and child birth. In some cultures, women would stand in a circle and slowly undulate their hips to hypnotize the mother as she gave birth to her child.

Belly dancing is raw, primal, animalistic. It engages the same muscles that one uses in giving birth. It's a dance that was created to be done barefoot with people's feet stomping the earth. And although the dance looks sensual, as a woman shakes her hips, breasts and buttocks, the movements come out of everyday life and are ripe with symbolism.

Although my experience with belly dance has consisted mainly of trying to move my hips in circles and snaking my arms under the fluorescent lights of a gym, I was impressed to see a wide variety of body shapes and ages in the class. This was not a spandex class where the women looked like supermodels and moved like ballerinas. This was a class where everyone was welcome.

I think that's the essence of belly dancing. It's about community and storytelling. We lose these things as we focus on an exercise goal, whether it be getting in shape for a specific sport or losing weight to be a specific size. Life in ancient cultures was arduous enough that people didn't have to spend an hour on the treadmill to stay in shape. Washing the laundry, gathering food and keeping the house was more than enough to keep them fit and toned. 

Dancing was a way of relaxing - celebrating. It brought women away from their everyday chores and allowed them to talk, relax and experience joy. Dancing - no matter what form - is a release. Belly dancing links that release to everyday movements in a way that enhances body image and raises awareness of one's sensuality.

Coming Monday See how belly-dancing can keep you in tune with yourself ... and in shape.

Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.