The Healing Power of Belly Dance: Movement, Empowerment, and Support for Those Facing Breast Cancer
Hello, beautiful souls,
Today, I want to talk about belly dance for those going through a breast cancer diagnosis. I have been doing some extra research as I am updating my course for teaching children belly dance (something I wrote years ago but never released, stay tuned) and having a B.Sc, I decided to check out google scholar for any new published papers on belly dance.
Much to my surprise, I found 3 papers discussing belly dance and breast cancer and then found a 4th while writing this! This was particularly impactful to me as another of the many challenges I eluded to in the Where for art thou, Jade? piece has been helping my mother through a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis (and I am super close to my mum). We had investigated many things outside the box to help her on this journey but I had not even considered belly dance in this context, despite having been a teacher for decades and despite having had breast cancer patients in my classes many times. (NB: So far, my Mum has outlived doctor’s predictions by quite a bit and is going from strength to strength).
So it turns out, there is some pretty good data showing the benefits of belly dance for those with the diagnosis. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, in treatment, or navigating life after recovery, dance—especially belly dance—offers a unique pathway to healing, empowerment, and self-love and can profoundly impact physical and emotional well-being.
Reconnecting with Your Body Through Dance
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be a deeply unsettling experience, affecting not just the body but also one’s sense of self. Standard treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation often bring physical discomfort, fatigue, and changes in body image that can feel overwhelming. But movement, particularly gentle and expressive forms like belly dance, can help bridge the gap between body and mind.
One study published in 2018 in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that engaging in belly dance classes twice a week presented statistically significant improvements, with an increase in scores of quality of life, body image and sexual function; and a decrease in scores of the symptomatic scale: systemic therapy side effects and arm symptoms, as well the decrease of fatigue and depressive symptoms. A similar pilot study also found significant improvement in body image, particularly in regards to body stigma in 2019.
“Thus, belly dance broadly explores a woman’s femininity, developing self-acceptance and stimulating creativity.”
And another in 2023 also confirmed the fatigue reduction results.
Strength and Recovery Through Movement
Beyond the emotional benefits, belly dance offers gentle physical exercise that can be particularly beneficial for breast cancer patients and survivors. Unlike high-impact workouts, belly dance is relatively low-impact and adaptable to different fitness levels. The gentle engagement of core muscles, improved posture, and enhanced flexibility all contribute to a sense of physical well-being.
A study by Leite et al in 2021 found that belly dance brought positive result in terms of range of movement. For those recovering from surgery and using hormone therapy, dance can be a way to regain strength and range of motion. Movements that focus on arm and shoulder mobility, like slow snake arms and delicate wrist circles, can assist in rebuilding flexibility after mastectomy or lymph node removal. A well-structured belly dance practice encourages movement without strain, allowing the body to strengthen at its own pace.
Embracing the Healing Power of Belly Dance
If you’re facing a breast cancer diagnosis or recovery, I encourage you to explore belly dance as part of your healing journey. Start with small, gentle movements that feel good for your body. Focus on connecting with your breath, embracing fluidity, and celebrating your strength. Whether you dance in the privacy of your home or join a supportive class, remember that every movement is a step toward healing, empowerment, and self-love.
Healing comes not just from stillness but from the rhythmic flow of life itself. No matter where you are in your journey, know that you are strong, you are beautiful, and you are never alone.
With love and light,
Jade
Have you had any personal experiences with breast cancer and belly dance? Does this research match up with your experience?
References:
Boing, L., Baptista, F., Pereira, G. S., Sperandio, F. F., Moratelli, J., Cardoso, A. A., et al. (2018). Benefits of belly dance on quality of life, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer – a pilot study of a non-randomised clinical trial. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 22, 460–466. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.10.003
Boing, L., de Bem Fretta, T., Lynch, B., Dias, M., Martins da Rosa, L., Baptista, F., et al. (2023). Mat Pilates and belly dance: Effects on patient-reported outcomes among breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy and adherence to exercise, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 50, 101683.
Carminatti, M.; Boing, L.; Leite, B.; Sperandio, F.; Korpalski, T.; Fretta, T.; Guimarães, A. (2019) Effects of belly dancing on body image and self-esteem in women with breast cancer—Pilot study. Rev. Bras. Med. Esporte. 25, 464–468.
Leite, B., de Bem Fretta, T., Boing, L., and Guimarães, A. C. A. (2021). Can belly dance and mat Pilates be effective for range of motion, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms of breast cancer women?. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Volume 45, November 2021, 101483
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