The idea of belly dancing for most people, presents a picture of an exotically costumed Middle Eastern woman, with midriff exposed, wiggling and gyrating through a very sexy dance.

This picture is ture, but there is more to belly dancing than just that. Belly dancing is not restricted to females, for one thing. It can be and is indulged in by men as well. Also it varies considerably from country to country.

Predating Islam, is the Turkish belly dance. In Turkey, the dancer's costume and the dancer's movements are not restricted. Turkish dance may have come from Gypsy culture, in addition to being influenced by the Greek dance called the Tsifteteli. The dancer may also uses finger cymbals, or zils. Shoes are frequently high heels, and the costume is quite 'revealing'.

Turkish belly dancing began in the US in the 1930s where it is often called Cabaret belly dancing by today's dancers. Performers who use this dance to perform in nightclubs or up-scale restaurants.

In Egypt, belly dancing is considered a real art form. It goes back thousands of years, and is depicted in hieroglyphics. Unlike the Turkish form, contemporary Egyptian belly dancing requires more modest outfitting. Certain moves, such as gyrations of the pelvis, are not permitted, because they are considered immoral.

Both Egyptian and Turkish belly dance are celebrations of the mature woman, whose physique differs notably from the North American style of beauty. A little extra flab or some 'love handles' are considered advantageous in a mature woman. The mature woman is considered more flexible and experienced in the art of belly dancing because of her maturity.

The sensuality of the dance is at odd with the Islamic view of a woman’s role in society, particularly among those taking a Fundamentalist Islamic view. There are some Islamic countries which have banned or restricted the art form out of a fanatical paranoia against women and their right of self-expression.

In non-Islamic US society, belly dancing is gaining in popularity, largely because it allows for exercise of isolated groups of muscles, especially the abs. This combined with the sensuality of the dance is making it grow as an enjoyable activity as well as performance event in such places as Moroccan restaurants and other venues.

The art of belly dancing can be observed by watching such dancers as Neena and Veena Bidasha, the “belly twins,” who have appeared on US TV shows and have made videos. Their work has in the past inspired the dance choreography of Britney Spears as well as Shakira. Jasmina, who works at the posh Le Meridien Heliopolis in Cairo, is also to be noted as one of the best practitioners of the modern belly dance.