Belly Dancing For Health And Beauty

Belly dancing takes a lot more than a pretty shimmy. The pros say it can lead the way to a healthy, more sensual life. Neena and Veena have been doing it for the past 10 years and have used their experience to write a new book, "The Way of the Belly: 8 Essential Secrets of Beauty, Sensuality, Health, Happiness, and Outrageous Fun." The book is full of everything from belly dancing moves to makeup tips. Also known as the Belly Twins, the authors joined The Early Show Thursday with some of their advice and insights.

Demonstrating how belly dancing can be an effective exercise routine, Neena and Veena offered the following guidelines.

Upper body undulation
Create a circle with your rib cage, giving upper abs a work-out. It's a very sensual move and can include arm motions to exercise those muscles as well.

Lower body: the hagala, or "shimmy walk"
This works the lower body, hips, backside, and thighs. Step forward, shift your weight forward, lift up and step.

The classic "shimmy"
Alternating your knees back and forth, just let go and shake. Good for the hips, backside, thighs and for burning calories.

As for diet, the Belly Twins offer a four week program.

Week 1: Change your drinking habits
No more caffeine, sodas, or other sugared drinks. Switch to water only.

Week 2: Make fruits and vegetables your best friends
Toss the cookies and candy and make fruits and vegetables your best friend.

Week 3: Give yourself an oil change
Eliminate all trans-fats, eliminate deep fried foods, like onion rings, French fries, fried chicken, etc., and add healthy fats, like avocado, nuts, olive oil, and fish like salmon.

Week 4: Switch to healthy grains
No more white bread, or anything that contains processed white flour. Buy sprouted grains and whole grains, like brown rice, oatmeal, and even grits, which can be jazzed up with nuts and raisins.

To hear more tips and watch a bell-dancing demonstration, click here.

To read an excerpt from "The Way of the Belly," click here.

And for more information, visit Neena and Veena's official Web site.