**NEW STUDENTS – please show up 5-10 minutes early so that we can get you registered and start class on time! **
>>WHAT IS BELLY DANCE?<<
Belly dance is a dance with ancient roots from the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT). It is a dance meant for celebration and joy. Belly dance is a term that encompasses many styles of MENAT dances, and has a rich history embedded in the culture of many countries.
Not only is this dance fun and joyful, but it reaps many benefits like increasing flexibility, correcting posture, improving muscle relaxation, developing core strength, and exercising the whole body. It’s like a workout, a massage, and a yoga session in one, all while you’re learning a beautiful art form!
>>INSTRUCTOR<<
The belly dance instructor is Eliza. She has many years of belly dance performance experience as well as years of in-depth technical training in belly dance. Her background in personal training has built a deep understanding of anatomy and movement, which helps immensely in a dance that’s often centered around tiny details to get isolations working in a big, loose, and beautiful way.
>>WHO CAN BELLY DANCE?<<
Belly dance does not discriminate! It is beautiful on any frame and any body shape. Belly dance should work WITH your body – not against it. All genders, shapes, sizes, and fitness levels are welcome!
This class can accommodate any age 13+ as well. Unfortunately, younger students can not be accommodated for this class.
>>WHEN IS CLASS OFFERED?<<
Class runs weekly on Saturday at noon!
>>PRICING<<
This class runs only on donations! Pay what you want and what you can. Free classes are acceptable. Suggested donation is $10 per class. Money should not be a hindrance to learning such a profoundly beneficial and healing dance.
100% of the donations go to Dance International, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the instruction of dance and other art forms, movement and wellness.
>>CLASS CONTENT<<
This class focuses mostly on Arabic styles of belly dance. Raqs sharqi is the prominent style of dance in class, but you will find other styles mixed in such as shaabi, saidi, and baladi.
In this beginner’s Arabic belly dance class, you will learn the basics of belly dance in a safe and fun environment. You will learn and master basic hip isolations, torso isolations, hand and arm movements, foot placements, traveling steps, layering movements, and props.
Additionally, you will learn about Arabic music and the different styles of dance associated to different regions in the Arab world.
>>NEXT STEPS<<
No preparation is needed for class. Just show up! Classes are ongoing, so there is no need to wait! Please get to the studio a few minutes early so that we can start on time with few interruptions.
Wear what makes you comfortable to class. Gym clothes and bare feet are acceptable. You can wear leather bottomed dance shoes for more comfort while dancing. Hipscarves are encouraged to feel movements better, but are not required.