Student performance
at Sadiya's Student Hafla
Why take bellydance classes?
Bellydancing is a great way to develop grace, coordination and core strength and, more generally, to connect with your body.
Bellydance is a great, low-impact form of exercise that's entertaining and fun rather than grueling, and when done correctly it presents little risk of injury.
Bellydance is mentally and creatively stimulating in a great number of ways. It's a window into the performing arts of the Middle East and North Africa. In class, you'll hear traditional music from this region as well as Middle Eastern-inspired music from around the world.
You'll be challenged mentally by learning how to execute complex moves and combinations, how to use special props such as zils or sword, or how to perform choreographies. You'll also be challenged creatively by learning how to improvise a dance with a group of your fellow students, or how to develop your own choreography. There will always be something new to work on, and everything you learn will open up new possibilities.
Student performance
at Blue Moon's Student Showcase
Bellydance classes are a good place to meet new people. I work hard to ensure that my classes have a fun, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere. I am lucky to have a completely awesome group of students whom I think anyone would be glad to make friends with!
My dance classes are also a great way to learn about and transition into performing. In every other session of Fusion FLOW class, we work on a choreography which we then perform at one or more of our area's many student events.
Performing is a wonderful way to really bond with your fellow students, to get experience performing in front of supportive audiences, and to broaden your bellydance horizons-- not to mention a good excuse to dress up in a cool costume and wear lots of makeup. Even if you're not in FLOW class, as a student you will be welcome and encouraged to participate in these events.
Perhaps most importantly, bellydance is THE MOST FUN THING TO DO IN THIS ENTIRE WORLD.*
*This statement is a reflection of my own personal opinion. Your own experience may vary slightly.
Multi-Level Classes in Durham
Jump to a topic...
Times, dates and location ~ Directions to class ~ Class structure ~ CORE description ~ FLOW description
Class fees and payment options ~ How to register ~ Cancellation policy ~ Frequently asked questions
Jump to a topic...
Times, dates and location ~ Directions to class ~ Class structure ~ CORE description ~ FLOW description
Class fees and payment options ~ How to register ~ Cancellation policy ~ Frequently asked questions
Student performance
at Shimmy South 2008
Times, dates and location
Classes are held on Saturday mornings at the Triangle Dance Studio (upstairs) in Durham, NC. Directions to the studio are available on the TDS website.
The Winter 2008 CORE/FLOW session classes will occur on November 1, November 15, November 29, December 6 and December 20.
Each class is 1 hour 20 minutes in length. Tribal CORE class starts at 10 AM and Fusion FLOW class starts at 11:40.
All information about scheduling and cancellations will be made available on this website and through the mailing list whenever possible.
Class structure
My classes are structured a little differently than most. There is no "beginner", "intermediate" or "advanced" level. Both classes are rigorous and challenging, and are geared towards students who have a serious interest in exploring bellydance as an artform. Please read the descriptions carefully to determine which classes would be a good fit for you.
Student performance
at the NCBellydance.org Hafla
Class fees and payment options
Each class is $14 if you pay for it a la carte. Alternatively, you can take both classes in a day for $24, or buy a 6-class pass card for $60. (I will keep your pass card and give you a copy for your own reference, but you won't have to keep track of it yourself, so you won't have to worry about losing your credit. Pass cards can be used for either class and do not expire.)
Please come to class prepared to pay by check or with cash. I can not accept credit cards.
If financial concerns are keeping you from taking a class, please send me an email (skbeaman at gmail dot com). It may be possible that we could set up a fair barter system or some type of work-study arrangement.
How to register
You can RSVP for a class or class session by emailing me at skbeaman at gmail dot com. Please include the name of the class you would like to RSVP for and the date in the subject line (example: Flow Jan 1). In the body of your email, please provide me with your name and let me know whether you would like to be added to my mailing list or not. You can also feel free to tell me about your dance background or introduce yourself in any way you would like in the email. I love to know something about my students beyond just faces and names.
You do not need to prepay, or, for that matter, preregister for classes. Space is not a huge consideration. The RSVP is a courtesy to me to let me know how many students to expect in each class.
Cancellation policy
I reserve the right to cancel classes or class sessions at any time for any reason. In the event of a cancellation I will make all reasonable attempts to contact any students the change would potentially affect, in addition to posting all changes on this website and on my mailing list. Because there is no prepayment system, no refunds will be given in the event of a cancellation.
Who can participate in these classes?
Anyone is welcome to participate regardless of age or gender, but I ask that students under the age of 16 be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless they get my personal permission to do otherwise.
What will I learn from these classes?
These classes will cover the following elements of Tribal and Fusion Bellydance:
~ Correct dance posture-- how to create a beautiful silhouette in your dance and prevent injury
~ Basic muscular isolations and movements universal to all styles of bellydance (e.g. chest and hip slides, undulations, shimmies, circles, vertical and horizontal figure 8s, et cetera)
~ ATS-inspired, Tribal Fusion, and Folkloric moves and/or combinations incorporating the basic isolations, which can be translated directly to solo and group improvisation as well as choreography
~ Cues and transitions for group improvisation (in CORE class)
~ Drills and exercises to use for home practice
In addition, information about the history and aesthetics of the dance form is always available on this website for students and non-students alike to read.
What do I need to bring/wear to class?
Please bring water, a pencil and a notebook for writing notes, and, if you like, a scarf or belt to wear around your hips. Please come to class dressed in comfortable clothing-- something you might wear to a yoga or pilates class. You may choose to bare your stomach or leave it covered up, whichever makes you feel more comfortable. Our warmup and cooldown may involve stretching on the floor, so you might be more comfortable wearing pants rather than a skirt. Be ready to dance in bare feet-- if you'd rather not, then bring dance slippers or socks, but we don't usually dance in shoes. In some FLOW classes you might also be prompted to bring a prop (such as zils) or a specific costuming item (such as a skirt)- in this case I will also try to make some available for students to borrow.
Will this class help me lose weight?
If practiced every day for a sufficient amount of time, bellydance can be an effective way to tone muscle, and if combined with a nutritious and reasonable diet, may help some students lose weight. This class will be designed to give those students who would like to develop their skills outside of class some great ways to start. Realistically, no kind of dance will significantly contribute to weight loss if only practiced once a week for an hour and twenty minutes (the length and frequency of our class).
More importantly, bellydance is extremely body-positive and will help any participant develop strength, flexibility and grace and re-establish a relationship of respect with their body. People (both men and women) of all body types can participate in this dance form and be valued equally for their skills as a dancer. Bellydance has even been used to rehabilitate victims of sexual abuse and eating disorders by dance therapists, so consider how it could make you feel about your own body!
What if I don't want to perform improv/do improv in class?
First of all, FLOW class does not emphasize improv much at all, but it's also more challenging than CORE. Many people are intimidated by the idea of performing group or solo improvisation. Personally, I feel it is an invaluable skill for any dancer, regardless of style. All of the moves in the class are thus designed to be used in improv-- if you want. These moves could just as easily be incorporated into choreography.
If you are taking CORE but nervous about improv, while I strongly suggest all students participate in order to broaden their horizons, it will not be required, per se. Students can feel free to follow along in the back of the room without coming forward to lead the others, to watch without dancing, or leave class early.
I have already taken bellydance lessons. Will I get anything out of these classes?
It is my personal opinion that every student takes something new and different away from every teacher they study with. As do many teachers, I have developed my own format for this class, so that even students who have taken Tribal or Fusion lessons from other teachers should be able to further refine their style and learn new variations on moves. I believe students of all levels can benefit from these classes.
If you already feel that you have a solid grasp of basic bellydance vocabulary, you might be happier in the FLOW class. If you want to go back and refine the basics, or you wish to learn how to do group improv (which is a skill unto itself) try the CORE class.