Main Classes Page > Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in your 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.
You do not need to have taken bellydance (or other dance) classes before attending class. Many of my classes are appropriate for all levels, beginners included. The only class that is restricted by ability or experience level is MEGA Challenge. Fusion FLOW is designed for continuing students, but is not restricted enrollment; anyone can take it if that's what they want to do.
What will I learn from your classes?
Each class will cover slightly different material- none of the classes are exactly the same.
Some topics, however, are included in all classes. All 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
~ Safe dance technique (so that we can all keep dancing as long as we want!)
~ 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
~ Drills and exercises to use for home practice
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like more information about the content of any class.
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 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 your classes 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. My classes are 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 or so.
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 group improv/do improv in class?
First of all, not all of my classes focus on group improv. If you'd rather totally avoid group improv, let me know and I will help you find a non-improv class suitable for your experience and background.
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. Many of the moves we'll cover in 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 a class with a group improv component (such as Tribal CORE) but you're nervous about improv, please feel free to sit out for any part of class you don't feel comfortable with. (That goes for any part of class, not just 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.
I do my best to offer classes that cater to as wide a spectrum of students as possible. If you are having trouble determining what class would be appropriate for your skill level or background, always feel free to contact me for advice!
Return to main Classes page
Who can participate in your 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.
You do not need to have taken bellydance (or other dance) classes before attending class. Many of my classes are appropriate for all levels, beginners included. The only class that is restricted by ability or experience level is MEGA Challenge. Fusion FLOW is designed for continuing students, but is not restricted enrollment; anyone can take it if that's what they want to do.
What will I learn from your classes?
Each class will cover slightly different material- none of the classes are exactly the same.
Some topics, however, are included in all classes. All 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
~ Safe dance technique (so that we can all keep dancing as long as we want!)
~ 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
~ Drills and exercises to use for home practice
Please feel free to contact me if you'd like more information about the content of any class.
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 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 your classes 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. My classes are 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 or so.
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 group improv/do improv in class?
First of all, not all of my classes focus on group improv. If you'd rather totally avoid group improv, let me know and I will help you find a non-improv class suitable for your experience and background.
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. Many of the moves we'll cover in 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 a class with a group improv component (such as Tribal CORE) but you're nervous about improv, please feel free to sit out for any part of class you don't feel comfortable with. (That goes for any part of class, not just 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.
I do my best to offer classes that cater to as wide a spectrum of students as possible. If you are having trouble determining what class would be appropriate for your skill level or background, always feel free to contact me for advice!
Return to main Classes page
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