Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)

Learn introductory finger cymbal technique, patterns and movement combinations. Highly recommended to prepare students for the Low Intermediate II Sahara Dance technique class, this workshop is a great way to begin developing technical proficiency with finger cymbals. No previous finger cymbal experience necessary. Students should bring their own finger cymbals (Saroyan recommended). Prerequisite: Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II technique or some previous belly dance experience.

Beledi Choreography

Experience the rich and earthy dance of the Egyptian countryside. Full of hip movements and heavy beats, it’s a fun afternoon for all levels with modifications to challenge intermediate dancers.

Samba-Belly Fusion!

Experience the pulsating rhythms of Brazilian music and explore Samba-belly fusion! Build on your current belly dance movement vocabulary with exciting, high-energy Brazilian hip action, footwork and style. Learn fun dance combinations that fuse lively samba movements and beats with the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Fun and high energy, this class is appropriate for all levels. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.

Jazz-Belly Fusion!

Discover a creative new way to expand your belly dance. Learn dance combinations inspired by “old-school” jazz style, 80’s Flashdance fun, and traditional raqs sharqi movement. Be prepared to step out of your self and electrify your dance. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.

Introduction to Belly Dance

Discover the timeless beauty and joy of this organic dance. Students will learn basic technique including lifted stance and posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context and philosophy of belly dance. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!

No prior experience necessary.

Master Class with Rachel Brice

Topic: Combinations for Improvisational Dance (Intermediate/Advanced)
Master Class with Rachel Brice

For the improvisational performer, it is common to feel that one’s dance vocabulary is limited. In this workshop, Rachel will teach two or three intermediate/advanced combinations that can be used with most common-time (8 beat cycle) pieces of music and inserted anywhere in an improvisational performance or a choreography.

The class will have three objectives:

1. to drill individual phrases in the combinations that emphasize a particular type of movement and can become part of a dancer’s personal practice
2. to use the full combinations as “forms”, each with a different focus, for the purpose of muscle memory and neuromuscuar education
3. to give the participant tools for a satisfying improvisational performance.

Class will begin with rigorous Belly Dance drills, and end with a 30 minute Yoga practice for flexibility.

Class size limited to 15 students for the purpose of personal instruction and feedback.

Please bring a Yoga mat, a notebook, comfortable stretchy clothes, a dance belt, finger cymbals and water.

Belly Dance Yoga Retreat with Rachel Brice

3rd Annual Belly Dance Yoga Retreat with Rachel Brice
August 23 - 30, 2008
Pura Vida, Costa Rica

Put the world on pause to immerse yourself in an intensive yoga and dance practice. Enjoy the beauty of Costa Rica, while studying with one of the leading artists in tribal belly dance. The weeklong intensive will include 20 hours of dance instruction with Rachel Brice, delicious and wholesome food, beautiful accommodations and a serene tropical setting for reflection & rejuvenation.

A typical day would include:

8:30 am	Breakfast
10:00 am	Yoga stretch, dance preparation
11:00 am	Conditioning drills
12:15 pm	Break
12:30 pm	Special topic
2:30 pm	Lunch
4:30 pm	Open Lab
7:30 pm	Dinner

This retreat is suitable for all levels, with individual attention to challenge advanced dancers. A basic foundation in belly dance and/or yoga is required.

*** Now open for registration! ***

Intermediate Zills Combinations

Go beyond the basics to build your finger cymbal technique with more patterns and movement combinations. Students need to provide finger cymbals for the class.

Prerequisite: Competency with basic finger cymbal technique; some previous belly dance experience is recommended.

Introduction to Bellybarre: Stretch, Strengthen and Relaxation

Try a unique mind-body class designed specifically for belly dance conditioning. Dedicate two hours to improving alignment, building endurance and expanding body awareness. Students will strengthen core muscles, open upper body carriage, increase flexibility and quiet the mind for full awareness. Classes are based on a blend of yin yoga and vinyasa yoga, pilates, meditation, and fundamental belly dance movement. All levels are welcome. Bring a notebook, water bottle, a light snack, and a towel.

Urban Fusion I

Explore a fun and unique spin on contemporary belly dance. Learn dance combinations that fuse modern urban styles and the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Build coordination, work on isolating movements, and expand your dance style with locks and waves. This class will be high energy - prepare to sweat and have fun. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.

Urban Fusion II

Kick it up a notch with a fun and unique spin on contemporary belly dance. Learn dance combinations that fuse modern urban styles with the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Build coordination, work on isolating movements, and expand your dance style with locks and waves. This class will be high energy - prepare to sweat and have fun. Choreography is geared towards Low Intermediate and higher level students and/or those who have previous urban fusion dance experience.

Oriental Turns and Traveling Steps

Add dynamism to your dance with spins, turns, and floor patterns. Learn combinations of the traveling steps and turns most frequently used in belly dance. Specific attention will be given to spotting, turn technique, and Oriental stylization. All levels are welcome. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

Layering

Layered movements add intricacy and depth to your dance. Learn techniques and combinations to effortlessly combine two or more belly dance movements. All levels are welcome. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

1001 Shimmies!

An afternoon of coin-jingling, fringe-flying fun! Add a hip shake to your step by learning a great new move for the dance floor, or just review this distinctive belly dance technique. Guaranteed to be a great workout. All levels are welcome. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

Latin-Belly Fusion!

Expand your dance repertoire with Latin-belly fusion! Learn fun dance combinations that fuse salsa, bachata, and other Latin styles with the ancient art of raqs sharqi. All levels are welcome. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.

Improvisation

Experiment with tips and tools for improvising to Arab music. Learn musical understanding, phrasing and techniques for overcoming improvisational stage fright. Participants will develop greater skill and comfort in spontaneously creating pieces on the spot and in the moment. All levels are welcome, however some previous belly dance experience is recommended.

Dance Movement: Footwork and Fluidity

Learn skills essential to internalizing choreography. Focusing on footwork and traveling movements, spend the afternoon learning dance combinations to deepen your connection with the floor, build trust and sense of personal space, and increase confidence to move in different directions. All levels are welcome, however some previous dance experience is recommended.

Jazz-Belly Fusion!

Discover a creative new way to expand your belly dance. Learn dance combinations inspired by “old-school” jazz style, 80’s Flashdance fun, and traditional raqs sharqi movement. Be prepared to step out of yourself and electrify your dance. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.

Introduction to Raqs Al Assaya (Cane Dance)

Experience the playful spirit of folkloric dance while learning assaya combinations and handling techniques. In Raqs Al Assaya, a cheerful dance from the Sa’id (Upper Egypt), the dancer twirls a cane in playful imitation of the men’s regional martial art. Raqs Al Assaya may be presented as folkloric dance, or adapted for cabaret-style Oriental dance. Students need to provide canes for class. All levels are welcome, however some previous dance experience is recommended.

Sa’idi Assaya (Cane) Combinations

Raqs Al Assaya is a cheerful dance from the Sa’id (Upper Egypt), in which the dancer twirls a cane in playful imitation of the men’s regional martial art. (The men’s version, Tahtihb, is performed with heavy staffs.) Raqs Al Assaya may be presented as folkloric dance, or adapted for cabaret-style Oriental dance. Elysa will teach fun combinations and a short Sa’idi choreography. Students need to provide canes for class. Prerequisite: Competency with basic cane technique required.

Undulations and Swirly Movements

Explore the slow and sensual side of belly dance. Taqsim is a hypnotic and introspective solo instrumental piece or section of music, often improvised. Some believe the soul or essence of a dancer is revealed while performing to a taqsim. Learn to recognize the instruments most often used in a taqsim, and how to reflect the music in your dance. Guaranteed to be a deeply muscular core workout! All levels are welcome. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.