Several theories exist about bellydance and it's origins. My favorite is that bellydance is an ancient form of goddess worship used by women FOR women as it was used as a means of preparing a pregnant woman for labor. Several women would gather with an laboring woman and dance with her doing movements that would help ease her labor pains and stretch her ligaments and muscles to allow for safe birthing. From there bellydance found it's way to spiritual rituals, celebrations, and family entertainment. It is still a very respected art form in Egypt. Apart from belly dance, I also teach other forms of "fertility dance" including Salsa, Reggae, Goddess Movement and more. Check below to see what interests you.

I believe that each woman is a goddess and even though we play the roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, co-worker, maid, and friend, we are WOMEN first and MUST take time for ourselves. The movements of bellydance are complimentary to a woman's body and I like to teach it in a way that every woman can do this. Many of the moves you already do in your daily lives and don't realize it. My technique is safe for all ages, body shapes, and no one is too "uncoordinated" to learn. Let me show you what I mean and how simple it really is for you to connect to your inner-goddess. It really is a great stress reliever and a wonderful way to nurture and love yourself.

**Please note, I DO NOT allow for guests to sit-in or observe my classes. This is for the comfort of my students as they learn a difficult skill. My priority is to provide an environment for my ladies to dance and express themselves that is safe and encouraging without on-lookers. Thank you for understanding this policy.**

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Belly Dance with Veil - 6 week session
This class is a killer! Improves posture, poise, upper body development as well as lower body conditioning and toning. The veil dance is very mysterious and sensual but it also is an amazing total body workout. This 90 minute class will provide strength and conditioning exercises for isolation and control and technique for belly dance basics and veil. Veils are provided for you to use in class and you can always go to the fabric store and buy fabric to make your own if you choose. Instructions for that are: 3 yards of 36 inch wide chiffon. We dance with rectangular veils in this class. Bellydance CD provided for you to practice at home and is your to keep included in the tuition.

Belly Dance Hips, Buns, & Abs
This class is an open-drop in class and perfect for any skill level. You do not need to register for this class in advance. It is a 90 minute class. We spend 30 minutes covering Pilates exercises specific for belly dance monvement and strength conditionin exercises for the core muscle groups. The remaining 60 minutes is dedicated to belly dance technique, choreography, drills, and basic movement. Every class is different and the material varies from week to week depending on what I feel like teaching or what the students request to go over.

Belly Dance for the Everyday Woman Workshops
This is a one day, 2 hour class. Belly dance movements compliment a womans body and many women do these types of movements every day without even realizing it. This workshop covers the basic techniques and foot patterns of belly dance and focus on muscular control, flexibility, balance, poise, posture, and isolation. The exercises used in class act to counter-balance the activities of everyday motions like holding babies on hips, sittiing at a desk, carrying purses and heavy bags, typing, and more.

Belly Dance Meditation
Meditation is an ancient practice that focuses on breathing techniques and quieting the mind. A practice of being present. Belly Dance meditation an effective way to relax muscular tension, ease stress, energize the body and mind and re-connect with the spirit. You don't have to be a skilled dancer to benefit from the belly dance meditation experience. Dance meditation is less about dance technique and more about the movements that feel good and help align and energize chakras.