Belly Dance Divas Meetup

This is an intermediate to advanced class rooted in Raqs Sharqi, also known as Egyptian Belly Dance. Each class will include cultural studies, rhythm recognition, and technique drills designed to cultivate a well-rounded belly dance toolkit. These classes will equip you with the skills to become a responsible artist, confident performer, and culturally competent pursuer of fusion dance forms.

This class will also delve into Datura Style, which is both a dance vocabulary and format for group improvisation designed by Rachel Brice. Datura’s hyper-stylized vocabulary is characterized by isolated serpentine movements and post-modern interpretations of weight and flow (i.e., where did time and gravity go?), which pair well with unconventional music. Every class includes a section on finger cymbals, partnered improvisation, and yoga for spinal health.

You will need to sign up on the Urban Cirque website to join the class. https://urbancirque.pike13.com/offerings

Cost is $25 for drop-in and they offer other packages.

Description:
This class will help strengthen your mind-muscle connection so you can isolate any body part you like! We warm up with classical Egyptian belly dance, and then sink our teeth into technique drills for head-to-toe pops, locks, shimmies, and undulations. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to feel more sensual in their body and for dancers who want to integrate isolations and gooey movements into other styles.
Course Prerequisites:
None
Belly Dance Defined:
Beginner-friendly belly dance class covering fundamentals and fusion stylizations. We’ll drill technique to traditional and unconventional music, focusing on isolations and quality of movement. You’ll build skills to confidently integrate ooey-gooey and sharp-and-punchy moves into other styles of dance.

Course Expectations:
Bring a water bottle and wear athletic clothing. No footwear needed. Optional: yoga mat, journal, and hip scarf.

INTRODUCTION:

• History & Culture

• Saidi & Baladi influence

• Raqs sharqi vs. raqs baladi

• Dabke

• Shamadan

• Golden era

• Orientalism

• Censorship

Musicality:

• Maqsoum family rhythms: Maqsoum, Saidi, Baladi

• Maqsoum family timing: 1&_&3_4

• Malfuf

• Chiftetelli

• Rhythmic subdivisions

• Taqsim

• Instrument recognition: dunbek, bendir, riq, oud, mizmar, mijwiz, duduk, ney, accordion, rebab

Dance Technique:
Timed hipwork

• Shimmy
• Rib cage isolation
• Hip isolation
• Pelvic isolation
• Spinal undulation
• Datura arm positions

Qualities of Movement:

• Sharp

• Soft

• Heavy

• Floating

• Muscular

• Loose

• Gooey

You'll need to sign up on Latish Hardy's website: https://latishahardy.com/classes/

Raqs Asana is a unique class that melds yoga with belly dance. This class can help you build the muscles necessary for those beautiful belly dance isolations. There is a fair amount of up and down movement (think getting on the floor and standing up again).

Bring a yoga mat and water bottle. Wear something comfortable for yoga. No need for hip scarves.

You'll need to sign up on the Pole Revolution site, but I have a special package under "Spark of Life Yoga" that will give you discounted class prices compared to the regular ones for the studio. https://www.polerevolutionco.org/
If you need assistance finding the package, show up a little early and I'll help you get set up.