African Tribal-Belly Dance Fusion Technique

African Tribal Fusion combines Na’la’s unique and eclectic blend of tribal fusion and Industrial African fusion. Her tribal-fusion style includes an emphasis on troupe interaction, American Tribal Style roots with UNMATA stylization, emotional, expressive and dark serpentine movements, and dramatic theatrical elements. Add a healthy dose of the high energy, full body movements of Industrial African fusion and you have 60 minutes of fun!

This class fulfills the technique requirement for the Raquettes AfroStomp performance company.

Gypsy Fusion Combinations: Tambourine and Tribal Skirt

Inspired by Gypsy and Balkan dance tradition, learn fun and sassy combinations using full skirts and tambourines as props.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique or permission of teacher.

Introduction to UNMATA ITS Dance Combinations (8 weeks)

This ain’t your grandma’s belly dance! If classic Raqs Sharqi doesn’t feel quite right, if you’re more tattoos and piercings than chiffon and sequins, or if you just want to try a new twist on belly dancing, this may be what you’re looking for. I.T.S. is a group improvisational dance format developed by Amy Sigil of the world-renowned UNMATA dance troupe (Sacramento, CA). I.T.S. fuses belly dance isolations, flamenco nuances, hip-hop and Polynesian dance. You learn moves and phrases to create on-the-spot dances you can do any time, to any 4/4 beat. No choreography to memorize! This is an intro class, but prepare to be challenged. All levels are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes and a smile, but no jingly belts please!

Latin-Belly Dance Fusion Technique

Infuse your belly dance with Latin rhythms! Designed for students who wish to learn the different Latin dance rhythms, this class will combine belly dance technique and drills with meringue, salsa, cumbia, cha-cha, reggaeton, bachata and more!

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or permission of teacher.

This class fulfills the technique requirement for the Latin-Belly Dance Fusion Performance class.

Tribal Style Drills: Beginner II / Low Intermediate

Tribal Style is a fusion of various belly dance styles and world dance, with an emphasis on posture, muscle isolation, clean execution of movement, rhythm and community. Class is ideal for a student of any style of belly dance who wishes to add depth and range to repertoire, as well as build strength, stamina, and confidence. Structured to challenge body and mind, this class will help students find their own creative dance voice.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Beginner II Technique or one year of previous belly dance instruction.

Tribal Style Drills: Low Intermediate

Na’la teaches an eclectic tribal-fusion style, with an emphasis on troupe interaction, American Tribal Style roots with UNMATA stylization, emotional, expressive and dark serpentine movements, and dramatic theatrical elements. Class is ideal for students of any style of belly dance who wish to add depth and range to repertoire, as well as build strength, stamina, and confidence. Condition to build strength, stretch to maintain flexibility, and drill, drill, drill! Structured to challenge body and mind, this class will help students find their own creative dance voice.

Enrollment is limited to 10 students.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Shara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or two years of tribal style instruction.

This class fulfills the technique requirement for the Raquettes Tribal Fusion performance company.

UNMATA ITS II Dance Combinations

You want more UNMATA!? Building on the basic movements taught in Level I, we continue to explore Amy Sigil’s unique, high-energy improvisational format. The movements and combinations become more challenging as you fortify your dance arsenal with both slow/juicy and fast/sharp moves. We’ll add more line changes and spacing dynamics, while continuing to sharpen technique and isolations. Add more signature Hot Pot combos to your ITS vocabulary and build stronger bonds with your hardcore dance sisters. The fun continues…

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Introduction to UNMATA ITS (Improvisational Tribal Style), and permission of instructor.

Urban-Belly Dance Fusion Technique (LI+)

Urban fusion combines unique hip-hop combinations with traditional raqs sharki belly dance and tribal-style belly dance, through edgy isolations, locks, waves and other urban-inspired movement. Build coordination, isolation and an expanded repertoire with a variety of choreographies. This class will be high energy, prepare to sweat and have fun.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Shara Dance Low Intermediate Technique.

Ballet for Belly Dancers (8 weeks)

Ballet can be considered the mathematics of dance. Belly dancers can use ballet mechanics to improve line, turns, balance, weight-shifts, flexibility and more. Learning to apply the ballet lens to movement can dramatically increase the dancer’s capacity to break down and achieve new steps.

This fun, 8-week class is designed to be friendly and welcoming for all body types. Improve your posture and alignment through graceful, core strengthening dance fundamentals. Masha will guide you through basic ballet exercises, and connect the mechanics within these exercises to particularly challenging belly dance movements.

Each class will focus on a theme to combine ballet technique exercises to relevant belly dance drills. Themes include perfecting the spot, executing a well-balanced arabesque turn, and elongating line and lift for clearer isolations and mastering complex foot work through weight-shifts.

Beginner Tabla (Drum) & Rhythm Foundations

Learn the basics for playing the tabla, including the primary sounds (doum and tek) and fundamental Middle Eastern rhythms. Individual feedback and adjustments will be given to each student on striking technique, timing, hand placement and how to hold the drum.

Each class is divided between practicing technique and playing rhythms. Special attention will be given to cultural and musical contexts surrounding rhythms and drumming, all while making music!

Learn 6 different rhythms with multiple variations throughout the 7-8 week session. Each session we will rotate learning a new set of rhythms.

Beginner Tabla Drum Jam

Take the skills learned in the Beginner Tabla (Drum) & Rhythm Foundations class and jam along with friends!

Students will play various combinations of rhythms and beginner level solos in both a structured and improvised format. The Drum Jam is designed as a supplement to the Beginner Tabla (Drum) & Rhythm Foundations class; we recommend both classes be taken simultaneously.

Beginner Samba

Samba is a musical form that developed out of a combination of rhythms and musical traditions whose origins can be traced back to the early days of Brazil. Each festive and high-energy class begins with a short warm-up of progressive Afro-Brazilian flexibility movements and stretching exercises set to popular Brazilian music.

Students will learn new dance movements each class, building coordination, flexibility, strength, posture, and grace, while emphasizing proper arm, foot, and hip movements. Choreography emphasizing the movements learned during classes will be incorporated at the end of each class.

Some prior dance experience, vocabulary or knowledge is helpful, though not required. Come prepared to sweat and have fun!

Just Dance: Low Intermediate II Zills Combinations

Experience the joy and beauty of this ancient art while getting a workout. “Just Dance” is a one-hour, non-stop dance class!

Enjoy a condensed session of straight dance without time spent breaking down movements, adjusting technique or preparing for performance. This class is designed to complement Sahara Dance technique classes by helping students piece movements together and feel the music within each dance. Special attention will be given to new zill patterns combined with graceful transitions and authentic, joyful expression while dancing.

Learn creative zill combinations layered on top of shimmies, accents and undulations set to contemporary and classical Middle Eastern music. Class is best suited for those seeking a fun-filled dance workout and/or a regular refresher of Low Intermediate II: Zills repertoire.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate Technique and zilling experience. (Combinations will draw upon movements from Low Intermediate-level repertoire).

Just Dance: Intermediate Combinations

Experience the joy and beauty of this ancient art while getting a workout. “Just Dance” is a one-hour, non-stop dance class!

Enjoy a condensed session of straight dance without time spent breaking down movements, adjusting technique or preparing for performance. This class is designed to complement Sahara Dance technique classes by helping students piece movements together and feel the music within each dance. Special attention will be given to playing with graceful transitions and discovering authentic, joyful expression while dancing.

Learn creative combinations of shimmies, accents and undulations set to contemporary and classical Middle Eastern music. Class is best suited for those seeking a fun-filled dance workout and/or a regular refresher of Intermediate movement repertoire.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate Technique or two years of dance experience. (Combinations will draw upon movements from Intermediate-level repertoire).

Rhythms & Instruments with Live Percussion: Beginner / Intermediate

Experience a variety of movements while learning various Middle Eastern rhythms and instruments! Each class will feature live percussion by Sahara Tabla, while dancers drill rhythm-based movements and combinations. Master several rhythms during the semester, including: Malfuf, Samai, Khaleeji, Turkish 7/8 & 9/8, Sa’idi and many more!

Warm ups will expose dancers to varying instruments through taqsim recordings (in Arabic taqsim means “division,” referring to when one instrument divides from the ensemble for a solo improvisation).

Class is designed to help students piece movements together and learn to dance to the foundational rhythms for belly dance.

Special attention will be given to contextual/musical understanding and discovering authentic, joyful expression while dancing. Handouts will be provided.

Prerequisite: All levels welcome; some previous belly dance experience recommended.

Rhythms & Instruments with Live Percussion: Intermediate / Advanced

Experience a variety of movements while learning various Middle Eastern rhythms and instruments! Each class will feature live percussion by Sahara Tabla, while dancers drill rhythm-based movements and combinations. Master several rhythms during the semester, including: Malfuf, Samai, Khaleeji, Turkish 7/8 & 9/8, Sa’idi and many more!

Warm ups will expose dancers to varying instruments through taqsim recordings (in Arabic taqsim means “division,” referring to when one instrument divides from the ensemble for a solo improvisation).

Class is designed to help students piece movements together and learn to dance to the foundational rhythms for belly dance.

Special attention will be given to contextual/musical understanding and discovering authentic, joyful expression while dancing. Handouts will be provided.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique.