Beginner I Technique

This course is designed for students new to belly dance or seeking a belly dance refresher. No dance experience necessary.

Students will learn basic belly dance technique, including posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context, and philosophy of belly dance, as well as a brief introduction to Middle Eastern music. Choreography will be taught to incorporate new movements. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!

Two separate and distinct Beginner I Technique classes will be offered each semester. Beginner I Technique - Zeina is offered in the first half of each semester; Beginner I Technique- Aziza is offered in the second half of each semester. Each course will be 7- to 8-weeks, and together provide a complete introduction to belly dance.

We recommend that students take two full semesters of Beginner I (i.e., two sessions of Zeina and two sessions of Aziza) before moving on, and recommend taking different teachers for each class to gain full advantage of the different teaching styles.

Mastery of the Beginner I curriculum required for enrollment in Beginner II.

No dance experience necessary.

Beginner II Technique

Expand your movement base to include foundational undulations and accents, turns and layering. Begin exploring Middle Eastern music rhythms and structure. Choreography and improvisational exercises will be taught.

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

Low Intermediate I Technique

Learn to travel with isolations and layering. Dance more complex combinations and floor patterns.

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

Low Intermediate II Technique: Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)

Learn introductory zill playing technique and basic rhythms, along with a review of Low Intermediate (and below) movement vocabulary. Drill movements with zills and learn combinations to dance and play with ease. No previous zill experience required.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate III Technique: Veil

Drawing from modern Egyptian style entrances, dance traveling combinations and practice entrance moves. Learn introductory veil dancing technique and movement repertoire, including placement, turns and wafting. Veils will be available for purchase in class or students may provide their own (professional silk veils recommended; approximately 3 yards of chiffon, silk, or other soft, flowing, hemmed fabric may work).

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate III / Intermediate Technique: Sword, Candles & Candle Tray

Add a dash of danger to your dance by learning traveling steps, undulations, level changes, and floor work… with candles and a sword!

Class will focus on sword and candle tray balancing techniques, and tricks useful for all balancing props (basket, candle tray, cane, sword, or anything else). Balancing props provides an intensive workout based on isolations and control, strengthening your overall dance technique. Class will also cover basics of candle dance, including combinations.

Knee pads are recommended. Students must provide their own swords for class (ask teacher for recommendations). Please bring your sword on the first day of class.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Low Intermediate III Technique: Balancing Props

Learn the secrets for balancing a cane, basket, tray (or anything else) while dancing. Balancing provides an intensive workout in isolations and control, while strengthening your core and improving dance technique.

Dancers will develop poise and grace through traveling steps, undulations, level changes and floor work, all within the framework of balancing and isolation. Learn the musical contexts, combinations and movements that best highlight each prop to maximize dramatic effect.

Knee pads are recommended. Students must provide their own balancing props (ask teacher for recommendations). Please, no swords (sword substitutions will be provided)!

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I Technique (at least 2 semesters; 3 - 4 semesters recommended), or permission of teacher.

Intermediate Technique

Refine and master technique through advanced combinations and learning more intricate movement vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on spins, entrance steps, speed and layering.

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

Intermediate / Advanced Technique

Concentrate on components for raqs sharqi performance sets, including more advanced turns, entrance veil work, cane, taqsim and drum solos. Emphasis is on emotional expression, improvisation and musical interpretation.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I, II and III (zills and veil) and Intermediate material and / or permission of instructor.

Intermediate / Advanced Tribal Technique

Concentrate on components for tribal fusion performance sets, including more advanced group improvisation, unified presentation, and fluid transitions. Emphasis is on group camaraderie, improvisation and experimentation.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I, II and III (zills and veil) and Intermediate material and / or permission of instructor.

Advanced Technique: Rhythm Drills with Live Percussion

Practice weekly conditioning for maintaining a full movement repertoire to the foundational rhythms of Egyptian dance. Class will feature live percussion by Sahara Tabla while dancers drill rhythm-based movements and combinations. Emphasis is on quality movement execution, musical interpretation, alignment, stamina, and whole-body awareness. Class may include components for raqs sharqi performance sets, including more advanced turns, folkloric dance, improvisation, entrance veil work, cane, taqsim and drum solos.

Prerequisite: Mastery of Sahara Dance Low Intermediate I, II and III (zills and veil), and Intermediate material and / or permission of instructor.

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.

Golden Era: Low Intermediate / Intermediate Combinations

Spend the semester learning signature moves and combinations from some of the most famous belly dancers of the Golden Era of Egyptian Cinema, who helped to inspire and shape the cabaret art form of belly dance as we know it today!

Stars covered this semester will include: Tahia Carioca, Samia Gamal, Nagwa Fouad, Soheir Zaki, Fifi Abdou, Mahmoud Reda/Farida Fahmy, and more. Students will learn historical context and background for each star featured, and will learn how to execute basic belly dance movements as stylized by these stars. This class includes video viewing and class discussion of historical background and movement execution, as well as dance movement and classic combinations.

This class fulfills the technique requirement for the Raquettes Beledi performance class.

Golden to Glam! Intermediate Dance Combinations

Learn combinations and signature movements inspired by dancers from the Golden Era through the 80s, 90s, and contemporary belly dancers of today. Designed to supplement your technique, performance class, or personal practice, class will focus on capturing the feeling and essence of intermediate combinations, layers and transitions. Fun, light, and flirty, this class is sure to help you dance over hump day and gracefully move through the rest of the week. Class time will be spent dancing and moving, with additional materials and resources provided to students via the class Google Group.

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!

Just Dance: Beginner I / Beginner II Combinations (8 weeks)

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.

Try a variety of dance/teaching styles while learning 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 Beginner I and Beginner II movement repertoire.

Prerequisite: Mastery of content from Sahara Dance Beginner I Technique or 6 months of dance experience. (Combinations will draw upon movements from Beginner I and Beginner II-level repertoire).

Just Dance: Low Intermediate / Intermediate Combinations (8 weeks)

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.

Try a variety of dance/teaching styles while learning 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 Low Intermediate and 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 Low Intermediate and Intermediate-level repertoire).

Just Dance: Tribal Style Drills: Beginner II / Low Intermediate (8 weeks)

Na’la teaches an eclectic tribal-fusion style, with an emphasis on troupe interaction, American Tribal Style roots with UNMATA stylization, expressive, emotional and dark serpentine movements, and dramatic theatrical elements. 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.

In this “Just Dance” class, we will warm up, review our movement vocabulary and…well..Just Dance!

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

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.