Heart of Belly Dance Retreat 2026

“There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” ~ vicki baum

Choose your room and reserve your spot today!

Rooms sell out quickly, reserve your spot once registration is open!

Join us for an inspiring belly dance vacation in tropical paradise!

Self-Care & Celebration 2026!

For the 20th anniversary of the Heart of Belly Dance (HoBD) retreats, we’re again partnering with master teacher and choreographer, Jillina! Explore the theme of self-care and celebration as it applies to your belly dance journey. Jillina will teach all the yoga and belly dance classes, as well as lead the discussion night and perform at the hafla. She’ll thoughtfully weave the theme of how to reflect upon, and enhance, your belly dance journey through self-care practices and celebratory rituals. In honor of this special anniversary retreat. Tanjina will be offering two workshops on how to “Design a Life Yoou Love” to support our theme of self-care and celebration! And, enjoy an extra-celebratory hafla, and Latin dance party night!

Immerse yourself in belly dance and delve into how self-care and celebration informs artistry through:

  • Middle Eastern & fusion dance lineages
  • Selections and interpretations of belly dance music
  • Regional and cultural understanding surrounding the dance
  • Mindfulness and body awareness
  • Creative freedom, originality, and personal expression

May the 20th Anniversary Self-Care & Celebration Edition give birth to more inspiration, ideas, friendships, conversations, collaborations and beautiful, uplifting movement!

The 20th anniversary retreat will culminate in a choreography by Jillina. Dancers are welcome to take as many or few classes as they wish. At the closing show dancers may perform the choreography in celebration of all the learning and growth over the weeklong intensive.

Choose your room and reserve your spot today!

Heart of Belly Dance 2026
Self-Care & Celebration Edition Schedule

Sahara Dance Heart of Belly Dance Schedules (HoBD) 2026 - HoBD CR 2025

 

Choose your own adventure!

You can attend all the classes or none at all. Spend the days at the beach, in town, receiving a massage, at the pool, on an excursion, or dancing/stretching/sweating it out in the studio. 

All Levels Welcome: Beginner – Professional!

Heart of Belly Dance retreats are suitable for all levels, with individual attention to modify movements for beginners and/or challenge advanced dancers. We offer a full schedule of training for professional dancers and teachers, however, all students may choose the intensity of their training. Dancers are welcome to partake in all of daily programming, or just participate in portions of class and relax at the beach, enjoy the resort and explore the small town of Nosara at your leisure. Each day you can design your own training and dance journey to best suit your personal inspiration and rejuvenation!

Perform At The Show!

Dancers are welcome and encouraged to perform solo and small group performances for a student show centered on the theme of Self-Care & Celebration.  The topic for submissions: Exploring the expression of self-care & celebration through belly dance. Performance are accepted under 3.5 minutes in length and casual costuming is encouraged for a retreat setting.  In keeping with our genre, songs with English lyrics are discouraged. Participants are encouraged to practice performing in this intimate and supportive small group setting. Dancer may decide onsite if they would like to perform.

Leave your cares at home and reconnect with your love for belly dance. Join us for a week of dance and yoga bliss.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Choose your room and reserve your spot today!

JILLINA BIOGRAPHY

Jillina has devoted her life to dance.

​With a background in Middle Eastern, Folklore, Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop, she creates a colorful Middle Eastern fusion repertoire that has inspired collaborations with some of the world’s leading instructors and performers. Traveling extensively to create productions and teach seminars that embody her unique style of dance and dance education, Jillina also advocates a local dance community, owning the creative hub, Evolution Dance Studios in North Hollywood, California. Whether on stage, coaching one-on-one, or teaching a group of 1,000 students, Jillina’s vibrant ability to connect with people on and off the dance floor continues to influence dancers and entertain audiences worldwide.

TANJINA BIOGRAPHY

Tanjina Shapiro has served as the Heart of Belly Dance Retreat Coordinator since 2023 and brings years of experience designing transformational experiences that blend creativity, clarity, and connection. A longtime retreat participant and community builder, she’s thrilled to offer new heart-mind workshops this year to help dancers reconnect with what lights them up — on and off the stage.

Tanjina is a coach, growth advisor, and facilitator who helps people get unstuck and design lives they love — with joy, purpose, and spaciousness at the center. After years of climbing the corporate ladder and pushing through burnout, she chose a new path: one rooted in alignment, vitality, and meaningful work. Her journey has taught her that success doesn’t have to cost your well-being — and that you don’t have to wait until 90 to live without regrets.

She’s known for cutting through confusion, asking the questions that matter, and helping others reconnect with their inner compass. Her workshops offer a blend of reflection, guided meditation, and gentle challenge to help participants gain clarity, release limiting beliefs, and step boldly into their next chapter.

Come as you are — and leave with renewed vision, aligned momentum, and a deeper connection to what truly moves you.