Reflecting upon the 20th anniversary Under a Desert Moon show, I feel privileged to witness Sahara Dance’s growth and so proud to provide a creative home for countless dancers over the years. For this special commemorative show, I was so touched to see our tributes to life changing inspirations. The diversity of both dance styles and dancers was showcased so beautifully. The warmth of the performers and audience was moving, and I’ll hold the memory of this show close to my heart. I’m feeling appreciative of our teachers, studio assistants, students, and supporters who have worked to make this milestone possible, and all those who have kept the studio vibrant, steady, welcoming, and full of creativity.

After over two decades of watching our shows, the artistry which springs forth through the dancers is both humbling and inspiring. When the stress of producing shows and running a small business is mounting, I try to remember how lucky we are to still be able to do this together (and even through a pandemic)!

Live music is such an important part of the art form and it was especially sweet to have a band as part of our anniversary show. I want to thank Saltanah Ensemble (Chakib Hilali, Kylie Hilali, and Abderrahim Amthqal), as well as Randy and Sahara Tabla students, for making music for us, which made the show more wonderfully memorable.

I feel especially blessed that we have so many long-standing teachers still choosing to teach and grow at Sahara Dance. And, I feel equally fortunate that the studio continues to attract new talent, keeping our leadership inspired and fresh. The beloved teachers involved in making this commemorative show include Alma, Ami, Brianne, Chiaki, Crystal, Florencia, Gretchen, Jennifer Anya, Jennifer, Julie, Katy, Leilah Moon, Laura, Malina, Maria, Megan, Mohamed, Nicolette, Omoladun, Randa, Randy, and Sophianna. I recognize the tremendous energy and thoughtfulness teachers put into both providing students feedback, building community in their classes, coordinating among the team to create consistency across the school, and tapping into their creativity to produce interesting choreographies several times a year. Thankfully, teachers and helpers have really stepped up during these past few years while I’ve been raising little ones, and less active in the studio. It is because of them that Sahara Dance is thriving, and that we’re all still dancing together.

Special thanks to Maria for working so creatively and consistently to keep Sahara Dance’s social media presence relevant and compelling, which is its own craft on top of dance understanding. And thanks to Liz, and now Katie, for keeping communications flowing well through the Sahara Dance newsletter. These roles take a lot of heart and effort to do well and I’m happy we have talent and interest in-studio to keep us connected.

The studio assistants (SAs) continue to be the essential caretakers of our dance home, keeping the doors open, technology running, and everyone welcomed. We rely on their competency, patience, and good care for so much. The SA team that carried us through the show includes Bina, Bo, Erin, Farida, Kelly, Maddie, Maria, Marina, Negeen, and Tamara! The studio runs because of them and I really appreciate the many ways they pour such love into Sahara Dance.

Further behind the scenes I realize just how much of a tiny “family and friends” endeavor this has been since day one. Without countless hours of support from the Wilsons (James, Marianne and Anne), my husband (Jake), my mom (Cindy), my father-in-law (Jeff), my sisters (Autumn and Amber), and many others, there would be no Sahara Dance. We have lots of invisible hands and hearts helping to keep our dance shows and studio going, and I’m not sure how I can ever thank these loved ones enough. Truly.

At the heart of Sahara Dance I know that the relationships which blossom within the studio are most important. There is something special about the friendships forged through making art together combined with the exhilaration of dancing as a team. The bonding that happens through movement and self expression feels real and honest. The enjoyment of moving together in unison spills over to the audience. There is a felt sense of connectedness that is alive in shared steps, and a shared dance journey. For me, dancing together over years is a direct and unspoken knowing of my fellow dancers, which is comforting and grounding. I’m so grateful for the time and space Sahara Dance has given me to grow such friendships, and share in the contagious joy of others doing the same. It is a true honor.

There have been many gifts in my life because of Sahara Dance, but knowing the people who make the studio possible is the best gift. It is their good energy that makes Sahara Dance feel like home, and for this I am forever grateful. 

I look forward to seeing the studio evolve in the years to come. This summer will be especially fun with renowned guest artist, Esmeralda, headlining our Summer Caravan show! I’m glad to be able to continue growing and dancing with such an uplifting community.

Love,

Rachel 

1. 1. Building Core Strength. At the heart of belly dance lies the core, the epicenter of control and stability. Conditioning exercises targeting the core muscles (abdominals, obliques, and lower back) not only enhance balance and posture but also enable dancers to execute those sinuous movements with precision and grace. A strong core allows the belly dancer to maintain control over her body, resulting in more fluid and captivating performances.
   2. Injury Prevention. Belly dance is an intricate dance form that involves intricate hip movements, shimmies, and isolations. The repetitive nature of these movements can put strain on the body if not properly conditioned. By incorporating strength training and flexibility exercises, dancers can reduce the risk of injuries, such as strains, sprains, and overuse injuries, ensuring they can dance for years to come.
   3. Enhancing Flexibility. Flexibility is a fundamental aspect of belly dance, as it enables dancers to achieve those beautiful arcs, stretches, and undulations that make the dance so captivating. By engaging in regular stretching routines, belly dancers can increase their flexibility, allowing for a wider range of movements and artistic expression.
   4. Endurance and Stamina.  Belly dance performances often require dancers to sustain movements over extended periods. Conditioning not only improves overall endurance but also ensures that dancers can maintain their energy throughout a performance, creating an engaging and memorable experience for the audience.
   5. Controlled Isolations.  The hallmark of a skilled belly dancer lies in their ability to execute isolated movements with precision. These isolations demand focused muscle control, which can be honed through targeted conditioning. As dancers build strength and control, they can achieve the subtle and mesmerizing movements that distinguish belly dance from other dance forms.
   6. Posture and Alignment. Correct posture and alignment are critical in belly dance, as they allow the dancer to move with fluidity while minimizing the risk of strain on the spine and joints. Conditioning exercises that focus on back and shoulder strength promote better posture, ensuring a graceful and confident presence on stage.
   7. Emotional Expression. Belly dance is not just about mastering movements; it’s about storytelling through dance and conveying emotions to the audience. Conditioning provides dancers with the physical strength and endurance needed to focus on their emotional expression, connecting with the music and their audience on a deeper level.

Excited to add conditioning to your belly dance practice? Check out these conditioning classes on our Fall schedule:

• • Floorwork & Conditioning, Mondays with Leilah Moon – In many ways a lost art, floorwork is a key part of the classic belly dance routine. It displays the dancer’s skill and strength like no other portion of the dance. We will spend the first half of class conditioning the body to build core strength and flexibility, then drill combinations in the second half to fluidly integrate floor movements into our dance. [Low Intermediate and above – REGISTER]
  • Belly Dance Cardio, Tuesdays with Leilah Moon – Up and at ‘em! Get your blood moving and heart rate up with drills, conditioning exercises, and easy-to-follow choreographies in a dance cardio format similar to Zumba. We’ll draw upon movement inspiration from Egyptian and Lebanese belly dance, and various folkloric dances. Let’s sweat, shimmy, and have fun! No belly dance experience required, just your playful spirit! [ALL LEVELS – REGISTER]
  • Strengthen, Stretch & Flow, Saturdays with Rachel Kay Brookmire – Enjoy complete mind-body rejuvenation through dance! We’ll start a comprehensive dance workout with a full warm up designed to align and strengthen the body for health and longevity. Then, practice balance and strengthening drills, conditioning exercises, and easy-to-follow choreographies. [ALL LEVELS – REGISTER]

As with any art form, mastering belly dance requires dedication, practice, and conditioning. From building core strength to enhancing flexibility and endurance, conditioning plays a vital role in nurturing the physical attributes that make belly dance so enchanting. By maintaining a strong and healthy body, dancers can continue to delight audiences and express their creativity for years to come. So, embrace the power of conditioning, and let your belly dance journey be a harmonious fusion of strength, beauty, and self-expression. Happy dancing!

See details and register here

New in Belly Dance Technique classes:

• Chiaki’s teaching a new Advanced Technique class on Saturday mornings
• Rachel is back teaching Advanced Technique class on Tuesday evenings
• Florencia is teaching a Low Intermediate Props Technique class focusing on cane/assaya on Monday evenings
• Beginner II is back on Thursday evenings with Gretchen
• New Beginner I class with Nicolette on Wednesday evenings
• New Samba class with Sonia on Wednesday evenings
• Omoladun’s online only Intermediate Technique class will focus on props brush up (especially veil) this semester!

New in Performance classes:

• Florencia is bringing back the Raqqesat Tahia student company, which focuses on props – all students at the low intermediate / intermediate level should make sure they have sufficient prop training before moving on to intermediate and above student companies, and this is a great way to practice the prop skills learned in technique classes!
• Rachel will direct our famed advanced company Raqs Caravan East for the Winter Caravan show
• Florencia’s directing a new Shaabi Performance class on Monday evenings
• Our Lebanese Style performance group, Raqqesat Beirut, will be doing double veil, directed by Alma!

New category of classes: Conditioning!

Conditioning is extremely important to help build the strength and stamina required to make all our belly dance moves seem so effortless.  Add one or more of these classes to your dance practice!

• Belly Dance Cardio
• Floorwork & Conditioning
• Strengthen, Stretch & Flow

Don’t forget to take advantage of Early Bird prices – check out the full schedule and register today!