Ethnic Dance Expressions
School of Belly Dance
Dance Class
Descriptions & Levels
(352) 384-9200
Ethnic Dance Expressions offers
six levels of instruction
for Belly Dancing:
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A weekly Technique class and a monthly Intro to Belly Dance Technique class geared to help new students gain the confidence and skills they need in the classroom. These classes are particularly helpful to students who have never taken dance classes before because the class focuses on the dance basics and beginning belly dance movements. |
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Belly Dance Aerobics for students who want more of a work-out yet want to learn about belly dancing. |
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The Beginner classes are for new students. Students learn the basics and a dance routine to incorporate the techniques they have learned. |
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The Advance Beginner class is for students who have taken 6 weeks or more of belly dance classes. This class moves faster because the students have mastered the basics. |
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The Intermediate class is for dancers who have had at least a year of belly dance. Technique is covered in conjunction with the choreographies being taught. |
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The Advance/Troupe
class is open to Intermediate students after they have attained the
necessary skills and learned a sufficient number of the dance company
routines. |
Belly Dancing for |
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Have fun and get fit while you study the ancient art of
Belly Dancing with Sallamah Chimera and Ayla. Let your imagination
drift as you dream about the ancient pyramids and Cleopatra, envision Salome and
her dance of the seven veils, or spend a day in a Turkish harem.
Belly Dancing for Art
& Exercise will keep
you slim and trim. It is aerobic and tones muscles you
never knew you had. You will learn to shimmy and vibrate
your hips, snake your arms, and undulate your torso, flutter your
tummy, and master the art of playing finger cymbals as you listen
to exotic music. Best of all, Belly Dancing was created for
women by women and is natural to do. So do something new
and exciting, shimmy into shape while you
increase your cultural awareness!
Adult Belly Dancing Classes are
offered Monday through Thursday nights, and Friday morning and
afternoon. Ethnic Dance Expressions Studio
has five technical levels you can select from (see above.) Teens (10 and up) are also
welcome to join the adult classes.
ATTIRE:
Students will need
stretchy form-fitting clothes, dance sandals, bare feet or socks,
and a shawl or scarf to tie around their hips. [Hip
Sashes and Sandals are available at Sallamah's Suq (Studio
Store).] Register
Online
Belly
Dancing for |
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Belly Dancing is a dance of ultimate femininity, designed for a woman's body at
any age, size or shape. It expresses the joys of womanhood as it tones and
exercises the body with stretching and low-impact aerobics. Belly Dancing
is an especially good form of exercise for mature women, women who are
overweight or those recovering from injuries or surgery or pregnancy because it works the
muscles gently without stressing the body or overextending the joints. It helps
prevent osteoporosis, improves your posture to relieve back pain, and helps you
burn approximately 300 calories per hour. No previous dance training is needed.
Classes are on Monday nights from 7:30-9:00 pm. Register
Online
Also offered, through SFCC's Lifestyles Over 50 program, is a Mature Woman's
Belly Dance class on Monday afternoons from 4:30-5:30 pm.
ATTIRE:
Students will need
stretchy form-fitting clothes, dance sandals, bare feet or socks,
and a shawl or scarf to tie around their hips. [Hip
Sashes and Sandals are available at Sallamah's Suq (Studio
Store).]
Beginner's |
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This class is primarily designed for people who have never
belly danced who want to find out more about belly dancing and if belly dancing
is something they would enjoy. It is also for new beginner students who
feel they would benefit from a class focusing on basic belly dance technique and
for those who would like a refresher technique class. Students will have
an opportunity to learn the essential belly dance basics like isolating the
head, arms, torso and hips to make belly dance movements. A small segment
of an easy dance routine will also be taught to help students apply the basic
techniques they have learned during class. A one hour weekday class is
offered on Wednesday from 4:30-5:30 pm and a two hour workshop is also
available. See Workshop
page for date, time and cost. Register
Online
Belly
Dance Aerobics Currently
Not Offered |
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Belly Dancing is a wonderful form of
low-impact aerobics. Belly Dance's traveling shimmies, percussive
hip work, and sustained arm, hip and torso movements make it an
excellent exercise choice for students of all ages and shapes. Belly
Dancing Aerobics
will build-up your aerobic capacity and
physical stamina. It will even tone and shape your body while you
dance and sweat to the sounds of Arabic music. Classes include a
thorough warm-up and cool-down; stretching; low-impact belly
dance aerobics; abdominal workout; and belly dance movements. Please wear cool, comfortable clothing,
aerobics shoes (cross-trainers), bring a towel and a mat.
Mother
& Daughter Belly Dancing |
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Belly Dancing is a family activity in the Middle
East--Grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins and close family
friends get together to dance on social occasions like weddings, births, and
just for fun. Mother & Daughter Belly Dancing will offer basic dance
technique like head slides, shoulder thrusts, hip circles, shimmies and
walks. We will eventually incorporate these movements into an easy dance
routine. We recommend children be 8 years of age and older but children 5-7 who
are currently enrolled in dance classes are welcomed. Grandmothers and
granddaughters, nieces, sisters, cousins and even neighbor children can make-up
the duo. See our Class Schedule for
the day and time. Register
Online
Zambra Mora |
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Sallamah Chimera also offers classes in Moorish Flamenco or Zambra
Mora-- this is an eclectic theatre art dance that
captures the fire and spirit of the people. Moorish
Flamenco uses a mixture of Belly Dancing, Latin, Mexican,
Flamenco, Gypsy, and Jazz dance techniques which have been passed
among the Spanish, Gypsy, and Arabic cultures over the
centuries. ATTIRE: Students will need jazz shoes or Hermes
sandals for class and a long, full skirt. Character shoes are needed for
performances. We will be learning "Playa
Colorado" and if time permits, a fan dance. NOTE: It is highly
recommended that students take belly dancing since many of the
techniques will be Arabic.
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Special Dance Workshops |
The EDE Studio realizes that dancers have
needs that go beyond dance technique. To address these
needs, we will have Special Workshops on costuming, figure analysis,
color analysis, stage make-up, as well as specialty dances like
cane, sword, fire, floor, veil dances and more. We also
plan to invite teachers who are masters in various skills and
dance forms to teach at the studio. Check with us
frequently to see what is being offered or to make a request. (See our Class Schedule for more
information.)
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Dance Coaching & How to Create Your Solo |
Dance
Coaching is a vital element often lacking for
those in the belly dance field. A dance coach is not only a
mentor with a trained eye, but a person who must provide positive
and constructive recommendations. Private dance coaching is
available by appointment for students and dancers who want to
improve their performance skills or who would like to create a
solo. Sallamah will be available to coach you and provide
positive feedback as you develop your dance style, choreograph
your first solo, or improve your overall performance skills and
technique. Students must have their music selected, preliminary
movement theme or choreography worked out to present to Sallamah.
She will critique, evaluate your choreography, entrance, exit,
technique, movement selection, stage presentation, dynamics,
costuming and more. Cost is $35.00/hour.
Class Schedule and Registration Information
B 2001-2008 Sallamah Chimera
