Course Descriptions ~ FAQ ~ Times and Locations
Beginning Belly Dance
This class is designed for non-dancers and/or those who have little or no belly dance experience. The class begins with an isolation warm up designed to get beginning dancers used to isolating the muscles that will be used in belly dance. We focus on one or two of these isolations each week by incorporating them into short combinations. We then go into variations on the basic movement being practiced. Each combination is first broken down into parts and practiced slowly. Then the combination is repeated several times to music. The class concludes with a stretch cooldown. Zils (finger cymbals) are optional (but highly recommended) for beginners, and basic zil practice is incorporated throughout the class.
Intermediate Belly Dance
Intermediate belly dance is designed for dancers who are preparing to perform or simply for dancers who are ready for a more challenging workout. The entire course is focused around creating a performance, be it for a public audience, an audience of close friends, an audience of one, or simply for yourself. The class begins with isolation warm ups and progresses through a series of choreographies. These will typically include the standard components of a performance such as veil work, drum solo, and taqsim, and may include more specialized skills such as folk dances or balancing depending on student needs and interest. Aspects of performance are woven throughout the class including the parts of a belly dance performance, details that seperate a professional dancer from a beginner, audience interaction, and music selection. More advanced zil patterns will be drilled and common middle eastern rhythms will be discussed. Veils and zils are mandatory for students at this level. Students in intermediate class are encouraged to wear their hair down and pulled back from the face with a scarf or headband since the hair is used during performance.
Drum Solo Workshop
Drum solos are impressive to watch, are a great workout, and are lots of fun for both dancer and audience! The best part is that with a few basic skills and some background knowledge, dancers of any level can learn this type of performance. Workshop includes a brief introduction to common middle eastern rhythms and drum solo phrases and progresses to beginning level movements and combinations that can be used with a wide variety of drum solos and other music. Students will then combine what they have learned into a fun and flirty choreography. Whether you are completely new to belly dance or have taken classes before, this workshop is for you. Workshop can also be modified to accommodate more intermediate dancers.
Sword/Tray Workshop
Prop balancing adds awe to any performance and highlights a dancer's balance, grace and skill. This workshop will cover exercises and posture to improve balance and strength, considerations for selecting props, and movements that showcase prop balancing. Participants will learn to use props for both standing work and floor work. This workshop can be customised to be an introduction to prop balancing or technique for more intermediate dancers.
Veil Workshop
Learn the graceful art of veil work! This workshop will cover considerations for veil selection, veil wraps, veil technique, and a choreography to put it all together. This workshop can be customised to be an introduction to veil work or technique for more intermediate dancers.
Double Veil Workshop
Dazzle your audience with a stunning double veil dance. This workshop will cover considerations for veil selection, double veil technique, and a choreography to put it all together. This is an introductory level workshop.
Zil Workshop
A belly dancer without zils is incomplete! Participants will learn the basics of zil selection, how to vary the sounds of zils with diferent hits, and how to recognize and play a variety of common middle eastern rhythms. Participants will also learn movements that lend themselves to each type of rhythm and will practice putting it all together. This workshop can be taught at an introductory or intermediate level.
Floorwork Workshop
Learn to showcase your strength and grace with floorwork. Participants will learn how to listen to a taqusim, excersises and stretches to prepare oneself for floorwork, floorwork technique, and putting it all together. This workshop can be taught at an introductory or intermediate level. This can also be paired with the sword/tray workshop.
Do I need to be a certain weight/fitness level/age/gender to belly dance?
I have had all kinds of students in my classes from children to grandmothers to women of widely varying weights to students with exceptionalities to teenage boys! Students should not feel they need to fit a certain mold to enjoy belly dance because everyone is welcome, and class is conducted in a low-key, supportive atmosphere. If a student has prior health issues, he or she should always consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise routine and he or she should not participate in any movements that cause pain. However, many people find health benefits in belly dance because it improves balance and posture by strengthening the core muscles, it releases stress, and it builds energy. Throughout the class, general variations are offered to the group as a whole which students may select if they are having difficulties. If the instructor is notified ahead of time of any conditions that may make certain movements difficult, she can work with you to create specific variations for difficult movements which will be offered during class without singling out any students.
What do I wear to class?
The most important thing is to be comfortable. In general fitted workout clothing that does not constrict movement is best because the instructor checks students throughout class for proper positioning, alignment, and movement. Extremely baggy clothing makes these things difficult to see. Some students wear clothing that shows their belly, and some do not. Most students dance barefoot, but ballet slippers, hermes sandals, or dance paws can be worn if a student prefers. Students in beginning class can wear their hair up or down (but out of the face). Students in intermediate class are encouraged to wear their hair down and pulled back from the face with a scarf or headband since the hair is used during performance. See below for questions regarding wearing coin scarves, veils, or zils.
Do I need zils/ a hip scarf/ a veil?
Hip scarves are optional, but they are encouraged. A scarf around the hips be it a coin scarf, a fringe scarf, or just a pretty piece of fabric can be helpful because it creates a clear horizontal line across the hips that makes it easy for students to check their hip alignment in the mirrors. Coin scarves create weight on the hips, and many beginners find it easier to "feel" the hip movements while wearing a coin scarf. In addition, coins can create auditory feedback. Students can literally hear the difference between sharp accents and slow fluid movements. A variety of scarves are available for purchase at all classes.
Zils are optional for the beginner, but they are highly recommended. Often beginning students make the mistake of postponing zils until they are intermediate students (or worse, until they are ready to perform.) Zils are an instrument, and like any instrument, they must be practiced. You CAN learn zils and basic movements at the same time if you are patient with yourself. Too often dancers who have postponed learning zils find that once they decide to learn them, they must relearn many basic movements in order to do them with zils. Save yourself frustration in the long run and learn them from the beginning! Zils are required for intermediate students and are available for purchase at all classes.
Veils are not generally used in beginning classes but are mandatory for intermediate students. Veils are available for purchase at all intermediate classes.
HELP! I've been to a class, and I can't coordinate my feet and hips and hands all at once!
Belly dance is like learning anything new. You will not be perfect your first time. Be forgiving of yourself and just have fun. It will all come together once you start to develop muscle memory, and that will take time. In a typical class combinations are taught in "layers." First the footwork is practiced, then hip or body movements may be added, then arm and hand movements are added, and finally details are added. If a student becomes "lost" at any point, it's ok to go back a step and just practice footwork for a while or just practice feet and hips. Add in the other layers once you feel comfortable. Which brings us to...
I want to learn belly dance for my senior project/an upcoming event.
That is fantastic! But again, be realistic with yourself. Unless you are superhuman, you will not emerge from a 4 week beginning class ready to perform, let alone as a belly dance expert. You will emerge with a foundation in some of the movements and principles of belly dance, but if you are planning to perform for a special event or project give yourself ample time to study and practice. Ideally, this is something you should start at the beginning of the school year in order to be reasonably prepared by the end of the school year.
I have another question not listed here.
Email Kalila directly.
Beginning Belly Dance Classes in Rancho Cordova
Hagan Community Center
916-362-1841
2197 Chase Drive
Tuesdays 6pm-7pm
4 week sessions are $29. Drop in rate for one class is $10. Register online at www.crpd.com, in advance at the Hagan Community Center, or in person 15 minutes before the first class. Cash or check only if registering with instructor before class. Upcoming 2010 sessions are as follows:
February 16-March 9
March 16-April 6
April 13-May 4
Beginning Belly Dance Classes in Elk Grove
Laguna Town Hall
916-405-5300
3020 Renwick Ave
4 week sessions are $29. Register online at CSD ereg or in advance at the Laguna Town Hall M-F 8-5. Upcoming 2010 sessions are as follows:
Thursdays 6pm-7pm
March 4-March 25
April 8-April 29
May 6-May 27
June 3-June 24
July 8-July 29
NEW! Mondays 7:30 pm-8:30 pm
March 8-March 29
April 5-April 26
May 3-May 24
June 7-June 28
July 12-August 2
NEW! Beginning Belly Dance Classes in Arden Arcade
Address given upon registration
Saturdays 11:00am-12:00pm
Sundays 4:00pm-5:00pm
Cost is $29 for 4 weeks. Students can start any week since classes are not arranged into predetermined sessions. Address will be given upon registration. New students must pre-register at Jodette's Belly Dance Academy (2131 K street). Continuing students may reregister before class.
Beginning Belly Dance Classes in Sacramento
Jodette's Belly Dance Academy
916-447-3793
2131 K Street
Tuesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm
Wednesdays 6:00pm-7:00pm
Cost is $99 for three M-Th 6pm classes per week for 3 months. $29 for 4 weeks of Tuesday 7:30 classes or Friday 6:00 classes. Drop in rate for one class is $20. Students can start any week since classes are not arranged into predetermined sessions. Sign up in person 15 minutes before start of class. Cash or check only please.
Intermediate Belly Dance Classes in Sacramento
Jodette's Belly Dance Academy
916-447-3793
2131 K Street
Thursdays 7:15-8:15
(Class is instructed by Kalila, Jodette, and Swati on alternating weeks.)
Students will learn more advanced zil patterns, choreography, veil work, floor work, and aspects of performing. Cost is $10 per class. Students must pay before each class at Jodette's Belly Dance Academy. Students can start any week since classes are not arranged into predetermined sessions. Cash or check only please.
Private Lessons
Kalila is available to teach private and semi-private lessons for a base fee of $30 per hour.* Lessons are customized to meet the needs of the student and can cover choreography, use of props (veil, double veil, sword, tray, cane, candles, zils), performance preparation, personalized technique refinement, or just a private environment to learn the content of a regular beginning class. One time group classes are also available and are perfect for baby showers, bachelorette parties, girls night in, birthday parties, and more. To schedule a lesson with Kalila call Jodette's Belly Dance Academy at 916-447-3793 or email Kalila directly at kalila_raks@hotmail.com
Workshops
Kalila is available to teach workshops at your studio. Workshops are customized to meet the needs of the students and can cover any of the techniques listed in the course descriptions section. To book a workhsop with Kalila call Jodette's Belly Dance Academy at 916-447-3793 or email Kalila directly at kalila_raks@hotmail.com
*Additional fees may apply for travel outside of Sacramento/ Modesto area or for multiple students.