BellyDance classes

Bellydancers are supple, feminine, earthly, mysterious, playful and strong.
That dancer is you! Come learn among friends and awaken your inner fire.
Build community and self-knowledge while honoring the inner divine feminine.

MONDAY

Bellydance classes are held at Yaw Theater at Equinox Studios

~ Monday Nights ~ 6 week sessions ~

Bellydance Toolbox

6pm - 7pm pst Bellydance Toolbox ( Open level)

- Alignment for dance posture
- Intro to history and music
- Building strong dance skills
- Isolations - straight lines, circles, figure 8 and undulations
- Shimmies
- Beautiful arms and hands gestures
- Intro to veil dancing
- Intro to structured group improv and finger cymbals

Perfect for new students or a great drill class for returning students. Experienced dancers can deepen their practice by working thoughtfully into the isolations and rhythms as your body and mind open and are prepared to learn more subtle nuances in these powerful foundational moves.

*New material is always being added to this course. We are currently exploring both solo cabaret and group improv fundamentals that are used for our bellydance street team.

Bellydance Workout

7:00pm - 8:00pm - Bellydance Workout - Mixed level
- Exercise class will invigorate your body, calm your mind and deepen your capacity for working with isolations, combinations and complex patterns. Challenging yet accessible for all fitness levels and dancers. Promise.

Moving together in community can fill our lives with creativity, beauty, connection and joy
"Regular exercise also remodels the physical structure of your brain to make you more receptive to joy and social connection. These neurological changes rival those observed in the most cutting-edge treatments for both depression and addiction. The mind-altering effects of exercise are even embedded in your musculature. During physical activity, muscles secrete hormones into your blood-stream that make your brain more resilient to stress. Scientists call them "hope molecules." "
~The Joy of Movement How exercise helps us find happiness, hope, connection, and courage

Sacred Geometry

8pm - 9pm Sirens of Serpentine & Bellydance Street Team
(Performance Troupe Practice ~ INVITATION ONLY)

- Rhythm Study: Finger cymbals & Frame Drum
-Technique: Isolation, layers, spins & prop work
-Combinations/Choreography
- Structured Group Improv - Formations, Leading/Following
-Fantastical creations and performance art adventure

• All performances are 100% optional and open to all members of this class.

Please arrive ahead of your class time. Yaw Theater has a locked security door. We will have a greeter outside until 5 min past the start of your class time.

*On-line options are available on (zoom) or FB live stream - Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84335505720 Registered students with Facebook accounts can be added to our private Facebook group for the live streams. Please send Leslie a friend request and a note if you need an invitation.

2024 Dates:
Winter: Jan 15, 22, 29 Feb 5, 12, 19
Spring:  Mar 4, 11, 18, 25 Apr 1 (Apr 8 -12 Spring Break Week) Apr 15
There will be a (2) week break between these sessions. Leslie will be at Datura Level 3
Summer: May 6, 13, 20,  27  Jun 3, 10

Summer Break

Fall: Sep 16, 23, 30  Oct 7, 14, 21
Holiday: Nov 4, 11, 18 ( No Class Nov 25 Thanksgiving Break) Dec 2, 9, 16

$125 for one class series
$175 for (2) classes in the same session (MOST POPULAR OPTION)
$225 for (3) classes in the same session

Drop in NOW available! One class in an evening $25 ~ (2) classes in the same night $35 - Payments can be made in person or using Venmo when you show up.

*Preregistration for all classes and special events are non-refundable.

Venmo: LeslieRosenPerformanceArt or Paypal links below for Leslie@LeslieRosen.com

FAQs

Are we really able to dance in person?!

Yes! Due to Covid, we still encourage masks if you have been in close proximity to people who have been under the weather or have been traveling. They are 100% optional starting Fall 2023.

What should I wear to class?

Yoga or any exercise type clothes are perfect. Wearing a hip scarf will help you see hip isolations more clearly in the mirror. You can purchase scarves with coins or beads or just grab a beautiful scarf from home that you can tie around your waist to start. Some students like to get a little more dressed up in long skirts or harem style pants with a pretty top. There are LOTS of fun costume things that you can experiment with down the line but there really isn't much that you need to get started.

Do I need anything else?

Well, no but YES! You can enjoy class without any of these extras if they don’t fit your budget at this time. Come to class and see what other dancers are using. Then you can start to collect your own magical items. I recommend starting a special designated dance bag and keep it packed so you always have your beautiful things in one place ready to go.

fringe or beaded hip scarves
finger cymbals - Go get em’ if you don’t have any yet. The smaller the better.
frame drum - Start with a small 10” or 12” Remo frame drum
dance journal for class notes
phone with available storage space to make practice videos
water bottle or hot tea container
light knee pads (optional)
yoga mat (optional)
snacks (optional) - A small bags of nuts, power bar or some fresh veg can give you a lift if you need a little blood sugar boost. I love a dance yam.