Classes and Workshops
Welcome to the beautiful and mysterious world of Middle Eastern Dance- better known as Bellydance! This fun and exhilarating dance form celebrates womanhood with grace, strength, expression and confidence-- and was originally performed by women, FOR WOMEN!
Bellydance is the Westernized name for the style of dance known originally as “Balady” or “Baledi”, and was developed in the Middle East and other Arabic-influenced areas. It is a dance form that is celebrated as a rite of passage in ancient cultures, and is one of the oldest world dance forms passed down from mother to daughter to date. When the women of these local tribes gathered daily to perform their duties of cleaning, cooking, pottery and sewing, they often broke the monotony and boredom of their tasks by getting up and dancing for each other in a socially supportive environment; showing off their natural talent for pelvic movement, foot work, and rhythm mastery. In addition, Bellydance was known to be used as a fertility dance, helping the expectant mother through labor by strengthening the abdominal and pelvic muscles. In the Arabic language the traditional technique of Bellydance is known as “Raqs Sharqi”. This term suggests a dance with exotic origins, which would tend to give it higher status than dances of local origin. In Europe it was known as "danse orientale", "Oriental belly dance", and in Turkish as “Oryantal dansi” (English: "Dance of the East").
In all of my technique and choreography classes you will be exposed the Bellydance essentials and introduced to other elements of dance (see Class Levels). You will learn grace, isolation, and body control, and with this you will find improved posture, mental and physical health as well as having a really fun, cardiovascular workout. Many people find that through Bellydance they can heal physical & emotional pains, and build self-confidence by expressing their bodies and releasing their minds. Healthy alignment is just as important as strong isolations, so I prefer to incorporate full body awareness when teaching basic technique. Always keep in mind there is never one “wrong” or “right” way to dance as long as you are safe in your body and getting enjoyment out of it!
Class Schedule
Available for single or group private lessons. Please email all inquiries for rates and availability eli@elishevadance.com
**Technique classes: Focuses on drills for mastering movement and small combinations.
**Choreography classes: Focuses on stringing combinations together over a series of weeks into a dance.