Everyday life can start to feel, well… everyday

This isn’t so bad when life is going smoothly. But when you’re busy, it gets worse: you get bored, then you get cranky, and before you know it, you’re buried under the stress. You know you need some “me time”, but you’re too overwhelmed to carve out the time.

Does that sound familiar?

If so, you’re the kind of person who needs to make room in your life for fun. A little bit of fun helps you regain your balance and energy when life gets crazy.

Belly Dance Class is a Weekly Dose of Fun

Belly dance class is fun. Really, really fun.  In fact, my top priority as your teacher is to make sure that you’re glad you came to class.

Here’s how belly dance brings more fun into your life:

It Feels Great

Moving your body just feels good. Belly dance, with it’s gorgeous moves and beautiful music, is an especially good mood-lifter.  And exercise has been shown to reduce stress and improve self-esteem, especially fun activities (like belly dance) that you do just because you enjoy them.

Learning is Fun

I’m not talking about sit-at-a-desk learning; this is excitement-of-discovery learning.  In belly dance class, you’ll learn much more than moves. You’ll learn how to put them together to create a beautiful dance. You’ll also learn the history of belly dance, from it’s Middle Eastern roots to Boston’s special role.

Accomplishment is Fun

Nothing boosts your confidence like a doable challenge. This is a real belly dance technique class, so you’ll be making real progress, not just feeling good. But there’s no pressure: every class includes basic options for when you want to take it easy, and more difficult options for when you want more of a challenge.

Fun Needs a Positive Environment

The class is supportive and friendly, with plenty of laughter. It’s a non-judgemental, safe place to explore your creativity and personal style through dance.

Self-Expression is Fun

Belly dance is personal.  But belly dance is all about you: what you feel, what you hear in the music, and the moves that feel good to your body.

Fun for Everybody

Belly dance is suitable for all ages, shapes, sizes, and fitness levels. In fact, part of what makes belly dance so special is that it looks completely different, but equally good, on each woman’s body.

No experience is necessary – whether you’ve never danced before or have happy childhood memories of ballet class, you’ll discover a completely different way to move.

You’ll leave class with your body floating and your brain humming.

But I’m too Busy to Practice!

Belly dance, like all art forms, takes practice to master.  If you’d like to quickly progress to the next class level, I recommend a modest amount of regular practice.

That said, I know that one weekly class is all the “me time” some of you can squeeze into your schedules.  It’s important to me that belly dance be a positive part of your life, not a source of stress.

For that reason, practice is optional in Levels 1 and 2.

In upper-level classes (Level 3+), regular practice will be expected.  But for now, if you choose not to practice, I won’t make you feel guilty, and you won’t fall behind.

It will take you longer to move on to the next class level, but that’s not a bad thing.  It gives you more time to enjoy the journey.

Register Now

Level 1

Discover Belly Dance!

You’ll learn:

• dance posture, so you can do the moves correctly, safely, and beautifully
• classic belly dance moves
• traveling steps
• combinations, to help you learn how the moves fit together
• elementary improvisation skills, so you can let go and just dance
• a choreography, which you may (optionally) perform at the recital with your classmates

Now offered twice per week!

Somerville: Sundays, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

SOLD OUT! Third Life Studio 33 Union Square Somerville, MA directions

13 weeks: January 8th-May 6th, with NO CLASS on February 26th, March 4th, April 8th, April 15th, and April 29th. Please keep May 13th free as a make-up date in case of snow cancellations.

Price: $185 for the session, or $15 per week drop-in.

Early bird special: register by December 14th and save $15!

Level: Suitable for complete newbies and beginners with up to a year of recent classroom experience. Also a good refresher for students who have not been taking class recently.

Open to: Women only (Respectful male students are very welcome in the Thursday class)

The Sunday class is SOLD OUT But you can still join the waiting list for future class offerings:

Medford: Thursdays, 6-7pm

CANCELLED FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER Tufts campus Halligan Hall, room H108 161 College Ave. Medford, MA directions

You do NOT need to be affiliated with Tufts to attend this class. However, please remember that we are guests on their campus and behave accordingly.

13 weeks: January 19th-May 3rd, with NO CLASS on March 1st, April 12th, or April 26th. Please keep May 17th free as a make-up date in case of snow cancellations.

Price: $185 for the session, or $15 per week drop-in

Early bird special: register by December 14th and save $15!

Level: Suitable for complete newbies and beginners with up to a year of recent classroom experience. Also a good refresher for students who have not been taking class recently.

Open to: all genders. (Note: male students are asked to contact Nadira before registering)

Classes are limited to 15 students, so I can provide individual attention.

The Thursday class is cancelled for the spring semester. But you can still join the waiting list for future class offerings:  

Level 2

Somerville: Wednesdays, 7:30-9pm

Third Life Studio 33 Union Square Somerville, MA directions

Ready to move beyond the basics? In Level 1, you built your technical foundation. In this class, you’ll start building your performance foundation.

For the spring 2011 semester, we’ll focus on the classic 5-part routine. You’ll learn how a full-length routine is put together, as well as how to dance for each section.

In the process, you’ll learn:

• more challenging technique
• traveling steps
• shimmy layering
• armwork
• stagecraft and performance skills
• finger cymbals
• improvisation

15 weeks: January 11th – May 9th with NO CLASS on February 29th, April 18th, or April 25th. Please keep May 23rd free as a make-up date in case of cancellations.

Price: $325 for the session or $25 per week drop-in.

Early bird special: register by December 14th and save $15!

Level: Suitable for advanced beginners through intermediate. If you’re new to Level 2, or to my classes, please contact me to discuss placement.

Open to: qualified students of all genders (Note: Male students are asked to contact Nadira before registering)

Requirements: You will need finger cymbals every week, and a silk veil in some weeks. I will have these for sale in class. You’re welcome to buy them elsewhere, but please contact me for guidelines before you shop.

Classes are limited to 15 students, so I can provide individual attention.

Registration for Level 2 is closed for the spring semester. But you can still join the waiting list for future class offerings:    

Level 3

This level is not being offered at this time.