Level I: Introduction to Belly Dance Recommended for all new students to our studio. It provides students with the opportunity to learn basic moves and discover the beauty of this incredible art form. No previous dance experience is required. Students will learn the technique required for basic arm, hip and body moves, then put it all together in a fun and usable choreography to some of the best music the Middle East has to offer. It's a great introduction to the world of belly dance!
Level II: These classes are appropriate for students who have mastered the steps taught in Level I and have sincere interest in learning to perform. In addition to learning basic belly dance movements, the class includes dance combinations and the fundamentals of executing dance steps with accuracy, flexibility, grace, poise and smooth transitions.
Level III: These classes are for the high intermediate to advanced dancer and focus on more intricate movements, layering movements and advanced combinations. Mixed Level ClassesSuitable for all level dancers. Some movements are versatile with “beginner” options as well as more complex options (i.e. layering, level changes, and speed) suitable for the experienced dance.
Drop in and “Raq” Out Classes: Belly dance meets aerobics! Join us as we work off those pounds! Suitable for all levels! No prior dance experience necessary. Pay as you go!
Drop in Belly Dance: Technique and Combos
Great low impact aerobic workout incorporating belly dance movements to a pop, hip hop and Middle Eastern music! This class is designed to build strength, muscle control, balance, flexibility, and endurance, while breaking down basic belly dance movements, and dance combinations. Drop in and drill moves from basic to complex layering, while enjoying some of the hottest Middle Eastern music!
CLASS OFFERINGS
LEVEL I
BELLY DANCE BASICS
Learn the basics of belly dancing technique while learning a variety of belly dance combinations. A great introduction to the basic movements, and aesthetics of Middle Eastern Dance. A fusion of many styles including American Tribal, Egyptian, and Turkish style dance. Great for beginners but suitable for all levels!
PERSIAN POP
This choreography is performed to an upbeat pop song by the Swedish-Persian artist Arash, and it is a perfect blend of melodic Middle Eastern sensibilities and modern western beats. We will be exploring traditional cabaret belly dance moves and combinations to enhance technique, style, and grace, mixed with some sassy western attitude. No prop required! Suitable for the beginner student with little or no belly dance experience, or for the continuing student seeking to enhance transitions, learn new combinations, and add a new choreography to her dance repertoire
HOLOHOLO KA'A
Aloha! Be ready for any luau with this upbeat choreography! This hula number is fun, and uplifting. In this class, Leena teaches the fundamentals of authentic Hawaiian dance which she learned on the Island of O'ahu by the notable Kumu Kea. This choreography is an exciting addition to every dancers Hula collection.
HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE TECHNIQUE
Tahitian dance, more properly known as Ori Tahiti, is a fast and exciting dance performed to native log drums. You will learn basic Hula and Tahitian movements, with an emphasis on isolations, layering. A real Polynesian experience!
INTRO TO TRIBAL
This class will focus on learning the foundation moves used in ATS and Tribal Style belly dance. This class is designed for beginners and those with some belly dance experience. Each session will focus on a new topic or set of movements, improving dance posture, technique, as well as dancing with zils (finger cymbals). We will incorporate the foundation Tribal moves into combinations, a choreography, or work on the fundamental skills of lead and follow. This is an exciting class for anyone interested in belly dance.
MANO TO
Mano To is a fun and up-beat dance in a modern cabaret belly-dance style, to a song by the Swedish-Iranian artist Arash. Designed for the student with little or no belly dance experience, as all moves and combinations are thoroughly explained and drilled to fine-tune the new dancer's technique. Low impact but lots of energy! No prop required. Level I and up!
AB LAB
Bring your yoga mat and join us for this exhilarating cardiovascular bellydance workout that sculpts, defines and strengthens your core. Experience the freedom of bellydance while getting a full body workout
RITUALS
Channel your inner goddess in this beginner level choreography, while learning how to execute the beautiful movements of oriental dance in an expressive form. Knee pads are recommended for floor work. No previous bellydance experience required.
MIXED LEVEL
CABARET STYLE BELLY DANCE
This upbeat, sassy choreography is full of cute and challenging combinations. From Arabesques to shimmies, this choreograpy has a little bit of everything!
JAZZY TANGO CHAIR DANCE
Mixed Level choreography with a jazzy style and the passionate attitude of tango. Our alter ego, Mrs. Smith, is torn between love and hate, but the rock in her rocky world is the chair. This choreography takes us through the sultry, sassy, bold and beautiful life of Mrs. Smith.
HOOP DANCE
One of the hottest new fitness trends, this class incorporates a hula hoop into belly dance. This fun and effective class will help promote weight loss and tighten your core! You will learn a belly dance choreography using a hula hoop as our featured prop. All levels welcome.
URBAN EXPRESSIONS: KALI
In this gothic tribal fusion choreography we will master fluid arm movements and mesmerizing undulations as we learn to convey emotions through facial expressions and posture.
HIP HOP
Learn how to pop, lock and flow while incorporating the sensual movements of belly dance.
TECHNO VEIL
Here’s a contemporary spin on Belly Dance…literally! This choreography introduces modern Arabic Techno music using a veil to heighten the viewer’s experience. All levels welcome! Mix Level.
JAI HO
Enter the glamorous and glitzy world of Bollywood with a fusion choreography combining original moves from Longinus Fernandes, the award-winning choreographer for the film, "Slumdog Millionaire," with Bhangra, hip hop and bellydance. Leena studied with Mr. Fernandes when he was here in Atlanta over the summer, so join us as we jump into "Jai Ho."
GUTTER GLITTER
A deliciously creepy gothic fusion piece to Darkwave pioneer, Switchblade Symphony's Gutter Glitter. This darkly whimsical choreography is open to all levels...if you dare *evil laugh*
DERIVATIONS
It's a tribal fusion dance to a mix of nostalgic melody and a modern beat, inspired by an original choreography by Ariellah. The slow and beautiful moves give the dancer the opportunity to fully express every movement.
SHOUF
A fun and flirty skirt dance to an Egyptian pop hit! Mixed level class
SHOUF DAHLRADIA CANDLE DANCE
This choreography requires 2 palm sized brass candleholders which will be available for purchase: $20 per pair (2 candleholders). Mixed level choreography
MARIA MARIA
Join us for this pop fusion choreography to Maria Maria, a Carlos Santana hit. No props required!
URBAN FUSION: INXS
Time to pull out the sassitude! This six weeks we are exploring a tribal fusion style choreography to INXS's hit "Need You Tonight". This is a mixed level course, so you don't need any previous bellydance experience, just a lot of energy and a rock star attitude!
TRAV'LIN ALL ALONE
Blues meets belly dance in this playful and melodramatic choreography edition of 'Prop It Like It's Hot'. Props utilized with be (1) ostrich feather fan with bamboo staves (which will be available at the studio), a sense of humor, and a love for all that is jazz. This is a mixed level course however some previous dance knowledge is preferred.
CABARIBAL (Tribal-cabaret fusion) TECHNIQUE
This class will focus on Tribal technique incorporating elements of Middle Eastern cabaret style dance with American Tribal style. This is a mixed level course.
STEAMPUNK TRIBAL FUSION CHOREOGRAPHY
This tribal fusion choreography introduces us to a sub-cultural movement that reflects a fictional era where steam power is still widely used along with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. Pulling strongly from 19th century aesthetics, it is an eclectic world of cogs and gears, airships and steam. It is romance. It is adventure.
LEVEL II
RAKS HASNA: ORIENTAL MEDLEY
This Modern Egyptian style dance includes a veil intro, a beledi mid piece, and a short drum solo finale!
ALA AWEL - SAIDI CANE DANCE
Saidi Cane is an Egyptian folkloric style dance, but unlike most folklore, this dance is fun, vibrant, and crowd pleasing! This level II choreography is perfect dancers who are ready to try dancing with a prop set for the first time. While it is recommended that you have some belly dance experience, no previous experience dancing with a cane is necessary. More advanced dancers who want to add more Egyptian folklore to their repertoire will also enjoy this class. Canes will be available for purchase in class.
PUF
A brand new choreography in the true Hadil style! "Puf" is a Turkish song by Murat Boz. The choreography is dramatic with a sexy edge. It is modern cabaret with a few Turkish elements. Suitable for all level dancers!
URBAN FUSION "100 EYES" CHOREOGRAPHY
One of the fun parts of fusion is the freedom it gives us to use everyday items as a "prop" to our dancing. During this 6-week choreography, we will be exploring how to use a normal chair as our "partner". This Family friendly choreography is a Level II and III class. Prop Required: Chair. We strongly recommend: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70033870
WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
A fun and upbeat cabaret style dance with veil, to a popular song with an oriental twist. Get ready to learn some new moves and veil combinations, mixed with some familiar belly dance favorites, as we dance like Egyptians. Level II
RAQS AL SAIF: CRIMSON
Learn the art of balancing with liquid isolations in this Raqs al Saif (dance with sword) choreography. Single Sword choreography. Level II and up.
TRIBAL DREAM
Double the excitement in this show stopper choreography using both a sword and zills (finger cymbals). This class will focus on mastering technique for gracefully coordinating finger cymbals into your sword dance routine. Level II and up.
BILLIE JEAN
Prepare to float and flutter, in this original fusion choreography with silk fan veils, to a combination of Arabic rhythms and western pop!
EGYPTIAN NIGHTS
This cabaret style Jillina inspired choreography is a classical composition that embraces the graceful movements of the American Fantasy Style Belly Dance, further emphasized by the use of silk veils. Level II & up.
TRIBAL FUSION CHOREOGRAPHY
Join us for this intriguing choreography full of delicious tribal flavors! Level II.
DRUM SOLO CHOREOGRAPHY
These fierce drum solos are full of pops, locks, layering and a great total body work out.
LEVEL III
“SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO” ROCK/DRUM SOLO CHOREOGRAPHY
In this 6-week course Leena teaches her brand new Rock/Drum Solo to the Clash's "Should I stay or Should I go?" Focus will be on injecting fun and personality into your performance, while working on choo-choo shimmies and layering along with tight locks, hits and poses.
ARAB ELECTRONICA
West meets East in this fusion style choreography.
CRY ME A RIVER
Join us as we put a bellydance spin on Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me a River". It's time to get in touch with your inner dance diva. The focus of this choreography will be on using sinous undulations and staccato locking to interpret both the anguish and anger of the lyrics. We will also be adding a bit of acting and enhanced facial expressions to complete the picture.
MOON OVER ALA NAR
This choreography is fast-paced, cute and full of transitions. Lots of layering and undulations.
ASIAN FUSION FAN CHOREOGRAPHY
This dance is made up of two parts: a beautiful and soft fusion of bellydance and Asian-inspired poses that progresses into a swift martial arts style drum solo, all while using the shorter fan veils. The contrast in styles will sharpen your ability to morph from slow to fast and back again. You will need one fan for the dance. Fans will be available for purchase, in class, at a nominal fee.
TANGO FUSION
The drama... the power...the attitude!! Come join us as we explore the fusion of tango and bellydance. Think sultry nights...slowdramatic drags and lightning quick footwork, combined with attitude and powerful pops and locks. Intermediate/Advanced. Level III
SERPENTINE ZILLS
In this choreography we’ll move fluidly to the Middle Eastern rhythms of Solace’s Serpentine, voted best Belly Dance music by IAMED! This choreography uses zills (finger cymbals) and introduces a few different zill patterns. Mix Level. Basic belly dance experience preferred. This choreography is fast-paced, cute and full of transitions. Lots of layering and undulations.
FOOL IN THE RAIN
Join us as we get our "raq" on in this intermediate/advanced level choreography. We will be putting a belly dance spin on this rock classic hit, Fool in the Rain! Lots of layering, shimmying and "sassitude" to be expected as well as pops, locks and isolations will bring this song to life and challenge you to take your skills to the next level. Level III and up
RAQS ASSAYA
This choreography is Fast-paced, cute and delicate. It contains lots of cane technique. perfect for restaurant performances or bellygrams. Canes available for purchase, This class is for Level III and up
HIP HOP BELLY DANCE
In this six week course, we will learn to combine popping, locking and flowing, with the more sensual movements of belly dance. The results? A mesmerizing modern choreography which will leave your audience begging for more. No props required.
ARABIC POP CHOREOGRAPHY
In this 6 week course, Leena will be teaching a sassy, fun cabaret style choreography to an Arabic pop song by Samo Zain. We will also be learning techniques for tip dancing, and freestyle dancing while keeping the audience engaged. Join us for this rare insight into the world of professional restaurant bellydancing!
JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM
Join us as we Jhoom Barabar Jhoom ("Dance baby Dance") in another glamorous and glitzy Bollywood choreography! This highly aerobic Intermediate/Advanced choreography was created by Academy Award winning choreographer Longinus Fernandes (Jai Ho). Leena learned this choreography from Longinus when he was in town. We hope you can make it! Level III and up
ASIAN INSPIRED CHOREOGRAPHY
This Asian-inspired fusion choreography is a partner dance which will focus on clean lines, crisp technique and intricate moves with an Asian flair. Think "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" meets bellydance!