Nadira Jamal, Belly Dancer

Why belly dance?

Belly dance is a fun and empowering form of exercise and artistic expression. Its many benefits include:

• Exercise
• Self-expression
• Healthy body image
• Improved self-esteem
• Bonding with other women
• Fun!

Although it is often stereotyped as a dance of seduction, belly dance is actually a wholesome and joyful dance that is appropriate for women of all ages.

Join Nadira for:

Belly Dance Fundamentals

Wednesday Nights

6:30-7:30 and 7:30-8:30

Third Life Studio

(L33 Union Square, Somerville, at Somerville Ave. & Washington)

This 10-week session runs from October 8th to December 17th

(no class on November 26th)

(please read the class descriptons carefully before registering!)

6:30-7:30 pm: Move It!

Belly Dance Technique

7:30-8:30 pm: Putting It All Together

Props and Special Topics

This session's topic:

Choreography in Context

The second hour of class is optional, and covers special topics, such as dancing with traditional props and performance skills.

"Teach a dancer a choreography, and she can perform for a few minutes. Teach her how to choreograph, and she can perform for life."

In Session 4, I will teach you a full choreography, but we won't stop there! We will break down the choreography and use it as a teaching tool to help you learn how to create your own dances.

You will learn:

• A dance you can perform for your family and friends


• How to get started: processes for creating your own dance


• What to do : Compositional principles you can use to give your dance variety, while still making sure that your audience can follow your train of thought.

this class will build on the foundation covered in the technique class, so attendance in the first hour is mandatory for anyone taking the choreography class.

For this session only, I can waive this requirement for dancers who are simultaneously taking a technique class with another teacher at an advanced beginner level or higher. Contact me to discuss your situation.

Union Square is an easy bus ride from:
Central (91, CT2), Kendall (85, CT2), Harvard (86), Porter (87) Davis (87), Sullivan (86, 90, 91), Lechmere (87, 88), Arlington Center (87), Cleveland Circle (86), Wellington (90), Ruggles (CT2)

Visit MBTA.com for schedule information

For driving and parking directions, please visit Third Life Studio

This is a technique class for beginners and advanced beginners. My goal is to provide a safe and friendly place for women to use dance to develop their personal style of expression and have fun in the company of other women.  Women of all ages, shapes, and sizes are encouraged to join!

We'll cover:

• proper technique 

So the dance can be done safely, to help you appreciate your body for what it can accomplish, and to build a strong foundation to prepare you to perform if you choose.  

• performance skills 

To give you a platform for expressing yourself with confidence, whether you perform for an audience, for friends and family, or alone in your living room.  

• the historical and social context of the dance

To help you understand what you are doing, correct misconceptions about the dance, and be a responsible member of the belly dance community.

Class Attire:

Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in. Exercise wear such as tank tops, sports bra tops, stretchy fitted t-shirts and yoga pants are good choices. Avoid anything baggy or constricting. Bare midriffs are optional.

You will feel the movements better if you tie something around your hips. Hip scarves will be available for purchase on the first day of class for $15, but feel free to purchase them elsewhere.

You may take the class barefoot or wear socks or dance shoes, such as ballet slippers, half-soles, lyrical "hermes" sandals, etc. Ballroom heels are not recommended at this level. Street shoes should not be worn in class.

Payment:

Just the Technique Class: $130 for the 10-week session (payable in advance or at the first class), or $15/class drop-in rate.

Both Classes (technique, choreography) : $260 for the 10-week session (payable in advance or at the first class), or $30/class drop-in rate.

I accept cash, checks, or a credit card via paypal.

The class will be limited to 20 students. Registration is not guaranteed until payment in full is received, so advance registration and payment is recommended.

All payments are non-refundable and may not be carried over to future sessions.

If you know you will be missing class on specific dates, contact me before registering, as I may be able to pro-rate your session under some circumstances.

Early bird Special: register by October 1stand pay only $120 (technique) or $240 (technique & choreography) for the session!

Registration and full payment must be received by 10/1/2008 to qualify for the discount. Pro-rated sessions are not eligible for the early bird discount.

$40/hr for the first student

+ $20/hr per additional student

Travel Fee

(for lessons in your home or a rented studio)

$10-30, depending on location

(may be waived if Nadira will already be in the neighborhood)

Typically $15-25, depending on studio, day of the week, and time of day.

This workshop presents an analytical approach to dance composition, by exploring the 4 elements of abstract movement: Space, Shape, Time, and Energy.

We'll examine these elements in detail, focusing on their many variations, and the audience responses these variations produce.

The workshop will include:

• Analytical vs. Intuitive composition
• An explanation of the four elements
• An introduction to element variations
• Moving exercises for some variations
• An improvisational exercise
• The limitations of this method
• How to use this method in improvisation

workshop notes will be provided, including a recap of the topics covered, and information on further resources.

the goal of this workshop is to present compositional theory.

We will be doing a lot more talking and less dancing than in many workshops. The exercises are included to help explore and cement the ideas, not to teach specific Technique or combinations.

90 minutes minimum

2 hours recommended

May be expanded to up to 2 days.

Appropriate for all levels and styles

Exercises will use basic movements, but the concepts can be applied to more advanced material as well.

You've never danced to 9/8 music (karsilama) in your life, but the band starts playing Rompi Rompi.  You've seen dancers use skirtwork for karsilama, but you're wearing a straight skirt.  What do you do?

  This workshop covers:

• the 9/8 rhythm
• playing zils to 9/8 music
• the heel step (aka the "turkish strut")
• using standard belly dance moves (i.e., what you already know) with 9/8 music

Time permitting, it can also include:

• a couple of identifiably "karsilama" moves that make people think you know what you're talking about
• a couple of easy-to-remember gestures to make people think you know what you're talking about

60-90 minutes

May be combined with additional karsilama workshops.

Karsilama-illiterate dancers with at least a beginner-level belly dance movement vocabulary.

This material may be too basic for dancers with any previous background in karsilama.