Belly Dance classes

[Anonymous]

I've been thinking about taking belly dancing classes as an addition to my fitness routine and because it seems like it would be a lot of fun. I've never taken any dance classes. I'm in my early 40s, reasonably fit. I found introductory classes at Joy of Motion. Do any of you have experience with those classes, or can suggest other places that offer such classes that would be a good fit for someone like me.

[Anonymous]

I love Sahara dance in Tenley. The beginners classes are great and are a mixture of ages and the more intermediate and advanced classes are quite challenging and fun. They also do really awesome weekend workshops.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. That looks promising.

[Anonymous]

I took belly dance at JOM for a year, and it was fine. But I really loved the Sahara Dance classes--I took them at MYB in Silver Spring. The Sahara classes were more focused on proper technique and the actual steps and rhythms; I learned routines at JOM, but didn't really feel like I could improvise or do anything beyond the routine the way I could with Sahara. I did classes at Sahara for three years.

I will say that I had a lot of fun and felt "successful" at both places. I'm a person who's taken 9 years of ballet and 4 years of jazz, and never felt like a dancer. Belly Dance was AWESOME. It wasnt easy, but it felt natural.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. That looks promising.

You're welcome! I highly recommended beginner's classes with Rachel. She was a really good teacher.

If you get a chance, take the Dabke workshop with Karim Nagi. I just checked the schedule and he's doing an April weekend workshop. I had soooo much fun doing it a couple of years back. It's a traditional line dance and is often done at Arabic weddings. It's also quite a workout!