Middle Eastern Dance Classes

The West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance LLC is dedicated to serving the needs of its students, creating greater body awareness through physical fitness, and allowing a woman or girl to discover and appreciate her individual beauty. According to the American Council on Exercise, belly dancing has now emerged as one of the hot new exercise trends across the country. It has evolved from traditional forms to heart-pumping workouts. Belly dancing can be soft on the joints and at the same time be highly energetic and work muscles, especially core muscles, that most people don't use with regular workouts. It's a great opportunity for people to learn about the music and traditions of unfamiliar countries and cultures while getting a great workout. It can also give your body a beautiful shape while being an excellent alternative for people who don't like to do traditional gym exercises.

There are year-around classes offered at several locations. Ongoing students are expected to master the material of the current level and are encouraged to consult the instructor for assistance in proper placement and/or advancement. All instructors are certified in CPR and first aid through the American Heart Association.

Level I (Beginner)

The beginner class involves gentle, curving, circular movements guided by beautiful music that improves flexibility and coordination. Plus, it's lots of fun and a great workout for arms, shoulders, upper and lower abs, and legs, while improving your posture too. In Level 1, you will learn basic movements and combinations in Middle Eastern dance. It's a terrific way to burn calories and learn to dance at the same time. No prior dance experience necessary. Level 1 must be completed twice to advance.

Level II (Intermediate)

The intermediate class is a continuation of the first level, concentrating on more isolated movements and combinations while learning the essence of this dance. The Tuesday night intermediate class at the Portage Administration building is for students who would like to perform oriental and folkloric routines locally. The Thursday Level II class is technique only.

Level II (Intermediate ~ Technique)

The intermediate technique class focuses on mastering technique by making it your own, incorporating it into body memory and vocabulary until it comes effortlessly to express yourself. Drilling consists of working through many variations and including ornamentations, as well as learning intermediate and advanced techniques. Finger Cymbals and a veil are required.

Level III (Advanced)

The advanced class teaches professional techniques, dance routines, and combinations from all areas of the Middle East. The focus is more on cardiovascular exercise and professional dancing. The members of this class constitute our performing troupe and are expected to travel and perform across the Midwest. The advanced class is by invitation only.

Tribal Corps (Intermediate)

American Tribal Style Belly dance is a fairly new dance form with its origins in traditional Middle Eastern dance.The focus here is to study Tribal Style Belly dance, which has its roots in the gypsy dances of the Middle East , but carries the modern touch of American artistic sensibilities. Tribal style merges a range of dance elements, such as the strong posture, proud chest and strong arm movements of the Flamenco, with the influence of countries such as Turkey , Egypt and those that line the North African coast. It uses as its basis a set vocabulary of movements commonly associated with raqs sharqi and folkloric dance - hip lifts and drops, hand floreos, tribal arms, head, hip and torso isolations, shimmies and traveling steps. These movements are learned in combinations or sets of movements to form a simple common dance vocabulary and posture, unique to the ‘tribe'. Once learned, as with any tribal or community dance, this specific dance vocabulary frees the dancers from the need to faithfully follow or count steps in a set choreography, enabling dancers to interact with each other and the music, and to follow cues initiated by the designated ‘leader'.

The dancers also learn signals or cues to indicate distinct movement patterns and transitions. While dancers basically perform the same steps at the same time, leaders in the chorus and in the front line choose the order of movements and variations offering an ever-changing interpretation of the music.

A yoga matt, towel and lots of water are encouraged for this class. You must have completed 12 weeks of beginner belly dance to attend this class.

Zumba (Beginner/Intermediate)

Zumba is a fusion of Latin, Belly dance, Flamenco, Hip Hop, and Ballroom to International and modern music with easy to follow dance steps that combine fast and slow rhythms. This is a high energy workout that will tone and sculpt while you enjoy dancing at the same time. Don't miss this stimulating and complete workout while learning to move and groove your body at the same time. Learn more at www.zumba.com. Water and a towel are highly recommended.

Little Arabian Jewels

This fun dance class is specifically designed with a young child in mind (ages 5-9) with emphasis on the fundamentals of dance movement. Classes will touch on many dance forms but will have a strong emphasis on Middle Eastern dancing. Students will learn grace and good posture, feet positions, stage presence and how to enjoy the natural movements of the body while improving coordination. Opportunity will be available to perform at local events, festivals, and retirement centers. Comfortable clothing is needed. A shawl or hip accent is optional. Don't let your aspiring dancer miss out on this unique class.

Beginner, Intermediate, Tribal and Advanced Classes

Location: Portage Administration Building at the corner of South Westnedge and Centre Street.
These classes are conducted through the Portage Public Schools continuing education program. For more information or to sign up for this program, you may contact PCEC at 323-6700 or www.PPSCommEd.org. Cost is $64 per session.

Location: Borgess Hospital Health & Fitness Center, 3025 Gull Road in Kalamazoo
To register, call 226-8135 or 1-800-828-8135, or visit http://wellness.borgess.com
$38 non-member, $33 member for four weeks.

Brown Bag Belly Dance starting January 5, 2009

Monday: 12:15 - 1:15

Beginner Class Only

Cost: $65

When: Wednesday evenings from 7 - 8 p.m.

Dates:December 10 - January 28

February - March 11

Location: In the Mall plaza building next to Earthly delights, VanSweeden Jewelers, and Irvings Market. Parking is 90 minutes FREE parking on the Mall & surrounding side streets or enter the Kalamazoo ramp on Portage Road (same ramp used for RAVE Movie Theater) and park on the 4th floor ramp which has a skywalk directly to the Mall Plaza. Sangha is on the first floor of the Mall Plaza. Visit www.sanghayoga.com for more information.

Dates: TBD

Time:

Cost:

Location: Sharon's dance studio is located in the Swat fitness center off of 9th street on 5053 Sports Drive, Kalamazoo.

Note: This class is also offered on Monday's at Portage Public Schools. See above.

Winter/Spring Workshop Series

More 2009 workshop's to be announced soon!

Registration can be taken up to the day of the class, but is encouraged in advance since class size is limited.

This is no make-up policy if you miss a class. Classes at Portage Public Schools might be able to be made up within the session if available, but cannot be carried over to the next session. To make-up a class, the instructor must be contacted and grant approval since so many classes are full.

Refunds will not be made after the first week - no exceptions, any location.

Clothing should be loose and comfortable.  Dance wear is recommended, along with a hip scarf to accent the hip movements.

Intermediate and advanced level students must purchase a veil & finger cymbals.

No class observations without instructor approval.

Joette Sawall, Portage Public Schools, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Borgess Fitness Center, assumes no responsibility for any loss, injury, or harm due to participation in a class. Students assume all responsibility. Physical activity should never be started without the advice or permission from a doctor.

No solicitation of any kind will be allowed. If a conflict of interest arises, instructors will review the situation and take immediate action to insure a quality, safe, and harmonious environment.

West Michigan School of Middle Eastern Dance, LLC
Kalamazoo, Michigan
info@wmschoolofmed.com
269-375-0990

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