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Belly Dance Fusion
Master Classes
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Belly Dancing Lessons In-Person and Online - by appointment only
Master Dance Program
JOanne's Master Dance Program is to both aspire professionals and those who simply want to master dance for fun. Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of 20 years’ experience as a professional performing artist and instructor in the middle eastern dance industry. Assisting and training all ages to develop discipline, confidence and passion and feel the power of movement through belly dance. Master class packages consist of a full-length choreography and two 40-minute privates and/or semi-privates designed to target your specific needs and help achieve your personal goals.
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Introductory
At this level, we work on your Foundation. It is designed for students who are new to Belly dance and for students preparing themselves for their journey through this dance experience. In this class, students learn good dance posture, isolations, basic belly dance moves, shimmies and travelling steps. Students get in touch with their bodies in a new way using and discovering muscles, pathways and a new world of movement. Once the student is able to perform all the moves of this level with ease, it is time to move on to the challenges of Beyond Beginner I.
Beyond Beginner I
This is where the fun starts learning steps. Almost all quintessential belly dance steps are taught at these levels. Building on each class upon the last to get you from simple independent movements to fun combinations and layers. Principles to all of the movement and with the corresponding arm positioning they are ready to go to the next level, this will be decided by the instructor.
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Belly Dance II
This is where we learn the foundation of the technique of mastering the abdominal muscles and another group of steps are introduced. All the foundations of technique and transitioning from one move to another are taught in this class. This is when the student can execute all the steps with fluidity. Students are ready to go to the next level, this will be decided by the instructor for the entry to Intermediate Level I & II.
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Intermediate Level I
This class covers intense multi-layered movements, complex combinations, deep muscle control, and fantastic, more challenging steps focusing on clarity and quality of movement, speed, and expression. The student starts to develop her own style and a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern rhythms, music appreciation, belly dance history and cultural knowledge. All the curriculum of the previous levels need to be performed with ease to be able to take this class. This is a challenging class.
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Intermediate Level II
This level is for the seasoned dancer. We integrate, explore and expand in great detail the sibyllus of Bellydance. Physically demanding movements are taught with dynamics and layers while focusing on musicality, expression. This level instructs in the creation of choreography and deepens the student's improvisational skills to ultimately form well-rounded dance artists.
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Private Lessons
A one on one private lesson designed to target your specific needs and help achieve your personal goals. Perfect for those who prefer privacy and we book around your unique schedule.
THE HISTORY OF BELLY DANCING
Long ago when belly dance and the female body was worshipped and sensuality in the dance blended with the spiritual, uniting mind and body and spirit, Today this art form known takes on many forms.
Belly dance was first introduced to mankind during the first civilizations in the Sumerian times originating as far back as 7000 BC . One of the first freest forms of expressions known in history which began as a fertility dance called dance of the stomach or Belly dance and is a direct descendent of all the dances and has evolved since. Today it still reflects the respect for the body as a creation of nature and temple of the soul and has been practiced by many cultures around the world.
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Belly dancing was introduced to America public in 1893, by promoter Sol Bloom, at the Chicago World's Fair. Eighteenth-century French explorers travelling in Egypt witnessed performers of a curious dance, after observation of the belly dancers these Frenchmen termed the dance ” dance du ventre” (” dance of the stomach” ).
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Belly dance is a non-impact, weight-bearing exercise and is suitable for all ages. Many of the moves involve isolations, which improves flexibility of the torso. Belly dance moves are beneficial to the spine, as the full-body undulation moves lengthens (decompress) and strengthens the entire column of spinal and abdominal muscles in a gentle way. The legs and long muscles of the back are strengthened by hip movements.
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Belly Dance improves, coordination, reflexes, muscle memory, muscle toning, musicality, strengthens quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus minimus and the gluteus maximums, arms, strengthens the back muscles improving posture and prevents back injuries, aids in digestion, relives stress.
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The movement of BD opens up the line of the seven energy centers called Chakras. Balancing the central nervous system from the base of the spine the serpent or Kundalini . Empowering bringing vitality, health, and boosts self-stem.