|
Prenatal Classes - Coming Soon! Email liz@memphisraqs.com if you're interested in details about our upcoming prenatal classes
Our classes focus on laying down a solid foundation of basic bellydance technique, including muscular control and isolation, as well as movements and combinations commonly used in tribal style group improvisational dancing.. After a few sessions of technique classes, choreographies can be learned to incorporate the techniques previously learned. Classes are taught inside the MidSouth World Dance Center at 3100 Walnut Grove, Suite 204, inside the Walnut Grove Office Garden.
Class Fees: Our Introductory classes run on 4 week cycles, starting over the first week of each month. Try your first class for $15 or purchase a multi-class card, available online or at the studio. You do not have to have a paypal account to buy online, simply enter credit card info. You can pay for the full 4 class session for $48 or 10 classes for $100. Classes open at 5 students and cap at 12 to ensure adequate personal attention. Once a class caps, we will start a waiting list.
To register for any of the above classes or workshops, complete the Online Registration Form CLASS DESCRIPTIONS Intro No experience necessary. Basic bellydance 101! Level 1 Prerequisite: 4+ Intro classes In Level 1, we start to put our basic isolations into combinations like Ghawazee 1, Ghawazee 2, Spanish Box Step, Choo Choo Turn, and Egyptian with a turn, as well as new techniques like mya, omi, and shimmies! Level 2.1 :Prerequisite: Level 1. Working on undulations, Arabic combos, 3/4 shimmies, etc. Level 3.2: Prerequisite Levels 2.1 and 2.2 No need to have 3.1 before 3.2 "Gushe" choreography - Open to any student who has completed at least Level 1. Upbeat folksy, skirt dance to "Gushe Cheman" "The Lantern" Choreography - Open to any student who has completed one round of Level 2 technque. Slow, slinky, tribal fusion dance to "The Lantern" by Beats Antique
A workshop is a one-time class offering in a specific technique not always covered in-depth in our weekly classes. Whether you want to spend some time focusing on shimmies or learn a new choreography, or you can't make our weekly classes and want a one-time dose of the fun, keep an eye here for our schedule of upcoming workshops!
The beauty of bellydance is - all women can do it! Mothers, daughters, grandmothers...business executives, lawyers, doctors, cashiers, waitresses, college students... no matter what physical shape you are in, you were made to bellydance. Why? Because you're a woman! Raqs Sharqi (bellydance) has historically been a dance celebrating the feminine mystique, from swaying those hips to flashing a flirty grin over your shoulder. This dance embodies the epitome of womanhood! For more information on the history of raqs sharqi, click here. And, it's great exercise! Bellydance works the core muscles - abs, thighs, and glutes. If you're looking to slim down your waistline and say goodbye to those love-handles (who isn't?!) then bellydance is a great addition to your workout. Furthermore, bellydance is low-impact, so even if jogging and step-aerobics are too hard on your knees or back, you can still benefit from our classes. We are careful to keep you in good posture that will reduce pressure on your back and knees. The movements you'll learn in class work your muscles in a way that most regular aerobics classes don't touch, especially the obliques and lower abs around the bellybutton. And the best part is that you'll be having so much fun dancing to exotic beats and admiring the way your jingly scarf shimmers with every hip movement, you won't even realize you're working out!
 We seek to maintain a comfortable, learning environment. Kick off your shoes, tie a scarf around your waist, and join the ranks of smiling faces. What could be better than dancing alongside sisters who don't care what size pants you wear, what you scored on your ACT, or how much money you make? Our instructors cater to each student's individual goals. Whether you're looking to lose weight and get in shape, immersing yourself in the practices of a foreign culture, or simply looking for a fun weekly get-a-way from daily stress, our classes will suit you. We let you set your own pace. Our ultimate goal is for you to enjoy yourself in class - not rushing to get you stage-ready! All students move at a different pace, depending on their prior body movement experience. Our ongoing fundamentals classes allow students to stay in the beginner-level class as long as they need to master each movement before advancing to the next level.
What should I wear or bring to class? Students should wear comfortable workout-type clothes (no jeans please) that you can bend and stretch in. You might like to tie a scarf around your waist to better see your hip movements, and there are coin belts and hip scarves for sale in our boutique. Our wooden studio floor is cleaned regularly, so students are free to dance barefoot. It is more comfortable for most and easiest to feel the movements that way, although you may wear tennis shoes or ballet/jazz slippers for better traction if you prefer. It is a good idea to bring your own bottle of water, as hydration is important in any fitness regiment, however we do have bottles of water available at the studio for a small donation, as well as a water fountain. You might find it a good idea to bring a notebook to write down new movements or make notes that your instructor offers, so that you can practice throughout the week. What ages are your classes designed for? Most of our classes are designed for 16+ years old, although we currently have a couple of students as young as 14 years old whose parents deemed them mature enough to participate in classes with adults. We have no limit to our student's ages - our current oldest student is 80. We regularly offer Mommy & Me classes and World Dance for Kids classes that cater to 5-12 year olds. Can my kids come with me? One of the benefits to the MidSouth World Dance Center is the kid-friendly waiting room, complete with coloring books, a television, and a viewing window into the dance studio to watch parents practice (and vice-versa). If you plan on bringing your children regularly, please let your instructor know. If there are to be more than 3 children at a time, we'll need to make sure a staff member is present. Do I have to show my midriff in class? Absolutely not. Students are NOT required to show their midriff during class - what you wear is 100% up to your own comfort level! It is easier to see your movements when you aren't wearing a baggy T-shirt, and your teacher will most likely bare her belly so that you can see exactly what is going on, but no one will ask you to do so! You might find, though, that after a few short weeks of bellydance class, you are much more comfortable in your own skin. Often, students will start classes out in baggy tshirts and loose sweatpants, but by the end of the session, they are comfortable showing off their curves, and maybe even a little tummy skin! Are men allowed to participate? There are certainly male bellydancers, and many of them are a joy to watch perform! However, as this style of dance is built on the movements of a woman's body, most male dancers learn to bellydance slightly different techniques than women. If you are a male who is interested in learning this dance, contact info@memphisraqs.com . We can set up private classes or classes catered specifically to men. Are people allowed to view classes in session? Absolutely. We have a viewing window from our waiting room that allows prospective students to view a class in session without disturbing class. How physically demanding is bellydance? The beauty of bellydance class is that the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Whether you are looking for a relaxing, low-impact exercise that will be easy on the knees and back, or if you are looking to add a new aerobic workout to your exercise regiment, you'll find it at Memphis Raqs! The immediate reaction of most students is that they are using their thighs and glutes more than expected. By the end of class, you'll feel it in your abs. And we don't ignore the upper body or arms - with our elegant arm movements and ribcage movements, you'll be using muscles from head to toe. Our technique classes are suited individually to students, based on your personal goals. Only you know your body, so only you can set your limits and your instructor will push you. Am I too _____ to bellydance? No matter what you fill in the blank with, the answer is NO! There is no such thing as too old, young, skinny, heavy, etc to bellydance! Memphis Raqs prides itself on creating a very open, welcoming atmosphere for all of our students. We currently have an eclectic range of students, from 14 to 79 years old... homemakers, computer analysts, physical therapists, lawyers, students, and more! Head over to our students' page to get first-hand accounts from some of our students...
Directions The address to the MidSouth World Dance Center is 3100 Walnut Grove, Suite 204. We are located inside the Walnut Grove Office Garden, on Walnut Grove between Highland and Tillman.
View Larger Map Take Sam Cooper to Highland. South on Highland. West on Walnut Grove. The Office Garden will be on your right across the street from Pier One and the Central Library. The turn is in a curve, so keep an eye out for it as you come around the curve. Pull in to the right of the complex, and the MWDC is Suite 204 in the first building on the right.
|
