Egyptian Dance Workshop
Deze text in het Nederlands

Maybe you have a birthday to celebrate, or are organising a hen-party / teambuilding session? Why not request a workshop? Workshop of approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes will include a warming up that is fun to do as well as the chance to learn some basic moves and put together a simple choreography. Bring along an open mind and enthusiasm.

Location: Donker Curtiusstraat 133, Amsterdam (Westerpark/ Staatsliedenbuurt).
Take tram 3 get off at the Fred. Hendrikplantsoen, tram 10 get off at the Marnixplein and from Central Station take bus 18 and get off at the Fred. Hendrikplantsoen or bus 21 and get off at the Kostverlorenstraat. Visit Google Maps to plan your route by car and www.gvb.nl for up-to-date public transport information.

To enrol: A workshop costs €130. This price is based on a maximum of 10 participants. More than 10 participants means an extra charge of €13 per person. For example; a workshop with 12 participants would cost €156. This price includes studio hire, tuition, use of hip-scarves and veils (special coin belt for the bride/birthday girl) and a cup of herbal tea served in Turkish glasses. The pink and red 5-piececostume modelled here by Janette is available to hire for a small additional cost.

If you are seriously interested mail me to request availability. After that transfer a deposit of €65 to Triodos Bank 784815372 payable to 'In -Tuition' Please state your name and the agreed date and time of the workshop. Enrolments are definite when the deposit has arrived on my account. It's not neccessary to know the precise number of participants (maximum 14) before transferring the deposit. The exact remaining fee will be calculated on the day of the workshop. If you require more information check first Frequently asked questions and other details on this page and if your question remains unanswered email or phone 0619177135

Are you also looking for a good restaurant nearby? El Kasbah is within walking distance from the dance studio. They serve authentic Moroccan food in a 1001 nights atmosphere. Special arrangements possible for groups.

Previous participants:
To read my visitor's book about the workshop click here (Most comments in Dutch.) Click here to see more photos of a workshop.

What should I Wear?
Loose fitting trousers or ideally a long, wide skirt. Bare feet or dance slippers are acceptable. It is not essential to reveal your bare belly!
Do I need to be super fit?
No, it’s always possible to pace oneself during the lessons. Given time flexibility and fitness will improve.
If I book a workshop for 6 people, will it cost just €78?
No, the minimum fee for a workshop is €130 even if there are only 6 participants. You pay €13 per person when you book for 10 people or more.
I've considered booking a striptease or pole-dancing workshop but they were all very expensive. Is belly dancing a suitable alternative?
No, definitely not. If you've already considered these activities then please don't book a workshop with me. A belly dance workshop is more comparable to a flamenco or line-dancing workshop, or any other dance form where the dancer keeps her clothes on!
I'm pregnant, can I still take part?
Provided you're having a normal, healthy pregnancy and your doctor has said it's o.k. to do light aerobic exercise (comparable exercise to a belly dance class) there shouldn't be any problems. Women with a history of miscarriages however, may be better advised not to take part. Whatever your medical history, be alert to your own responses, if a move doesn't feel right, don't do it! Visit Shira's page - bellydancing & pregnancy for more advice on this subject.
How long will it take to learn?
If you attend lessons regularly you should learn a vocabulary of basic moves in two sets of eight lessons. A workshop will give you a good introduction to the simpler moves and hopefully whet your appetite for more! As well as mastering the steps it's important to listen to Middle Eastern rhythms and instruments so that eventually you will get a feel for translating the music into appropriate moves.
Where is belly dance from?
Belly dance originated in the countries of the Middle East and Northern Africa. This dance form has been handed down mainly as an oral tradition and subsequently a lack of reliable written documentation means there is no definitive answer regarding its origins. How or why it evolved is a subject of debate amongst the dance community. It could have been; a dance to aid childbirth, a form of Pagan Goddess worship, or a dance spread throughout the Middle East by itinerant peoples. Perhaps more importantly, we should be concerned about what belly dance means to women today. Read a relatively unbiased and brief article about belly dance on Wikipedia.org
Can I come if I am overweight?
Yes, you may even find your own body image changes as larger women are more appreciated in Arabian countries, where this dance originates. If you are determined to lose weight you will find that given time waist definition will improve.

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